Beauty Bay skincare - top picks for hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is a hot topic, thanks to media personality Louise Redknapp. She has told us all in a TV advert that her face ‘looked like a world map’ before she started using a certain product. Tackling uneven skin tone isn’t always as easy as buying a single product though - and that’s why Beauty Bay skincare has a whole arsenal of targeted treatments.

Because dark spots are a naturally occurring phenomenon, caused by exposure to the sun, many of us simply put up with them. Concealers and foundations can hide discolouration, but what about the days when we really can’t be faffed? What then?

Wanting a fresher, more natural look without using heavy makeup to achieve it is the reason most women reach out for solutions to combat hyperpigmentation. Clearer skin is confidence-boosting. Imagine being able to simply pop on a moisturiser with SPF before leaving home in the mornings?

Beauty Bay keeps things really simple, if you want to reduce the appearance of uneven skin tone. It doesn’t attempt to bamboozle you with too much science or endlessly carp on about ‘luminosity’. Instead, it offers affordable solutions with all the emphasis on effective ingredients. We know, because we’ve tested two of them.

The Beauty Bay skincare products we tested

We thought we would take a two-step approach that could be repeated mornings and evenings. The products we chose can be used as substitutes for other skincare products, so they don’t add extra steps to a routine. Keeping it simple was our aim, because dealing with uneven skin tone can require a commitment that surpasses just a few days.

Don’t roll your eyes. Our routine turned out to be easy.

Beauty Bay skincare products used:

SkinHit Hyperpigmentation Serum with Tranexamic Acid and Alpha Arbutin. We purchased two 50ml pipette dropper bottles of the serum for £8. This product is vegan and cruelty free. It’s also suitable to tackle scarring and brightens the skin. On Beauty Bay’s website, the packaging looks quite plain but, once received, it had a definite Paula’s Choice look to it.

Tranexamic Acid is a clinical ingredient that, when applied topically, can change the way cells make melanin. Its benefits go a bit further. As well as tackling hyperpigmentation, it has been proven to strengthen the skin and improve the appearance of acne scars.

Alpha Arbutin is an ingredient proven to fade discolouration and brighten the skin.

Both of these ingredients are considered safe but, if you have sensitive skin, we recommend you carry out a patch test at least 24 hours before applying to your face.

5% Niacinamide and Vitamin C Toner. This cost us around £6 (on offer) for a 150ml bottle.

Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 and has been shown in clinical trials to tighten pores and improve uneven skin tone.

Vitamin C brightens skin and can promote a healthy glow.

The concentration of active ingredients in the toner we purchased is medium.

We tested both products on a 57-year-old female.

How we incorporated the products into a routine

For this skin concern, the products we purchased were simple swaps. Our tester swapped her normal serum for the Beauty Bay one and the same again with the toner. There were no extra steps involved.

Her routine:

Morning - Single cleanse with a balm followed by the Beauty Bay toner. She then applied the serum before using her normal moisturiser and a makeup primer with SPF.

Evening - Eye makeup removed with micellar water. Double cleanse with a gel and balm followed by the toner. She then applied the serum before using a rosehip seed oil and her usual night cream.

She told us: “I first noticed visible signs that the products were working after around a week. It was even more noticeable after two weeks.

“I am going to continue to use both products because I can see they are reducing the hyperpigmentation on my face. In addition, I have increased the SPF in my morning products to 50.”

Our tester added: “I wouldn’t say this is an overnight fix, but it does work.”

How long does it take for a dark spot treatment to work?

In our experience, 10 days to two weeks. If a product isn’t producing any visible signs of working after 14 days, it is probably not going to do much. That’s the time to move onto the next product. It’s worth remembering that everyone’s skin is different.

Beauty Bay skincare was bang on when it came to delivering results. They were visible within our expected time frame. Dark spots were faded and less noticeable, and the skin looked brighter.

What we think about Beauty Bay skincare

This is a no-frills product range. Don’t expect a hard sell, fancy packaging or wild claims about the benefits.

Do expect products with clinically proven ingredients at an attractive price.

We rate this own brand skincare range above those of competitors in the same or similar niche.

As well as delivering expected results, Beauty Bay keeps things easy - so you can find the right products for you and tackle skin concerns without making major changes to your daily routine. Many of the products are also clearly labelled with information about how often and when they should be used.

Top tips for keeping hyperpigmentation in check

Hyperpigmentation is the ‘gift’ that keeps on giving. Because we are all constantly exposed to the sun - even during the winter - it is important to understand that treatments must be used regularly.

Even if you have successfully managed to fade hyperpigmentation on your face, you should still use a brightening treatment daily.

In addition, to ward off the arrival of new dark spots, apply sunscreen with a high SPF every day.

Want to learn more about winter skincare? Here’s a short feature we think you might like - This is what winter does to your face.