If you suffer from hyperpigmentation, a skin condition that causes patches and spots of skin to darken you’ll be familiar with the struggles. It isn’t something to be taken lightly (no pun intended!). Your skin doesn’t look even in tone, it can knock your confidence, and it can cause your face to appear ‘dirty’ even when it isn’t. I will never forget the day that someone tried to ‘rub off’ an area of my pigmentation because they thought it was a dirty mark!
Hyperpigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin (our skin’s pigment), which can be triggered by many things including melasma (due to hormonal changes – especially during pregnancy), post-inflammatory scarring (think chickenpox or dermatitis), acne scarring, sun spots and dark spots to name but a few. It can affect any age and any skin tone and can vary in size, shape and severity.
But there’s good news. You can help reduce the look of pigmentation and also help prevent it from forming by using the right skincare. To make it easy, French Pharmacy skincare experts, Bioderma, have created an entire skincare routine specifically designed for the needs of skin that suffers from pigmentation. Aptly named ‘Pigmentbio’ it replaces the popular White Objective range. You can read my full range review, but for this edit, I’m excited to tell you about my experience with the products and personal favourites after using them for a month.
My experience with pigmentation
I started to notice more pigmentation on my face in my late thirties (I’m 41 now). A sufferer of frequent breakouts my whole life, I already had some marks relating to scarring from some of the more severe spots I’ve had. At around the age of 38, I noticed that I was getting patches of pigmentation on my skin, in particular on my forehead; they’ve always made me feel a little self-conscious. So as you can imagine, when I was given the opportunity to trial the new anti-pigmentation range from Bioderma I jumped at the chance – I couldn’t wait to try them on my skin!
What Pigmentbio did for my pigmentation after 1 month
One thing that did concern me before I trialled the range was how my sensitive and reactive skin would behave, but I needn’t have worried. Not only is the Bioderma range for pigmentation suitable for sensitive skin, it’s also safe to use if you’re pregnant (when pigmentation can often occur).
So I’ll cut to the chase, has Pigmentbio helped with my pigmentation? Yes, it certainly has. In just a few days, I was already starting to see results. My scarring began to fade, and my skin looked brighter, more even-toned, and it had even helped with texture, refining my skin and helping to clarify it. After a month of using the routine both morning and evening, the difference was noticeable – just take a look at my before and after shots – they speak for themselves!
My Pigmentbio Routine
Pre-cleanse: Bioderma Pigmentbio H2O
Texture: water.
Scent: fragrance-free.
How it helps with pigmentation: it helps to prevent melanin production and therefore hyperpigmentation using two effective ingredients – andrographolide and lysine azelate.
What else it does for your skin: because it contains micelles (tiny balls of cleansing oil particles) it will cleanse and remove makeup with ease.
My thoughts and how I use it: I always use a micellar water as my first cleanse to get rid of the bulk of my makeup before a second cleanse, so this was an easy step to slot into my routine. This isn’t the product from the range that’s going to give you the most effective results used alone, however, combined with other Pigmentbio products it will help to prevent further pigmentation from forming. I pour a little onto a cotton pad and swipe it over my face and only use it in the evening when I double-cleanse – but you can use it twice a day; it’s also great for cleansing on-the-go because there’s no need to rinse.
Wash: Bioderma Pigmentbio Foaming Cream
Texture: creamy with very fine particles suspended in the formula.
Scent: clean, fresh scent.
How it helps with pigmentation: it prevents hyperpigmentation for forming using andrographolide and lysine azelate which helps to stop melanin production. It also gently exfoliates the skin to increase cell renewal which also helps to reduce the appearance of pigmentation using citric acid (AHA) and microbeads (cellulose acetate).
What else it does for your skin: it will provide a thorough and effective soap-free cleanse while also helping to strengthen the skin barrier and improve the overall appearance of your complexion.
My thoughts and how I use it: this product surprised me most because I wasn’t expecting it to be so effective. I use it twice a day by massaging it into my face for a minute or so then rinsing with warm water and a clean flannel. Even with sensitive skin, I find the physical exfoliating action so mild and gentle that it doesn’t make my skin react at all (I can’t usually use physical exfoliants on my face). After, my skin is smooth and feels fully cleansed, soft, and hydrated. The fact it’s a chemical exfoliant (AHA) means that it has a brightening effect on the skin, which I saw improve the more times I used it. I feel as though using this alongside any of the other products in the range will give your skin an illuminating boost – my lacklustre WFH complexion has loved it!
Moisturise: Bioderma Pigmentbio Daily Care SPF 50+
Texture: lightweight silky cream.
Scent: light, sweet scent.
How it helps with pigmentation: the daily care cream is powerful when it comes to reducing pigmentation. It will offer an anti-inflammatory action, prevent melanin production and help to increase cell renewal to prevent and reduce existing hyperpigmentation using patented ingredient LumiReveal™ technology.
What else it does for your skin: this everyday moisturiser packs a punch. Not only does it help to reduce pigmentation and prevent it, but it will also protect against oxidative stress thanks to vitamin C and E, which will give your complexion a healthy glow. Vitamin PP strengthens the skin barrier and hydrates, while salicylic acid improves skin radiance, and it has a high SPF 50 UVA and UVB sun protection to boot.
My thoughts and how I use it: I was a little scared of this cream when I first applied it – it looked as though it was giving me a white cast on my face, however, if you experience the same, fear not. The day cream quickly absorbs, leaving a very subtle pearlescent finish to your skin, so it looks as though it’s glowing! But the benefits don’t stop there, oh no. This cream does it all as well as offering a brightening effect and helping to reduce pigmentation it also doubles up as a high protection facial SPF and a moisturiser. And the best part for me that really seals my approval, is the fact that it sits beautifully under makeup as a primer – it isn’t at all greasy. I use it as my last skincare step before applying makeup, and I love the fact that I know that the technology is getting to work on my pigmentation while I’m going about my day!
Correct: Bioderma Pigmentbio C-Concentrate
Texture: creamy lightweight gel serum.
Scent: fresh with a slight botanical smell.
How it helps with pigmentation: LumiReveal™ technology prevents and reduces hyperpigmentation while boosting cell renewal. Fresh vitamin C reduces the size and intensity of brown spots.
What else it does for your skin: vitamin C and E protect the complexion from oxidative stress while salicylic acid improves skin radiance. It also includes glycolic acid for increased cell renewal and helps to strengthen the skin barrier.
My thoughts and how I use it: if you want to reduce hyperpigmentation quickly, or want to start with one product from the range, I recommend the concentrate;it’s also Bioderma’s hero product from the collection. It has a powerhouse formula and is still kind to skin (even sensitive types like myself!). I apply 5 drops to my face (you don’t need a lot) every evening after cleansing before my moisturiser and it absorbs quickly into the skin. What’s so great about this serum is that it uses pure vitamin C in the formula, which makes it super effective at brightening the skin. It’s a definitive yes from me.
Treat: Bioderma Pigmentbio Night Renewer
Texture: lightweight cream-gel that absorbs quickly.
Scent: light, floral scent.
How it helps with pigmentation: LumiReveal™ technology prevents and reduces hyperpigmentation while boosting cell renewal while hexapeptide-2 reinforces the pigment fading action.
What else it does for your skin: the Night Renewer not only helps to tackle pigmentation, but it also has an anti-ageing effect on the skin thanks to ingredient hexapeptide-2, which helps to regulate collagen production. Vitamin C and E help protect against oxidative damage while salicylic acid improves the overall look of your skin.
My thoughts and how I use it: first off, I love the consistency of this cream, I normally favour a heavier texture for the night time but found that this light-gel cream gave me the same radiant results in the morning as a rich cream. I used it as the last step in my evening routine, it goes on quite wet but sinks into the skin quickly and feels fresh and comfortable; it’s a lovely feeling before going to bed. I’d recommend using this alongside the C-Concentrate to wake up to your glowiest skin ever!
