In part one of our final chapter, we covered the professional treatment options for fading hyperpigmentation. But the reality is that a well-formulated skincare routine will always be the foundation of any hyperpigmentation treatment plan. In our final installment, we focus on the solutions you can deploy in the comfort of your own home, including devices and topical skincare.
At-home devices often mimic the benefits of in-office treatments. LED light therapy, microneedling and microdermabrasion are usually less powerful and less effective than their in-clinic counterparts. It’s difficult to grade the efficacy of these devices since there’s often very little independent testing data available. With that said, there may still be benefits if you use them consistently in your routine. Our best advice is to listen to your skin - if your new device feels like it’s causing the slightest degree of inflammation or irritation, stop using it! It’s not worth the risk.
A home skincare routine leveraging targeted actives and consistent use is the mainstay for achieving desired results. Key pigment fighters with proven track records to look for include vitamin C, kojic acid, niacinamide, retinoids, azelaic acid, arbutin, and tranexamic acid. These active ingredients work by slowing down tyrosinase, the enzyme responsible for melanin production.
Now that you’re equipped with the intel on what ingredients to incorporate into your skincare, you’ll need to get your routine basics down if you haven’t already. We’re not ones to gatekeep, so here’s how to create a corrective and preventive hyperpigmentation-focused daily routine, the epi.logic way:
Step 1: Begin with a gentle cleanser
Start with a gentle cleanser, morning and night, to remove dirt, makeup and impurities from the skin.
True Calm is a nourishing cleanser infused with skin soothers rosehip seed oil, fatty acids and vitamins to support the skin barrier. Consider alternating with Clean Reveal, a deeply clarifying cleanser infused with glycolic acid and gluconolactone to gently exfoliate dead cells for a smooth skin surface.
True Calm Rosehip Gel Cleanser ($55)
Step 2: Take advantage of toner
Use a toner to restore the skin’s pH balance and prepare for the next steps.
Even Balance, our toner-essence hybrid packs in a lot of benefits into a single step. Its complexion brightening cocktail features a synergistic blend of azelaic acid, papaya enzyme and turmeric root oil, with a gentle load suitable for twice daily use. The lightweight toner adds a layer of protection via supercritical antioxidants CoQ10 and superoxide dismutase while delivering soothing hydration via aloe, chamomile, and hyaluronic acid.
Even Balance CoQ10 Facial Toning Formula ($65)
Step 3: Target dark spots with a treatment serum
Apply targeted treatment serums, ideally with multiple actives to address dark spots.
Daily Dose is a restorative, nutrient-rich multivitamin serum combining vitamin C, niacinamide (vitamin B3), and panthenol (vitamin B6) for a synergistic defensive approach against daily free radical and external aggressors contributing to hyperpigmentation. Daily Dose is best used in the AM.
Double Feature is an all-in-one resurfacing serum that promotes healthy cell turnover. It takes advantage of the pigment-busting effects of time-release retinol and next-gen retinal while coupling them with mandelic and lactic acid to help fade spots and gently loosen the bonds between epidermal cells to exfoliate the skin’s surface. Double Feature is best used in the PM.
Master Plan is our growth factor super blend that nurtures natural cell turnover and skin repair. Our Cell ServiceTM growth factor + peptide blend taps into skin’s ability to heal itself, soothing skin and lessening the appearance of inflammation. Master Plan can be used AM and PM.
Double Feature Retinol + AHA Overnight Facial ($140)
Step 4: Maintain skin moisture
Moisturizing skin is crucial for maintaining hydration levels and overall health. A healthy skin barrier is better equipped to repair itself, which leads to a more even skin tone.
The Total Package is our balm-cream hybrid that boasts peptides, bakuchiol and niacinamide for deep moisture, skin strengthening and brightening.
The Total Package Peptide Fortifying Cream ($96)
Step 5: Top off with sunscreen
Finish with a sunscreen to protect the skin from UV rays.
We can’t say this enough; daily sunscreen application is one of the most important steps you can take in your skincare routine to help address hyperpigmentation. We are yet to formulate our very own epi.logic SPF, but some of our favorites are Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun, Krave Beauty’s Beet the Sun, and Elta MD’s UV Clear.
At epi.logic, we formulate with the goal of creating products suitable for all skin types, including reactive skin. We do that by carefully considering the levels of our actives, opting for synergistic ingredient combos as well as incorporating skin soothers and barrier boosters throughout. With that said, skin sensitivity can occasionally occur so listen to your skin and adjust accordingly when implementing a new skincare routine.
In conclusion
The reality is that hyperpigmentation is a skincare concern that requires mindfulness in your routine and in your lifestyle. Hopefully you’ve been convinced that you can make meaningful improvements in your hyperpigmentation by addressing the root cause, protecting your skin and making use of treatments to even out your complexion. It is possible to achieve your skin goals and we hope you’re now feeling better equipped with the tools to do so.
Thanks for reading our (exhaustive) review of all things hyperpigmentation. If you have any feedback or questions, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us on social or email us at hello@epilogicskincare.com. Please stay in touch and follow us on Instagram for more daily skin tips.
