How To Reduce The Appearance Of Dark Spots + Hyperpigmentation: A Guide to Even-Looking Skin Tone

Discover my guide on how to reduce the appearance of dark spots, sunspots and hyperpigmentation on your face and body and learn tips and tricks on how to even the look of skin tone.

Darlings, I know that dark spots and hyperpigmentation can greatly impact your skin confidence. I have spent years concealing the appearance of uneven skin tone with foundations, concealers and colour correctors, but the best way to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation is to target them with effective skincare solutions.

In this guide, discover some of the common causes of dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the face and learn the steps you can take to make skin tone appear more even.

How to reduce dark spots

Discover how to cover dark spots and hyperpigmentation with makeup

What causes dark spots + hyperpigmentation to develop?

There are several factors that can contribute to the emergence of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Environmental and biological factors can come into play; some people are naturally predisposed to experiencing dark spots and others can increase their susceptibility due to lifestyle factors.


Sun overexposure

Being exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays can damage your skin and lead to the development of sunspots. When skin experiences prolonged exposure to sunlight, it defends itself by producing a greater amount of melanin which is what gives skin darker pigmentation. Sun damage tends to occur over a period of time after being exposed to harsh sunlight. It can often emerge in later life as what are sometimes referred to as age spots.

Discover more about SPF in skincare


Skin inflammation + blemish marks

Blemish and acne-prone skin often shows signs of hyperpigmentation. Skin that experiences acne can become irritated and inflamed, causing increased facial redness and uneven skin tone. Once acne spots fade, skin tone can become discoloured and post-blemish marks can be left behind which contribute to skin tone appearing less even.

Tilbury Tip: Charlotte’s Magic Water Cream is my gel moisturiser that’s perfect for acne-prone skin.


Hormonal imbalance and melasma

Conditions like melasma can cause hyperpigmentation to occur, resulting in areas of dark spots appearing on the face. Melasma usually affects parts of the face including the cheeks, forehead and around the upper lip. It can be onset thanks to a fluctuation in hormones such as oestrogen and progesterone which are often influenced by pregnancy or birth control pills.


Genetics

A predisposition to dark spots and hyperpigmentation can be passed down genetically. Outside of environmental factors, dark spots can come down to biology. Look to your elders; if your parents or grandparents have experienced hyperpigmentation, it may be that there is a genetic link that makes you more likely to develop dark spots.

How to reduce the appearance of dark spots + hyperpigmentation

While you can effectively cover dark spots and hyperpigmentation with makeup, there are also ways you can help to reduce their appearance with skincare and dermatological treatments. Discover steps to take to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation that could help your skin tone to appear more even.

  1. Dark spot serum to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation

    1. Correcting creams and serums

    You can use skincare to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Reaching for skincare products that are powered by ingredients that target the appearance of hyperpigmentation on skin can help skin tone to appear more even and dark spots to look visibly reduced. Consistently applying dark spot correcting serums and moisturisers as a part of your skincare routine can help to fade the appearance of dark spots.

    Tilbury Tip: My top skincare recommendation for dark spots and hyperpigmentation is my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum. It’s a silky-smooth, skin tone correcting formula with laser-like precision that targets and fades the appearance of dark spots, fast.

    Shop Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum

  2. Infographic describing the Precision-Fade Evenskin Technology in Charlotte's dark spot serum

    2. Laser treatments

    Lasers are used by dermatologists to break down the outer layer of skin. They are often used to reduce the appearance of dark spots, acne scars and even wrinkles. By resurfacing skin with laser treatments, skin tone can appear more even and hyperpigmentation can appear reduced. I was inspired by laser treatments when creating my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum; I wanted to capture the laser-like precision that lasers have when targeting dark spots in a hydrating serum that fades the appearance of areas of hyperpigmentation and dark spots while allowing your natural tone to shine unaltered.

    Tilbury Tip: In clinical trials for my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum, 98% agreed they would delay having a laser treatment!*

  3. Close up of retinol molecule that helps skin to appear smoother and more even

    3. Retinoids

    Retinol is often used in skincare to help reduce the appearance of signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles, but creams and serums with retinoids can also help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Retinoids can accelerate cell turnover and have a resurfacing effect, so using retinoids in your skincare routine can help to improve skin texture and even the appearance of skin tone for smoother, more even-looking skin with reduced signs of hyperpigmentation.

    Learn more about retinol in skincare

  4. Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial exfoliator to resurface the look of skin texture

    4. Chemical exfoliators

    Dark spots and hyperpigmentation become visible on the outer layers of your skin, so regularly exfoliating can help to reduce their appearance. Chemical exfoliators like AHAs. BHAs and PHAs work to resurface skin, removing dead skin cells from the surface and creating a smoother-looking skin texture. I recommend exfoliating every 2-3 days with an acid exfoliator like my Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial to get rid of dead skin cells and aid the cycle, making way for the new, healthy skin cells underneath to surface.

    Learn more about exfoliating

  5. Sunscreen primer to reduce the appearance of sunspots and hyperpigmentation

    5. Suncare

    Prolonged sun exposure is one of the biggest contributing factors to the development of dark spots, so following proper sun care advice is the best way to prevent dark spots from appearing. Staying out of the sun is recommended, as well as applying a high-factor sunscreen to your face and body to shield against harmful UV rays. I apply my Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer every morning to protect my skin with SPF50 while perfectly priming for makeup with zero white cast.

    Shop Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer

How To Even The Look Of Skin Tone: Charlotte’s Dark Spot-Correcting Skincare Routine

Darlings, how do you make skin tone look more even? Follow these 4 easy skincare steps and dark spots will appear reduced, skin will be hydrated and shielded from harmful UV rays, and you will look glowing!

  1. A glowy toner in a large, white-coloured bottle with a silver-coloured lid.

    1. Prep with Glow Toner

    Start your skincare routine for dark spots by prepping skin with a gentle, acid-free toner. My Glow Toner is infused with niacinamide which helps to even the appearance of skin tone and refine the appearance of pores. Swipe toner onto skin to boost radiance and help it appear smooth and baby-soft.

    Learn more about toner

  2. Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation

    2. Target the Appearance of Hyperpigmentation with Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum

    Reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation with a serum that is supercharged with ingredients that work to even the look of skin tone. I was inspired by the precision of lasers when creating my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum; I wanted a formula that effectively targets dark spots and hyperpigmentation without altering the appearance of your entire skin tone, and so I worked with world-leading scientists to create my Precision-Fade Evenskin Technology with a delivery system akin to the precision of lasers. In 6 weeks, skin tone appears 8x more even!**

    Learn more about serum

  3. Charlotte's Magic Cream moisturiser with lid off

    3. Moisturise with Charlotte’s Magic Cream

    Once you have targeted the appearance of dark spots with serum, revive the look of your complexion with a rich moisturiser like Charlotte’s Magic Cream. Keeping skin hydrated is the secret to maintaining a healthy, smoother-looking complexion. To give skin a magic glow, massage Charlotte’s Magic Cream into your face and neck using my signature Tilbury Tap technique. In just 28 seconds, skin instantly appears 2x as hydrated*** and is perfectly primed for foundation.

    Discover the story of Charlotte’s Magic Cream

  4. Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer with SPF50 sunscreen primer hybrid

    4. Protect from Sun Damage with Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer SPF50

    One of the main causes of dark spots is overexposure to the sun, so applying a high-factor sunscreen every day is essential to reducing and preventing the appearance of sunspots. Shielding skin with an SPF primer like my Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer will prime and protect your skin, letting UVA and UVB filters counter harsh sunlight and help to prevent sun damage which can lead to the emergence of dark spots.

    Shop 4-Step Dark Spot Routine

FAQs: How To Reduce The Appearance of Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation

Dark Spot Serum model shot


Where do dark spots + hyperpigmentation usually appear?

Dark spots and hyperpigmentation are most commonly found in areas that are regularly exposed to the sun. This can include the face and neck, backs of the hands, shoulders, chest and back. They usually appear in clusters and can vary in shape and size.


How long does it take to fade the appearance of dark spots + hyperpigmentation take to fade?

Reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation requires consistent care. Apply my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum every day and skin tone appears 8x more even after 6 weeks of use!**


Does vitamin C fade the appearance of dark spots?

Yes - vitamin C can help to fade the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C is used in skincare products like serum and moisturiser for its brightening and antioxidant properties. Skincare formulas with vitamin C like my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum can be used to help even the appearance of skin tone, making skin look brighter and improving skin clarity.

Discover the benefits of vitamin C in face cream + moisturiser


What is the best serum for reducing the appearance of dark spots?

To reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, add my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum to your skincare routine. I created my dark spot serum with first-of-its-kind Precision-Fade Evenskin Technology to help skin tone appear 8x more even!*

Discover more about Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum


How often should you use a dark spot serum?

You can use a dark spot serum once or twice a day as a part of your morning and evening skincare routine. As a rule, the results that you see from your skincare will improve when you are using a product consistently. Commit to using a dark spot serum like my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum every day for best results.


Should I use dark spot serum in the morning or evening?

You can use a dark spot serum in your morning skincare routine and in your night time skincare routine to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. You can layer dark spot serum with other serums to tackle multiple skin concerns, or you can switch out your serum from morning to evening.

Darlings, experiencing dark spots and hyperpigmentation on your face and body is extremely normal. If you have been wondering how to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, these skincare tips will help you on your way to glowing, even-looking skin tone by fading the look of dark spots, fast!

Discover more about Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum

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*Independent consumer trial tested on 209 people over 6 weeks

**Independent clinical test, tested on 69 people over 6 weeks

***Tested on 33 people

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Author Details

Charlotte Tilbury

Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty

With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.

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