Top Face Washes to Effectively Treat Dark Spots on Skin

Best Face Wash To Treat Dark Spots

Dark spots on the skin, also known as hyperpigmentation, can appear for a number of reasons. The most common causes of dark spots are sun exposure and acne scarring. Sometimes they can be caused by hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy or menopause, and even by certain medications.

Thankfully, there are a number of skincare treatments available to treat dark spots on the skin, and the best place to start is with an effective cleansing routine.

Exfoliating the top layer of skin, which is full of dead skin cells, is essential to loosen cell attachments. This allows skin lightening ingredients to get into the skin easier, whether those ingredients are in your cleanser or post-cleansing dark spot serum or cream. Always complete your skincare routine with a broad spectrum SPF to prevent the formation of new dark spots.

You can exfoliate the dead skin cells away from your skin using either chemical exfoliation with hydroxy acids, mechanical exfoliation with scrubs, or a combination of both.

What Are The Best Cleansers To Treat Dark Spots?

The best cleansers to treat dark spots on the skin will contain either alpha hydroxy acids, beta hydroxy acids, and sometimes both. These ingredients are chemical exfoliators, which effectively remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to leave clear, fresh skin behind.

What Are The Best Alpha Hydroxy Acid Cleansers To Remove Dark Spots on Dry Skin?

Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) cleansers will usually contain glycolic acid or lactic acid (sometimes both), which are the most gentle AHAs for use as part of your daily skincare routine. They work to polish the skin, remove impurities and improve skin texture. AHAs are humectants which mean they hydrate skin and are safe for dry skin types.

Alpha hydroxy acids are also very effective at correcting the discoloration of dark spots on the skin as a result of acne scarring or sun exposure, and are best used in dry skin types because their humectant abilities help the skin to stay hydrated.

PCA Skin Facial Wash contains lactic acid, so is a gentle cleanser for dry, sensitive skin. As well as keeping the skin moisturized, it corrects dark spots on the skin to brighten the complexion and even out skin tone. It is packed with antioxidants and aloe vera to soothe and calm the skin.

Essopi Glycolic 10% Moisturizing Cleanser is also suitable for dry skin and contains vitamins A, C and E, and co-enzyme Q10 to renew the skin. This alpha hydroxy acid cleanser is gentler than the best scrubs, but just as effective, and helps to prepare the skin for the next step in your skincare routine. It will keep the skin’s pH low and hydrate the skin, though is best used as part of a personalized skin care routine.

Our favorite hydroxy acid cleanser for acne and dark spots on the skin caused by acne scarring is SkinCeuticals LHA Cleanser Gel, which combines an alpha hydroxy acid (glycolic acid) with beta hydroxy acids (salicylic acid and lipo-hydroxy acid) to remove excess oils from the skin and clear the pores. It gently reduces the appearance of dark spots on the skin, as well as addressing the signs of aging.

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$38.50

Out of Stock

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$34.50

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$38.50

Out of Stock

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$34.50

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Brightening Facial Wash

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

SENTE Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

SkinCeuticals Glycolic Renewal Cleanser Gel

$39.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse As Needed 10% Glycolic Cleanser

$45.00

Add to Cart

Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser

$46.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Exfoliating Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Facial Wash

$40.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Glycolic Acid Resurfacing Cleanser

$38.50

Out of Stock

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$34.50

Add to Cart

What Are The Best Beta Hydroxy Acid Cleansers To Remove Dark Spots on Oily Skin?

Beta hydroxy acid cleansers tend to contain salicylic acid, which is effective in acne treatments as it exfoliates the skin and keeps the pores clear. It is an effective treatment for acne, acne scarring, dark spots on the skin, and melasma. Salicylic acid can be drying so it is best for oily skin types. Lipo-hydroxy acid is derived from salicylic acid and is a gentler form of beta hydroxy acid.

That said, salicylic acid is gentle enough for even sensitive skin types and very effective for oily or combination skin types.

To reduce the appearance of acne scarring, I recommend SkinCeuticals Clarifying Exfoliating Cleanser, which combines salicylic acid with glycolic and lactic acids. Most “acne scars” are not actually scars, but are treatable red or dark spots from acne that can be removed with a daily acne cleanser, acne treatment and sunscreen as part of a personalized skincare routine for acne.

SkinCeuticals Clarifying Exfoliating Cleanser works to unclog the pores and exfoliate dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, leaving a bright, even skin tone.

However, I find the best cleanser to clear the pores fully and reduce dark spots on the skin is NoLIO Salicylic Acid Cleanser. This low pH cleanser is anti-inflammatory, so one of our favorite face washes for acne scarring and dark spots on the skin.

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$34.50

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$18.99

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$36.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$34.50

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$18.99

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$36.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Dry Skin Relief Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

Replenix Gly-Sal 5-2 Deep Pore Cleanser

$34.50

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser

$32.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Purifying Cleansing Gel

$45.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser for Normal Skin

$18.99

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Effaclar Medicated Acne Wash

$12.99

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Brightening Deep Cleanser

$26.99

Out of Stock

Murad Clarifying Cleanser

$36.00

Add to Cart

Obagi CLENZIderm M.D. Daily Care Foaming Cleanser

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Blemish Control Bar

$62.00

Add to Cart

What Are The Best Scrubs To Treat Sun Spots?

If you prefer to use a scrub, there are two options I always recommend to my patients – the best option for you will depend on your skin type.

Pidanti Smoothing Polish Face and Body Scrub is an amazing all-around scrub that is effective for dark spots on the skin, fine lines, acne and acne scarring. It gently removes dead skin cells from the surface of the skin to leave an even-toned, radiant appearance. The scrubbing beads are not too hrsh but are able to gently remove the top later of the skin to speed exfoliation.

The skin lightening ingredient arbutin, combined with fat-soluble vitamin C (ascorbyl palmitate), reduces the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation, as well as brightening the skin tone.

If you have dark spots on the arms and legs, then a good scrub to use is Jan Marini Bioglycolic Resurfacing Body Scrub. Exfoliating particles combined with glycolic acid gently remove dead skin cells and correct dark spots on the skin. Aloe vera soothes and prevents irritation.

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

Obagi Professional-C Microdermabrasion Polish + Mask 30%

$89.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Exfoliant

$48.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Finishing Touch

$58.00

Out of Stock

Revision Skincare Pumpkin Enzyme Mask

$54.00

Out of Stock

ClarityRx Down + Dirty Detoxifying Charcoal Microexfoliant

$37.00

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Get Clean Crushed Bamboo Exfoliator

$37.00

Add to Cart

Filorga SCRUB & MASK Exfoliating Bubble Mask

$64.00

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Ultra-Fine Facial Scrub

$19.99

Out of Stock

Murad Vita-C Exfoliating Facial

$79.00

Add to Cart

Obagi 360 Exfoliating Cleanser

$45.00

Out of Stock

In Summary

Dark spots on the skin are easily treatable, particularly when caused by acne scarring or sun exposure. However, it is essential to wear an SPF every day, in addition to protective clothing, as the sun is the number one cause of spots on the skin. It is also essential to wear an SPF when using the products listed in this article, as some of the ingredients can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun’s harmful rays.

We recommend taking our Skin Type Quiz and learning your Baumann Skin Type to get a personalized skincare routine to treat dark spots on the face.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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