niacinamide

Fan of the Ordinary’s 10% Niacinamide and 1% zinc serum? Makes sense, it’s great for acne-prone skin because it offers the oil control from niacinamide and the anti-inflammation benefits that zinc can bring. My main problem with this serum is the PILLING.

Pilling is when a product rolls on your skin rather than sinking in. Personally, because this product pills so much, I feel like I never receive the benefits (even though it is a great price point).

Shop the Ordinary:

PURITO – Galacto Niacin 97 Power Essence

Want all the benefits, and none of the problems? Well, you’re going to love this product from Purito. This 5% niacinamide is gentle, but effective. Niacinamide is known for it’s ability to lighten hyperpigmentation (like post acne dark spots) and reduce any redness or irritation.

This active ingredient sits in a base of Galactoyces Ferment Filtrate, which helps to brighten and hydrate the skin. This product really sinks into the skin effortlessly, leaving it hydrated and plump.

NO PILLING.

Product Claims:

Safe Green Level Ingredients
Intensive Sebum Control
Anti-Wrinkle
Nourishes Skin
Improves Skin Tone

Shop Yes Style: https://www.yesstyle.com/en/purito-galacto-niacin-97-power-essence-60ml-60ml/info.html/pid.1068755853

If you are shopping on Yes Style, feel free to use my reward code: DAUB59. It will give you money off your purchase.

This is a reward code, but not an affiliate code. However, links to Amazon are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you decide to purchase one of my recommendations. Thank you for helping to support my blog.

Sunscreen

Let’s start here, because if you’re not wearing sunscreen, then all these other products are meaningless. While this isn’t actually one ingredient, but many, it is the most important part of your skin care routine.

Applying sunscreen (and re-applying every 2-3 hours) will protect your skin from sun damage. The sun can cause hyperpigmentation, darken areas of hyperpigmentation, accelerate the aging process, and most importantly lead to skin cancer.

Sound serious enough, yet?

So yes, it’s extremely important to wear enough sunscreen, every single day, RAIN OR SHINE.

We’ll talk more about this later.

Mandelic Acid

Mandelic acid is an exfoliant that helps to resurface the dead skin cells and reveal the smooth skin beneath. This alpha-hydroxy-acid (AHA) has the benefit of being a larger molecular weight. This just means that it is more gentle on sensitive skin.

AHAs also work as humectants, adding hydration to the skin. So it’s good for the exfoliation and hydration step of your routine.

Typically, you’ll find mandelic acid in toners or serums (lightweight formulas).

Mandelic acid is not the strongest ingredient for hyperpigmentation, but that’s kind of the point. It is great for sensitive skin and more reactive skin, but you’ll still see results.

Niacinamide

Niacinamide is another ingredient that suits sensitive skin, but provides skin brightening benefits. At 5% it packs a powerful punch when it comes to lightening hyperpigmentation.

What’s nice about this ingredient is that you also get some added benefits like reduction in oil production. That’s especially helpful for anyone with oily, acne-prone skin.

It also soothes the skin and is able to reduce any redness or irritation.

And ultimately, niacinamide will address our hyperpigmentation, evening out our skin tone and brightening (not lightening!) our complexion.

Honorable mentions…

Vitamin C is a great antioxidant.

I’ll do a full post to address all the benefits and optimal percentages for this ingredient.

I list this one last because I believe that there is the greatest potential for irritation based on the product’s formulation and the percentage of Vitamin C used.

Notable mentions to Azelaic Acid & Alpha-Arbutin, as well.

I feel like these are also important ingredients for fighting hyperpigmentation that deserve their own post.

Healthy reminder: Not all of these ingredients are needed to lessen hyperpigmentation. Remember that you can see results just by incorporating one of these ingredients.