As a black girl, one thing I have always suffered from is dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Especially with the harsh sun, hyperpigmentation can be a girl’s worst problem.

As a girl dealing with hyperpigmentation, one thing you need to master is your nighttime routine. At night, your skin tends to be more receptive to skincare actives: the barrier is more permeable, circulation increases, and cell repair processes accelerate. Your nighttime routine is very important for achieving the clear skin you desperately want.

STEP-BY-STEP NIGHT ROUTINE HYPERPIGMENTATION

1. Double cleanse: This removes the sunscreen, dirt, makeup, and excess oil from your skin, and it also ensures actives penetrate better. Start with an oil or balm cleanser.
2. Gentle exfoliate or chemical: This should be a mild AHAs (glycolic, lactic) or BHAs (salicylic) or gentle exfoliating toner or serum. This helps to shed pigmented, superficial dead skin cells and accelerate turnover/ my advice: Go slow, especially if your skin is sensitive or pigmented, to avoid irritation that can worsen your skin.
3. Brightening or pigment-inhibiting serum or treatment: Use good actives like retinoids, which increase turnover and help fade pigment. The actives directly reduce melanin production.
4. Treatment moisturizer + repair: Use moisturizers with humectants (hyaluronic acid, glycerin). This will help restore hydration, support barrier repair, and reduce irritation. Use ceramides or barrier-repairing lipids to reduce the risk of irritation from exfoliants and actives.
5. Spot treatment: this is for those stubborn pigmented patches. You can layer your spot treatment on top of your serum or moisturizer.
6. Night mask: This is optional but highly recommended. This will lock in actives and moisture. This will also help reduce water loss, which you need to have healthy skin.

Stick to this routine for at least 8-12 weeks to see visible fading of dark spots, because pigmented cells are in deep layers and take time to shed. If you follow this routine, I am sure your skin will be as good as new. Good luck!