Pigmentation & Dullness
Uneven tone, dark patches and lost glow
Pigmentation happens when melanin-producing cells go into overdrive and deposit colour unevenly — as sun spots, post-acne marks, melasma patches, or a general muddiness across the face. Dullness is a slightly different problem: a buildup of dead cells and sluggish circulation scattering light instead of...
Sounds like
- Patches noticeably darker than the surrounding skin
- Marks from old breakouts that stay for months
- Symmetrical brownish patches across the cheeks, forehead or upper lip
- An uneven, greyish or tired-looking cast to the skin
- Tan lines that don't fade after weeks indoors
- Skin looks flat and rough rather than luminous
What might be causing it
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Cumulative UV exposure — by a wide margin the biggest driver
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Marks left behind by acne, insect bites, waxing or picking
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Hormonal melasma from pregnancy, contraceptives or thyroid changes
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Pollution and oxidative stress
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Friction and heat, including steam and cooking over an open flame
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Skipping sunscreen, or applying it once and never reapplying
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Dead cell buildup on the surface
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Poor sleep, chronic stress and smoking
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Iron deficiency showing up as sallowness
A routine that works with it
Morning
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Cleanse
A gentle wash to clear away the night's residue
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Antioxidant
Vitamin C or a similar antioxidant serum on dry skin
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Moisturise
Whatever texture suits your skin type
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Protect
Broad-spectrum SPF 30-50, generously, and reapply every few hours outdoors
Evening
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Double cleanse
Oil first to lift sunscreen, then a gentle wash
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Brighten
Niacinamide, alpha arbutin or a similar brightening serum
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Exfoliate
A mild acid once or twice a week only, never nightly
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Moisturise
Seal everything in with a nourishing cream
What helps day to day
Lifestyle
Make sunscreen a daily habit and seek shade between 10am and 4pm — a hat or umbrella does more than any serum. Eat antioxidant-rich food like amla, citrus, tomatoes and leafy greens, and leave marks alone so they can fade.
Skincare
Broad-spectrum SPF 30-50 every morning, reapplied when you're outdoors, is the single highest-return step — brightening actives without sunscreen is effort wasted. Add an antioxidant serum in the morning, a brightening active at night, and gentle exfoliation once or twice a week.
Ingredients
Look for these
- Vitamin C
- Niacinamide
- Alpha arbutin
- Kojic acid
- Liquorice root
- Azelaic acid
- Lactic acid
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen
Go easy on these
- Skipping SPF, indoors or on cloudy days
- Harsh physical scrubs
- Picking at spots and marks
- Unregulated fairness or steroid creams
- Lemon juice and baking soda remedies
- Expecting results in under three months
What people tell us
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okay i have used the whole serum and im writing this review...this is the firest ever serum i have incorporated in my skin care regime as it is beginner friendly..trust me it has changed my skin drastically..1)my complexion has become even2)no breakouts while i used it3)my pores became invisible4)skin felt so so smooth5)i must say it actually brightened my skin a lot and lot6)my mom had severe pigmentation on her cheeks and it worked even on that issue..almost the pigmentation reduced to half.7)so hydrating though its a bit sticky but moisturizer masks it ..so these are the differences i have found while i used it..ill definitely go for it again..
What we'd reach for
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This information is general and educational, and isn't a substitute for medical advice. Please consult a doctor or dermatologist for a diagnosis.
Questions we get asked
Do I need sunscreen indoors?
If you spend the day away from windows, daily reapplication matters less. But UVA passes through glass, so if you sit near a window or step out at all, morning sunscreen is worth it.
How long until pigmentation fades?
Surface marks from breakouts often lighten over two to three months. Deeper pigmentation and melasma take six months or longer and need consistent sun protection throughout — without it, progress reverses.
Vitamin C or niacinamide — which should I use?
They work differently and can be used together. Vitamin C is an antioxidant best suited to mornings; niacinamide is gentler, well tolerated by most skin, and works well at night. If your skin is sensitive, start with niacinamide.
Why do my breakouts leave dark marks?
Melanin-rich skin responds strongly to inflammation, so spots often leave brown marks behind. Treating the breakout gently and not picking makes a bigger difference to the mark than anything you apply afterwards.