Is your skincare hitting the spot?

Around 43 per cent of women in the UK are concerned about dark spots, otherwise known as hyperpigmentation.

They’re the result of the overproduction or collection of melanin, a skin pigment that makes skin darker. This can be triggered by acne scars, excessive sun exposure, or hormonal changes.

They can affect everyone, but sun-induced dark spots tend to be more common on fairer skin tones, while darker skin tones are more likely to experience post-inflammatory pigmentation. So what can be done?

SAY GOODBYE TO DARK SPOTS Prevention is key

Always make sure you apply your daily SPF. As one of the main causes of dark spots is sun exposure, protect your skin from damaging UVA/ UVB rays with a minimum SPF30.

Add a retinoid

Derived from vitamin A, whether retinol, retinal, retinaldehyde or otherwise, retinoids increase skin cell turnover, encouraging the development of fresh new skin and pushing older cells to the surface. This can reduce and remove dark spots over time. Buff away

Once older, damaged and discoloured skin is at the surface, buff it away with an AHA exfoliant. This ‘unglues’ the bonds attaching dead skin cells, and dissolves them revealing the new skin underneath. Hello radiance!

ON THE SPOT

There are some brilliant new launches that are designed to tackle hyperpigmentation head on…

■ La Roche-posay Mela B3 Intense Anti Dark

Spot Serum, £48 (laroche-posay.co.uk) has been created for persistent dark spots, and has a potent hyperpigmentation-busting formula containing a patented melanin trapper and 10 per cent niacinamide.

■ L’oreal have launched an entire dark spot range, with a daily cream, serum and, my fave, the Bright Reveal Dark Spot Exfoliant Peel, £31.99 (Boots), a weekly clinicworthy treatment which combines 25 per cent AHA, BHA, PHA and niacinamide.

■ Garnier Vitamin C Daily UV Fluid SPF50+, £12.99 (Sainsbury’s) is designed to prevent sun damage. It’s available in Invisible, which leaves no trace on the skin, and contains vitamin C, peptides and hyaluronic acid, and Glow, a radiance-booster with mineral pigment, containing vitamin C and niacinamide.

■ Follow Hannah on Instagram @hannahrbritt