Battling acne can seem so drawn out especially when dealing with hyperpigmentation. You’re finally able to clear up the blemishes only to be left with the remnants of your struggles – dark marks that refuse to lighten in a timely manner.
I know how frustrating these marks can be. As someone who has pretty fair skin, I don’t need to do a single thing for hyperpigmentation to rear its ugly head. All that needs to happen is a new blemish – it doesn’t matter what kind – to surface and I’m guaranteed to have some dark coloration for the next several weeks. So believe me when I say the struggle is real!
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
There are a few types of hyperpigmentation out there, but we’re mainly focusing on the kind caused by acne – post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or PIH. As the name suggests, PIH is the discoloration that happens after the skin’s response to inflammation, in this case a blemish. The pigmentation of these areas can vary from pink, red, purple, brown, or black depending on your skin tone and the severity of the inflammation.
PIH doesn’t only happen when we get a pimple, it can also occur when we’ve scraped the skin, had a rash, or if another type of wound inflames the skin. No matter how they’re caused, I can’t think of anyone who wants them to stick around!
For acne sufferers, hyperpigmentation is a common occurrence. Even very mild acne like papules can leave behind evidence of their existence so what can we do to decrease their appearance? For one, don’t pick! The more inflammation you create by popping your blemishes only increases PIH. You can make the hyperpigmentation larger, darker, and longer lasting – some legions can last over 6 months especially if you have lighter skin tones.
How to Treat Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation
Since hyperpigmentation is not necessarily an acne scar it will eventually fade away completely. This is good news! As long as we try our best to keep acne under control from the inside out and outside in, refrain from picking, and use a few handy tricks, we’re set for success!
First and foremost is protecting the skin from UVA and UVB rays since sunlight tends to darken hyperpigmentation legions. These pigmented areas are already full of melanin so we don’t need to stimulate the skin to produce more while you’re out in the sun. Be sure to use an all-natural sunscreen that does not clog your pores and put it on daily before heading outside. Not doing this will only cause the hyperpigmentation to last longer and look worse than before.
Second, you can use serums that contain alpha or beta hydroxy acids, glycolic acid, vitamin A, or vitamin C (I would not use more than one at a time). These ingredients are known to be chemical exfoliants that will gently remove dead skin cells by stimulating cellular turnover. You can find natural options at your local health food store as well. I recommend picking one, stick with it for several weeks, and only use it at night. This is because these types of acids make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and you can burn even with a good sunscreen on. You should also only use them as directed on the label – usually just 2-3 times a week.
Using chemical exfoliants will slough away dead skin, smooth out the complexion, and help to lighten hyperpigmentation.
Third is to use a serum that moisturizes the skin and fights acne all while going to work on lightening and brightening hyperpigmentation.
Hyperpigmentation Reducing Acne Serum
This serum is wonderful for reducing dark spots by using the powerful skin lightening properties of essential oils. It’s best to use a carrier oil that agrees with your skin type in order to prevent future breakouts. You can read more about the best oils for your skin type here. Also be sure to check out my extensive list of comedogenic oils for more in depth information.
Here’s what you need to make my hyperpigmentation reducing acne serum:
• A 1oz dropper bottle
• A carrier oil that agrees with your skin type (for me this is jojoba oil or hemp seed oil. If your skin tolerates sea buckthorn oil use it! It contains high quantities of linoleic and alpha-linoleic acids which are known to help reduce hyperpigmentation)
• 2 drops frankincense essential oil – a powerful anti-inflammatory and skin healer.
• 4 drops sandalwood essential oil - lightens hyper pigmentation and evens skin tone.
• 12 drops lemon essential oil (this is the max dilution)
This blend makes a 3% essential oil dilution so feel free to use less essential oils if you prefer.
Other essential oils to consider for their skin lightening effects:
• Geranium
• Carrot Seed
• Lavender
• Chamomile
• Rose
Loving Preparation – Hyperpigmentation Reducing Acne Serum
1. Begin by adding the essential oils one by one to the dropper bottle.
2. Next fill the bottle to the shoulder with the carrier oil of choice.
3. Cap closed and roll between the palms to mix thoroughly.
To Use
After cleansing your skin at night, apply any chemical exfoliant serum of choice and allow it to dry and absorb completely. Next, apply a few drops of hyperpigmentation reducing acne serum to affected areas. Massage gently into the skin until absorbed.
ONLY use this serum at night as it contains lemon essential oil – an oil known to cause phototoxicity (severe sunburn) when exposed to direct sunlight.
Use this serum nightly to help reduce hyperpigmentation caused by acne.
This serum is a great option for those that need a gentler method for reducing discoloration, however, if you have a hardier skin type, you can also utilize my two ingredient hyperpigmentation reducing face scrub once a week.
What have been your favorite hyper pigmentation remedies? Please let me know in the comments!
For more tips and tricks please check out the articles below:
Get Rid of Hyperpigmentation Naturally Without a Trip to the Dermatologist
Invigorating Coffee and Coconut Body Scrub
Skin Whitening Face and Body Scrub
Rose Petal Body Scrub Recipe
Fatima says
Hi Tash! Thank you for the very informative posts. I need a lil help. I’ve developed hyperpigmentation on neck and face and dark circles on my eyes. Can you recommend a daily routine/serum to cure it and nothing seems to work :/ Many thanks!
Briana Klauss says
I have hyperpigmentation on my face. Its both from genetics, age, and too much time in the sun.
Plain aloe does work, but it takes a long time to see results. I have tried many serums, and the best serums for hyperpigmentation are the ones that contain Vitamin A because they EVEN out the skin tone.
The serum I have been using for the last 2 months (and I will be sticking with this one) is the Carrot Serum Concentrate from Made from Earth. I have seen it reduce my hyperpigmentation in about 2 weeks, and the more I use it the better the results are getting.
I wash my face in the morning, and just use the Made from Earth Carrot Serum as my daily moisturizer and I can see the lessening spots. It DOES have the Vitamin A I was talking about that evens the skin tone.
Tash says
I actually really love Vitamin A! It definitely works well for reducing hyperpigmentation! Be sure to use a good sunscreen 🙂
Miki says
hi Tash, thank you so much for all those information! I found your articles so inspiring and beneficial too:)
I would like to ask for an advice please- above my upper lip I have started having some pigmentation as well as on my nose and was wondering if you have any recommendation for it. I have been vegan for two years now, trying to eat lots of greens and tried quite few creams that are for the hyperpigmentation however no great results shown. Do you have any tips please?
Thank you
Tash says
Hi Miki!
Do you by chance know what the root cause of the hyperpigmentation is? Do you use sunscreen during the day? If not, a really great natural option is the sunscreen by BeautyCounter 🙂 Also, you maaay want to look into trying some gentle skin resurfacing products just on the hyperpigmentation. Something like glycolic acid. You can apply it with a cotton swab at night to speed up the lightening process. I usually don't opt for using "harsher" treatments, but hyperpigmentation is pretty hard to lighten using natural alternatives in a reasonable amount of time and I have personally found glycolic acid to work really well. Just don't use it on the entire face!
Kal says
Hi Tash,
I have finally made this serum and it smells and feels great. The serum is not overly greasy and absorbs real well. I switched the lemon eo with lavender eo though. I use this at NIGHT only. My question is, should I be using this after :
1. Cleanser - moisturizer - serum
or
2. Cleanser - serum
P/S : My cleanser is homemade soap with toning/exfoliating properties.
Tash says
Hi Kal!
Use the serum after cleansing, let it soak in for a few minutes, then apply your moisturizer if desired 🙂
Kal says
Thanks Tash, since i used Lavender EO, i can use it both day and night?
Tash says
Yes! 🙂
Kal says
Thank you 🙂
Ioanna says
Hello Tash, I would like to ask if I can combine more than one essential oil at a time together with a carrier oil. For example I would like to combine the benefits of tea tree, lavender and geranium essential oil mixed in hemp seed oil. Is that ok for the skin? Does it make sence? If yes is there any ideal ratio? Thanks a lot in advance!
Tash says
Hi Loanna!
You can definitely mix essential oils! Let's say you're making 1oz of serum with tea tree, lavender, and geranium. I would add 4 drops of each essential oil to 1oz of hemp seed oil. This will make you a 2% dilution 🙂
Kal says
Hi Tash, what other carrier oils can be substituted for jojoba oil? Which gives the same result. Its almost difficult to find sea buckthorn oil or hemp seed oil here where i live.
Tash says
Hi Kal!
As far as I know, meadowfoam seed oil is the closets to jojoba oil with very similar results 🙂
Kal says
Thanks Tash, I'll go for jojoba oil then since the other suggested oils cannot be found in my country.
Akira says
Hi Tash!
I've been reading your blog for past an hour and this blog really educates me and oh how i'm really not wasting my time reading this site haha! I want to ask, can i use these oils recipes with active ingredient that basically is my night routine? I use vitamin C serum as PM routine for daily basis (exceptional in breakout days) and i really want to try these OCM for combination skin, is that ok to use the OCM at the same time with active ingredient?
Btw thank you so much for providing interesting materials, keep on work! Love from Indonesia (yeah pardon for bad English haha)
Tash says
Thank you Akira! 🙂
You can definitely use the OCM at the same time. After using the oil to cleanse, wipe it off with a warm damp cloth to remove impurities, then apply the vitamin C serum. Allow it to soak in for a few minutes and then apply a little more oil as a moisturizer. You can spritz your face with rose water at any time to help spread things around more easily 🙂
Yeon says
Vitamin C serums need to be applied when your face is at a specific pH after being cleansed. Not having the proper pH will render the vitamin C serum useless; this also happens when applying a lotion or moisturizer too soon after applying the vitamin C serum. I would recommend cleansing the face and using a pH balancing toner first before using a vitamin C serum, then allow 20 minutes before applying a moisturizer to allow the pH level of the skin to naturally rise and allow the vitamin C serum the most time to work.
Tash says
This is some great info Yeon! I will definitely keep this in mind 🙂
Jenny S. says
Hi Tash,
Way back in my teen age life, I ignore acne until then I realize that it plays an important role on the skin. So, until then I use natural beauty products because they don't harm the skin and don't contain harsh chemicals. So good to know that you share this product which I think worth to try. Thank you for sharing.
Emily says
Oh I've wanted to buy sandalwood for so long! This is another great reason to just do it. 🙂
Tash says
I LOVE sandalwood! Good for so many things! 🙂
Varsha says
if hyperpigmentation is due to hormonal changes then there is any remedy for it or not?
Tash says
Hi Varsha!
You may be interested in some of my hormonal acne articles to help balance things out:
Can You Balance Hormones with Carrots? + a Recipe!
Seed Cycling for Hormone Balance
3 Steps to Improve your Female Hormonal Acne – Anyone Can do It!
How to Treat Hormonal Acne Naturally
This serum should also be used to help lighten things up a bit 🙂 Best of luck!
Malaika says
Hi there! Thanks for providing such interesting info! Is the hyperpigmentation reducing acne serum more effective if used after a chemical exfoliant serum? Could I use the hyperpigmentation reducing acne serum on its own after cleansing my skin? Also, do you recommend any chemical exfoliant serum? Thanks!
Tash says
Hi Malaika!
The serum would be more effective after a chemical exfoliant. Just be very gentle with your skin as it will be most sensitive after using chemical exfoliants. And yes! You can definitely use the serum after cleansing. My favorite chemical exfoliant right now is either the apple peel by Juice Beauty or just one that contains glycol acid. Be sure to use chemical exfoliants as directed for best results and the least amount of irritation 🙂
Serena says
What oil is the best to use to get rid of acne marks or scars left from picking ingrown hairs?