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While most might not face problems like hyperpigmentation, there are still a lot of those that might suffer from this skin condition. It can be caused by many different reasons but the way that the Koreans and K-beauty in general have dealt with hyperpigmentation is truly fascinating. That is why I took a deep dive into the Korean market to research and find the best Korean products for hyperpigmentation. From the many products I have used, here are my 10 best Korean products to help deal with hyperpigmentation!
Top 10 Best Korean Products for Hyperpigmentation
| Image | Product Name | Price On Amazon |
|---|---|---|
 | Best Overall Cos De BAHA Niacinamide | Check Price |
 | Best for Natural Glow & Radiance Blithe Pressed Serum Gold Apricot Korean Face Moisturizer | Check Price |
 | Best for All Skin Types AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum | Check Price |
 | Best for Anti-Aging Meebak Cica Vitamin C Serum Brighten + Replenish | Check Price |
 | Best for Collagen Boost – [I’m From] Rice Serum | Check Price |
 | Best for Post-Acne Hyperpigmentation GOODAL Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum | Check Price |
 | Best for Cruelty-Free Clear Beauty Hyaluronic Acid & Retinol Daily Face Moisturizer | Check Price |
 | Best for Sensitive Acne Prone Skin – IUNIK Propolis | Check Price |
 | Best for Uneven Skin Tone MATKAS Korean Dark Spot Remover | Check Price |
 | Best for Anti-Wrinkle SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care Beauty | Check Price |
1. Best Overall – Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% Serum for Face
Specification
- Brand: Cos De BAHA
- Skin Type: All
- Item Form: Serum with dropper
- Volume: 1 fl oz. (30ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get the best overall serum to fight against hyperpigmentation with the Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% Serum for Face!
Features
- Anti-wrinkle benefits: get rid of wrinkles from your face
- Natural soothing properties: soothe your face from any inflammation
- Reduce pore appearance: minimizes the appearance of pores from your face
How to use
Serums are very easy to use. Here are the steps you need to follow to apply it.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- Take a drop or two of the serum in your hand and apply it directly to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the serum to soak in
- When it’s done drying, apply a moisturizer to your face
Expert Verdict
With hyperpigmentation comes a whole host of problems for your face. Lucky for you, the Cos De BAHA Niacinamide 10% + Zinc PCA 1% Serum for Face is exactly the Korean product you need for the job! It’s packed with niacinamide and zinc, both of which are able to help minimize pores on your face, and give you a clearer skin tone and complexion, while also helping reduce the appearance of wrinkles on your face as well! This Korean serum does all of that while also being safe for sensitive skin that you get with hyperpigmentation and helping soothe any acne on your skin as well. It does all of this without many problems, apart from taking time for the effects to take place. That is why I would consider this to be the best overall Korean product for hyperpigmentation on my list. It might take time but after using it I felt my complexion and acne disappear altogether! You can’t go wrong with this product for your skincare routine, especially for hyperpigmentation!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Reduced wrinkle appearance | Takes time to start showing results. |
| Helps to soothe acne and acne scars | |
| Great for sensitive skin | |
| Clearer complexion | |
| Minimized pore appearances |
2. Best for Natural Glow & Radiance – Blithe Pressed Serum Gold Apricot Korean Face Moisturizer
Specification
- Brand: Blithe
- Skin Type: Normal to dry skin
- Item Form: Face moisturizer
- Volume: 0.74 fl oz. (22ml)
- Scent: Citrus smell
Description
Help bring back the natural glow of your skin with the Blithe Pressed Serum Gold Apricot Korean Face Moisturizer and its wonderful scent!
Features
- Hybrid cream: a mixture of hydrating face serum as a moisturizer all in one
- Dull skin rejuvenation: helps to brighten skin with the help of apricots
- Healing properties: helps to heal the skin with niacinamide
How to use
As this is a serum-face moisturizer cream hybrid, you will be using it like a face moisturizer.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- On slightly damp skin, take a dime-sized scoop of the cream and apply it to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the face moisturizer to soak in before applying anything else to your face
Expert Verdict
One of the main problems with hyperpigmentation is the face starts to look dull with uneven pigmentation. With the Blithe Pressed Serum Gold Apricot Korean Face Moisturizer, you don’t have to worry about that anymore! This face moisturizer helps to clear your face of hyperpigmentation slowly and helps to bring back a natural glow and radiance to your face again with apricot oil extract. It is also packed with niacinamide that helps to heal your face of any scars. It is also very hydrating and moisturizer which is perfect for normal to dry skin. However, I personally can’t say the same for sensitive skin because it led to a few breakouts for me. So I can’t really suggest this for sensitive skin but for dry skin it is perfect!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Improves skin complexion | Not recommended for sensitive skin |
| Brings back a natural glow to the face | |
| Moisturizing and hydrating for dry skin |
3. Best for All Skin Types – AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum Specification
- Brand: AXIS-Y
- Skin Type: All
- Item Form: Serum with pump
- Volume: 1.69 fl oz. (50ml)
- Scent: Papaya
Description
Get the glow back to your skin and also help correct hyperpigmented skin with the AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum!
Features
- Dark spot corrector: helps to reduce dark spots on your face
- Improved skin barrier: helps to retain moisture on the face
- Plant-derived ingredients: squalene and papaya extracts are all extracted from plants
How to use
Here are the steps you need to follow to apply it.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- Take one pump on your hand, rub it between your hands, and then pat it on your face
- Then, with a circular upward motion massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the serum to soak in
- When it’s done drying, apply a moisturizer to your face
Expert Verdict
I really liked the AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum because of how it helped one of our team members with hyperpigmentation. It helped her slowly reduce the appearance of the hyperpigmentation and it was gone within a few weeks! Not only that, but it was great to get rid of dark spots on the face as well. It even helped dry spots on the face and I felt that it helped to restore hydration for that particular spot. It was suitable for everyone I know who used it, but it was best for when it was used alone. Everyone has a different skincare routine where some of my team members said they broke out while others said nothing happened. So be careful what you use in combination with this serum, especially the face moisturizer you have to use afterward. I would suggest an unscented, gentle face moisturizer to pair with this face serum for the best effect because it really does help!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Restores hydration on dry spots on the face | Have to be careful with other products |
| Gets rid of hyperpigmentation within a few weeks | |
| Helped brighten skin and reduce dark spots |
4. Best for Anti-Aging – Meebak Cica Vitamin C Serum Brighten + Replenish
Specification
- Brand: Meebak
- Skin Type: Normal, dry, combination, sensitive
- Item Form: Serum with dropper
- Volume: 1.1 fl oz. (33ml)
- Scent: Orange scent
Description
Get the benefits of a Korean vitamin C serum with its anti-aging properties in the Meebak Cica Vitamin C Serum Brighten + Replenish!
Features
- Vitamin C: helps to reduce wrinkles on the face and helps with dark spots
- Healthy skin barrier: helps to restore balance on the face
- Soothing properties: helps to soothe acne and scars on your face
How to use
Here are the steps you need to follow to apply it.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- Take one drop of the serum in your hand and apply it directly to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the serum to soak in
- When it’s done drying, apply a moisturizer to your face
Expert Verdict
With the Meebak Cica Vitamin C Serum Brighten + Replenish, you get a Korean product that works against all forms of aging on your skin! It helps to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots on your face with vitamin C while soothing the hyperpigmentation scars on your face with niacinamide. The wonderful fruit oils that are used in this Korean serum work their wonders to help improve your face’s skin barrier and moisturize your face while also helping remove the dark and dullness from your face. However, the only problem I personally faced with this Korean product was that it was very thin and light. I could feel that my face was not losing any moisture but it did not help with the overall moisturization because of how light it was. Otherwise, when paired with the right face moisturizer you get all the benefits of anti-aging that you need for your skincare routine with this Korean product!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Helps reduce wrinkles and dark spots on the face | Too thin; does not provide much moisturization on its own |
| Improves the skin barrier and helps lose less moisture from the face | |
| Helps remove dullness from the face |
5. Best for Collagen Boost – [I’m From] Rice Serum 73% Fermented Rice Embryo Extract
Specification
- Brand: I’m From
- Skin Type: For sensitive and dry skin
- Item Form: Serum with pump
- Volume: 1.01 fl oz. (30ml)
- Scent: Aloe
Description
Get the collagen boost you need for your face with a rice serum in the [I’m From] Rice Serum 73% Fermented Rice Embryo Extract!
Features
- Rice bran extract: helps to give a collagen boost to your skin to improve skin texture
- Packed with niacinamide and hyaluronic acid: to help with soothing and hydration
- Refreshing texture: quickly absorbs into the skin for immediate results
How to use
Here are the steps you need to follow to apply it.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- On slightly damp skin, take a dime-sized scoop of the cream and apply it to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the face moisturizer to soak in before applying anything else to your face
Expert Verdict
With hyperpigmentation and aging comes weak skin which looks like they are hanging on your face. What you need to revitalize your face in that instance is a collagen boost to help newer cells with more strength to hold the skin, which is what the [I’m From] Rice Serum 73% Fermented Rice Embryo Extract provides with its unique rice extracts! It is packed with all the wonderful skin ingredients like hyaluronic acid and niacinamide to improve hydration and soothe any problems that your face might have had. Not to mention this rice serum is also packed with collagen-boosting ingredients to help your skin improve its structure and help tighten your skin as well! All of this is packed in a rich creamy texture that helps with your face hydration needs as well! However, I would not recommend it for people with oily skin as it will sticky and heavy on your face. So this Korean product might not be suitable for oily skin at all!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Improves collagen production in the face | Feels sticky on the face |
| Improved hydration and moisturization | |
| Soothes hyperpigmentation scars |
6. Best for Post-Acne Hyperpigmentation – GOODAL Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum
Specification
- Brand: Goodal
- Skin Type: All
- Item Form: Serum with drop pump
- Volume: 1.01 fl oz. (30ml)
- Scent: Citrus
Description
Help fight your post-acne and other scars on your face with the fruit extracts in GOODAL Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum!
Features
- Fresh green tangerine extract: helps to fight against dark spots on the face
- Safe bottle: helps to protect from environmental damage like UV rays and air
- Soothing properties: helps to bring relief to hyperpigmentation scars on your face
How to use
Here are the steps you need to follow to apply it.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- On slightly damp skin, take a dime-sized scoop of the cream and apply it to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the face moisturizer to soak in before applying anything else to your face
Expert Verdict
With hyperpigmentation, your face is easily bruised and forms acne scars. As a result, you will need a serum to soothe your skin to return it back to normal. That is what you get with the GOODAL Green Tangerine Vitamin C Serum and its wonderful fruit infusion to help fight post-hyperpigmentation scars! It helps to clear your face complexion from dark spots and other scars on your face while also being able to soothe your face. The pump is also great, where it does not get stuck and provides drops so it is easier to apply to your face with the appropriate amount of the Korean serum. However, it does have fragrances added to it which makes it hard to use on sensitive skin without irritating the face.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Helps lighten and improve skin texture | Contains fragrances |
| Soothing vitamin C which helps with acne scars and dark spots | |
| Good pump that pours the appropriate amount |
7. Best for Cruelty-Free – Clear Beauty Hyaluronic Acid & Retinol Daily Face Moisturizer
Specification
- Brand: Clear Beauty
- Skin Type: All
- Item Form: Retinol day cream
- Volume: 1.69 fl oz. (50ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Be conscious of the environment and animals with the Clear Beauty Hyaluronic Acid & Retinol Daily Face Moisturizer!
Features
- Retinol cream: helps to exfoliate your face and give a renewed look
- Hyaluronic acid: helps to add back the hydration lost from retinol
- Day cream: add to your day skincare routine
How to use
As this is a retinol day cream, you will be using it during your morning skincare routine.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- On slightly damp skin, take a dime-sized scoop of the cream and apply it to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the face moisturizer to soak in before applying anything else to your face
- Once dried, apply a light moisturizing sunscreen to your face if you are heading out under the sun (I will get to why this part is needed for this Korean product in a bit)
Expert Verdict
Retinol creams are very good for hyperpigmentation to help renew the skin and that is what the Korean product Clear Beauty Hyaluronic Acid & Retinol Daily Face Moisturizer is able to provide for your skin! It works great and covers the negative of drying skin because of retinol with hyaluronic acid. It is also very lightweight and does not feel greasy on the face when you are using it while providing all of this without any animal-derived ingredients or testing done on animals, as per Korean standards. However, there is something that you need to be wary of when using a retinol cream during the day. With retinol, your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight and UV rays increases, causing your skin to sunburn easier and peeling skin to occur. To counteract that, you must use good moisturizing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 and above to keep your skin well-protected when you go outside!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Cruelty-free | Need to add sunscreen to the skincare routine |
| Retinol helps to make the skin renewed | |
| Hyaluronic acid helps with hydration |
8. Best for Sensitive Acne-Prone Skin – IUNIK Propolis 70% Vitamins 17% Synergy Serum
Specification
- Brand: IUNIK
- Skin Type: Sensitive skin
- Item Form: Serum with dropper
- Volume: 1.69 fl oz. (50ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Get rid of acne on your hyperpigmented sensitive skin with the IUNIK Propolis 70% Vitamins and 17% Synergy Serum!
Features
- Calming skin: helps to calm the irritations on your skin
- Vitamin fruit extract: get natural vitamin extract on your skin from natural fruit sources
- Suitable for all: can be used on any type of skin, especially sensitive skin
How to use
Here are the steps you need to follow to apply this Korean product.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- Take a drop or two of the serum in your hand and apply it directly to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the serum to soak in
- When it’s done drying, apply a moisturizer to your face
Expert Verdict
Most of the time hyperpigmentation causes your skin to become very sensitive, meaning that anything and everything can cause irritation on your skin. The IUNIK Propolis 70% Vitamins 17% Synergy Serum helps to solve that problem for you and gives your skin relief from hyperpigmentation instead! It helps to keep the skin soothed with propolis and Centella asiatica infusion to give your skin faster healing while also soothing it in the process. This Korean serum is also able to provide your skin with the vitamin and mineral nourishment it needs to keep the problems with hyperpigmentation at bay. It is also suitable to use for all skin types as well. However, that is also its downside because it works best on sensitive skin. The light texture needed for sensitive skin means that it is not that effective against normal skin types that need deeper nourishment. However, if you are looking for a serum for sensitive skin, then you should definitely get this one!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Help to soothe and heal hyperpigmentation scars | Not that effective for normal skin types |
| Suitable to use on all skin types | |
| Vitamin and mineral nourishment |
9. Best for Uneven Skin Tone – MATKAS Korean Dark Spot Remover for Face & Body Serum
Specification
- Brand: MATKAS
- Skin Type: All
- Item Form: Serum with pump
- Volume: 1 fl oz. (30ml)
- Scent: Unscented
Description
Bring your skin back to an even skin tone with the MATKAS Korean Dark Spot Remover for Face & Body Serum to help remove the dark pigmentation and uneven skin tone on your face!
Features
- Brightening results: with the help of exfoliating ingredients
- Uneven skin tone corrector: reverse sun and hyperpigmentation damage on your face
- Restore skin barrier: keeps the face strengthened for future damage
How to use
Here are the steps you need to follow to apply this Korean product.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- Take a drop or two of the serum in your hand and apply it directly to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the serum to soak in
- When it’s done drying, apply a moisturizer to your face
Expert Verdict
Uneven skin tone from hyperpigmentation is a big problem for both your look and your confidence. Not to worry because the MATKAS Korean Dark Spot Remover for Face & Body Serum can help to solve that issue! A combination of exfoliating ingredients and brightening agents combined helps to give you a brighter and even skin tone in places where there are dark spots. Not only that, but it also helps to restore the skin barrier on your skin and makes sure to strengthen your skin in the process as well. However, you might notice immediate results but need to wait around 6 weeks to see the full effect of the product. But trust me when I say, the wait while using this Korean product will be worth it!
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Corrects dark spots and hyperpigmentation on your face | It takes time to get the full result |
| Exfoliating and brightening ingredients help to improve skin tone | |
| Strengthened skin barrier |
10. Best for Anti-Wrinkle – SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care Beauty Specification
- Brand: SeoulCeuticals
- Skin Type: Normal, oily, and dry skin
- Item Form: Serum with dropper
- Volume: 1 fl oz. (30ml)
- Scent: Citrus
Description
Be wrinkle-free with the SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care Beauty and its naturally formed Korean serum for your hyperpigmentation!
Features
- Potent anti-wrinkles: effective acids to help get rid of wrinkles on your face
- Pore reducer: helps to minimize the appearance of large pores
- Fast results: get the results you desire within a week
How to use
Here are the steps you need to follow to apply this Korean product.
- First, cleanse your face of any dirt and oil with a gentle face cleanser and pat dry your face
- Take a drop or two of the serum in your hand and apply it directly to your face
- Use a circular upward motion to massage the serum all over your face and neck
- Allow 5 to 10 minutes for the serum to soak in
- When it’s done drying, apply a moisturizer to your face
Expert Verdict
When you are in need of a Korean product with proven results on your wrinkles, then look no further than SeoulCeuticals Korean Skin Care Beauty! It works wonders with its CE ferulic acid and hyaluronic acid combination to help reduce wrinkles. Not only that, but you are able to get the benefit of being wrinkle-free all within a week’s time, which makes this really fast acting as well! With vitamin C added to the serum, you are also able to fight the dark spots that you get with aging and help give your skin a clearer complexion! The only problem I would say this product has is that it is not for sensitive skin. The potency of the acids would cause sensitive skin to become really dry and cause it to start peeling. So make sure that you do a patch test to see if your skin is suitable for this or not.
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Acid hydration and wrinkle reduction | Acid potency is too high, and not meant for sensitive skin |
| Vitamin C helps clear dark spots on the hyperpigmentation face | |
| Fast acting; effective results within a week |
What Causes Skin Hyperpigmentation?
Hyperpigmentation is a skin condition that is caused by damage to the melanocyte cells in your skin. When these cells are damaged, they cause overproduction of melanin on your skin, which causes it to become unnaturally dark in places. It comes in small patches but can affect large areas of your skin, especially the face! Along with damage to the cell, it also causes irritation to form on your skin.
The damage to melanin-producing cells can be caused by a whole host of things. The major cause of hyperpigmentation is sun exposure. When the UV rays from the sun reach your skin, it is absorbed which causes the melanocytes to produce melanin as a defense mechanism. Deeper within the skin layer, the melanocytes are trying to defend the skin more and more causing more melanin to form. This is what causes hyperpigmentation to form on your skin. This is most prominent on the face because the skin is thinner and more susceptible to sun damage.
The next reason could be hormonal imbalance which causes the skin to produce more melanin. Along with that is age, where someone who is older is likely to have hyperpigmentation due to the weakened cells in their bodies. Skin injuries are another likely reason for hyperpigmentation as you might notice that the skin becomes darker where it was injured. And finally, there is skin irritation which when untreated could cause hyperpigmentation on your skin.
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What Foods Naturally Reduce Pigmentation?
While it might not be the most effective way to deal with your pigmentation, changing up your diet might help naturally reduce it! Here are some foods that you can eat to help reduce the pigmentation in your body:
- Pomegranate: rich in antioxidants
- Papaya: helps to give clearer and more even skin tone
- Fish: rich in omega fatty acids
- Carrots: rich in antioxidants that help to fight back hyperpigmentation
- Green vegetables: help to reduce oxidation on your skin
- Sweet potato: enriched with free radicals to help fight against sun exposure
- Citrus fruits: rich in vitamin C which helps lighten dark spots
While you might not get immediate results by changing and incorporating these foods into your diet, these can certainly help you against hyperpigmentation in the long run!
FAQs
1. Does vitamin C help with hyperpigmentation?
Yes, it does! It helps to lighten the effects of hyperpigmentation and reduce the appearance of dark spots and acne on your skin.
2. What are the 3 types of hyperpigmentation?
While there are a lot of different types of hyperpigmentation, the main ones are age spots, post-inflammatory trauma, and melasma (ranked in seriousness from mild to very serious).
3. What kind of hyperpigmentation is permanent?
Some post-inflammatory trauma can result in acute melasma, which becomes post-inflammatory hypopigmentation, resulting in permanent changes in skin tone.
4. Does hyperpigmentation get darker before it fades?
During the healing process for the cells, some hyperpigmentation can darken before slowly fading away due to the active nature of the cells trying to break down the melanin in your body.
5. Does exfoliating help with hyperpigmentation?
Exfoliating can help lessen the hyperpigmentation on your face but it will not totally get rid of it because the exfoliation only occurs on the surface while the hyperpigmentation occurs deeper in the skin.
Final Thoughts
Well, there you have it, the best Korean products for hyperpigmentation! Another dive into Korean products and I must say that I am always amazed at their innovation in beauty and skincare products. I had a lot of fun testing and reviewing these products, but I personally really liked the Cos De BAHA and SeoulCeuticals Korean products on the list. Even though they did not give immediate results and took time for my skin to get used to it, they were certainly worth the wait. I hope this list has helped you find the Korean product for your hyperpigmentation in this list you are looking for. As always, stay classy!
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