Pigmentation getting worse? Here's what you can do

Written by: Mantasha Reviewed by: Dr. Swati Mishra 22 July 2025

[{"selector":"#anim-75c20ac7-29cb-429e-b189-37987ed0dd5d","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-43e1775d-8c4f-47e4-af95-637c1cfe10e2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.46329%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Pigmentation, those dark patches or spots that love to overstay their welcome, can feel extra stubborn, especially on Indian skin. If you’ve noticed your pigmentation worsening, don’t panic. Photo Credit: Freepik

[{"selector":"#anim-0ad3fa12-9757-4bc4-b97f-2443b789c753","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-75c76c1d-c47f-445e-a724-58df429cc239","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 184.76521%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Here’s why it happens and, more importantly, how to get your glow back. Photo Credit: Freepik

Why Pigmentation Gets Worse

[{"selector":"#anim-07329296-c472-400d-8e78-efa27316c9b2","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-235611dc-4fba-47a3-aa4a-d8a6609374a2","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 166.57562%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b94f8f59-7d3f-4535-a8c2-03864074d8bd","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-be857833-0049-4d9b-a337-f2c3079d884c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 388.56201%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] -Worse Sun Exposure -Hormonal Changes -Inflammation or old acne -Genetic & pollution Photo Credit: Freepik

What To Do Now: Dermatologist-Approved and Home Strategies

[{"selector":"#anim-8ffdd951-3cd3-437a-bae9-0e4d3cf54e80","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b15ce919-98aa-4f1b-bced-7e91655f2cdf","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 218.40628%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Photo Credit: Freepik

Sunscreen is Non-Negotiable

[{"selector":"#anim-1d4e1fc0-e082-4ced-b846-7b135a4572ab","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1874916d-5c2e-4250-a9b5-7e87c3ac31c6","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-303b9bbd-9b94-4561-af67-929703733898","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5cbb0cc7-64b6-4e5a-b54b-575286f9266c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 388.56201%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Daily SPF 30 or higher, broad spectrum, and PA+++ protection is essential, not just when you step out, but even indoors. Photo Credit: Freepik

Add Brightening Serum

[{"selector":"#anim-d92d5e57-0fda-4a36-859f-97a8e8647717","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3d4d3ea7-b76e-42ca-a24a-d2838a020f08","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 133.46329%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-6f300abf-908c-4772-ade9-5fe37266a2e6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-23e9b286-fd30-4c96-9133-4f77be1ac193","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 419.44427%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Apply Vitamin C serum in the morning to fade dark spots and brighten skin. Apply niacinamide, which strengthens your skin and helps fade pigmentation. Photo Credit: Freepik

Moisturize & Hydrate

[{"selector":"#anim-80ccc5e7-cf94-4a73-a188-06d1537e6768","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1319418a-c43a-4c4f-b909-3d016bf0c869","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-5659ed2e-e4ae-48c2-8d93-eb0d748a6446","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-3a7134b2-96aa-45c3-8fa7-df8bdd27bb2c","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 627.62708%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Well-hydrated skin repairs better and makes pigmentation look less visible. Use a good moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides. Photo Credit: Freepik

Exfoliate, But Gently

[{"selector":"#anim-e0603097-5c0b-43cf-bd25-c0e8b146862b","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-88f808db-4984-4ffc-b6af-85a4e6e57291","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 139.1933%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-0472f977-de79-4981-bbaf-bc88e79aa657","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-8e95b8f0-60c4-4a88-86d9-025c099ea4b0","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 627.62708%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Dead skin cells can make dark spots look worse. Use mild exfoliants (like lactic acid or papaya enzymes) 1–2 times a week, not more. Photo Credit: Freepik

Mind Your Lifestyle

[{"selector":"#anim-9711f2bc-4ea9-480c-a705-70b9d993eac6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-204cc899-1ce9-4ff7-827b-f631452a469b","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 118.84344%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b5e3db1d-08c2-4a14-aad4-faee8ee5c6a6","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-1c14f5ce-8475-43ac-9c77-fb5533389c53","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 627.62708%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] A diet rich in antioxidants—think green veggies, berries, tomato, and pomegranate—helps your skin fight back from within. Photo Credit: Freepik

What Not to Do

[{"selector":"#anim-7ccd195c-39ec-4936-b654-c81dce90fe85","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-b64af495-9733-4b79-ad1c-2fc0e44e8704","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 125.27617%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-df6c0542-eecc-460e-aaa0-33b70b8c998f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-de323598-911a-456a-a945-ececa6087339","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(0px, 673.57301%, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":600,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] -Don’t skip sunscreen, even indoors or in winter. -Don’t use harsh scrubs -Don’t mix multiple active ingredients at once without professional advice. Photo Credit: Freepik