Pigmentation on your face can mean a few different things. Mostly we’re talking about freckles or melasma. So, let’s work out what’s causing it before we go into our latest pigmentation product review this week… because understanding an issue can often highlight the best steps towards preventing and solving it.
Freckles are more likely in people with fair skin. This is because they have less melanin (pigment) in their skin. Melanin normally helps to protect the skin from sun damage, by reflecting and absorbing UV rays. While people with fair skin may have less melanin, when exposed to the sun their skin can produce more, which cause freckles. Now, some freckles can fade over Winter and return in the Summer when exposed to UV rays again, and others can fade as we get older. While this can be reassuring, the key word is “some.” You might want to consider fading freckles still visible over Winter with depigmentation treatments. We also STRONGLY recommend using full coverage sun protection, with both skincare options and clothing.
Melasma are created in a similar way, but for different reasons. They are blotchy dark patches (bilateral) on the face (or body), and are often found on tanned and brown skin. It’s also more likely to appear if you’re a woman between 20 and 40 with hormonal changes such as having kids or taking the pill. Now, this is a very broad description, and we have whole articles devoted to Melasma that you should read for more info. They key here is that some of this pigmentation may fade after this hormonal change is over (kids growing up – don’t panic if you’re pregnant, it may not be permanent). As with freckles, we say “some” and not all – sorry! In these cases depigmentation products may be just what you’re after!
We’ve created a really quick cheat-sheet of combinations you can use;
- Aspect Dr Complete Pigment with Active C, Exfol A and Aspect Sun Envirostat
- CosMedix Simply Brilliant with Brilliancy, Serum 16 (or CosMedix Elite X-Cell+) and Hydrate Plus
- Medik8 Oxy-R Peptides with Super C Ferulic, Crystal Retinal 6 and Advanced Day Ultimate Protect
- Societe Brightening Serum with Triple C, Refinishing Complex and Cover Shield.
- SkinCeuticals Advanced Pigment Corrector with Phloretin CF, Retinal 0.3 and Ultra Facial Defense SPF
- Osmosis MD Rescue with Catalyst AC11, Correct and Protect
- Mesoestetic Brightening Peel Booster with AOX Ferulic and Mesoprotech Melan 130 Pigment Control (please note Cosmelan is a great in-clinic treatment)
So, now you understand pigmentation issues and some basic combination of products, we’ve also given you a sneak peak at what we’ve tried and how they’ve worked for us!
Meg’s Pigmentation Product Review
“It’s only over the last year, when I moved to a warm climate, that I noticed visible signs of sun damage. Of course I had some before, but it was not really noticeable unless I looked at my skin under a skin lamp. Now I have obvious pigmentation at the tops of my cheekbones, and over the last few months I have been working on this with Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus.
The benefit of this serum is that it doesn’t just fade the pigment, it also blocks and prevents further pigment from coming through.
Here’s the details on all the magic ingredients that make this such a powerful anti-pigment serum:
- Tranexamic Acid – An amino acid that helps to diminish the appearance of existing dark spots and prevent further signs of ageing
- Niacinamide – Evens skin tone, improving the appearance of redness and discoloration
- RadianSkin™ – Works in synergy with other ingredients to target pigmented dark areas
- Tyrostat-11™ – A powerful complex of Rumex Occidentalis and Vitamin C to help illuminate and even out complexion
- L-Lactic Acid – An Alpha Hydroxy Acid that assists with micro-exfoliation, improving skin texture
This serum works best when it’s paired with a vitamin A, and for this I am sticking with Aspect Dr and using their Exfol A serum. I also use their Multi B and Active C, which all assist in lightening, regulating and preventing pigment.
Of course SPF is the best preventer, and for this, I switch between We Are Feel Good SPF 50, Societe Cover Shield and Aspect Envirostat.
I have been doing this routine for nearly 3 months now, and I have definitely noticed a big improvement. I would say that my pigmented areas have decreased by about 50% and my skin looks more even toned and textured, brighter and overall just healthier.”
Meg
Julie’s Pigmentation Product Review
“I am loving the results of the Aspect Dr Complete Complete Pigment Serum. I actually cannot believe that this product has worked so well, not that I doubt anything that we sell, but it just worked so fast! I have pigmentation on my forehead and upper cheeks, and it all comes from the sun. This serum also works on melasma – pigmentation that has been caused by hormonal changes.
Complete Pigment Plus not only fades your current pigment, but it also prevents and blocks further pigment from coming through. What is this kind of sorcery?? Well, apparently it is all down to an ingredient called Tyrostat II – a patented, chemical free skin brightener from the North Canadian Prairies that combines a powerful complex of Rumex Occidentalis and Vitamin C to help illuminate and even out complexion. Aside from Tyrostat II, I was going to rave about the other ingredients, but Meg beat me to it in her review. LOL
If you are concerned with pigmentation, Winter time is a great season to address this issue as we are inside a lot more, and the UV from the sun is lower. Of course, even in winter, SPF is still the best defence against pigmentation and premature ageing.
Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus is best used in conjunction with a vitamin A and a vitamin C serum. You can apply it to your entire face, or you can use it as a spot treatment, morning and night, after cleansing.
This is such a brilliant serum, I am giving it a ten out of ten!”
Julie
Phillipa’s Pigmentation Product Review
“I am one of the many freckled people in Australia and it’s nice to know I’m not alone. I burn to a crisp and freckle rather than tan, and that’s just the way it is. Earlier this year I started trialling the combination of Osmosis MD Rescue and Catalyst AC11. While I can’t rave enough about Rescue, as my skin feels so much better after a dose of this magic bottle. In this case, as you’ll find out below, I didn’t end up following the whole routine.
The recommended routine with Osmosis for pigmentation fading is Rescue , Catalyst , Correct and Protect (with a few other supporting products). I started with Rescue, Catalyst, Calm and Hydrate Plus. After just one week of persisting I could see I was going to have trouble. Now, I’ve had a few phone calls over the years asking if particular vitamin C products are yellow/orange on your skin. I’ve even had a few that give my skin a slight orange tint. Unfortunately, while Catalyst is definitely a wonderful product, I look like an Oompa Loompa when I use it. We’re talking bright fake tan orange… with this in mind, I only used it when I was wearing makeup or applying it at night. Thus, I kept putting it off, and didn’t use it enough to see the results come through… and I had to wash a few orange pillow case stains. So, while I still love Rescue, and it’s made my skin texture and strength better, it only faded my pigmentation a little bit. (ps I recommend Societe Triple C if clients are worried about the “orange” facial effect of vitamin C)
CosMedix has some great pigmentation solutions also!
Now, what was my other favourite pigmentation combo you ask? Because I’ve tried quite a few options! The CosMedix Simply Brilliant and Pure C mixing crystals with Mesoprotech Melan 130 SPF! This is a badass powerhouse combo, and I must admit I do still love it. There’s just something luxe about CosMedix – those of you in the know will understand! Now, while the pigmentation serums have worked well, I made the mistake of reapplying my SPF while hanging with the kids last summer. So I’ve undone my hard work and I’ve had to go back to this tried and tested pigment busting SPF. I strongly suggest trying the Melan 130 SPF as it both protects and repairs pigmentation. This is a tinted SPF, so those of you with super-fair skin may struggle. But, this product adds another layer of protection that you just can’t beat.
What’s up next?
I think I’m going to have to try the Medik8 combo next, and perhaps add in some anti-red serums and cleansers to really give the range a good workout! After all, what’s the point of working in a great skincare clinic if I can’t experience the different products!”
Phillipa
Zoe’s Product Review
“This week I am reviewing the one and only Osmosis MD Rescue Epidermal Serum!
I believe every single person I have spoken to about this serum have all said the same thing… it is a magic potion! Suitable for all skin types, especially ideal for blemish-prone, pigmented skin and perfect for skin conditions such as Rosacea!
I am currently experiencing acne-hyperpigmentation on my cheeks from recent breakouts, I have extremely rough, uneven skin tone, no matter what I was doing these pesky spots just wouldn’t go away!
Ever since being introduced to Osmosis Rescue, I have seen amazing results in my skin! Fighting inflammation, reducing redness during breakouts, evening out my skin tone and reducing my acne spots! Some may say the smell of this Serum is a little on the potent side, but once you see the impeccable results in a short amount of time you will be amazed.
Pairing this Serum up with the Osmosis MD Catalyst AC11, and changes to your pigmentation will be drastic, as this Serum lightens hyper-pigmentation issues as it stimulates collagen and elastin through a fusion of minerals, Vitamin C and amino acids.
This magic potion is well worth the price, and I recommend for anyone as it includes several ingredients that are great for your overall skin health, helping dissolve substances on the surface, help penetration of ingredients deep into the skin and to improve hydration by repairing cell walls.
I will definitely be getting Osmosis MD Rescue again!! 😊”
Zoe
We hope you have appreciated hearing our “real life” feedback on these products. If there is a product you have enjoyed, please leave your feedback. Your favourite cleanser, serum or moisturiser? Write a review on the website and you’ll even receive an extra 300 points. Simply locate the product (in this case the products we’ve just reviewed), click the Reviews tab and leave your rating and review. We believe in finding products that are scientifically proven to improve your skin’s health without using nasty ingredients that we are better off avoiding.
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