Contents
- Features of pigmentation remedies
- Forms of release of means from age spots
- How to choose an anti-pigmentation cream
- Rating of the best cosmetics for age spots
- Highly effective serum against pigmentation and persistent age spots Discoloration Defense Serum, SkinCeuticals
- Antioxidant high-performance serum Phloretin CF, SkinCeuticals
- Antioxidant gel Phloretin CF Gel, SkinCeuticals
- Redermic Retinol Intense Concentrated Anti-Aging Gel Cream, La Roche-Posay
- Serum for even skin tone Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, Kiehl’s
- How to use whitening cosmetics correctly
Age spots do not bother you in any way until you see them in the mirror. Some do not pay attention to them, others are upset, and even very much so. Then it’s time to be puzzled by the selection of a remedy for hyperpigmentation.
Features of pigmentation remedies
Getting rid of age spots is not easy. It is easier to prevent them – from youth, take care of the skin, using sunscreen. It is unlikely that it will be possible to completely remove age spots with the help of cosmetics. But it is quite possible to lighten them quite noticeably.
What distinguishes creams and serums against hyperpigmentation from other skin care products?
Two types of cells are involved in the formation of age spots. The pigment is formed in melanocytes, and keratinocytes, the main cells of the human epidermis, transfer it to the surface of the skin. Different types of cosmetics against age spots target different stages of pigment formation and transfer.
Hydroquinone has recently been considered the gold standard for whitening. Today, in some countries, which include Russia, this substance is prohibited, as unpleasant side effects of its effects have been discovered. But there are other ingredients that can affect the synthesis of melanin. Their main mechanism of action is the suppression of the tyrosinase enzyme involved in pigment production. These components include:
azelaic acid;
kojic acid;
arbutin;
vitamin C.
And niacinamide (vitamin B3), beloved by manufacturers and consumers of cosmetics, in addition to all its wonderful properties, also controls the transfer of pigment, that is, it fights pigmentation.
Mechanism of action
When caring for skin with pigmentation, an integrated approach is very important.
Some of the active ingredients in whitening products not only inhibit tyrosinase, but also reduce melanin production. Among them are azelaic acid and alpha-arbutin.
Efficiency
Salon procedures show themselves well. If you supplement them with home care, consisting of several stages, you can achieve very impressive results, up to the complete clarification of pigmented areas.
Check which cosmetic procedure you need with our test.
Composition
Products with fruit acids have a good whitening effect.
And now about the main whitening ingredients. Effective pigmentation remedies may contain the following substances:
retinol (accelerates cell renewal, helps reduce melanin production);
vitamin C (has an antioxidant effect, affects the synthesis of melanin);
glycolic acid (exfoliates skin cells, including those in which melanin has accumulated);
salicylic acid (also has a good exfoliating effect);
kojic acid (reduces melanin production by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase);
niacinamide (blocks the movement of melanin);
HEPES – a substance with the complex name hydroxyethylpiperazineethanesulfonic acid (promotes exfoliation).
Obviously, you will not achieve an instant effect in the fight against hyperpigmentation, you should be patient.
Forms of release of means from age spots
Modern products designed to combat pigmentation on the face are designed for long-term use, and some even for permanent use, for example, a cream with SPF. The effectiveness of the remedy for pigmentation has nothing to do with the form of release. What to buy – cream, serum or gel, everyone decides for himself, based on the type of skin, existing problems and their own preferences.
Cream
In addition to brightening components, a cream for age spots on the face usually also contains substances that moisturize the skin. In addition, antioxidants (the same vitamins C, A, etc.) can be included in the composition, which fight the negative effects of the environment. The cream is applied to cleansed skin twice a day – immediately after tonic and serum.
Serum
It is a lightweight product with a high concentration of active ingredients. The serum can be used on its own or applied before the cream.
Gel
Gel for whitening age spots differs from the usual cream in the lightness of the texture. As a rule, such a product is intuitively preferred by people with oily and combination skin.
How to choose an anti-pigmentation cream
Before choosing a remedy for age spots on the face, you should figure out what is the reason for their appearance, and draw conclusions for the future. Because getting rid of age spots does not guarantee that they will not appear again.
If pigmentation is caused by excessive love for the sun, then sunscreens should be adopted.
If you are worried about acne marks, it makes sense to reconsider the care of problem skin and deal with post-acne.
If the cause of pigmentation is hormonal disorders or changes, it is important to consult a dermatologist and endocrinologist.
Making an appointment with a dermatologist is a good idea. A specialist will not only help you understand the causes of pigmentation, but also help you choose the best tactics to deal with it.
Rating of the best cosmetics for age spots
According to the editors of Healthy-Food, these are the most effective remedies for age spots on the face (including freckles, if, of course, you want to get rid of them).
Highly effective serum against pigmentation and persistent age spots Discoloration Defense Serum, SkinCeuticals
Allows to reduce the severity of pigmentation, including persistent age spots, thanks to active ingredients that act on the melanin pigment at various levels:
tranexamic acid (1,8%) reduces the likelihood of reappearance of pigmentation and persistent age spots with regular use;
niacinamide (5%) makes pigmentation less noticeable;
HEPES (5%) promotes exfoliation, renews the skin.
Antioxidant high-performance serum Phloretin CF, SkinCeuticals
Visibly reduces pigmentation, and also corrects and prevents age-related changes.
Antioxidant gel Phloretin CF Gel, SkinCeuticals
Serum-in-gel technology provides controlled delivery of active ingredients to the skin. The formula combines powerful antioxidants: pure L-ascorbic (10%), ferulic acid and phloretin. They complement and reinforce each other’s action, creating synergy.
Redermic Retinol Intense Concentrated Anti-Aging Gel Cream, La Roche-Posay
With pure retinol and timed-release retinol, it smoothes wrinkles, evens out skin texture, and makes dark spots less visible and the complexion more even.
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Serum for even skin tone Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, Kiehl’s
The serum combines the power of vitamin C, peony extract and white birch – powerful ingredients that help reduce the intensity of age spots that appear due to age-related changes, exposure to UV rays and residual hyperpigmentation.
How to use whitening cosmetics correctly
The plan might be:
use a bleaching agent (following the manufacturer’s recommendations);
twice a week in the evenings – peelings;
twice a week – a cream with retinoids (but not together with peels);
daily – Antioxidant cream and sunscreen, such as Ultra Facial Defense SPF 50+, SkinCeuticals.