Shereene Idriss breaks down five daily ingredients that fight hyperpigmentation: arbutin, kojic acid, licorice root, niacinamide at 5%, and vitamin C. Combine them because they work at different stages of pigment formation. Prescription hydroquinone works but needs breaks, and lasers work best with proper skincare backing them up.
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Down number four. You need these pigment fighters all together within your routine every single day throughout the course of the week. I'm talking about arbutin, kojic acid, even licorice root niacinamide to a certain extent. Around 5% can help minimize the redness that can become brown and lead to hyperpigmentation and of course vitamin C. But none of these alone are ever going to even out your skin tone. So it's a grouping because they work at different parts of how pigment is made. And last, the gold standard is a prescription for hydroquinone. It is not going to bleach your skin when used correctly at the right level, meaning not too high and not forever. You need to take breaks when you're using it and you need to do it very conservatively. And of course there are lasers. But lasers without the skincare is like getting liposuction without going to the gym. It makes no sense. Let me know below if you have any questions.