Find out which is the best melasma cream to help with your treatment

Melasma cream is important in your skincare routine to help treat blemishes that appear on the skin. If you want to know more, dermatologist and trichologist Joana D’arc Diniz (CRM: 67786-8 RJ), Scientific Director of the Brazilian Society of Aesthetic Medicine and the Brazilian Hair Society (RJ) clarified the main points below!

How to prevent melasma with the right care

Joana explained that melasma are chronic spots, whose color is darker and browner. The causes of this problem are often related to genetic predisposition or hormonal changes and dysfunctions. “Melasma is one of the great challenges in dermatology. Although it does not have a definitive cure, it can be mitigated and controlled with treatments, in addition to being very important to have some preventive care, among which, avoiding exposure to the sun and making continuous use of sunscreen “, she added.

Therefore, betting on a good sunscreen is essential in the prevention of melasma and, to know the best treatment, the ideal is to consult a dermatologist, because this choice depends on several aspects, such as the degree and depth of the stains, skin type and an assessment of each asset.

“Furthermore, it is important to point out that exposure to the sun and light bulbs (including cell phones, notebooks), photo-oxidative stress, not using sunscreen, pregnancy and the use of birth control pills greatly favor the appearance of pigmentation or intensify and worsen the already existing”, concluded Joana.

The best creams and other products for melasma

The cream for melasma contains actives that help in the lightening of the stain and in the uniformity of the skin. There are other products, such as sunscreen and some serums that complement the topical treatment. Here are the best melasma cream options:

1. Anasol anti-wrinkle face cream – $

An anti-aging night cream with glycolic acid and green tea extract. Its properties help to stimulate collagen synthesis and promote cell renewal. It has the most oily texture, and can complement your melasma treatment in terms of night power hydration.

“I used it for about 5 months and I liked it, but it gets sticky on the skin and doesn’t dry completely. But it helped a lot with the blemishes.” – Mixed skin

2. Photoderm Cover Touch FPS50+, from Bioderma – $$

A high-coverage sunscreen, perfect for covering and protecting melasma from external aggressions. Despite looking like a foundation, it has a technology that lets the skin breathe, minimizing the appearance of blackheads and pimples.

“I already went to the pool with him, but I don’t rub my face, I remember not rubbing my face, and he lasted and protected me a lot. (…) So that’s it, here’s my tip for those who have melasm of a sunscreen with higher coverage.” – Andreza Goulart

3. Profuse Clair Whitening Cream Gel – $$$

A cream gel with antioxidant action, which is a multifunctional lightener. Contains UV protection, evens out skin tone and helps treat dark spots such as melasma.

“It really has the function of lightening our skin, but it also reduces imperfections and helps to even out our skin tone. So, really, it’s a little product that entered my life and will never leave!” – Good Enta

4. Creamy Tranexamic Acid – $$$

This product contains tranexamic acid, glycolic acid, niacinamide and alpha-arbutin. It helps in the treatment of hyperpigmentation, promoting lightening and leaving the skin tone more uniform.

“What I really, really liked about this product is that it is very liquid. So it doesn’t form a film, it doesn’t interfere with the use of another product, it is absorbed very quickly by the skin, which I loved! And so, I cannot put into words the result that this product has brought to my skin.” – Rita

5. The Ordinary Ascorbic Acid 8% + Alpha Arbutin 2% – $$$

A serum indicated to lighten and minimize uneven skin tones. Due to vitamin C, it has antioxidant action and becomes a good option against melasma stains and signs of skin aging.

“Good formula for skin whitening! If you have oily skin, know that at the beginning of the application you will have an unpleasant sensation, but that will probably balance it out in a few minutes.” – DrasDupin

6. Eucerin Anti-Pigment Day SPF 30 Cream – $$$

This daily facial cream, which is part of the Anti-Pigment line, was developed to act against blemishes. It has Thiamidol, a patented ingredient of Eucerin, capable of reducing existing hyperpigmentation and preventing the appearance and reappearance of new blemishes.

“That melasma that I’ve been controlling since the first semester, I felt a lot of difference using this Anti-Pigment line.” – Luciana Vila

7. Clarité Cysteamin Whitening Dermage Cream Gel – $$$$

The product contains 5% Cysteamine, a component that acts directly on the stain. It is a great cream for melasma and can also be used on the armpits and groin. Its formula is free of parabens, alcohol, dyes and oils.

“My darling, only the smell that, despite being stabilized, is still unpleasant for both me and my husband, lol. For this reason, I use it at night for 15 minutes, before going to bed. I’ve never had any allergic reaction and the gel texture dries quickly on the skin. ” – Lucy Campos

The determinologist tells us that certain actives act in whitening, such as hydroquinone, Thiamidol and Belides. However, as they are very specific, these actives must be prescribed by a dermatologist who will list the best option for your skin, in addition to other care that includes UVA and UVB protection factors.

Other options that complement melasma treatments

Depending on the evaluation of your dermatologist, some treatments may be indicated, bringing good results in whitening and attenuating melasma. Check out the options separated by Joana!

• Cysteamine Peeling: “Currently, one of the most modern and promising procedures to treat blemishes caused by melasma has been the cysteamine peel, which is formulated using an antioxidant (L-cysteine) that the body produces naturally. Cysteamine acts significantly in the control and reduction of melanin production in the treated region, providing effective results”, points out Joana. According to the dermatologist, recent research indicates that this active can reduce pigmentation by approximately 75%, especially in cases of persistent melasma. The treatment can be complemented with cysteamine-based night melasma cream, as this component does not cause allergic reactions or irritation, making it a good alternative for sensitive skin.
• Microneedling: microneedling helps to stimulate the elimination of melanin granules, the set of pigments that form the stain, and has the advantage of not destroying melanin – not causing hypochromia. “This technique is performed with a device that uses numerous microneedles with rotating movement, which promotes small lesions that later promote epidermis regeneration and cell renewal. It is indicated for various aesthetic problems, including melasma. It is also applied simultaneously to it the drug delivery, which includes whitening actives that are introduced into the skin. Because, due to the microneedling process and the small perforations that promote the actives, they are able to be much more absorbed and penetrated deeply into the dermis and, therefore, accelerate and act better in its renewal”, stressed the specialist.
• Chemical peeling with acid associations: “chemical peeling is a great resource to treat certain superficial or deep cases. They are generally performed with the association of various types of acids, which help to promote lightening, have an exfoliating effect, renew the epidermis of the affected area and reduce the production of melanin in the skin tissue”, explained Joana. Some acids used are: glycolic, salicylic, retinoic, trichloroacetic, kojic, lactic or tranexamic. Even so, chemical peeling is more recommended for superficial cases of melasma, so that the rebound effect with hyperpigmentation does not happen.
• Laser or intense pulsed light: “the results of both are generally faster, however they also involve more risks. That’s because its action can cause stains in the post-procedure. The so-called rebound effect”, pointed out the dermatologist.
• Oral treatment: a possibility that acts as an adjunct to treatment. According to the dermatologist, there are nutricosmetics with formulations that contain actives capable of fighting blemishes, photo-oxidation and skin darkening. However, the dermatologist emphasizes the importance of consulting a specialist and not self-medicating.

The dermatologist concludes that what is proven to be effective for blemishes is the association of treatments, which cause less aggression to the skin. Treating melasma requires patience and care, in addition to a skincare routine to maintain hydrated, shiny and elastic skin!