Why wear sunscreen indoors?

UVA and visible light pass through glass. For skin that marks easily, a few minutes by a window or in a car is enough to restart pigmentation.

How long until the spots fade?

First improvements show in 4 to 8 weeks, the result after about 3 months. Old spots and melasma fade rather than vanish, and come back if sun protection stops.

Pregnancy mask: what can I use?

A mineral or tinted sunscreen every day is the basis. Azelaic acid and niacinamide are generally used during pregnancy; avoid retinoids and hydroquinone, and ask your doctor.

Can vitamin C and niacinamide be combined?

Yes. The idea that they cancel out comes from old, unstable formulas; the two are compatible and often complementary against spots.

When should I see a doctor?

If a spot changes shape, colour or size, bleeds or itches, show it to a doctor promptly. A mole that changes is not an ordinary pigment spot.

Advice

Dark spots and melasma: an anti-spot routine

Sun spots, marks left by acne, melasma: all of them get worse with sun and visible light. An anti-spot active in the evening only works if the morning sun protection is flawless. Visible results in 8 to 12 weeks.

01Morning and evening
Cleanse without irritating
Use a gentle cleanser, possibly with a brightening active. Avoid rubbing: any irritation can itself leave a mark, especially on medium or dark skin.
New−700 DA
Eucerin
Eucerin Anti-Pigment Cleansing Gel — 400 ml
4,900 DA5,600 DA
In Stock
Bioderma
Bioderma Pigmentbio Foaming Cream brightening cleanser — 200 ml
4,580 DA
Last one in stock
New
CeraVe
CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser - 236 ml
3,500 DA
In Stock
02Evening
Apply an anti-spot serum
On clean, dry skin, a few drops over the whole face, focusing on the marked areas. The best-documented actives: thiamidol, niacinamide, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin. One is enough to start.
New
Eucerin
Eucerin Anti-Pigment Duo Serum — 30 ml
9,200 DA
In Stock
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Anti-Dark-Spot Serum — 30 ml
7,000 DA
In Stock
Anua
Anua Niacinamide 10% + TXA 4% Serum — 30 ml
4,800 DA
In Stock
ACM
ACM Azéane Cream 15% Azelaic Acid — 30 ml
2,400 DA
In Stock
The Ordinary
The Ordinary Alpha Arbutin 2% + HA — 30 ml
3,670 DA
In Stock
03Morning
A unifying day cream
A moisturiser that also contains an anti-spot active extends the serum's effect through the day. It does not replace sunscreen, even if it shows an SPF.
New
Eucerin
Eucerin Spotless Brightening Day Fluid SPF 30 - 50 ml
6,000 DA
Very limited stock
Byphasse
Byphasse Skin Booster Niacinamide Anti-Dark Spot Cream — 50 ml
1,500 DA
In Stock
04Morning
Protect every day, even indoors
SPF 50+ applied generously, reapplied every 2 hours outdoors. For melasma, choose a tinted version: its pigments also block visible light, which makes it worse.
New
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMUNE 400 Anti-Dark Spots Fluid SPF50+ — 50 ml
4,000 DA
In Stock
New
Eucerin
Eucerin Sun Pigment Control Fluid SPF 50+ — 50 ml
4,500 DA
In Stock
La Roche-Posay
La Roche-Posay Anthelios UVMune 400 Tinted Fluid SPF50+ — 50 ml
4,500 DA
In Stock
Avène
Avène Mineral Cream SPF 50+ 100% Mineral Filters — 50 ml
3,950 DA
In Stock

Your questions

Why wear sunscreen indoors?: UVA and visible light pass through glass. For skin that marks easily, a few minutes by a window or in a car is enough to restart pigmentation.
How long until the spots fade?: First improvements show in 4 to 8 weeks, the result after about 3 months. Old spots and melasma fade rather than vanish, and come back if sun protection stops.
Pregnancy mask: what can I use?: A mineral or tinted sunscreen every day is the basis. Azelaic acid and niacinamide are generally used during pregnancy; avoid retinoids and hydroquinone, and ask your doctor.
Can vitamin C and niacinamide be combined?: Yes. The idea that they cancel out comes from old, unstable formulas; the two are compatible and often complementary against spots.
When should I see a doctor?: If a spot changes shape, colour or size, bleeds or itches, show it to a doctor promptly. A mole that changes is not an ordinary pigment spot.

A question about your routine?

Our other guides may already answer it. If not, write to us — someone will reply.

See all advice

Dark spots and melasma: an anti-spot routine

Cleanse without irritating

Apply an anti-spot serum

A unifying day cream

Protect every day, even indoors

Your questions

A question about your routine?