Last Updated on October 20, 2024 by Angela Vaz
First off, I need you to understand that acne is a terrible skin condition, and I’m so sorry if you’re going through it, too.
One of the biggest challenges when dealing with removing dark spots is also dealing with recurring acne (maybe it happens during your cycle or when you take stress).
My acne falls between moderate to extensive according to the dermatologists I’ve seen and it varies throughout the weeks.

And it’s difficult to heal both (acne and dark spots) at once.
So, I understand your frustration and that’s why I am writing this post.
I know what it feels like to look at someone’s clear skin, and wish you had that.
I’ve struggled with acne since I was nine years old.
I’m now 31 and feel like I’ve finally cracked the code.
This is my progress in 10 weeks of only dealing with acne.

Please note, I’m fairly brown but the photos are in front of a window, so I’m about 2-4 tones lighter.
I have now begun to focus on removing the dark spots and hyperpigmentation and it’s really working.
I still break out from time to time (especially before my period), but for the most part, my breakouts have reduced.
In this post, I will discuss how I dealt with hyperpigmentation, including my skincare (I try to use drugstore products whenever I can) and create a separate post using natural methods.
PLEASE READ A few things to note:
- This post is not about clearing acne – the root cause – I already have a separate post on how I cleared my skin from cystic acne here.
- I also cover what foods I ate to clear my hormonal cystic acne on my chin here.
This is a heavy post that explains how to remove dark spots and I do cover some Korean Skincare for dark skin as well.
Now, without further ado, let’s dive in!
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may make a commission at no extra cost to you if you decide to click on a link and purchase something. Click here to read the full disclaimer.
1. Wear sunscreen (very important)

No matter what you do – even if you sit inside the house all day, please wear sunscreen.
Because we have brown skin, our dark spots and pigmentation actually get worse with UV rays. And it darkens due to melanin production.
We have more melanin – us brown and dark skin girlies, so this means more hyperpigmentation and dark spots.
Wearing sunscreen will help you stop the dark spots from becoming darker and maintain/lighten the spots more.
Meaning, it won’t get worse. So, do not skip sunscreen.
I currently use the InnisFree Korean sunscreen because it feels so light and it doesn’t leave a white cast.
But if you’re looking for a tinted sunscreen – (I wear this on days when I am stepping out) – this La Roche-Posay Sunscreen is the absolute best.
2. Exfoliate your skin 3 times a week

When I say exfoliate, I don’t mean physical exfoliation – those days are gone.
Basically we need to remove dead skin cells, but we are looking for an exfoliator that also slows down melanin production so that our dark spots become lighter and fade.
So, opt for these in your skincare:
Chemical Peels: Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) like glycolic acid or lactic acid can gently exfoliate the skin, helping to fade pigmentation over time. I currently am using this by The Ordinary and I like it, it’s very light, I use it in my morning routine.
Salicylic Acid: A beta-hydroxy acid (BHA) that helps exfoliate and reduce pigmentation, especially if you have acne-prone skin. I use this at night.
3. Use topical treatments in your skincare routine

Now, you don’t need to use all of this: I’m just listing the ones I have used and I will tell you which one I prefer.
- Hydroquinone: A prescription skin-lightening agent that reduces dark spots over time, but it must be used with caution and under the guidance of a dermatologist. This is something I found out from Reddit because all the dark-skinned girlies are using it because it works fast.
- Retinoids: Retinoids speed up cell turnover, which helps fade dark spots and improves skin texture. Prescription-strength retinoids are stronger and more effective. I did try Tretinoin but it was too harsh for me, so I don’t recommend this unless your dermatologist prescribes it. My dermat got me off this because it wasn’t helping my skin even after 5 months of using it.
- Niacinamide: This anti-inflammatory ingredient helps reduce pigmentation and redness, while also improving overall skin tone. This is very gentle on the skin and can be used every day in the AM. If you have acne and oily skin use this 10% serum; otherwise, use 5%.
- Azelaic Acid: Helps to reduce pigmentation by decreasing melanin production and can be effective for those with sensitive skin. I used this tube by Paula’s Choice to also clear my acne so I loved it and I was able to use it everyday in the AM.
So, in this list, I used Niacinamide and Azelaic acid every single day – I’ve already linked to the products.
Both of them can be used daily – and the tube by Paula’s choice can be used daily – day and night.
Just remember to follow up your skincare with sunscreen.
4. Use Tyrosinase Inhibitors

Tyrosinase is an enzyme responsible for melanin production, which causes pigmentation.
Natural tyrosinase inhibitors can help block melanin production, thereby reducing hyperpigmentation.
Now, there are substances that occur naturally and we can use those but it takes time.
Natural tyrosinase inhibitors include ingredients like licorice extract, mulberry extract, green tea, and kojic acid.
You can apply serums or creams containing these ingredients to the affected areas daily to gradually lighten dark spots and prevent new ones from forming.
If you go down the chemical route, like I did, you’ll see faster results.
Here are 2 that contain tyrosinase inhibitors to help reduce hyperpigmentation:
How to Use: Apply a few drops to your face in the morning and evening before oils or moisturizers.
Key Ingredient: Alpha Arbutin
How it Works: Alpha arbutin is a powerful tyrosinase inhibitor that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation by decreasing the amount of melanin produced.
Kojic acid is a powerful, naturally derived ingredient that is widely used to treat hyperpigmentation.
It is a byproduct of certain fermented foods like sake, soy sauce, and rice wine, and it works by inhibiting this enzyme, which is essential for melanin production. I learned about this from a dark skinned girlies group as well.
Please note:
Watch for Irritation: Discontinue use if you experience redness or dryness – because it takes some time getting used to.
Sunscreen is Essential: Kojic acid can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, so using a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) daily is critical to prevent further darkening.
Start Slowly: If you are new to kojic acid, start with a product that contains a lower concentration to see how your skin reacts, and gradually increase the strength and frequency.
5. Make sure your skin is very moisturized

Please note that because you are suddenly using a lot of skincare – your skin might become overly dry due to all the products.
It’s suddenly seeing so many products.
And if you dry out your skin (this is why I stay away from Tretinoin), you won’t be able to do anything else and you’ll have to be au natural.
So, please, remember to use a very light moisturizer like this that will keep your skin supple and healthy.
This will allow you to use all your serums and creams without your skin barrier getting damaged.
I know I’ve linked to mostly drugstore products and like I said earlier, we don’t need expensive products all the time. These do the trick and they’re safe.
6. You can do in-office treatments

Skip this step, if it doesn’t interest you.
I consulted one of my friends (she is a model who suddenly developed acne during her mid-twenties and she was in a hurry to get rid of that and her dark spots) who’s done this and honestly, it works if you are in a hurry and can’t afford to wait.
Consult your dermat, but they will point you in this direction by telling you to do these:
- Chemical Peels: A dermatologist can perform stronger chemical peels that penetrate deeper layers of the skin to remove pigmentation faster.
- Laser Treatments: Lasers like intense pulsed light (IPL) or fractional lasers target pigmentation and can be effective for more severe cases.
- Microneedling: This treatment stimulates collagen production and can help with both pigmentation and acne scarring.
7. Maintain a straightforward, simple skincare routine

You may want to decrease fine lines or tighten your skin and look more youthful.
Stop.
Don’t do everything at once.
Focus on hyperpigmentation right now. And then get to everything else.
I always focus on 1 thing at a time because we don’t want to disrupt the balance or overwhelm our skin.
Once your hyperpigmentation is reduced, you can work on tightening your skin, or looking more youthful.
But for now, focus on just the hyperpigmentation.
The simpler your skincare routine, the more sustainable it is.
Remember, you are building a habit – so keep it simple.
This is my skincare routine that works for me:
- Morning: Gentle cleanser, Paula’s Choice toner (helps with absorption of products and reduces pore size) glycolic acid (helps with fading hyperpigmentation and smoothes skin), Azelaic acid from Paula’s choice (helps with removing dark spots and evening skintone) sunscreen
- Evening: Cleanser followed by Salicylic acid/Niacinamide (I alternate between both) and moisturizer
Occasionally, when I notice that I’m developing a big breakout, I’ll just apply benzoyl peroxide gel (5%) on the area on clean skin and forego any serum/treatment.
Benzoyl peroxide drastically decreases the inflammation, so the pimple doesn’t get bigger and goes away quickly.
The idea is to be consistent – and that helps with everything.
Here are some pins if you want to save the post:



Here are some posts that might help:
- 7 tiny habits that make you incredibly attractive
- How I cleared my skin naturally in 10 weeks from acne
- 9 foods to clear hormonal cystic acne
- How to look attractive after a breakup
- 7 tiny habits to get glowing skin
- How to make friends in your 30s – what I did
- 7 micro habits of women who are beautiful
- How to glow up naturally after a painful breakup