{"id":41610,"date":"2025-09-25T00:10:09","date_gmt":"2025-09-25T00:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/41610\/"},"modified":"2025-09-25T00:10:09","modified_gmt":"2025-09-25T00:10:09","slug":"eight-ways-to-tackle-post-summer-pigmentation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/41610\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight ways to tackle post-summer pigmentation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Increased sun exposure can lead to dark spots, freckles, and the worsening of existing pigmentation issues, which can be permanent without treatment.\u00a0<\/p>\n

While hyperpigmentation can happen at any time of the year, it tends to rear its ugly head during the summer months thanks to being outdoors more, sun holidays, or from the weather here if we\u2019re lucky \u2014 like this year.<\/p>\n

By the time autumn comes around, the damage is visible, our freckles are more intense, and we may have accumulated new dark spots.\u00a0<\/p>\n

We all know the importance of wearing SPF, but sometimes our skincare routine can fall by the wayside while on holidays.\u00a0<\/p>\n

UV rays stimulate pigment cells to produce melanin and overexposure can result in dark patches.\u00a0<\/p>\n

When we don\u2019t wear SPF, UV rays do their damage much faster, which is why it\u2019s so important to use SPF and be religious about topping up every two hours.<\/p>\n

I spoke to two skincare experts about what causes hyperpigmentation and how to treat it.<\/p>\n

What causes hyperpigmentation?<\/p>\n

According to skin expert Sherna Malone, hyperpigmentation is your skin\u2019s way of trying to protect against more intense, harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.<\/p>\n

\u201cMelanocytes, the cells that produce melanin, are triggered by sunlight to produce more pigment. Existing hyperpigmentation can deepen with sun exposure, and people whose skin type is naturally prone to pigmentation, may see new dark spots appear during summer.<\/p>\n

\u201cHormones are another driver. Melasma, for example, is often linked to pregnancy or hormonal contraception. Inflammation, such as marks left after acne or eczema flare ups, is also a cause.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPeople with darker skin naturally have more melanin, making hyperpigmentation more likely and often slower to improve,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

The good news is that sun induced pigmentation is often temporary and can fade within a few months with the right treatment.<\/p>\n

How to treat hyperpigmentation<\/p>\n

Since hyperpigmentation is directly correlated with sun exposure, strict SPF application is critical.<\/p>\n

\u201cWear an SPF of 30 or higher every single day, even when it\u2019s raining or you\u2019re indoors,\u201d advises The Skin Nerd\u2019s Jennifer Rock.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThis SPF should be its own product, not mixed into a moisturizer or foundation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tinted SPFs are the most effective at preventing hyperpigmentation, as they contain iron oxides, which block visible light, a key driver in hyperpigmentation, as well as UV light.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen it comes to at home skincare, ingredients that gently encourage cell turnover and inhibit melanin production are my go-to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Vitamin A (retinoids), pure vitamin C, antioxidants, SPF, and ingredients such as niacinamide and azelaic acid all play their part.<\/p>\n

AHAs like lactic acid can also help to exfoliate and brighten. While AHAs improve appearance, protecting and correcting is equally key, Rock says.<\/p>\n

However, you should avoid combining too many acids at once. Stick to one active at a time. Treat the skin gently and consistently, as results can take months to appear.<\/p>\n

Calm inflammation and promote even tone by using an LED light or in salon treatments.<\/p>\n

Avoid tan accelerators as these are designed to boost melanin production, which can worsen hyperpigmentation.<\/p>\n

Malone advises: \u201cThe most important preventative step is consistent daily application and re-application of SPF, even in Ireland and when it\u2019s cloudy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“Maintaining a gentle but effective skincare routine supports skin health. Patience is essential: Pigment takes time to form and equally time to fade.\u201d<\/p>\n

Rock adds: \u201cHome care is so important, using the above recommended ingredients, potentially alongside clinical treatments and modalities by a qualified individual.\u201d<\/p>\n

Products we recommend<\/p>\n

\"NiveaNivea Cellular Luminous Anti Dark Spot Serum<\/p>\n

\n 1. Nivea Cellular Luminous Anti Dark Spot Serum\n <\/p>\n

This advanced serum contains luminous 630 and antioxidant vitamins C and E, to target dark spots and prevent their recurrence.<\/p>\n

\"SkinceuticalsSkinceuticals Phyto A Brightening Treatment<\/p>\n

\n 2. Skinceuticals Phyto A Brightening Treatment\n <\/p>\n

A daily corrective treatment that helps to improve texture, clarity and discolouration with 3% azelaic acid and 2% Alpha arbutin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"BiodermaBioderma Pigment Bio Concentrate<\/p>\n

\n 3. Bioderma Pigment Bio Concentrate\n <\/p>\n

A high security Vitamin C, with a high AHA\/BHA concentration to provide a gentle peeling like efficacy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Reduces the intensity of existing spots and prevents the appearance of new ones.<\/p>\n

\"NuxeNuxe Nuxuriance Ultra Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream<\/p>\n

\n 4. Nuxe Nuxuriance Ultra Dark Spot Correcting Hand Cream\n <\/p>\n

Infused with Vitamin C, this targets pigment spots on the hands to visibly reduce their intensity and number.<\/p>\n

\"EucerinEucerin Anti Pigment Dual Serum<\/p>\n

\n 5. Eucerin Anti Pigment Dual Serum\n <\/p>\n

A potent dual-chamber serum that combines Thiamidol and concentrated hyaluronic acid, clinically proven to visibly reduce dark spots and prevent their reappearance with continued use.<\/p>\n

\"LaLa Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum<\/p>\n

\n 6. La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum\n <\/p>\n

An intense anti dark spot serum for hyperpigmentation which combines melasyl with 10% niacinamide, for a multi action treatment against hyperpigmentation, both treating existing and preventing future.<\/p>\n

\"ImageImage Iluma Intense Brightening Serum<\/p>\n

\n 7. Image Iluma Intense Brightening Serum\n <\/p>\n

This helps to reduce the appearance of pigmentation and dark spots, while promoting a clear and even skin tone with a blend of botanical lighteners, vitamin C and grapeseed extract.<\/p>\n

\"NeostrataNeostrata Enlighten Dark Spot Corrector<\/p>\n

\n 8. Neostrata Enlighten Dark Spot Corrector\n <\/p>\n

A targeted treatment gel formulated to address dark spots with a 10% Aha\/Pha exfoliating blend and powerful antioxidants chelators, to help trap the metals that can cause uneven skin tone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Increased sun exposure can lead to dark spots, freckles, and the worsening of existing pigmentation issues, which can…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":41611,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[61,60,80,31267],"class_list":{"0":"post-41610","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-technology","8":"tag-ie","9":"tag-ireland","10":"tag-technology","11":"tag-trend-of-the-week-skin-nerd-beauty-product-watch-mens-fashion-annmarie-o"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=41610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/41610\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/41611"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=41610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=41610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=41610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}