Here’s a little riddle you can solve: What’s infamous for creeping up on you stealthily and taking up a permanent occupancy on your skin? The tiny clingy dark spot. If you are olive or dark skin toned, you’ve probably experienced more of this hyperpigmentation thanks to your genetic tendency. According to a research paper on the National Library of Medicine, hyperpigmentation may be localised (in terms of post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or melasma), or more diffuse in its presentation.
Dark spots happen for a bunch of different reasons: genetics, sun exposure, hormonal fluctuations, acne scars, injuries, and heat. Given the multitude of reasons, despite your best efforts, dark spots might surface on your skin one day or the other. Over time, they become persistent and tricky to treat. So, the sooner you tackle dark spots with targeted treatments, the easier it gets to fade them.
Best Cream For Dark Spots On Face
Ahead, a lowdown on the best cream for dark spots.
1. Kaya Pigmentation Reducing Complex, with Azelaic & Phytic Acid for all skin types
Nothing beats an effective formula developed by dermatologists to target dark spots and brighten your visage. Meet: Kaya Pigmentation Reducing Complex, with Azelaic & Phytic Acid. Azelaic acid is the unsung hero of skincare, extremely effective and gentle to the skin. According to a study in the National Library of Medicine, following a 24 week treatment, azelaic acid produced a significant increase in pigmentry intensity. Grab this fast absorbing cream rendering all the glow your skin needs.
2. Olay Total Effects 7 In One Night Cream
How about a nourishing cream that works as you snooze? Olay Total Effects 7 In One Night Cream contains 99% niacinamide (boosts cell turnover and retains moisture), vitamin C and E (combats free radicals) and green tea (protects skin against damage). Here’s what you can expect from the team effort of these ingredients: reduced age spots and dark spots, even skin tone, refined pores, and restored firmness. We’re impressed.
3. Re'equil Skin Radiance Cream
Forecast: Brighter days are ahead. Replete with clinically proven ingredients helpful in treating age spots, melasma and hyperpigmentation, Re'equil Skin Radiance Cream lends an even skin tone. The blend of Terowhite, Tertrahydropiperin, niacinamide, and vitamin E in this non-acnegenic and non-comedogenic formula fades existing dark spots and banishes discoloration.
4. Lotus Professional Phyto-Rx Anti-Blemish Cream
A bevy of herbal and botanical extracts come together in this blemish-combating cream to deliver a smooth and spotless glow to your skin. It’s perfect for sensitive skin thanks to the gentle action of its tough-on-spots ingredients such as papaya enzymes, carrot oil and manjistha. Think of it as an absolute treatment which helps you restore your skin's balance and clears blemishes while preventing appearance of future discoloration.
5. Dr. Sheth's Kesar & Kojic Daily Pigmentation Correction Cream
Save yourself a trip to the dermat by diligently applying Dr. Sheth's Kesar & Kojic Daily Pigmentation Correction Cream. How does it help? Enriched with the goodness of skin-healing kojic acid and niacinamide, it accelerates cell turnover and improves skin texture as well as complexion. It reduces acne blemishes, dark spots and age spots to leave your skin looking polished and smooth without relying on your concealer.
6. Mamaearth Bye Bye Blemishes Face Cream With Mulberry Extract & Vitamin C
Featuring a medley of ingredients like marshmallow root extract, rice bran extract, mulberry extract, liquorice root extract and niacinamide, it restricts melanin synthesis and suppresses sun damage to give you soft and glowing skin. This helps reduce dark spots, patches, and hyperpigmentation, thereby, resulting in an even skin tone. Dermatologically tested, it’s also free of sketchy ingredients like SLS and parabens.
7. VLCC Pro Radiance Brightening Day Cream SPF 25 PA+++
A buttery smooth cream infused with mulberry and turmeric extracts like the VLCC Pro Radiance Brightening Day Cream SPF 25 PA+++ is hands down one of the most effective creams to keep those dark spots in check. The active ingredients in this best cream for dark spots rapidly sink to shield your skin against environmental aggressors and retain its glow. Plus, thanks to its natural ingredients, it’s not harsher on skin unlike its other counterparts.
8. Dot & Key Vitamin C + E Super Bright Moisturizer For Glowing Skin-Fades Pigmentation & Dark Spots
If you’re looking for a spot correcting gentle formula, Dot & Key Vitamin C + E Super Bright Moisturizer For Glowing Skin-Fades Pigmentation & Dark Spots fits the bill. Studies show that vitamin C used in conjunction with vitamin E shows favourable outcomes vis-a-vis treating melasma in the Asian population. The buttery soft texture of this non-comedogenic formula easily blends into your skin without feeling heavy. Packed with three types of vitamin C derived from kakadu plump, it evens skin tone, prevents further skin damage and reduces dark spots. Plus, it leaves a pleasant fragrance.
9. The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
From the Canadian cult brand, The Ordinary – the 10% azelaic acid suspension is a godsent to fight dark spots and pigmentation. The gel-like formula melds into the skin to dwindle discoloured splotches, administering a single tone complexion. Moreover, azelaic acid, an unsung hero in skincare, also protects the dermis from radical damage due to aggressors swirling in the environment. Grab this meticulous formula from Nykaa now!
10. Novology Hyperpigmentation SPF 30 PA+++ Cream With Niacinamide
The homegrown brand Novology leverages patented blockbuster formulas to provide time-bound solutions for hyperpigmentation. Its hero offering (which doubles as a sun protectant) contains hexyl resorcinol, which controls the excess production of melanin in the skin – hence preventing localisation of colour. Additionally, this efficacious blend also carries niacinamide, a skincare multitasker which prevents melanin from transferring to the skin’s outermost layer.
Tips To Prevent And Treat Dark Spots
It’s easier to prevent the formation of dark spots than to treat them when they appear. This is why it’s essential to ensure that you do your best at keeping dark spots at bay and combating the existing ones on your face. Here are a few tips to get you started:
- We’re all guilty of skimping on our pricey sunscreen on days when we think the sun is not that bright. However, underestimating the damaging UV rays is one of the reasons dark spots are so common. Make it a point to slather on an SPF of 30 or more every day to keep your skin protected from the sun. Also, whenever possible, avoid stepping out when the sun rays tend to be intense which is between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Add brightly-hued fruits and vegetables like lemon, bell pepper, papaya, tomato, sweet potato in your diet as they are loaded with antioxidant-rich vitamin C. Vitamin C plays a key role in interfering with the damaging activity of free radicals and thereby, preventing the formation of dark spots.
- Treat acne in its initial stages before it gets more inflamed and leaves a scar on your face. Acne scars result in dark spots which can then be hard to reverse.
- Consult with your dermatologist and opt for an exfoliating treatment like chemical peel. In this treatment, the upper layer of dead skin is removed to reveal your natural glow. Over time, it can also boost cell turnover and diminish the appearance of dark spots.
- If you’re looking for OTT treatment options, consider using concentrated formulations with kojic Acid, hydroquinone and vitamin C. Kojic Acid suppresses pigmentation, hydroquinone inhibits tryosinase (and enzyme responsible for producing melanin) and vitamin C stops free radicals from causing oxidative damage to skin. It is recommended to first consult with your doctor to understand the OTT treatments suitable for your skin type.
FAQs On Best Dark Spot Removal Cream
1. Does lemon remove dark spots?
Lemon is saturated with Vitamin C which is a great antioxidant effective in fading pigmentation and dark spots. You can squeeze fresh lemon juice and dab it with your fingertips on the concerned areas. Leave this solution on for 5 minutes before you rinse it with water. Do this regularly for quicker results.
2. Do dark spots on face go away?
Dark spots on face are a sign of long-term damage to your skin cells. Over time, they might get lighter however, they won’t simply disappear immediately.
If you want quicker results, you can consult with your dermatologist to check for the most appropriate treatment for you. Laser, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, and cryotherapy are a few of the popular treatments which exfoliate the surface, target melanin, promote collagen production and gradually eliminate dark spots from the face. As an adjunct to the treatment, the doctor will also prescribe you the best over-the- counter cream for dark spots on the face.
3. How do I remove dark spots on my face?
If you are looking for home treatments to fade dark spots, you can opt for aloe vera gel, castor oil, apple cider vinegar, buttermilk, lemons, papaya, turmeric and yoghurt.
If you are interested in targeted topical treatments, here are the best dark spot removal creams.
