Skincare products can contain ingredients that work in a variety of ways to mitigate the skin producing a darker pigment,” explains board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City Dr. Nava Greenfield. Said ingredients range from hydroquinone, which is something you’ll have to get from your dermatologist, and retinoids to over-the-counter options including everything from vitamin C to licorice root. Unlike dark marks and spots or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (which both look like small spots in concentrated areas of the face), melasma is often widespread, appearing as brown or grayish, mask-like patches on the cheeks, bridge of nose, chin, forehead, and above upper lip, explains dermatologist Uchenna R. Okereke, MD. Who can get melasma? It can cause serious allergic reactions, including rash, itching/swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

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SODIUM LACTATE 6.6% A superior humectant (with over twice the water retaining properties of Glycerine) that helps skin retain moisture and prevent it from becoming dry and dehydrated.If your stubborn melasma isn't responding well to over-the-counter products, it's worth making an appointment with your doctor to talk through the different prescription options. Your derm may give you a compound custom cream that contains any number of different Rx-strength ingredients, like azelaic acid and arbutin, to help fade your melasma. Some derms may prescribe a cream with hydroquinone (a somewhat controversial, but very effective skin lightening ingredient) and others may prescribe Tri-Luma—a potent topical that combines hydrocortisone, hydroquinone, and tretinoin (aka Rx-strength retinol). Basically, your doctor will know what option is best for you.

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You need to use the hydroquinone creams as prescribed by the health care physician. You can use it every night before going to bed at a cleaned face and only on the affected areas. One of the most common complexion gripes is dark spots (a.k.a. sun spots, age spots or hyperpigmentation), which can make skin appear uneven, less clear and dull. Dark spots can appear on your face as well as body areas such as hands and décolletage as a result of sun exposure, genetics, hormones and inflammation, says Howard Murad, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Murad Skincare, and often become more prevalent with age.

The second major cause is sun exposure, aka the enemy to good skin. The sun, in tandem with hormonal changes and genetic predisposition, can bring about brown or gray-ish patches called melasma. Too much vitamin D can also bring about lentigines, or sun spots. “They’re small, pigmented spots on the skin with a clearly defined edge, surrounded by normal-appearing skin,” says Dr. King. What to Look For in a Dark Spot Corrector Melissa Doft, MD, is a board-certified plastic surgeon at Doft Plastic Surgery in New York City who specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive treatments. Dr. Soft has previously spoken to Cosmo about chemical exfoliants for skin. Professional-strength chemical peels can help improve the superficial pigment associate with melasma, says Dr. Maiman, who recommends the medium-depth Jessner peel to her patients. "The Jessner peel traditionally features a mix of alpha and beta hydroxy acids in a specific ratio—14 percent of resorcinol, salicylic, and lactic acid—in an ethanol base." Most doctors find it to be safe in all skin tones when done correctly.