A lot of things can discolor your skin: age spots, melasma during pregnancy, and sun damage, for example. But the best face masks for hyperpigmentation fade discoloration. They may also offer anti-aging benefits like firmer skin and deep hydration.
While face masks may not be as immediately effective as a laser treatment or chemical peel, they don’t require recovery time, either. Just apply moisturizer and wear sunscreen if you go outside.
Lots of facial masks claim to erase hyperpigmentation, and not all of them work equally well. We’ll help you streamline your shopping today by reviewing the top face masks that diminish discoloration and brighten skin tone.
We chose the top face masks for hyperpigmentation and reviewed them below for you. We hope you discover a new product to try today.
Best Face Masks for Hyperpigmentation (Dark Spots) in 2024
1. Mario Badescu Whitening Mask
Mario Badescu’s Whitening Mask contains the number one skin whitener: Kojic acid. It’s similar to hydroquinone, the most effective treatment for discoloration.
The Kojic acid not only fades hyperpigmentation, but it also prevents new dark patches from forming. Besides this important ingredient, the formula has licorice root, mulberry, and olive leaf. Those other components brighten the skin and combat signs of aging.
The company recommends applying the mask on clean skin, then waiting up to 10 minutes before rinsing. Some customers report a noticeable difference in just two weeks.
2. Activated Charcoal Facemask
Are you struggling with bad skin? Is your skin prone to acne? If oily skin is an issue, then how do you combat it? If you are troubled with persistent skin problems, then the Gold Mountain Beauty activated charcoal facemask can be your one-stop solution. A scientific study has shown that facial masks with activated charcoal as the primary ingredient can effectively absorb toxins from your skin.
The facemask comprises organic activated charcoal, along with other safe ingredients like turmeric powder, marshmallow powder, comfrey root powder, bentonite clay, dead sea clay, coconut milk powder, and theobroma cocoa powder, which help promote beautiful and healthy skin. Its high quality formula reduces acne breakouts caused by the accumulation of skin oils and clogging of pores by bacteria. It helps in the absorption of excess oil and the removal of dead skin cells, giving you a healthy glow.
Features
- Irrespective of oily or dry skin, the facemask is effective in lessening acne and promoting healthy skin on both men and women.
- Its deep cleansing action helps heal and nourish your skin while stimulating cell growth. It can be used regularly together with your moisturizer for vibrant skin.
- The facemask can be applied to your entire face or to treat the affected spot.
PROS
- Can be easily activated by adding water, aloe vera, or green tea
- Its active ingredients help in softening and hydrating your skin
- Helps in minimizing pores and fighting acne without any harmful chemicals
CONS
- Not easy to remove, requires several washes to get rid of it
- Can be a bit messy
3. Shiseido White Lucent Power Brightening Mask for Unisex
For centuries, to be considered beautiful in Asia, you have to have whiter skin, especially if you were a woman. As a result of this tradition (and its continuing popularity), the Japanese skincare company Shiseido offers their White Lucent Brightening Mask.
The Ion Force Technology soaks the skin with whitening ingredients that target and disrupt melanin. When you remove it, you should see an instant improvement. Over time, it also prevents your skin from forming new dark spots.
3. [MIZON] Good Night White Sleeping Mask
Sleep with the Mizon mask on and you’re likely to awaken with softer, brighter skin. It has a relaxing scent to make it a pleasant part of your nighttime routine.
The moisturizing mask contains a couple of key ingredients like niacinamide and mulberry extract. Both lighten discoloration.
4. LATHER 10-Minute Brightening Mask with Glycolic Acid
LATHER’s mask has Kojic acid to lessen hyperpigmentation. It also uses an alpha hydroxy acid to exfoliate dead skin similar to the way a peel works. It reveals fresh, soft, radiant skin when you rinse it. But it may also temporarily redden your skin and you’ll need to wear sunscreen the next day.
The acid is powerful enough that you shouldn’t use it on broken skin—not even pimples. But on the bright side, it’s free of artificial dyes, fragrances, sulfates, and parabens. The light scent comes from grapefruit essential oil.
5. Citrus Peach- Minimo Glow Skin Brightening Facial Scrub and Mask
Minimo’s mask is also a scrub—you can use it either way. It just depends on how long you leave it on your skin. It’s possible to massage it like a scrub, then let it sit like a mask for the best of both worlds. If you don’t want a fruity fragrance, the same product is available as unscented.
First, it contains turmeric to naturally resolve hyperpigmentation. Then, the main abrasive ingredient is pure cane sugar that gently resurfaces your face.
Next, the hemp seed oil clears up blackheads and shrinks pore size. Finally, raw Manuka honey acts as an antiseptic that helps moisturize the skin.
6. Anti-Aging & Refining Clay Mask by Eve Hansen
Eve Hansen’s clay mask minimizes dark spots, removes toxins, and soothes redness and inflammation. After it dries, rinse it with lukewarm water and moisturize as usual.
The key components that treat hyperpigmentation and counteract premature aging include turmeric, and Vitamins A, C, and E. At the same time, Kaolin clay and cranberry seeds remove impurities. Many of the ingredients are certified organic. Additionally, the formula is free of parabens and formaldehyde.
7. Andalou Naturals Pumpkin Honey Glycolic Mask
This face mask from Andalou Naturals is like a dessert for your skin. While Manuka honey calms your skin, pumpkin puree improves your tone and texture. That’s due to the high levels of beta carotene it has.
There’s also Vitamin C to reduce hyperpigmentation and glycolic acid to make your face look and feel younger. Also important to note: there are no artificial ingredients.
Wear it for ten minutes before you rinse, and use it one to three times a week for a delicious improvement.
8. L’Oréal Paris Skincare Pure-Clay Face Mask with Charcoal
L’Oreal’s Pure Clay mask with charcoal detoxifies clogged pores and makes your face radiant. The key brightening ingredient is seaweed. It only takes 10 minutes to make a difference. The creamy texture doesn’t leave your skin dry either.
9. Natura Bisse Diamond White Glowing Mask
The creamy Diamond White Glowing Mask takes twenty minutes to brighten and plump your face. While it improves your skin’s hydration and suppleness, it lightens discoloration and prevents new spots from forming. Use it after exfoliating for even better results.
Pomegranate, a primary ingredient, contains a safe acid that fades pigment in the skin. Then, Betaine, a derivative of sugar beets, protects your skin from darkening. Finally, Bisabolol calms redness.
10. Madre Perla De Ultratez Skin Brightening Mask
The Madre Perla Brightening Mask needs half an hour to an hour to lighten your skin color, but it does so without using hydroquinone. Instead, it features ingredients like Mica, Mother of Pearl powder, bentonite clay, and papaya. Although it’s been allergy-tested, be careful if you have very sensitive skin as it has both a fragrance and mineral oil.
11. Nella Oneday Whitener, White Snow Whitening and Brightening
How about bacteria to lighten your skin tone? This whitening mask has fermented bifida and Pseudoalteromonas in it alongside niacinamide. While it fades dark spots, it also smoothes and moisturizes.
12. Pure Bliss Glycolic Acid Facial Mask
The Pure Bliss facial mask comes with 100% satisfaction guarantee. It doubles as a scrub and cleanser, too. But if you leave it on for the full half hour once a week, it provides intense moisturization that makes your face look and feel younger.
While glycolic and lactic acids exfoliate and cleanse your pores, Vitamin C erases dark spots, and Coenzyme Q10 firms your skin. Together, these components encourage collagen production as well.
Some of the antioxidants come from natural sources like green tea, blueberries, and red wine. And the various skin conditioners include jojoba, coconut, and sweet almond oils plus hyaluronic acid. Moreover, this vegan product was made with kosher-certified materials and does not have synthetic dyes or fragrances.
13. Sanitas Progressive Skinhealth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask
Why are there so many face masks with pumpkin in them? Pumpkin contains alpha hydroxy acids that clear away dead cells and speed up the production of fresh, new skin. It also has Vitamin A in the form of beta carotene plus Vitamin C that get rid of brown spots and reverse sun damage.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that the Sanitas Pumpkin Enzyme Mask is a popular choice for treating hyperpigmentation. Not only does it brighten your tone, but it also removes impurities to clear up blackheads and firm the skin to reduce wrinkles.
The company recommends using the mask up to three times a week for a maximum of 15 minutes each application.
14. iQ Natural Pumpkin Glycolic Mask
Here’s another pumpkin mask to even out your complexion. It includes 12% glycolic acid so it works rather like a chemical peel. Let it sit for up to 15 minutes. This may be difficult as it smells very tasty. Some of the other main ingredients include cinnamon bark, nutmeg, and ginger.
Related: Top natural facial masks
15. Vivo Per Lei Facial Peeling Gel
Yes, we slipped in this Facial Peeling Gel because technically it’s a mask. But it’s much milder than many options. Also, you can use it as a scrub. Apply it once or twice a week to remove impurities and reveal brighter skin.
16. REN Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
This mask feels like it’s doing a good job because you can peel it off when it dries. It takes about 10 minutes to set, and it may tingle. Fruit acids including papaya remove the epidermis to erase blackheads and blemishes.
17. IMAGE Skincare Ageless Total Resurfacing Masque
The IMAGE Resurfacing Masque give your face a spa-type makeover. It revitalizes your skin with micro-exfoliating crystals and glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids. But most important for those treating hyperpigmentation is bearberry extract. It contains arbutin, a great way to lighten pigment. Also interesting, the company says this mask is safe for acne-prone and damaged skin.
Why a mask instead of a peel?
When it comes to dealing with hyperpigmentation some may prefer using a mask instead of a peel or skin bleaching cream because a mask is less aggressive on your skin. Many masks are gentle enough to use daily even if you have sensitive skin. They may help remove blackheads and hydrate your face, too.
Meanwhile, peels are designed to dissolve the bonds between skin cells for quick, non-abrasive exfoliation. That can be a good thing for hyperpigmentation as it gets rid of the discolored layers without any scrubbing. But it can leave your skin a bit raw.
Either way, read the instructions on the product you choose. If it contains alpha hydroxy acids, hydroquinone, or Vitamin A (or derivatives like Retinol), plan on wearing sunscreen as these ingredients make your skin more sensitive to UV radiation.
Conclusion
We know it’s frustrating to look in the mirror and see those dark spots. But the best face masks for hyperpigmentation fade the excess pigment over time. Many of these products will make your skin more elastic and firm as well.
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Categories: Hyperpigmentation, Face Mask