The 5 best pharmacy dark spot creams

Dark spots on the skin are one of the most common aesthetic concerns. Fortunately, pharmacy dark spot creams are the perfect solution to help tackle them. Below, we explain everything you need to know about them and which are the best facial dark spot creams on the market according to their composition, as well as the most suitable option for you based on your needs.

Everything you need to know about dark spots

What is a dark spot?

Dark spots are changes in skin pigmentation and consist of accumulations of melanin in certain areas. That is why dark spots are also known as hyperpigmentation.

How do dark spots form?

Normally, dark spots appear when we expose ourselves to the sun. At that point, our skin, which is trying to protect itself from the sun, activates the synthesis of melanin (the pigment that gives the spot its colour). This pigment travels through the skin until it reaches the stratum corneum, where it settles and forms the visible dark spot we all recognise.

However, dark spots can also appear after a blemish such as acne, which is known as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It should also be noted that they can appear with age and due to hormonal changes.

How to prevent dark spots in 3 simple steps

• Use sun protection: It is very important to protect the skin from the sun, helping to prevent the appearance of new dark spots.
• Exfoliate your face: By exfoliating 1-2 times a week, we can improve skin texture as well as even out skin tone, as we will be acting directly on the visible appearance of the dark spot.
• Choose depigmenting active ingredients: By inhibiting melanin synthesis and its movement through the skin, we can stop the pigment from settling on the skin surface. In this way, we will be treating and preventing the appearance of facial dark spots.

Our pharmaceutical recommendation for the perfect dark spot combo

To treat dark spots effectively, we must first protect the skin and renew it, while also acting on the origin of the spot. To do this, it is recommended to use an antioxidant active ingredient in the morning, such as vitamin C, which helps protect the skin and strengthens it with its depigmenting action.

At night, we will apply renewing active ingredients that work from within, on the synthesis and movement of the pigment itself, as well as on the skin surface.

The best pharmacy dark spot creams

Dark spot creams act on skin pigmentation, helping to reduce the intensity of dark spots and promote more even-looking skin. Below, we show you which are the best pharmacy dark spot creams:

Eucerin Anti-Pigment Night Cream

Vichy's dark spot cream is formulated with thiamidol, an antioxidant active ingredient that helps treat dark spots at every level, even out skin tone and bring radiance to the face. Together with dexpanthenol,Eucerin Anti-Pigment crema de noche helps regenerate the skin while you sleep.

Vichy Liftactiv B3 Dark Spot Cream SPF50+

Its main active ingredient is niacinamide. It helps even out skin tone, strengthen the skin barrier and improve skin texture. In addition, this Vichy dark spot cream, as it is a day cream, includes SPF 50 sun protection.

Vichy Liftactiv B3 Antimanchas is applied in the morning after cleansing and after applying eye contour cream, to a dry face.

Neoretin Discrom Control Transition Cream

One of the most powerful dark spot creams on the market is Transition Cream de Neoretin, formulated with retinol, niacinamide, a depigmenting complex, antioxidants and soothing active ingredients. Its use helps to even out skin tone, improve texture, and prevent activation of the dark spot as well as its deposit on the skin surface. It also adds radiance.

Although it is highly tolerated, it should be introduced gradually into your routine so as not to cause irritation or dryness in the skin.

Apply at night after cleansing and after applying eye contour cream, to a dry face. It is recommended to follow a good daily cleansing and moisturising routine and to use sunscreen to boost the effects.

Avène Comedomed Intensive Dark Spot Cream

It is a product designed for the treatment of acne, as well as for treating post-inflammatory marks and dark spots that appear when the blemish disappears. It achieves this thanks to its star active ingredients: retinaldehyde and comedocalstin (milk thistle extract, a patented laboratory ingredient that regulates the skin's sebum and helps prevent blemishes from appearing).

Avène Comedomed Concentrado Antiimperfecciones is applied at night after cleansing and after applying eye contour cream, to a dry face. As with the other effective dark spot creams, it is recommended to follow a good daily cleansing and moisturising routine and to use sunscreen.

La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Anti-Imperfection Care

This dark spot serum from La Roche Posay Mela B3 corrects dark spots (even the most persistent ones), evens out skin tone and prevents dark spots from reappearing.

It combines the effectiveness of retinol, niacinamide and melasyl (the laboratory's patent), treating dark spots at every level: it prevents them from starting to form, from reaching the surface and treats them externally.

It is applied at night after cleansing and after applying eye contour cream, to a dry face. It is recommended to follow a good daily cleansing and moisturising routine and to use sunscreen.

Tips to boost the results of dark spot creams

Although dark spot creams are very effective, it is important to choose the most suitable one according to skin type, condition, needs and the other products in your routine. In addition, by following the tips below, you can boost your dark spot treatment:

• Correct application: Apply the cream at the right stage of your routine, following the recommendations of your expert pharmacist or the manufacturer.
• Sun protection: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher every day.
• Consistency: Dark spots require ongoing treatment, and we should not expect short-term results, but rather long-term ones.
• Cleansing and hydration: clean, hydrated skin is skin with its barrier function in optimal condition, allowing the skin to remain healthy and protected so it can continue to tolerate dark spot treatment.

Say yes to dark spot treatment

Pharmacy dark spot creams can offer visible, long-lasting results if chosen correctly. When choosing a treatment, make sure it contains active ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, retinol, glycolic acid, salicylic acid, bakuchiol or tranexamic acid, which are very effective at reducing dark spots. Do not forget to use sunscreen to prevent new dark spots from appearing.

Enjoy more even and radiant skin!