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Must-Have Products for Melasma

Lotion Bottle emoji 32 items
Of course having the typical - cleanser, moisturizer, SPF - is essential. Finding products that contain all of the ingredients below will give your melasma the best opportunity to lighten
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Azelaic Acid Product

Azelaic acid will not only gently help the skin to exfoliate but it also helps to regulate melanin synthesis which stops pigment from over-producing

 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
10% Azelaic Acid helps calming effect for normal skin. Wheat and barley extracts, as gentle yet effective ingredients, provide deep hydration and help balance skin for a healthier-looking complexion.
Anua Azelaic Acid 10 Hyaluron Soothing Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Azelaic acid will help to brighten and gently exfoliate skin
Paula's Choice 10% Azelaic Acid Booster
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Targets the six most stubborn daily facial concerns. The supercharged clarity serum helps diminish breakouts, redness, blackheads, enlarged pores, post-blemish marks, and excess sebum—all at once.
ALLIES OF SKIN Azelaic & Kojic Advanced Clarifying Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
I recommend this not only because it has 3% azelaic acid to fight melasma but if you have oily and blemish-prone skin, it will help combat that too. I love how it will also target dullness, redness, and excess oil production even on sensitive skin. M...
SkinCeuticals Phyto A+ Brightening Treatment Lightweight Moisturizer
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
This is a nice choice for an azelaic acid product since it's a multifunctional cream. It will helps to brightens skin and melasma but also evens out texture, reduces blemishes, and provides antioxidant support. I also chose this as a budget-friendly ...
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% Cream

Vitamin C

An antioxidant will not only help lighten melasma but will also protect melasma from free radicals that can worsen hormonal pigment

 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Antioxidant serum for face formulated with 10% t l-ascorbic acid, the purest form of vitamin C, to help brighten and even skin tone. Pure vitamin C can easily cost $75+ this one will only run you $28!
CeraVe Vitamin C Serum with Hyaluronic Acid
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
A stable form of vitamin C combined with Azelaic acid to gently brighten the look of dark spots, refine skin texture and tone. Hyaluronic acid is also added to boost hydration to support a healthy-looking glow.
Vitamin C Glow Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
A powerful, dermatologically tested serum that soothes, hydrates, and protects dry, sensitive skin like never before. Improve skin’s glow after 3 Days of Use. Made with 6% Pure Vitamin C to brightens skin’s complexion. Features a lightweight, hydrati...
Physiogel Vitamin C Face Serum, Skin Barrier
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Enhances skin’s natural defense system to brighten, firm and help dramatically reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Vitamin C works to fight the appearance of skin aging before it starts.
Dermalogica Biolumin-C Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Lightweight vitamin C serum for face contains key ceramides that help strengthen the skin barrier and improve moisture retention, leaving dull, uneven skin feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated
Vanicream™ Vitamin C Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Infused with a bottle of Vitamin C, Niacinamide and Sea Buckthorn extract, effectively swiping away visible dark spots and blemishes, giving you a clearer and more even complexion.
Medicube Deep Vita C Facial Toner Pads
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
This clinical-level serum features highly stable 25% vitamin C to visibly improve uneven tone, radiance, elasticity & firmness without irritation.
Paula’s Choice 25% Vitamin C Serum with Glutathione & Antioxidants
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
The high concentration of our complex including highly stable, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate. It is the most potent, most stable, lipid-soluble and sensitive skin-friendly form of vitamin C for a healthy glow while promoting collagen production.
Glow Getter Radiant C Serum - Vitamin C + Hyaluronic Acid
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Totally weightless serum is absorbed instantly and penetrates to the deeper layers of the skin where it goes to work to provide long term results. A must-have preventative and corrective product. Sensitive skin that is prone to irritation will benefi...
Truth Serum - Vitamin C Serum
 
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Formulated with 30% stabilized vitamin C and is clinically proven to increase visible skin firmness and elasticity, visibly even the skin tone, and reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots and age spots. It's also proven to visibly r...
Medik8 Super C Ferulic Serum

Niacinamide Product

Niacinamide will help to strengthen the skin barrier. A weak skin barrier will aggravate melasma. This will also cause the skin become irritated from other products

 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Containing 10% Niacinamide, 4% Tranexamic Acid and 2% Arbutin, a powerful trio of ingredients to target dull skin, pigmentation and enlarged pores.
ANUA Niacinamide 10 + TXA 4 Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Start fading the appearance of dark spots within days, advanced serum begins to diminish the appearance of uneven pigmentation fast and keeps working to even skin tone over time.
Dermalogica Powerbright Dark Spot Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Visibly brightens, firms, hydrates & calms. Clean, effective, silky, weightless formula. Contains ingredients like PEACH EXTRACT - Full of vitamins, minerals & essential fatty acids. NIACINAMIDE - Creates a visibly brighter appearance & t...
Peach & Lily Glass Skin Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Multi-tasking serum that gently exfoliates, tones and boosts radiance. This antioxidant-rich formula leaves skin looking smooth, supple and glowing than ever.
belif Super Drops 5% Niacinamide & Vitamin C Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Concentrated extracts of kale and upcycled olives infuse skin with powerful antioxidant protection; and niacinamide and noni fruit stem cells help brighten skin and minimize the look of pores.
goop Beauty 72-Hour Hydrating Water Cream
 
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Effectively tightens and minimizes the look of enlarged pores and bumps caused by age or sun damage.
CLINICAL 20% Niacinamide Serum Treatment
 
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A supercharged brightening treatment serum developed with a precisely dosed, concentrated collective of vitamins (B, C, E, F, K) and botanicals to bring rich antioxidant energy to the skin.
SUPEREGG Vitamin Collective Vitality Elixir: For a bright and firm complexion
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Provides intense moisture with a blend of Rice Water, Niacinamide and Ceramides, yet leaves a refreshing non-sticky finish to achieve glass skin.
ANUA Rice 70 Glow Milky Toner with Niacinamide

Kojic acid product

Kojic acid also contributes to brightening skin and works well with other ingredients like Vitamin C, Azelaic Acid and Niacinamide

 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
A dark spot corrector for face leaves skin feeling smoother. Helps reduce the look of dark spots & discolorations & reveals visibly brighter, even looking skin.
La Roche-Posay Glycolic Acid Serum with Kojic Acid and Vitamin B5
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
This hyperpigmentation-safe serum visibly reduces stubborn discoloration, post-blemish marks, scars, and spots—for all ethnicities and skin shades. Gentle enough for daily use, it produces visible results in as little as two weeks.
Topicals Faded Brightening and Clearing Serum
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Formulated with 3% Tranexamic Acid, 1% Kojic Acid, 5% Niacinamide, and 5% HEPES, the treatment targets stubborn brown patches and post-inflammatory discolouration to even the skin tone and help to minimise the appearance of future marks with continue...
SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

Tranexamic Acid Product

 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
PHA, bromelain and tranexamic acid team up to visibly renew dull, textured skin without irritation. This tonique is designed to exfoliate, brighten and hydrate while preparing skin for the next step in your daily ritual. This mild exfoliating tonique...
Eminence Organic Skin Care Pineapple Refining Tonique
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Reduces number, intensity, and size of pigmented spots, brightens hyper-pigmented spots, and evens skin tone and texture. A clinically proven 15% complex of three powerhouse acids - Azelaic Acid derivative, Tranexamic Acid, and Phytic Acid - combine ...
dr.brandt Dark Spots No More
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
I love an effective product that also is affordable (Approx $22) and use TA and vitamin C in one bottle to lighten pigmented skin
The INKEY | List Tranexamic Acid Serum

Sunscreen

 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
Dermatologist-approved, this non-comedogenic facial sunscreen spray adds a barrier to your face and delivers UVA/UVB protection. Our oil-free, water-resistant SPF 45 Face Mist is great for all skin types.
Sun Bum Original SPF 45 Sunscreen Mist
 
Amanda Phelps profile picture
A lightweight, all-mineral, broad-spectrum tinted sunscreen for your face that hydrates and blocks harmful UVA/UVB rays while providing a soft, even skin tone.
ALASTIN Skincare HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen SPF 36 (3.2 oz) | 2-in-1 Tinted Daily Sunblock Moisturizer
 
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A tinted SPF 50 sunscreen with 100% mineral filters provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection, while promoting natural radiance and a more even skin tone.
SKINCEUTICALS Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50