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How To Reduce The Appearance Of Dark Spots + Hyperpigmentation: A Guide to Even-Looking Skin Tone
Discover my guide on how to reduce the appearance of dark spots, sunspots and hyperpigmentation on your face and body and learn tips and tricks on how to even the look of skin tone.
- 6th March 2025
- By Charlotte Tilbury
9 minute read
Darlings, I know that dark spots and hyperpigmentation can greatly impact your skin confidence. I have spent years concealing the appearance of uneven skin tone with foundations, concealers and colour correctors, but the best way to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation is to target them with effective skincare solutions.
In this guide, discover some of the common causes of dark spots and hyperpigmentation on the face and learn the steps you can take to make skin tone appear more even.
Discover how to cover dark spots and hyperpigmentation with makeup
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1. Correcting creams and serums
You can use skincare to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Reaching for skincare products that are powered by ingredients that target the appearance of hyperpigmentation on skin can help skin tone to appear more even and dark spots to look visibly reduced. Consistently applying dark spot correcting serums and moisturisers as a part of your skincare routine can help to fade the appearance of dark spots.
Tilbury Tip: My top skincare recommendation for dark spots and hyperpigmentation is my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum. It’s a silky-smooth, skin tone correcting formula with laser-like precision that targets and fades the appearance of dark spots, fast.
2. Laser treatments
Lasers are used by dermatologists to break down the outer layer of skin. They are often used to reduce the appearance of dark spots, acne scars and even wrinkles. By resurfacing skin with laser treatments, skin tone can appear more even and hyperpigmentation can appear reduced. I was inspired by laser treatments when creating my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum; I wanted to capture the laser-like precision that lasers have when targeting dark spots in a hydrating serum that fades the appearance of areas of hyperpigmentation and dark spots while allowing your natural tone to shine unaltered.
Tilbury Tip: In clinical trials for my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum, 98% agreed they would delay having a laser treatment!*
3. Retinoids
Retinol is often used in skincare to help reduce the appearance of signs of ageing like fine lines and wrinkles, but creams and serums with retinoids can also help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Retinoids can accelerate cell turnover and have a resurfacing effect, so using retinoids in your skincare routine can help to improve skin texture and even the appearance of skin tone for smoother, more even-looking skin with reduced signs of hyperpigmentation.
4. Chemical exfoliators
Dark spots and hyperpigmentation become visible on the outer layers of your skin, so regularly exfoliating can help to reduce their appearance. Chemical exfoliators like AHAs. BHAs and PHAs work to resurface skin, removing dead skin cells from the surface and creating a smoother-looking skin texture. I recommend exfoliating every 2-3 days with an acid exfoliator like my Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial to get rid of dead skin cells and aid the cycle, making way for the new, healthy skin cells underneath to surface.
5. Suncare
Prolonged sun exposure is one of the biggest contributing factors to the development of dark spots, so following proper sun care advice is the best way to prevent dark spots from appearing. Staying out of the sun is recommended, as well as applying a high-factor sunscreen to your face and body to shield against harmful UV rays. I apply my Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer every morning to protect my skin with SPF50 while perfectly priming for makeup with zero white cast.
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1. Prep with Glow Toner
Start your skincare routine for dark spots by prepping skin with a gentle, acid-free toner. My Glow Toner is infused with niacinamide which helps to even the appearance of skin tone and refine the appearance of pores. Swipe toner onto skin to boost radiance and help it appear smooth and baby-soft.
2. Target the Appearance of Hyperpigmentation with Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum
Reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation with a serum that is supercharged with ingredients that work to even the look of skin tone. I was inspired by the precision of lasers when creating my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum; I wanted a formula that effectively targets dark spots and hyperpigmentation without altering the appearance of your entire skin tone, and so I worked with world-leading scientists to create my Precision-Fade Evenskin Technology with a delivery system akin to the precision of lasers. In 6 weeks, skin tone appears 8x more even!**
3. Moisturise with Charlotte’s Magic Cream
Once you have targeted the appearance of dark spots with serum, revive the look of your complexion with a rich moisturiser like Charlotte’s Magic Cream. Keeping skin hydrated is the secret to maintaining a healthy, smoother-looking complexion. To give skin a magic glow, massage Charlotte’s Magic Cream into your face and neck using my signature Tilbury Tap technique. In just 28 seconds, skin instantly appears 2x as hydrated*** and is perfectly primed for foundation.
4. Protect from Sun Damage with Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer SPF50
One of the main causes of dark spots is overexposure to the sun, so applying a high-factor sunscreen every day is essential to reducing and preventing the appearance of sunspots. Shielding skin with an SPF primer like my Invisible UV Flawless Poreless Primer will prime and protect your skin, letting UVA and UVB filters counter harsh sunlight and help to prevent sun damage which can lead to the emergence of dark spots.
FAQs: How To Reduce The Appearance of Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation
Where do dark spots + hyperpigmentation usually appear?
Dark spots and hyperpigmentation are most commonly found in areas that are regularly exposed to the sun. This can include the face and neck, backs of the hands, shoulders, chest and back. They usually appear in clusters and can vary in shape and size.
How long does it take to fade the appearance of dark spots + hyperpigmentation take to fade?
Reducing the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation requires consistent care. Apply my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum every day and skin tone appears 8x more even after 6 weeks of use!**
Does vitamin C fade the appearance of dark spots?
Yes - vitamin C can help to fade the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C is used in skincare products like serum and moisturiser for its brightening and antioxidant properties. Skincare formulas with vitamin C like my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum can be used to help even the appearance of skin tone, making skin look brighter and improving skin clarity.
Discover the benefits of vitamin C in face cream + moisturiser
What is the best serum for reducing the appearance of dark spots?
To reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, add my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum to your skincare routine. I created my dark spot serum with first-of-its-kind Precision-Fade Evenskin Technology to help skin tone appear 8x more even!*
Discover more about Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum
How often should you use a dark spot serum?
You can use a dark spot serum once or twice a day as a part of your morning and evening skincare routine. As a rule, the results that you see from your skincare will improve when you are using a product consistently. Commit to using a dark spot serum like my Dark Spot Correcting Radiance Recovery Serum every day for best results.
Should I use dark spot serum in the morning or evening?
You can use a dark spot serum in your morning skincare routine and in your night time skincare routine to help reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation. You can layer dark spot serum with other serums to tackle multiple skin concerns, or you can switch out your serum from morning to evening.
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Author Details
Charlotte Tilbury
Founder, President, Chairman and Chief Creative Officer of Charlotte Tilbury Beauty
With over 30 years experience, Charlotte Tilbury MBE is the world's number 1 makeup artist and British beauty entrepreneur. Charlotte established Charlotte Tilbury Beauty in 2013, which is now a record-breaking beauty brand that has won over 400 awards.
