Treating Hyperpigmentation With Vitamins

Are you someone suffering from hyperpigmentation? Are you tired of trying out a thousand products with no satisfactory results? It is high time you understood that the problem is skin deep and that there is a significant role played by your diet in treating hyperpigmentation. 

Vitamins are used in almost all skincare products and they certainly have the ability to control hyperpigmentation when applied topically. So, why not understand how to incorporate these vitamins into your diet and skincare routine to make all the difference? 

In this article, we will take a look at how vitamins reduce hyperpigmentation, which ones to use, how to use, and their benefits.

How do Vitamins Work for Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is caused when melanin levels in our skin increase. Several reasons can affect your melanin production and cause hyperpigmentation. Some of the factors affecting increased melanin in your skin include — your age, hormones, skin issues, sun exposure, dietary deficiencies or inconsistencies, etc.

Vitamins that reduce melanin production are an effective way to improve skin tone and texture, thereby treating hyperpigmentation. When you use the right vitamins in the right quantities, they work wonders in no time. Vitamins rapidly promote the growth of skin cells and improve cell health. They also boost the production of collagen in the skin, which in turn, improves skin elasticity and reduces fine lines. It also helps the skin look brighter.

Adding Vitamins for Hyperpigmentation into Your Diet

Your skin can directly absorb the vitamins and hence, applying them to the skin via creams, lotions and other applications is always a great choice to bring positive results. In fact, targeted applications work the best in reducing hyperpigmentation. 

Besides the application, you must also focus on the intake of vitamins through your diet. Fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, and fruit juices are great ways to incorporate vitamins into your diet for treating hyperpigmentation. Especially focus on foods rich in Vitamin A and Vitamin C such as – oranges, lemon, tomatoes, carrots, etc.

You can also opt for vitamin and collagen supplements from a reliable brand to improve your skin tone and reduce hyperpigmentation. However, before that, it is important to understand which vitamins reduce melanin and help in treating hyperpigmentation on the whole. Read on to find out.

Vitamins That Reduce Melanin Production

There are several vitamins that can work wonderfully on your hyperpigmentation when applied properly. Here is a list of all the vitamins that can control melanin and contribute in treating hyperpigmentation:

1. Vitamin C 

You must have heard of the many benefits of using Vitamin C for pigmentation. Rich in antioxidants, this vitamin has anti-ageing benefits that reduce the skin’s oxidative stress and help you achieve a smooth, glowing, and even skin tone. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles besides improving the production of collagen in the skin. 

Vitamin C for hyperpigmentation works the best on all skin types. It keeps redness, itchiness, and sagging at bay. It also reduces your under-eye circles and puffiness. Sun exposure and skin damage resulting from it is a major reason for hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C offers significant sun protection and keeps the skin hydrated for long. It is, therefore, also a part of most sunscreens.

2. Vitamin A

In addition to vitamin C for hyperpigmentation, vitamin A with its properties to control tyrosinase levels can also help reduce hyperpigmentation. Tyrosinase is an enzyme that affects melanin production in our skin. By controlling this enzyme and its activities, vitamin A can help reduce hyperpigmentation by 70%.

Vitamin A also makes your skin visibly smoother and softer, besides preventing wrinkles and sagging skin. It is also known for minimising your pores’ size and promoting new cell growth.

3. Vitamin E

Vitamin E is one of the best vitamins for your skin health besides being one of the most powerful vitamins that reduce melanin production on your skin. Several skin care products include Vitamin E for its ability to control hyperpigmentation.

Vitamin E for pigmentation works best when applied along with vitamin C in selected areas. This combination promotes rapid cell growth and makes your skin smoother and softer within a few weeks. This vitamin is rich in antioxidants that reduce the appearance of puffiness, wrinkles, and sagginess on your skin. The use of vitamin E for pigmentation on and around the lip area also provides remarkable results when it comes to treating hyperpigmentation. These are the reasons why most skin care products contain this vitamin.

4. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12  and skin pigmentation are correlated. Often people with severe hyperpigmentation on different parts of their skin are likely to suffer from Vitamin B12  deficiency as well. A lack of this vitamin increases melanin production in certain areas leading to hyperpigmentation. The lack of vitamin B12  also reduces glutathione in our skin. Patients who suffer from non-pernicious anaemia have dark coloured skin in different parts of their bodies. 

Increasing your intake of Vitamin B12 will increase glutathione in the body and control melanin production, ultimately contributing towards treating hyperpigmentation. Adequate B12 intake will ensure that your skin becomes firmer and skin issues like itchiness, irritation, and most definitely, hyperpigmentation stay at bay.

Ways to Apply Vitamins That Reduce Melanin Production

Vitamins are extremely helpful in making your skin soft, glowing, smooth, and free from pigmentation, itchiness, redness, and other issues. Vitamin B12, vitamin E, vitamin A and vitamin C for hyperpigmentation and other skin benefits can be used in different forms:

1. Serums  

There are several serums from different brands that you may find effective in fighting pigmentation. Most of them contain vitamins E and C. Make sure you conduct a patch test before using any product on your skin. 

If you are new to skincare, make sure you use your vitamin C serum along with your moisturiser or aloe vera gel. Do not apply it directly to your face, lest it may burn some sensitive areas. For the best results, take your Vitamin C and apply it along with niacinamide serum to your face to avoid any reactions and skin burns. 

2. Capsules 

You can use vitamin E capsules with your face packs or opt for skin creams enriched with vitamins E and C. However, if you suffer from frequent breakouts after applying Vitamin E for a long time, stop using it. 

Using Vitamin E for more than a year can be harmful to your skin, for it can lead to reduced platelet and may promote blood thinning inside your body.

Conclusion

Vitamins are extremely effective in not just treating hyperpigmentation but several other issues as well. Vitamins that reduce melanin production also help your skin deal with other issues like dryness, flakiness, patchiness, redness, to name a few. If you do not intake enough vitamins from your food, make sure you add one or two supplements for the vitamins you lack after consulting a doctor.