Pigmentation refers to the colour of your skin, determined by the production of a pigment called melanin, which is made by specialised cells called melanocytes. Melanin’s job? To protect you. It’s your skin’s natural response to things like sunlight, hormones, and inflammation.

Sometimes, however, melanin production can go into overdrive. This leads to hyperpigmentation—patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding area. Common causes include UV exposure, hormonal changes (hello, melasma), post-acne marks, or injury to the skin.

Not all pigmentation is permanent, but treating it takes time and consistency. Brightening ingredients, exfoliation, and therapies like yellow LED light can help by calming melanocyte activity and promoting more even melanin distribution over time.