The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) originally ruled that hydroquinone products with concentrations of 2% are generally recognized as safe and effective.

However, in 2006, the FDA proposed that the National Toxicology Program conduct additional studies on hydroquinone because of some research indicating that hydroquinone can act as a carcinogen in rats and mice when taken orally. Various studies are currently in progress.

“Because of its extensive use internationally, there are a lot of studies on this molecule, some suggesting that it might be carcinogenic, But overall, it is a rather safe molecule, when used short-term by experts.”

Alternatives to hydroquinone

Skin-lightening ingredients besides hydroquinone include azelaic acid, glycolic acid, kojic acid, retinoids (retinol, tretinoin, adapalene gel, or tazarotene), and vitamin C, so look for creams that contain one or more of these agents.

As with hydroquinone creams, be sure to seek out products that are made in the United States or recommended by your dermatologist, since other countries don’t regulate cosmetic products as closely and they could contain potentially harmful ingredients.

“While I do use hydroquinone for my patients, I also use other ingredients that help block that pigment-making enzyme,” Dr. Kormeili says. “These ingredients include azelaic acid, kojic acid, and licorice. In combination with topical tretinoin — not retinol! — they work rather well.”

Bleaching creams aren’t the only options for lightening hyperpigmented skin. Other skin lightening treatments include laser lightening, photorejuvenation, laser resurfacing, chemical peels, tranexamic acid, and glutathione injections.

Each option comes with its own side effects and risks, and a dermatologist will be able to advise you on the best course of treatment for your hyperpigmentation and skin tone.

“Like everything else in medicine, one hyperpigmentation treatment may work for one person and may not work as well for another,” Dr. Khatri says. In addition, providers can recommend a tapering protocol with an alternative topical agent to prevent rebound or re-pigmentation of the areas when hydroquinone is discontinued.

Hydroquinone is one of the staple solutions to hyperpigmentation, and there is a reason it’s still widely used after all these decades. In the vast majority of cases, it works, at least to some extent. However, if you’ve tried hydroquinone and it didn’t work or you’re looking for faster results, ask a doctor for more information about other skin lightening products and procedures.

Even if you’re a beginner, get most seamless blend with these simple steps and tips.

Acne, age spots and hyperpigmentation and dark circles are normal part of life and having skin, and they’re nothing to be ashamed of. But for when you’re looking for even-toned, flawless coverage, the right concealer can feel like a magic wand that can cancel out discoloration and glide over uneven texture.

Concealers come in a myriad of consistencies, forms and finishes, from liquid to cream to stick and beyond. The key is to find the right formula and tone for whatever issue you’re trying to hide. Here are all the makeup tips and tricks you need to know to make your concealer look flawless:

1. First, pick the right color concealer

Finding the right tone and the right color for the task at hand is crucial. Here’s your cheat sheet:

Peach shades cancel out blueish undereye circles and dark spots from sun or aging.

Green tones hide red blemishes — follow up with a concealer that matches your skin tone exactly (or close to!).

Yellow-toned concealers help to correct uneven skin tone from redness or hyperpigmentation.

2. Choose the right formula for the job

Not all forms of concealer are created equal. Pick from these options depending on what you’re trying to achieve:

Crayons, sticks, or pencils are ideal for “precise application like a blemish or age spot” or scar. They often offer heavy coverage and require minimal blending when applied precisely, and are best suited for dry or combination skin.

Pots and creams are great for oily skin or tasks that require higher coverage. “Cream concealers are thicker, therefore, they can be used to cover more [like] hyperpigmentation and other problem areas,” says Fennell. These also “tend to be the most versatile because you can always thin them down if need be with a little moisturizer,” she adds. Apply with a brush for maximum coverage or use your fingers for a more natural finish.

Liquids: Suitable for all skin types, but particularly great for dry skin, a “liquid formula adds a level of hydration without making the skin look even drier,” says Fennell. From the tube, “apply directly to the skin and blend with your finger, sponge, or fluffy eye shadow brush,” says Whelan.

3. Apply your base products and foundation

Apply any moisturizer, primer and foundation before reaching for concealer. If you apply your foundation first, you’re blurring the look of imperfections and likely won’t need to use as much concealer. If you don’t use foundation at all and just spot-conceal, be sure to hydrate your skin first!

4. Brighten dark circles and undereye discoloration

Undereye circles can be a telltale sign of a long night or lack of sleep, but discoloration under the eyes is also genetic. If you want to brighten your dark circles, here’s how:

Formula: “Look for concealers that have radiant or luminizing formulas. Our experts prefer liquid formulas for the thin skin around the eyes, since creams and thicker formulas can settle into fine lines and wrinkles.

Shade: You’ll want to opt for a color that’s a shade lighter than your natural skin tone. “This will brighten up the undereye area and disguise the dark circles,” Whelan says.

Application: Draw a triangle to cover undereye circles instead of sweeping over the discoloration in a semi-circle shape. Rather than simply coloring over the circles directly under your eyes, this triangle shape highlights the front area of your face, making your face look youthful by creating a lifted the illusion. For best results, “dot the concealer under the eye and tap the product into place with your ring finger or a small fluffy eye shadow brush,” says Whelan.

5. Disguise puffy eyes

While makeup can’t change form, it can create illusions to distract from any features you want to hide (or accentuate — think contouring). Here’s exactly how to brighten puffy undereyes:

Formula: Liquids are “great to use if you need to brighten an area.

Shade: Choose a tone that’s 1-2 shades lighter than your foundation.

Application: “Add a highlighting concealer pen just above and below the area where the under eye is most puffy,” says Whelan. “By adding light to those areas, it makes those areas more noticeable and makes the puffiness look less noticeable.”

Simply put, serums are powerful skin allies. Filled with concentrated doses of active ingredients, these elixirs can mitigate a number of issues, from dark spots to wrinkles. “Even if you don’t have any specific issues, everyone still needs a general antioxidant serum in the morning to protect from daily aggressors.  While there are “limitless options” for ingredients, singles out her hardworking favorites. To handle specific issues, look for these products:  

• Hyaluronic acid to seal in hydration and strengthen the barrier function (the top layer of your skin) to prevent moisture loss.
• Vitamin C to help brighten dull skin and decrease dark spots with continued use.
• Retinol, vitamin B3, peptides to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, proteins in the body that help prevent lines and skin sagging. 
• Colloidal sulfur, niacinamide to calm redness and irritation by decreasing inflammation, and improve acne with its antimicrobial effects.

Helpful Hints and Pointers

If you have multiple concerns, you might want to use multiple formulas. “I recommend treating different areas with different products “Maybe you’ll use a vitamin C serum all over but then dab on [another] for hyperpigmentation on just a few spots.” Just run any combination by your dermatologist to avoid any potential reactions. 

To save time, don’t try mixing a serum into your moisturizer. This “lessens the ability of the serum to absorb effectively. “Products should be applied one by one.” 

Not all serums are applied with the same frequency. “This varies with the ingredients.“I prefer antioxidants in the morning because they give you additional protection from the environment, and most of us don’t use enough sunscreen as is. Yet certain ingredients are best when slathered on at night. For example: “Retinols are not sun-stable and will degrade if applied in daytime.

The most basic function of a moisturizer is to hydrate and soften the skin. “Essentially, moisturizers assist in preventing water loss through the outer layers of skin,“They can also complement the naturally found protective oils and other building blocks within the skin, such as ceramides.” This is one product that doctors recommend using year-round, for all skin types. “Skin naturally loses the ability to retain moisture as we age,“and daily activities, such as washing, can strip natural hydrators from the surface.”

How to Pick a Moisturizer

“Everyone needs moisture, but the texture of your moisturizer will differ depending on your skin type. Consider this your cheat-sheet.

The Difference Between a Day and Night Cream

Creams you apply in the morning are equipped to protect your skin from the environmental aggressors you’ll face when you leave the house—many contain antioxidants to minimize pollution-based free radicals and sunscreen to shield you from ultraviolet radiation. They typically have a lightweight consistency. Night creams, on the other hand, focus on repairing any damage you might have picked up with ingredients like retinol to speed cellular turnover and counteract dark spots. These creams also replenish moisture levels, which naturally dip in the evening, with emollients that often create a rich, thick texture. 

Eye Creams, Explained

Can you survive without an eye cream? Absolutely. But, if you have specific concerns — like hyperpigmentation, dryness or puffiness — you might want to try one. “The skin around the eyes is quite thin and delicate, and more likely to react to irritating ingredients than other areas. “Therefore, dermatologists typically recommend an eye cream that considers the potential sensitivity and has more tolerable concentrations of active ingredients.”

For undereye bags and inflammation, caffeine, peptides and hyaluronic acid can be soothing.“Dark circles can be due to visible veins or actual discoloration common in darker skin tones.Look for brightening ingredients like vitamin C, kojic acid and niacinamide.”