Let’s be honest: if I got a euro every time someone asked me “What can I do about hyperpigmentation?”, I’d be chilling on a tropical island right now, coconut in hand and sun hat on my head 😅.

But jokes aside—hyperpigmentation is by far the most frequently asked question. Both in our clinic and online. And honestly, for good reason! Those dark spots are stubborn, frustrating, and something so many people deal with.

So this week, I’m giving you an extra in-depth blog. Because if there’s one Melanin Moment where I want to explain everything down to the last detail, it’s this one. No vague promises or quick fixes—just honest explanations, practical steps, and tips that actually work… if you stick with them.

So grab your ginger tea (or matcha 😉), because we’re diving deep: what can you really do about hyperpigmentation on melanin-rich skin? Let’s go!

🔸 1. Stop inflammation before it turns into pigment

I still remember having a little pimple on my cheek. One of those harmless bumps you really should leave alone… but you know how it goes. You catch yourself in the mirror at night and think, “I’ll just get rid of it real quick.”

Well, that “real quick” turned into a red, inflamed spot. And a few days later? Yep — there was that all-too-familiar dark mark, like my skin was saying, “Thanks, I’ll remember that.”

That’s exactly what happens with melanin-rich skin. As soon as there’s irritation or inflammation, your skin goes straight into high alert: protect, repair… and produce pigment. Biologically, this is because our melanocytes (the cells that create pigment) become more active to defend your skin. Sweet, right? But the result is often a dark spot that lasts way longer than the original irritation.

That’s why it’s so important to calm your skin as quickly as possible when something goes wrong. The calmer your skin, the less likely it is to create excess pigment.

💛 What helps?
Use soothing ingredients like centella (which is why our Natural Detox Soap is so loved) or aloe vera. They help your skin relax, reduce inflammation, and limit damage — before the pigment factory kicks into high gear.

🔸 2. Exfoliate smart – not aggressively

I get it. You see that dark spot and think: “Alright. Scrubbing time. Let’s go. Maybe even twice a day. Better too much than too little, right?”
But nope – that’s exactly the mistake we see so often with melanin-rich skin. This type of skin doesn’t like being rushed or roughed up. It wants calm, softness, and a little patience.

Exfoliating literally means removing dead skin cells from the surface. And that’s important! If those dead cells stick around, your skin looks dull, products don’t absorb properly, and pigment spots stay visible longer.
But... if you exfoliate too often or use a harsh scrub, your skin gets irritated. And like we already know: irritation = inflammation = pigmentation. The cycle starts all over again.

💛 So what should you do?
Sometimes, just give your skin a break. Let it do its thing and heal naturally. And when you do exfoliate, choose something that’s made with care:
➡️ Our Natural Face Scrub contains finely ground olive seeds – gentle enough to polish, strong enough to brighten. The formula is soothing and specially designed for melanin-rich skin.
Use it a maximum of twice a week. No more. And avoid it if you have active breakouts. Never scrub on a pimple — that’s basically asking for pigmentation.

🔸 3. Sun protection is non-negotiable

One of the biggest myths I still hear — both in the clinic and online — is:
“I have darker skin, so I don’t need sunscreen, right?”
And I totally get where that comes from. Melanin-rich skin is naturally better protected against sunburn, and it can feel like you’ve got a built-in sunscreen.
But let’s be real: protection from burning is not the same as protection from hyperpigmentation.

What many people don’t know is that UV rays activate your melanocytes — the pigment-producing cells. If your skin is already a little sensitive, like from a fading scar or a healing pigment spot, sunlight acts like a trigger. Your skin thinks: “Time to protect myself!” and starts making more pigment.
Result? That spot that just started to fade? Comes right back. Or even gets darker.

I see this all the time with clients who follow their routine faithfully… but skip the SPF step. Such a shame — because protection is the key when you’re serious about treating dark spots.

💛 That’s why I developed our SPF day cream with the team at Melplexion Skincare, tailored specifically for melanin-rich skin.
No white cast. No stickiness.
Just a lovely, nourishing formula that protects and cares for your skin — without making you look like a ghost (we’ve all been there 😅).

Use it every single morning, sun or no sun. Because if your skin is healing, it deserves a shield.

Hyperpigmentation tackled — ready for the next one?

Yes, this was a longer Melanin Moment than you might be used to — but also one that’s been requested so often, I felt we had to go all in. Hyperpigmentation isn’t just a beauty concern; it affects how you feel, how you see yourself, and how you care for your skin.

Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what you should (and definitely shouldn’t) do when dealing with dark spots. And don’t forget: your skin is not a problem to be fixed — it’s a system that wants to be understood. 💛

Next week, we’re diving into another common skin question we’ve touched on before:
“How can my skin be dry and oily at the same time?”
It’s a topic many of you are curious about — and we’re finally giving it the attention it deserves. You’ll discover how moisture loss works in melanin-rich skin and why the solution is sometimes surprisingly simple.

Keep learning, keep glowing — see you in the next Melanin Moment! 💛

With love,
Angela