The best routine to get rid of hyperpigmentation

Are you dealing with darkness in one area of your body? Uneven skin tone, dark spots, sunburns that turn patchy over time? your skin isn’t radiating the elegance you crave, then this article is for you.

Hyperpigmentation is a condition where patches of skin become darker than the surrounding area. You probably already know this, but let me explain it again. It happens when skin cells produce excess melanin the pigment that gives your skin its color.

These dark patches can show up anywhere. Fingers, toes, underarms, bikini line, chest, butt, knees, elbows, even your forehead.

Although hyperpigmentation is completely harmless, let’s be honest, it’s frustrating. It can be an eyesore. It’s distressing. You may start to feel discomfort and you’re left feeling dissatisfied with the way you look. And while no one’s skin is perfect and we all have flaws, we still want to feel clean, bright, and polished. Glowing, healthy skin makes us feel good. There’s no shame in that.

What May Have Caused Your Hyperpigmentation?

Some hyperpigmentation is completely natural and doesn’t have any external cause. Other times, though, it’s triggered by factors you may not even notice. Let’s break it down:

• Sun exposure: The number one cause. UV rays cause the skin to produce more melanin as protection. That’s why sunburns often turn into long-term dark spots if left untreated.
• Skin injury or inflammation: Think acne, burns, shaving cuts, waxing trauma, or even insect bites. As your skin heals, it might darken as part of the process.
• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, birth control pills, or hormone imbalances can lead to something called melasma, especially around the cheeks and forehead.
• Climate changes: If you move continents or regions with different humidity or UV levels, your skin might react—especially if you don’t adjust your routine.
• Medications: Some meds can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, or even cause discoloration as a side effect.
• Aging: The older we get, the slower our skin renews. This can lead to age spots and uneven skin tone over time.
• Harsh skincare: Bleaching creams and other harsh formulas might promise results but can leave you worse off in the long run.

And sometimes… your skin just makes more melanin in certain places. It’s natural. No cause. You’re just built that way.

And before you ask, “Liz, can natural hyperpigmentation fade?” Yes, it can, but it takes time. Consistency is key, because those areas are always going to produce a little more melanin than usual.

The Best Simple Everyday Routine for Body Hyperpigmentation

Whether your hyperpigmentation is on your underarms or face, consistency is everything. You don’t need a 10-step routine. You need a simple system you can stick to.

Morning Routine

1. Gentle Cleanser Use a mild body wash that doesn’t strip your skin. Harsh soaps cause irritation, and irritation triggers more pigmentation. Look for something with glycerin, oatmeal, or ceramides.

~Try: Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash or Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash

2. Moisturizer Choose a body lotion or cream that hydrates without clogging your pores. For dry skin, go for richer textures with ceramides or squalane.

~Try: Nivea Nourishing Care Body Milk or CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

3. Vitamin C Serum (optional) If you can, apply Vitamin C directly on dark patches. It helps brighten skin and fights new pigment from forming.

~Try: Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin C or Garnier Light Complete Vitamin C Booster

4. Sunscreen Even for your body, sunscreen matters, especially for arms, chest, or legs exposed during the day. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and reapply when needed. Avoid formulas with benzene.

~Try: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk or Nivea UV Extra Whitening SPF 50

Night Routine

1. Cleanse Again Don’t skip cleansing. Wash off the day’s sweat, product build-up, and dirt.

2. Exfoliate (2–3x weekly) Start gently with body soaps or scrubs that contain kojic acid or glycolic acid. Leave the soap on for 3–5 minutes before rinsing. Don’t overdo it.

~Try: Kojic San or Dr Teal’s Glow & Radiance Scrub

3. Treatment Creams Alternate Vitamin C with niacinamide, azelaic acid, or body creams that contain glycolic or kojic acid. These target dark spots while strengthening your skin’s surface.

~ Try: Palmer’s Skin Success Fade Milk or Good Molecules Discoloration Correcting Serum

4. Moisturizer Seal in all your treatments with a calming body cream or butter. Don’t go to bed dry.

~ Try: Vaseline Cocoa Radiant

What Products Work for Each Type of Hyperpigmentation?

Once you know the cause of your hyperpigmentation. The next step is choosing products that match that specific type:

Sun Burns: If your hyperpigmentation is cause by constant exposire to harsh sunlight,

Use:

• Kojic acid
• SPF
• Deep moisture to restore the skin barrier

~ Try: Koji San Kojic Acid Soap + Nivea Even & Radiant SPF Body Lotion

Hormonal Hyperpigmentation

Use:

• Glycolic acid
• Kojic acid
• Tranexamic acid (optional)

~Try: The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution + Skin by Zaron’s Brightening Cream

Climate Changes

Use:

• Organic skincare
• Moisturizers rich in ceramides
• Vitamin C serums
• Salicylic acid (if skin becomes congested)

~Try: Klairs Vitamin C + Naturium Salicylic Acid Cleanser

Aging

Use:

• Retinol or Tretinoin
• Kojic acid for stubborn spots

~Try: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane

Chemical Burns or Product Damage

Use:

• Deep moisture
• Shea or cocoa butter
• Start slowly with Vitamin C~Try: CeraVe Healing Ointment + Palmer’s Cocoa Butter

Natural Hyperpigmentation

Focus on:

• Daily hydration
• Vitamin-rich diet and supplements
• Kojic acid, salicylic acid, glycolic acid (start small)

A Gentle Reminder Before You Begin

Please remember, not all skin is the same. What worked for someone else may not work for you. And that’s okay. Always start slow, especially with actives like acids and retinol. Do a patch test. And if you’re ever in doubt, see a dermatologist.

Final Thoughts

Clear skin doesn’t always mean perfect skin. You can have clean, soft, glowing skin and still have a few scars, dark patches, or hyperpigmentation here and there. That’s real skin. The goal isn’t perfection. It’s confidence.

The most important thing? Consistency. Not a new product every week. Just a steady, gentle routine with the right ingredients and care.

Thank you for reading. See you next time!

Photo credit: Piterest