7 Doctor-Approved Ways to Reduce (and Prevent) Hyperpigmentation

young woman with freckles and dark spots applying small ampunt of cream to her face smiling in front of blue patterned background.Dima Sidelnikov/Getty Images7 Doctor-Approved Ways to Get Rid of HyperpigmentationHyperpigmentation or dark spots on skin can be hard to erase. These recommendations are approved by medical professionals.

Sunspots, acne scars, and uneven skin tone are all signs of hyperpigmentation on the skin. If patchy skin due to hyperpigmentation bothers you, one thing is clear: More options are available for erasing that irksome (but harmless) discoloration today than ever before.

Here, experts weigh in on the best ways to prevent and get rid of hyperpigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation refers to any patch of skin that looks darker than your natural skin tone because the skin is producing too much of the brown pigment melanin.

Melanin is what gives skin its color, and according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association (AAD), hyperpigmentation occurs when something triggers increased but uneven melanin production. Per the AAD, this is common in people with medium to dark skin complexions.

In addition to genetics or medical conditions, the causes of hyperpigmentation can vary, potentially showing up after or due to:

Healing psoriasis or another skin-focused condition or injury

Hormonal changes, including (but not limited to) pregnancy

Using certain medications or topical products

Navigating health conditions, such as an adrenal disorder

Hyperpigmentation can also show up in different ways, including melasma, acne scars, or liver spots (also known as age spots). With that in mind, here are seven ways you can help reduce hyperpigmentation.

While the primary goal of reducing hyperpigmentation is to reach an even complexion, an effective over-the-counter (OTC) moisturizer should also contain ingredients that benefit the skin in other ways.

"In addition to addressing the pigment issues, a good product will have moisturizing agents like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, and maybe even a retinol to boost cell turnover," says Doris J. Day, MD, a clinical professor of dermatology at NYU Medical School in New York City and the author of Beyond Beautiful: Using the Power of Your Mind and Aesthetic Breakthroughs to Look Naturally Young and Radiant. "These inactive ingredients allow the active brighteners to work more effectively."

Dr. Day also says that layering ceramides with the hyaluronic acid is a great way to stay moisturized, as both of these chemicals are naturally found in the skin.

A good moisturizer can also restore the skin's lipid, or fat, barrier, helping new skin cells stay healthy as they rise to the surface in place of old ones, according to the University of Tennessee Medical Center.

The most effective way to prevent sun-induced discoloration is to diligently apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or greater every day, even on cloudy or cool days. "[Ultraviolet] rays just send the pigment into overdrive, turning dark spots darker," says Day. "You must wear sunblock daily on exposed areas."

Day says that a new, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved ingredient for sunscreen is bemotrizinol, or BEMT. According to Day, sunscreens with BEMT are great for a wide range of skin tones.

"It won't look pasty white, and it meets the newest, most stringent FDA standards of minimal absorption and highest safety. It's broader in its photo spectrum of protection, it's more photostable, and there's less absorption [of the product into the skin]." Ultraviolet rays break down sunscreen as time goes on; higher photostability means that it takes longer for that to occur.

Additionally, both Day and the AAD recommend sun safety, which includes avoiding the outdoors between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun is strongest. You can also wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your head, face, ears, and neck.

As tempting as it may be to scratch a mosquito bite or squeeze a stubborn blackhead, remember your mother's warning – "Don't pick!" – and follow that advice.

"Scratching and picking at a spot will only increase the inflammation that's responsible for skin discoloration," says Jeanine Downie, MD, a dermatologist and the director of Image Dermatology in Montclair, New Jersey. "The more you mess with it now, the worse it'll look later."

The sooner you treat hyperpigmentation, the easier it will be to erase. "The pigment in brown spots can move deeper into the skin over time," Dr. Downie says.

The good news is that there are several ingredients that have been shown to assist in smoothing out your skin, and many of them can be found online. When you're heading to the store, look for at least one of the following ingredients:

According to a research review, these ingredients are understood to inhibit tyrosinase – the enzyme behind excess melanin production. And the review noted that there has been an increase in the availability of these product types, thanks to newer research.

Products with tranexamic acid, beta hydroxy acid, and alpha hydroxy acid may also be beneficial, according to a comparative study that showed that azelaic acid and tranexamic acids may work for hyperpigmentation by promoting cell turnover and inhibiting melanin production.

Note: When it comes to addressing hyperpigmentation, the AAD recommends sticking with products made in the United States, as some imported skin products marketed as "skin-lightening" have shown signs of mercury and steroid contamination, as well as the presence of other harmful ingredients. The group also strongly cautions against applying liquid bleach to your skin.

If OTC remedies aren't helping, it may be time to call in the pros. Dermatologists consider products with hydroquinone, alone or combined with other ingredients, to be the gold standard for fading dark spots because hydroquinone slows the production of pigment. These are available by prescription, per the FDA.

"It's our go-to," says Downie, "because unlike many of the ingredients in OTC products, it almost always works at eliminating hyperpigmentation." Have your dermatologist closely monitor the hydroquinone treatment, she adds. In high concentrations, hydroquinone can cause sun sensitivity or have adverse outcomes.

Day says that prescription options depend on the cause of the hyperpigmentation, but they can include a combination of topicals, such as a retinol or a prescription pill like tranexamic acid, alongside antioxidants and increased sun protection.

Note: The FDA cautions against using products that are marketed as "skin-lightening," as well as OTC products that include hydroquinone. If hydroquinone is a treatment you're interested in, reaching out to a licensed medical provider is key for safety.

If topical solutions aren't fixing the problem, you may want to talk to your dermatologist about more aggressive ways to banish discoloration, such as chemical peels, microneedling, microdermabrasion, dermabrasion, or a laser resurfacing procedure.

For those with very sensitive skin, broadband light therapy (BBL), which uses high-intensity light that's gentler than a laser, may be a suitable alternative, Downie says.

Darker skin tones can absorb too much light during therapies – which can lead to hypopigmentation or further hyperpigmentation, burns, or scars.

Because of this, some treatments, including laser treatments and BBLs (or "photofacials"), can worsen discoloration if used incorrectly. Skin specialists who treat hyperpigmentation carefully assess a patient's skin before recommending procedures. Be sure to ask plenty of questions and ensure that you're working with a professional who is well-versed in your skin type and tone.

For patients with darker skin tones, Day recommends a newer option called a cold-ablative laser.

"Now, we have lasers that work broadly across a broad range of skin tones, from very fair to very dark, safely. It doesn't build heat, but it works great for hyperpigmentation – whether it's melasma or acne scarring, acne discoloration, or marks left over from trauma," she says.

Social media is rife with recommendations for at-home "quick fix" skin solutions. But most of these overpromise and underdeliver, says Susan Massick, MD, a dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Westerville. However, some research suggests that one popular remedy may be worth it.

"Aloe vera, and the active chemical aloesin, is known for its soothing, anti-inflammatory effects, which is why it is commonly recommended over the counter to help with skin irritation and sunburns," Dr. Massick says.

Depending on the cause of your hyperpigmentation, aloe vera in higher concentrations may help with evening out skin tone by inhibiting tyrosinase and melanogenesis – both pathways to forming pigment in the skin. For example, according to case reports published in 2023, aloe has shown promise in reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation following chemotherapy.

There are some differences in the approach to treating hyperpigmentation, depending on skin tone, such as Day's choice of a cold-ablative laser for people with darker skin tones, instead of one that utilizes heat.

She also says that the origin of the hyperpigmentation is important to consider. For example, the treatment for someone whose concerns are more prominent during the summer months may be different from someone whose skin tone didn't shift until after pregnancy. This is why consulting with a medical professional is paramount for your treatment, even if you choose to buy your products OTC.

The consensus among the experts is that alongside sound medical advice, sun safety and prevention are some of the most important ways to navigate hyperpigmentation, regardless of your skin type or tone.

Hyperpigmentation is a common occurrence, especially in people who have more naturally occurring melanin.

If you're finding yourself concerned about your skin tone appearing uneven, there are plenty of preventive and treatment options available.

Although areas of uneven-toned skin are usually harmless, be sure to see a doctor if your skin is red, itchy, painful, hot to the touch, or oozing.

Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.

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How to fade dark spots in darker skin tones. American Academy of Dermatology. March 10, 2025.

The Importance of Moisturizing. University of Tennessee Medical Center. January 1, 2022.

Gokhman R. Bemotrizinol 101: What to know about this new sunscreen ingredient. Cancer UT MD Anderson. July 2, 2026.

Practice Safe Sun. American Academy of Dermatology. April 11, 2024.

Zolghadri S et al. A comprehensive review on tyrosinase inhibitors. Journal of Enzyme Inhibition and Medicinal Chemistry. January 3, 2019.

Sobhan M et al. A comparative study of 20 percent azelaic acid cream versus 5 percent tranexamic acid solution for the treatment of postinflammatory hyperpigmentation in patients with acne vulgaris: A single-blinded randomized clinical trial. Journal of Research in Medical Sciences. April 1, 2023.

Liu Y et al. Regulation of skin lightening agents in the United States and implications for public health. Journal of the Academy of American Dermatology. December 2021.

FDA Warns Consumers of Skin Products Containing Mercury and/or Hydroquinone. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. August 24, 2026.

Biggers L. Considering Broadband Light Therapy? Here's What You Need to Know. Duke Health. March 1, 2023.

Chiu C et al. Aloe vera gel for prevention of chemotherapy-induced hyperpigmentation: Four case reports. Medicine. June 23, 2023.

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Lydia-J-Johnson-bioLydia J. Johnson, MDMedical ReviewerMember of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Lydia Johnson, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist. Her medical career of more than 20 years has included work in private practice and in an academic medical center, as well as …

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