Common kinds of dark spots
Dark spots usually fall into three kinds: marks left after spots or irritation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), sun spots from years of UV exposure, and patchy, symmetrical darkening such as melasma, which a dermatologist should assess. Knowing which you have helps you set realistic expectations.
- Marks left behind after spots or irritation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)
- Sun spots from years of UV exposure
- Patchy, symmetrical darkening such as melasma, which is best assessed by a dermatologist
A simple routine
The core of a dark-spot routine is daily broad-spectrum SPF 30+ in the morning, reapplied outdoors, plus one gentle brightening ingredient such as vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid or alpha arbutin, and a gentle exfoliant or retinoid a few nights a week. Expect months, not days.
- 1Morning: gentle cleanser, a brightening serum, moisturiser, broad-spectrum SPF 30+ reapplied through the day outdoors
- 2Night: gentle cleanser, moisturiser, and a gentle exfoliant or retinoid a few nights a week
Ingredients commonly used for uneven tone include vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid and alpha arbutin. Introduce one at a time.
Expect weeks to months, not days. Without daily sunscreen, most brightening products cannot keep up.
Get a routine for your own skin
Saundarya AI is an AI skin analysis and grooming app that reads a single selfie and returns a personalised report: face shape, skin type, detected skin concerns with the visual evidence behind them, a morning and night skincare routine, product picks at three budgets, and an 8-week improvement plan.
Generic advice is a starting point. A scan reads uneven tone and dark spots on your own face, shows the visual evidence and a confidence score, and builds a morning and night routine around it. The first full analysis is free.
This is general cosmetic guidance, not medical advice. See a dermatologist for skin that is painful, spreading, scarring or not improving after 8-12 weeks.