Best ingredients for hyperpigmentation

Alpha-Arbutin

Inhibits tyrosinase to gradually fade dark spots and even out tone without the irritation risk of hydroquinone.

Ascorbyl Glucoside

Delivers a stable, water-soluble form of vitamin C that converts to active ascorbic acid in skin.

Azelaic Acid

Fades post-acne marks and rosacea redness while gently unclogging pores.

Ferulic Acid

Neutralizes free radicals and dramatically boosts the stability and potency of vitamin C.

Galactomyces Ferment

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate

A yeast fermentation filtrate rich in vitamins, minerals, and organic acids, used to improve tone, texture, and radiance.

Galactomyces Ferment Filtrate

A yeast ferment filtrate rich in amino acids, vitamins and organic acids, sold as a brightening and texture-refining essence.

Glutathione

A tripeptide antioxidant studied for lightening overall skin tone and buffering oxidative stress.

Licorice Root

Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract

Inhibits tyrosinase to fade discoloration while calming inflammation-driven redness.

Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Provides a stable, water-soluble vitamin C derivative that supports brightening and antioxidant defense.

Niacinamide

Calms redness, tightens the look of pores, and rebuilds the skin barrier.

Noni Fruit Ferment

Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Ferment

A fermented form of noni fruit extract that brightens tone and delivers antioxidant support.

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate (PAD)

Potassium Azeloyl Diglycinate

A water-soluble, gentler derivative of azelaic acid used to even skin tone and calm redness.

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate

Delivers a stable vitamin C derivative with additional evidence supporting anti-acne and antioxidant activity.

THD Ascorbate

Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate

Offers a highly stable, oil-soluble vitamin C form that penetrates the skin barrier efficiently.

Turmeric Extract

Curcuma Longa Root Extract

A root extract whose curcuminoids are strongly anti-inflammatory, sold either as the yellow whole extract or as its colourless derivative.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic Acid

Neutralizes free radicals, brightens dull skin, and supports collagen production.

Bakuchiol

Delivers retinol-like smoothing and firming without the flaking or sun sensitivity.

Citric Acid

A citrus-derived AHA that exfoliates the surface and adjusts formula pH.

Lactic Acid

Exfoliates dead skin cells while pulling moisture into the skin at the same time.

Mandelic Acid

A large-molecule AHA from bitter almonds that exfoliates gently while calming acne-prone skin.

Noni

Morinda Citrifolia Fruit Extract

Delivers antioxidant polyphenols that help fade dullness and support a more even tone.

Phytic Acid

Gently exfoliates and chelates metal ions that trigger dullness and discoloration.

Tartaric Acid

An alpha hydroxy acid derived from grapes that exfoliates the skin surface and adjusts formula pH.

Tranexamic Acid

Targets stubborn melasma and post-inflammatory marks by calming the pigment-triggering pathway.

Cysteamine

Cysteamine Hydrochloride

A small sulphur-containing molecule the body already makes, applied topically to reduce excess facial pigment. It interferes with melanin production at more than one point rather than through a single mechanism.

Glycolic Acid (AHA)

Glycolic Acid

Dissolves the bonds between dead skin cells for smoother texture and brighter tone.

Kojic Acid

Fades dark spots by blocking the enzyme that produces melanin.

Retinal (Retinaldehyde)

Retinal

A fast-acting retinoid, one conversion step from retinoic acid, that speeds cell turnover and rebuilds collagen.

Retinol

Speeds up cell turnover and stimulates collagen, smoothing texture and softening fine lines over months.

3-O-Ethyl Ascorbic Acid

An ethyl-ether derivative of vitamin C, engineered to stay stable across a normal formulation pH while keeping a structure close to the parent molecule.

Butylresorcinol

4-Butylresorcinol

A well-studied resorcinol derivative regarded as one of the more effective cosmetic tyrosinase inhibitors for reducing the appearance of stubborn dark spots. It works by limiting pigment enzyme activity.

Diethylhexyl Butamido Triazone

A large, oil-soluble UVB filter sold under names including Iscotrizinol and Uvasorb HEB. Its molecular size keeps it on the skin surface, and it is photostable enough to be used as a partner that helps hold less stable filters together.

Ellagic Acid

A polyphenol antioxidant found in berries and pomegranate that helps protect skin from oxidative stress and supports a more even tone. It is used for both antioxidant and brightening purposes.

Hexylresorcinol

A resorcinol-derived active that helps fade the look of dark spots and even tone, with additional antioxidant activity. It is often positioned as a gentler alternative to hydroquinone.

Homosalate

A common organic UVB filter that absorbs ultraviolet-B radiation and helps dissolve other sunscreen actives in a formula. It gives lightweight, cosmetically elegant textures.

Iron Oxides

The red, yellow and black mineral pigments that give tinted sunscreens, foundations and BB creams their colour. Because they are opaque across the visible range they also block visible light, which UV filters on their own do not.

Isobutylamido Thiazolyl Resorcinol

A patented resorcinol derivative designed to bind human tyrosinase, the enzyme that starts pigment production, more tightly than older brighteners screened on mushroom enzyme. It is used in serums and spot treatments for stubborn dark patches.

Mexoryl SX

Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid

A photostable organic UVA filter developed for strong short-UVA protection, often combined with other filters for broad-spectrum defense. It is a signature filter of certain European sunscreen lines.

Mexoryl XL

Drometrizole Trisiloxane

A photostable organic filter that absorbs across both UVA and UVB, valued for helping deliver broad-spectrum protection in stable formulas. It is oil-soluble and complements water-soluble filters.

Mulberry Extract

Morus Alba Root Extract

A botanical extract used to help even skin tone and reduce the look of dark spots by moderating pigment-enzyme activity, alongside antioxidant benefits. It is a common natural brightening ingredient.

N-Acetyl Glucosamine

Acetyl Glucosamine

An amino-sugar that helps even skin tone and supports hydration, and is often paired with niacinamide to enhance the look of a brighter, smoother complexion. It is a building block of skin's natural moisturizing components.

Octadecenedioic Acid

A plant-derived diacid used to help fade the appearance of dark spots and even tone through a mechanism distinct from acid exfoliation. It is positioned as a gentle brightening active.

Octinoxate

Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate

One of the most common organic (chemical) UVB filters, which absorbs ultraviolet-B radiation to help prevent sunburn. It is oil-soluble and widely used in sunscreens worldwide.

Octisalate

Ethylhexyl Salicylate

A gentle organic UVB filter that absorbs ultraviolet-B and also helps solubilize and stabilize other filters. It is valued for its mildness and water resistance.

Octocrylene

An organic UV filter that absorbs UVB and short UVA rays and is often added to stabilize other filters such as avobenzone. It also improves the water resistance of sunscreens.

Oxybenzone

Benzophenone-3

An organic filter that absorbs both UVB and some UVA radiation and has historically been used to broaden sunscreen protection. It is one of the more studied and debated chemical filters.

Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid

A water-soluble UVB filter, unusual in a category dominated by oil-soluble molecules. Being water-soluble lets it sit in the water phase, which is how some sunscreens achieve a very light, non-greasy feel.

Phenylethyl Resorcinol

A potent resorcinol-based cosmetic brightener used to reduce the appearance of dark spots and even tone, with antioxidant activity. It is effective at low concentrations.

Polysilicone-15

An organic UV filter attached to a silicone backbone, which makes the molecule large and keeps it sitting on the skin surface rather than being absorbed. It absorbs in the UVB range and is approved for sunscreen use in the EU and several other regions, though not in the United States.

Tinosorb M

Methylene Bis-Benzotriazolyl Tetramethylbutylphenol

A modern broad-spectrum UV filter that both absorbs and scatters UVA and UVB rays, acting partly like a mineral and partly like an organic filter. It is highly photostable but not approved in all markets.

Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine

A synthetic ingredient used to help even skin tone and reduce the look of dark spots by interfering with the signaling that stimulates pigment production. It targets discoloration without acids.

Uvinul A Plus

Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate

A photostable organic UVA filter that absorbs long-wave ultraviolet-A radiation, helping protect against the deeper, aging effects of sun exposure. It is often paired with UVB filters for broad-spectrum cover.

Uvinul T 150

Ethylhexyl Triazone

A highly efficient, photostable organic UVB filter that provides strong ultraviolet-B absorption at low concentrations. It is prized for its stability and elegant feel.