Sometimes pigmentation doesn’t come from within or from the sun, but simply from what you apply to your skin every day.

In this blog, I’m taking you into a form of hyperpigmentation that is often overlooked, yet surprisingly common: product-related hyperpigmentation. From perfume to essential oils, from harsh acids to the incorrect use of certain creams — these triggers can cause pigmentation themselves, or worsen it if your skin is already vulnerable.

It can be frustrating: you think you’re doing the right thing, but your skin tells a different story. That’s why today I’ll explain:
– which ingredients to watch out for
– why this form of pigmentation occurs
– and what you can do to protect and restore your skin

Let’s talk pigment. 💛

What is product-related hyperpigmentation?

Product-related hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin becomes darker as a reaction to products you apply yourself. Think of perfume, essential oils, harsh acids, or even certain makeup or creams. This type of pigmentation is very common in melanin rich skin, yet rarely discussed.

What happens?
Some ingredients can irritate, dry out, or sensitize the skin. And if your skin is more prone to pigmentation (as is often the case in melanin rich skin), that irritation often leads to… pigment production. Especially when the skin isn’t properly protected or given time to heal afterwards.

The tricky part? You often don’t notice it immediately. The skin slowly becomes unbalanced. Until suddenly dark spots appear — often right in the areas where you thought you were taking good care of your skin.

Which products cause this?

Not every product causes pigmentation. But certain ingredients — especially when misused or not suitable for melanin rich skin — can irritate or sensitize the skin. And that’s where things go wrong, because a sensitized skin can produce pigment as a defense mechanism.

Here are some common triggers we see often:

1. Perfume (synthetic)
Synthetic fragrances — commonly found in body sprays, creams, and even some face products — contain fragrance compounds and alcohol that can irritate or dry out the skin. If you apply them and then go outside unprotected, the skin may respond with dark spots.
Fun fact: if a natural product contains any fragrance, the law requires it to be listed as “parfum.” So seeing “parfum” on a label doesn’t always mean something bad — but synthetic versions are usually the culprits.

2. Harsh acids and peels
Acids like glycolic acid, salicylic acid and retinol can be amazing when used correctly. But without proper knowledge — or without SPF and recovery — they can thin the skin, make it more sensitive, and increase the risk of pigmentation. I see this often in people who want “quick results.”

3. Bleaching or whitening creams
Products that promise to “lighten” or “whiten” the skin often contain ingredients that disrupt natural melanin production. This throws the skin out of balance and creates a rebound effect: the skin actually produces more pigment to protect itself. You weaken the system you actually want to support.

4. Over-scrubbing or over-exfoliating
Too much exfoliation, especially with harsh grains or daily use, damages the skin. And any damage in melanin rich skin is a potential trigger for pigmentation.
Choose mild, natural scrubs like ground olive seeds (like in our Natural Scrub) and build your routine slowly.

Why does this happen more easily in melanin rich skin?

When we talk about product-triggered pigmentation, it’s important to understand that melanin rich skin reacts more alertly to damage. Why? Because our skin contains a larger number of active melanocytes — the cells responsible for pigment.

The moment the skin senses any threat (irritation, micro-damage, dryness or inflammation), these melanocytes jump into action. Their job is protection. And they do that by producing pigment in that area.
In lighter skin, this reaction is often barely visible. But in melanin rich skin, it shows up instantly: a dark spot on a more even-toned background.

It’s a beautiful defense mechanism — the skin is doing its job!
But it can be frustrating if you don’t know where it’s coming from or how to manage it. Especially because some pigment spots appear weeks or even months after using a product. That makes it harder to identify the cause.

What can you do if you think your pigmentation is caused by a product?

First: observe.
If you notice dark spots appearing after using a certain product — or existing pigmentation worsening — stop using that product temporarily and see if your skin calms down. Especially if it contains fragrance, acids or “skin lightening” claims.

Next, simplify your routine.
Go back to a gentle base: cleanse, hydrate, protect.
This gives your skin space to recover. Our experience shows that calming, barrier-repairing ingredients contribute significantly to healing and balance.

And importantly: protect your skin daily from the sun.
Even if the pigmentation didn’t originate from UV. Sun exposure can “lock in” pigment, making it much harder to fade.

Not sure, or does the pigmentation keep returning?
Let a skin specialist take a look. Sometimes it’s not the product itself, but a combination of ingredients, lifestyle and sun exposure. Working together to identify the cause and solution is always the most effective.

Prevention is better than cure

As with most forms of hyperpigmentation, prevention is key. And fortunately, there’s a lot you can do to protect your skin:

🌞 Use SPF daily.
Every day — even indoors or on cloudy days. UV light increases the risk that irritation or sensitivity turns into pigmentation. SPF is your shield.

🌿 Choose calming skincare.
A balanced skin becomes overstimulated less quickly.
Look for barrier-repairing and anti-inflammatory ingredients like:
– Aloe vera (hydrates and soothes)
– Curcumin (regulates pigment production)
– Centella asiatica (calms micro-inflammation)
These ingredients are found in our formulas because they work at multiple levels to bring the skin back into balance.

💛 Listen to your skin.
Tightness, tingling, redness or a strange shine? That’s your skin telling you something. Give it rest and be gentle. Not every product that “works” is suitable for your skin.

🧴 Trust expertise, not just the ingredient list.
Any legitimate skincare brand must list everything on the label — even natural fragrance compounds or minimal preservatives. This can look intimidating, but it doesn’t automatically mean the product is harmful. Choose brands that are transparent and truly understand what your skin needs — like we do at Melplexion®.

Lastly

This form of pigmentation is often forgotten, but it can have a big impact.
If you recognize yourself in this blog: don’t be too hard on yourself. You were doing what you thought was best. And now you know better.

Next week, we’ll dive into the final blog of this series: pigmentation around the mouth and eyes. A subtle form that is very common — and difficult to treat unless you know what you’re looking at.

Keep learning, keep glowing — until the next Melanin Moment! 💛
With love,
Angela