Have you found a dark mark or two on your face, hands or maybe even the bikini area? Dark spots and acne scars can be frustrating and often difficult to get rid of. Fortunately, with the right dark spot corrector, you can fade those marks in just a few weeks and achieve a more, more even complexion. In this article, what makes a great dark spot serum, including some of the key ingredients, and our top pick for the best serum for a brighter complexion.
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Why Do Dark Spots Appear On Your Skin?
Dark spots, also known as hyperpigmentation, are areas of skin that appear darker than the surrounding skin due to an excess of melanin. Although more common in lighter skin tones, hyperpigmentation can also occur in darker skin tones. The most prevalent cause of dark spots is due to sun exposure or sun damage, which is why it’s so important to protect skin from UV and blue light! Additionally, dark spots can be caused by acne, other skin injuries as well as aging – you may have heard of age spots or brown spots.
Why Do Acne Scars Cause Dark Spots?
Wait, acne can cause dark spots? Yes! And that’s one of the reasons you should never pick your pimples. Acne scarring occurs when the skin is damaged by acne, leaving behind permanent marks or indentations on the skin. Acne scars can take on many forms, such as deep pits, raised scars, and discoloration. One of the most common forms of acne scarring is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which occurs when the skin produces too much melanin in response to inflammation caused by acne. This excess melanin can lead to the formation of dark spots on the skin.
Acne scarring causes dark spots because the inflammation caused by acne triggers the skin to produce more melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. When there is an excess of melanin in one area, it can create a darker patch of skin, known as hyperpigmentation. In the case of acne, the inflammation caused by the pimple can trigger the production of excess melanin, leading to the formation of dark spots or patches on the skin. If left untreated, this skin discoloration can linger for months or even years after the acne has healed, leaving behind a reminder of past breakouts.
Acne scars, are marks that are left behind after an acne breakout has healed. They can be pitted, raised, or discolored, and can also be difficult to fade. But don’t despair! We have some solutions for you below.
How To Remove Dark Spots
Treating acne scars and general hyperpigmentation depends on many factors, including your skin tone and skin type. For example, sensitive skin types will require different ingredients than normal or dry skin.
Additionally, it’s important to consider your skin tone. If you have naturally melanin rich skin – darker skin tone – you will especially want to avoid any bleaching ingredients and stick to a more natural approach to avoid skin damage.
What to Look for in a Dark Spot Corrector
When adding a dark spot corrector or a brightening serum to your skin care routine, there are a few key things to consider:
Does it contain the key ingredients to effectively brighten skin?
Some ingredients that brighten skin without causing damage are Vitamin C, kojic acid, and licorice root extract. Those are considered as safe and effective for all skin types and skin tones by board certified dermatologists.
Other helper ingredients that work as exfoliants and prompt skin cell turnover include alpha hydroxy acids, ferulic acid, and even green tea tree oil. But it’s important to note that these are not appropriate for all skin types and you should consult a board certified dermatologist before use, especially if you are already undergoing acne scar treatments.
Concentration of those ingredients also matters. If you select a vitamin c serum, make sure it has at least 12% vitamin c as that’s the lowest concentration for it to be effective. You may be surprised to know that most vitamin C serums on the market – especially the inexpensive ones – have an 8% concentration of vitamin C!
Does it contain complementary ingredients that benefit my skin?
Look for a brightening serum that contains other beneficial ingredients, such as peptides, hyaluronic acid or ingredients that reduce the chances of an adverse skin reaction.
Is the dark spot corrector packaged properly?
If you see a vitamin C serum in a clear bottle, leave it on the shelf – it’s no good! Ingredients like vitamin c, hydroxy acids, kojic acid and licorice root extracts are sensitive to light. Look for a serum that is packaged in an opaque, airtight container to protect the active ingredients from light and air.
Our Top Pick for the Best Serum for Dark Spots and Acne Scars
After researching and testing various dark spot correctors on the market, we’ve found that the ELEVATE Vitamin C Face Serum from MOOD Skin Care is the best serum for dark spots caused by age spots, acne scars and more.
Here’s why:
- Key Ingredients: This Vitamin C serum contains 15% vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant in a proper concentration to lighten dark spots, reinvigorate dull skin and protect skin against UV damage. At this concentration, Vitamin C also improves skin elasticity as it boosts collagen production! It also contains a high concentration of triple-weighted Hyaluronic Acid (HA). As Vitamin C can be drying to dry skin, this is an important ingredient that hydrates skin deeply and keeps skin feeling refreshed. It also contains Niacinamide (B3), which helps treat acne by regulating oil production and smooth skin texture, and Vitamin E.
- Skin Tone and Skin Type Inclusive: MOOD’s ELEVATE Vitamin C Serum is safe and effective for all skin tones and skin types. Not only is it an effective serum for acne scars that leave dark spots, but it’s safe for acne prone skin and won’t leave clogged pores.
- Unique Aromatherapy Benefit: In addition to avoiding any toxic ingredients, this serum uses clementine oil as its source of vitamin C, giving it the unique benefit of citrus aromatherpay. Citrus has well-studied aromatherapy benefits to brighten your mood. So while you’re getting glowing skin, you can improve your mood!
We also love that this serum is cruelty-free, vegan, and free from common irritants like parabens, sulfates, and fragrances!
How to Use a Dark Spot Corrector Serum
To get the best results from your dark spot corrector serum, follow these tips:
- Start with a clean, dry face: Use a gentle cleanser to remove any dirt, oil, or makeup from your face, then pat dry with a clean towel.
- Apply a small amount of serum: Dispense a small amount of serum directly onto your face (or hands, if you have dark spots there!) and gently massage into your skin, focusing on the areas with dark spots or acne scars.
- Wait a few minutes: Allow the serum to absorb into your skin for a few minutes before applying any additional products.
- Apply moisturizer and sunscreen: Finish your skincare routine by applying a moisturizer to hydrate your skin and a sunscreen to protect against further damage from the sun’s UV rays. One thing we love about ELEVATE Vitamin C Serum is that it has all the compatible ingredients you need to treat and moisturize your skin, so you can put on your SPF and head out the door!
Let’s Review
Dealing with dark spots and acne scars can be frustrating, but there are effective solutions available. A good dark spot corrector serum can help fade dark spots and acne scars, leaving your skin looking clearer, smoother, and more even-toned.
Our top pick for the best serum for dark spots and acne scars is the MOOD Vitamin C Face Serum Elevate. This serum contains a potent blend of ingredients, including vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and Niacinamide, to brighten, hydrate, and even skin tone.
Remember, consistent use of a dark spot corrector serum and protection from the sun are key to seeing and retaining your results. So, incorporate a high-quality serum into your skincare routine, and say goodbye to dark spots for good!
