What is hyperpigmentation?

...and how do I deal with it?

FYI: this article has been written by Arpan, a member of our teen committee.

Hyperpigmentation occurs when the skin produces excess melanin; the pigments that give skin its colour. This essentially causes patches of your skin to become darker than the surrounding area.

Hyperpigmentation is most common in medium to deep skin tones, because the production of melanin is more active than in lighter skin tones. The most common type of hyperpigmentation in teens is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which can present itself through traumas to the skin such as bruising, acne or eczema.

Where does it occur on the body?

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation can occur anywhere on the body, but it’s mostly seen on the face (especially if you have or have had acne), on your arms or legs (where injuries are most common).

How can I treat hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is harmless and doesn’t require any treatment, but some may want to reduce its appearance. Before trying any remedies, it’s always best to consult with your GP or a dermatologist. Their expert opinion can help you decide the best course of action, that’s personalised to your needs.

Natural remedies:


Aloe vera – may sooth the skin and have some anti-inflammatory effects that could help with the redness.
Licorice – can have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Green tea – extracts may have anti-inflammatory and antioxidants effects which can help with the redness. You can brew a tea bag, allow it to cool, and apply it to the area.


Keep in mind: although some research shows that natural remedies can influence hyperpigmentation, no large-scale human research has been done on them, so their effects are still widely unknown. Do a patch test before trying these remedies if you're unsure. Natural remedies may be more effectively used as supportive treatments to other more active treatments.

Product recommendations from indu


• Spot On Paste is infused with bisabol, known for its soothing properties and ability to visibly reduce redness. It also features bakuchiol which helps to minimize post-blemish marks.
• Clear & Glow Tonic Juice contains chamomile to calm the skin and reduce redness, along with a blend of fruit extracts that gently exfoliate for a brighter complexion.
• Everyday Hero SPF50+ provides essential protection, shielding the skin after any gentle exfoliation via cleansers or scrubs.


Each of these products are formulated with ingredients to hydrate and nourish the skin, helping to maintain a healthy and resilient skin barrier.

Expert advice from Gaia, Head of NPD at indu:


“The key to hyperpigmentation is to gently exfoliate the area where it's present. This way, you can speed up cell turnover, helping pigmented cells shed more quickly and enhancing the skin’s ability to absorb the ingredients in your moisturiser. This gradually improves skin texture and tone.

Keep in mind, it is important to not over-exfoliate (which can worsen pigmentation and damage the barrier) and to use gentle products in our indu range (1 to 3 times a week).

It’s crucial to always apply moisturiser after exfoliating, to maintain hydration and moisture in the skin. Also apply SPF to protect and maintain a healthy skin barrier”.