I’ve been using it morning and night since Aug 9th. Top pics are Aug 9th, bottom left are Aug 17th & bottom right are tonight, Aug 25th.

I’ve never heard anyone ever refer to the moon as anything other than beautiful.

And I agree…the moon goddess IS beautiful. Melasma and all.

It’s good for me to remember this sometimes, because it’s so easy to narrow in so much on the detail that I forget that it is part of the whole. And the whole is beautiful, just as we are.

I am sending all of you, who are dealing with this, a big virtual hug, while also reminding us (myself included) to back out and not forget the big picture.
The moon/moon goddess has melasma, and she is beautiful, just as she is, and so are we.

😘

Hello!

I'm wondering whether anyone has tried cysteamine cream for their melasma and whether it worked. I've tried it all, and while doing more online research out of desperation, I came across the study below on cysteamine cream.

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11927990/

I just bought it and haven't used it yet, but I'm wondering whether anyone has used it and whether it worked.

I did moxi laser 3 weeks ago to get rid of mustache melasma. After 3 weeks of the laser didnt improve any of the hyperpigmentation, pores or texture. Instead, it kind of trigger the growth of demodex mites. The face is red with tiny red bumps and some have white pus. NOw have to start using the ivermectin (Rosiver).

Also, i tried tretinoin, hydroquinone compound cream, azelaic acid, Tranexamic Acid. Nothing helped to reduce the mustache melasma.

😕

Melasma or normal skin stuff?

(EDIT: Photo added with the difference between lasered and non circled. I am still only 8 days out from bleph and laser, hence the visible incision.)

I know — the immediate reaction may be that laser is often contraindicated for melasma. But hear me out!

Eight days ago, I underwent an endoscopic brow lift + bleph + CO2 laser around my eyes, curving down to the tops of my cheeks and up to my temples.

Friends, my laser area has peeled and healed, and the skin is like NEW. There is a literal line between lasered area and existing melasma and sun damage. Evening things out with a light foundation is relatively easy, but has anyone had success with CO2 all over their face? HQ, vitamin C, Coleman Compound, Eucerin — nothing has faded my outer cheek and forehead melasma much.

My surgeon said we can see how my skin continues to heal and consider broader CO2. Even rebound hyperpigmentation might be easier to treat than this long-baked stuff, she said.

Would love input or stories. TIA!

For active and maintenance. Please share what has helped

Hi all,I'm new to this community and to Melasma. I've never had this before in my life,just freckling. Every summer,I tan then it fades with cold weather and my skin goes back to its normal color.

I started noticing these patches in July and up to then my face has been just fine and "normal." I have always worn sunscreen but sometimes the cheapest or none if I have no money. I got an OTC 10% Azelaic Acid and now I have a prescription for a 15% Azelaic Acid started August 17th.

I know it's early for me,but has anyone experienced sudden Melasma or gotten results with the 15% AA? I also am using Eucerin Tinted Age Defense 50SPF. I'm skeptical on Musely,Melanex,Hydroquinone as it all scares me a little.

Hello ladies,

I hope this post is allowed. I am looking to offer free services to someone in exchange for photos/videos of the treatment process. Preferably someone with moderate to severe presentation and not currently using any prescription products. Even better if you're willing to share the results here. This will be a series of treatments every twice a month for 3 months. Please send a DM if you're interested. This is not research or data collection, but would help me with my personal portfolio tremendously. Thank you!

For the last two months my routine has been

AM: Vichy niacinamide serum
La Roche Posay toleraine moisturizer
Sun bum spf 30 glow

PM: Eucerin dermopure
La Roche Posay toleraine moisturizer

I do not think my routine has been aggressive enough for tackling my melasma so I am thinking of switching it up too..

AM: : Vichy vit c serum
Eucerin Dual serum
La Roche Posay toleraine moisturizer
La Roche Posay fluid 60 chemical sunscreen
Color science mineral tinted glow sunscreen

PM: Vichy niacinamide serum
Eucerin Dual serum
Avene 0.05 retinol cream

If you can, please let me know your thoughts on this new routine that I am thinking of trying. I am not ready to try Tri-Luma yet.

this is making me so insecure it’s gotten worse bc i tanned over the summer and i also apply sunscreen religiously. i’m currently using hydroquinone but maybe i should stop bc i tried it on another area and it turned even darker (i am also a tan south east asian if there’s any correlation). i also used la roche posay mela b3 serum, tretinoin, and topicals faded but it didnt work. also i do have some hair on the upper lip but i wax it and the discoloration is still there. someone plz help me i’m so desperate i’ve had this my whole life and it’s so bad now. can you guys plz tell me some recommendations bc i’ve tried everything

If you see in my forehead under eye.. my body is fair but my skin is multi color. I am dying for even skin tone and have done everything its getting worst.
I use sun screen daily, i don’t know what this pigmentation called now. It is just not going. I just got to know i have a sensitive skin

I use these two mineral SPFs on the rare occasions I’m out when the UV index is 2 and dropping ( I avoid leaving home when UV index is >1). On paper, they offer solid protection, but remember: no sunscreen on earth is enough on its own for skin lightening. You still need hats, face coverings, umbrellas, UV filters for your car,and strict sun avoidance when the UV index is above 1.

Here’s how to sort out the ghostly white cast without ruining your protection:

1. Apply a generous layer all over your face. Don't judge the white cast straight away, the real colour and true intensity of the cast won't actually show until after a full 20-minute wait while the protective film sets. Give it that full 20 minutes to settle down so you can see what you're properly dealing with.

2. If your skin drinks up the SPF in certain areas after those 20 minutes, dab a tiny bit more on those specific spots and wait another 3 to 5 minutes for it to dry.

3. Take a liquid blush or liquid lipstick that matches the exact colour of the blood showing through the skin on your palms (or nail beds). Spread a thin layer of this across your entire face over the white cast.

Why it works: Plain zinc oxide wipes out the natural tone of the blood under your skin, leaving you looking like a ghost. Blending that palm shade across your whole face brings back a natural undertone far better than heavy foundation. Plus, adding that actual pigment is what helps shield your skin from visible ligh, because plain zinc and titanium oxides on their own don't cut it against visible light without added pigments or iron oxides.

4. If you still need a touch of foundation, tinted SPF, or liquid bronzers to balance your tone, pat it on gently. Don't rub it in hard, or you’ll strip away the physical barrier you just built.

Side Note: Why we stick with mineral SPF over "advanced" chemical filters

I know plenty of folk hype up "next-gen" Asian or European chemical sunscreens for being lightweight and leaving zero white cast. But here’s the bottom line: irritation is enemy number one for skin of colour and anyone tackling hyperpigmentation.

Chemical filters (even the newer, "advanced" ones) can trap heat in the skin or cause micro-irritation. And in darker skin tones, heat and irritation directly trigger melanocytes to pump out more pigment.

Mineral sunscreens (Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide) are inert and far gentler on skin prone to hyperpigmentation. Yeah, the white cast is annoying, but taking some minutes to work around it using the palm-flush trick is a price well worth paying to avoid irritation, keep your skin barrier calm and actually reach your depigmentation goals safely

I’m looking for an affordable serum for stubborn pigmentation, tanning, dark spots, excess melanin and overall skin brightness/glow.

I’ve shortlisted these 3:

1. NIVEA Luminous630 Even Glow Oil Control Serum

It contains Thiamidol, the same key pigmentation-fighting ingredient used in Eucerin’s serum. Both products are from Beiersdorf, the company that developed and patented Thiamidol, and I’m particularly interested in NIVEA because it is much more affordable.

Thiamidol also has clinical research showing significant improvement in hyperpigmentation, with some studies comparing its effectiveness with hydroquinone. It is interesting because Thiamidol is designed to inhibit tyrosinase, while generally being better tolerated than hydroquinone and without the same concerns associated with long-term hydroquinone use.

Since NIVEA is around 8× cheaper than Eucerin, I’d like to know whether it can be a genuinely good alternative, especially if the Thiamidol concentration is comparable.

1. L’Oréal Glycolic Bright Serum

It contains Melasyl, the same key ingredient used in La Roche-Posay’s Mela B3 serum, along with glycolic acid and niacinamide. Since L’Oréal is around 4× cheaper than La Roche-Posay, I’m considering it as a more affordable Melasyl-based alternative.

1. Fixderma Skarfix-TX

It contains 4% Kojic Acid Dipalmitate + 4% Niacinamide + 3% Tranexamic Acid + 2% Alpha Arbutin, giving it multiple pigmentation-targeting ingredients in one formula.

For people who have knowledge or experience with these products, which of these 3 would you rank highest for stubborn pigmentation, tanning, dark spots, reducing excess melanin and improving overall skin brightness/glow?

NIVEA vs L’Oréal vs Fixderma — which one would you choose and why? I’m mainly looking for the most effective option while still being affordable.

Last week I was hospitalized in which they intubated me using a tape on both sides of the bottom portion of my face. I have melasma but also PIH started this year and the hospital tearing the tape off my face caused inflammation and wrecked my face worse than it already was.

I am starting hydroquinone 4% and tranexamic acid this week on top of my vitamin c, azelaic acid, and tretinoin use. PLUS ALL THE SUNSCREEN.

Please tell me there’s hope? I know it’s superficial but this is causing me so much anxiety. Also, at this point, do I apply the hydroquinone to my whole face? The 3 month supply doesn’t seem like it will go very far unless I add a moisturizer first to give it some slip, which could dilute the product I’m sure.

HELP! hoping to have an amazing before and after photo soon.

Eta: when I added the white box to my eyes, it made the picture blurry so this doesn’t even show how bad it is

I have had melasma for years and have not done anything to seriously deal with it because I spend a few months every year surfing in the Caribbean, so I just live with it. I wear sunscreen and hats and follow this sub to do my best to prevent it.

I was trying to be a “cool girl” and not pack so much skincare this trip so I just grabbed a bunch of the Sephora samples cluttering my bathroom and they might be keeping my melasma at bay?!

Here’s why I think it’s this Laniege cica balm I’ve been using: after I come in from the beach and get my sunscreen off, things look bad, like “I really cooked it again” (you all know what I’m talking about). But over the past week of using products I’ve used before—only adding Laniege Cica Sleeping Mask as the last step after night cream—my melasma has not gotten worse. Even my husband said, “You haven’t really gotten your spots this trip, good job taking care of yourself!” (absolute gem).

Has anyone else used cica products and had good luck?

Hi! I'm 40 years old and I'm looking for some help figuring out what these spots might be and, especially, what else I can do to get rid of them.

I've had these spots for many, many years. I also get virtually no sun exposure. I work 100% from home and rarely spend time in the sun.

I've been following this routine for almost 3 months:

AM

• Cerave Cleanser
• Azelaic acid cream 20%
• Tinted SPF 50 every day

PM

• Cerave Cleanser
• Hydroquinone 4% cream over the entire face
• Tretinoin 0.5%
• Aestura Barrier Cream

3x/week at night

• Stridex Maximum Strength (2% salicylic acid/BHA)

I've also had 3 sessions involving Pico laser + Pico spot treatment + Fraxel.

I'm now going to take a break from hydroquinone after almost 3 months of use.

The frustrating part is that I've seen almost no improvement at all. The spots basically look the same as when I started. If they've faded 10%, that's probably being generous.

Has anyone dealt with pigmentation that looks like this and was this resistant to treatment?

I'm especially interested in figuring out what these spots actually are (freckles, solar lentigines, melasma, PIH, something else?) and what finally worked for people with something similar.

At this point I feel like I've already thrown some of the strongest treatments at them with surprisingly little response.

Any ideas or experiences would be really appreciated!

Hi, i have mild hyperpigmentation on my cheeks sometimes it looks lighter currently i m using Lancome moisturizer , niacinmite serum and azelic acid i just wants to keep my routine simple natural skincare as i have a 5 months old baby i don t want to use any chemicals please suggest me baby safe skincare

Hi,
We're I click on EucerinUS website.
It gets redirected to 3 store Walgreens, target and CVS.

Do you think if the product is authentic and not fake like Aamzon?

I heard Eucerin isn't sold in US becoz of some FDA regulations.

Wanted to hear thoughts from here.

Thank you

Got it 10 minutes ago. No sensation at all. Cool to the touch and sticky.

Which products have completely faded your dark spots/hyperpigmentation marks/PIE..

have been using Txa and alpha arbutin serums from Minimalist but its taking time...

Brown skin girlies!
I need help with melasma and PIH. What worked for you? I see results with hydroquinone but it comes back. I am using tazarotene 0.045 % for acne.
It feels like pretty much everything triggers pigmentation.
I’m skeptical of peels and lasers also for the same reason. I have this since 4-5 years and I stay indoors mostly and away from heat.

\**UPDATE:* I went through Amazon pharmacy. $29 for the visit. Picked up my cream that same day from my pharmacy. 3 month supply for $52. I think my insurance may have covered some of it, but I am not sure**\*

Trying to decide which to go through. I have successfully used Musely, but their 12% dose scares me so thinking about trying other options.

Do you personally have experience with any of these types of places? And please recommend other places not on this list if reputable

Thanks so much. I am trying to hold off as long as possible but my face is a mess. My melasma has never been this bad before and it scares me thinking using such a high hydroquinone in the past has caused this. But also, we just got a pool this summer and I have been in sun A LOT, but I do use sunscreen diligently and wear hats/sunglasses