Post-Acne Marks vs. Melasma vs. Sunspots: Which Do You Have and How to Treat Each
Written and fact-checked by: Mollie Kelly Tufman, PhD (Biochemistry)
Updated January 2026
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases—at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I truly believe in.
Wait... Not All Dark Spots Are the Same?
You’ve got a dark spot. It won’t fade. You’ve tried the serum. You’ve sworn off the sun. You may have even given up dairy for a week (RIP cheese boards). So what gives?
Here’s the part most skincare advice skips: not all dark spots are created equal. That stubborn mark on your cheek could be a post-acne mark, a hormonal melasma patch, or a sunspot from your “I don’t need sunscreen, it’s cloudy” era. And if you treat the wrong one with the wrong ingredients? Results stall — fast.
Most facial dark spots fall into one of three categories:
Post-acne marks (PIH): red or brown spots left behind after inflammation
Melasma: patchy pigmentation triggered by hormones and UV exposure
Sunspots (solar lentigines): long-term UV damage that shows up years later
Each type forms for a different reason — and each one responds to different treatments. So if you’ve been layering vitamin C like it’s your job and still not seeing results, the issue may not be the ingredient. It may be the diagnosis.
In this guide, we’ll break down how to tell which type you’re dealing with, what causes each one, and what actually works to fade them (spoiler: it’s not lemon juice).
What kind of dark spot are you actually dealing with?
- Post-acne marks (PIH): flat brown, red, or purple spots left behind after a breakout → fade gradually with the right actives and strict sun protection
- Melasma: symmetrical patches (often cheeks, forehead, or upper lip) that darken with sun exposure or hormonal shifts → harder to treat and easily re-triggered
- Sunspots (solar lentigines): well-defined brown spots caused by cumulative UV exposure → common on chronically sun-exposed areas like cheeks and temples
Key rule: different dark spots respond to different treatments. If yours isn’t fading, the diagnosis may be the problem.
Post-Acne Marks: The Breakout That Won’t Quit
Breakouts are bad enough on their own. But then they leave behind a little “hey, remember me?” mark that hangs out for weeks (or, let’s be honest, months). That’s not a scar — it’s a post-acne mark. And yes, there are two kinds — because your skin likes drama.
Let’s break them down:
🔴 PIE (Post-Inflammatory Erythema)
- Looks like: pink, red, or purple spots
- Why it happens: inflammation damages tiny blood vessels under the skin
- Common in: fair or sensitive skin
- What it needs: calming, anti-inflammatory ingredients — not exfoliants
💡 Product picks for PIE:
👉 Check price on Amazon
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🟤 PIH (Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation)
- Looks like: brown or tan spots
- Why it happens: inflammation triggers extra melanin production
- Common in: medium to deep skin tones
- What it needs: pigment regulators and gentle cell turnover
💡 Product picks for PIH:
👉 Check price on Amazon
👉 Check price on Amazon
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☀️ Daily Sunscreen (for both):
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Melasma: The Hormonal Freeloader
Melasma is that one roommate who moves in uninvited, doesn’t pay rent, and refuses to leave — especially if you’ve ever been pregnant, taken birth control, or gone outside without SPF.
Unlike post-acne marks or sunspots, melasma isn’t just triggered by inflammation or UV exposure — hormones are a major player. Estrogen, progesterone, thyroid fluctuations... your endocrine system’s got a lot of opinions about your glow.
It usually shows up as symmetrical patches — think upper lip, cheeks, forehead — and tends to get worse in the summer, which is fun. And by “fun” we mean “infuriating.”
🔬 So what’s actually going on?
Melasma is caused by an overproduction of melanin, but it’s deeply tied to hormonal changes and chronic sun exposure. Even visible light (like from your phone or indoor lighting) can trigger it.
The tricky part? It’s chronic and stubborn. This is not a “quick-fix with exfoliants” situation. In fact, going too hard with acids or retinoids can make it worse.
💡 Product Picks for Melasma
Packed with tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide, this serum tackles melanin at multiple points. A no-nonsense solution for melasma-prone skin that doesn’t trigger irritation.
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Clinically-backed blend of tranexamic acid, glycolic acid, and resorcinol that visibly fades stubborn melasma patches. It’s pricey — but effective.
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Formulated with 10% niacinamide and the brand’s new Melasyl™ tech, this is a solid choice for long-term brightening without bleaching the skin.
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The gold standard in melasma sun protection. Mineral-based and tinted with iron oxides to block UVA, UVB, and visible light triggers.
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Sunspots: Your Past Sunburns Have Receipts
You thought your tanning oil phase was a personality trait — but your skin kept the receipts.
Sunspots, aka solar lentigines, are flat brown or tan spots that pop up on areas with the most sun exposure: cheeks, nose, forehead, chest, hands. They show up slowly, quietly, and with deep “remember that beach trip in 2007?” energy.
Unlike post-acne marks or melasma, sunspots are purely UV-driven. No hormones. No inflammation. Just cumulative sun damage causing melanocytes to go into overdrive.
They’re also sometimes called age spots — not because they magically appear with age, but because your skin's UV memory finally hits its flashback limit.
🔬 What’s happening under the surface?
UV radiation (especially UVA) triggers melanin production and damages your skin’s collagen and elastin. Over time, those pigment-producing cells cluster into dark patches that don’t fade on their own. That’s a sunspot — and yes, your retinol can help, but it’s not the only option.
💡 Product Picks for Sunspots
A budget-friendly dupe for SkinCeuticals, this serum combines 15% L-ascorbic acid with vitamin E, ferulic acid, and hyaluronic acid to brighten skin and reduce hyperpigmentation.
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Uses THD Ascorbate, a stable, oil-soluble form of vitamin C that absorbs easily and targets sunspots, dullness, and uneven tone without irritation.
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A gentle yet effective retinoid alternative that promotes cell turnover and fades sunspots without causing irritation.
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A lightweight, invisible sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection — crucial for preventing new sunspots and maintaining results.
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What Actually Works for All of Them
Okay, so your face is hosting a hyperpigmentation party — and apparently invited melasma, sunspots, and post-acne drama. Can one routine actually help fade all of them?
Yes… kind of.
While each type of pigmentation has its quirks, there’s overlap in what works — if you’re patient and consistent. The key is choosing ingredients that target melanin production, support skin turnover, and protect the barrier.
🧪 Ingredients That Work Across the Board:
- Retinoids — speed up cell turnover and regulate pigment distribution
- Vitamin C — antioxidant that blocks pigment production and protects from UV damage
- Niacinamide — reduces inflammation and gently slows melanin transfer
- Exfoliants — AHAs like glycolic or lactic acid help fade surface-level discoloration
- Sunscreen — every. single. day. Yes, again.
✨ Pro-Level Treatments (if you want to level up)
- Chemical peels — glycolic, salicylic, or TCA, depending on your skin type
- Microneedling — boosts collagen and breaks up pigment
- Laser (with a pro) — like PicoWay or Clear + Brilliant, especially for sunspots or melasma
Bottom line? Whether it’s a patch, a freckle, or a post-zit memory, you’re not stuck with it forever. But you do need the right mix of ingredients + time + SPF loyalty.
💡 Product Picks That Work Across All Pigmentation Types
A gentle yet potent retinal formula that accelerates cell turnover, helping to fade dark spots and smooth skin texture — perfect for melasma, PIH, and sunspots alike.
👉 Check price on Amazon
These cult-fave peel pads combine AHAs + BHAs for daily exfoliation that improves tone, clarity, and stubborn spots without irritation.
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Targets existing dark spots and helps prevent new ones with a brightening complex that's gentle enough for daily use.
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Loaded with tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid, and licorice root — this multitasker helps fade pigmentation from breakouts, sun, and stress without harshness.
👉 Check price on Amazon
How to Tell What You’re Dealing With
Ever stared at your reflection wondering, “What is that mark?” You’re not alone. When it comes to post-acne spots, melasma, and sunspots, your face doesn’t exactly label them for you.
But knowing which type you’re dealing with? That’s the difference between glowing up and wasting $64 on the wrong serum (no shade, just facts).
🧠 Here’s the cheat sheet:
Post-Acne Marks (PIE or PIH):
Show up right after a breakout
– PIE = red/pink/purple (blood vessel damage)
– PIH = brown/tan (melanin overproduction)Melasma:
Appears as symmetrical patches on cheeks, upper lip, or forehead
– Triggered by hormones + sun
– Gets worse in summer or with heat/light exposure
– Doesn’t fade easilySunspots:
Flat, defined brown spots that show up with age and sun exposure
– Usually appear on face, hands, chest
– Not linked to acne or hormones
– Often solo, not patchy
Once you know what you’ve got, treatment gets way easier. Because treating melasma with an AHA scrub is like trying to exfoliate your taxes — painful and completely ineffective.
Final Takeaway: Your Glow Isn’t Gone — It’s Just Misdiagnosed
Let’s be real: you’re not “bad at skincare.” You’re just fighting a battle with the wrong blueprint.
Because the truth is, not all dark spots are created equal — and they definitely don’t respond to the same treatments. What works for post-acne marks won’t touch melasma. And sunspots? They need their own game plan entirely.
But here’s the good news: now you know what you’re dealing with.
✨ So here’s your glow-up homework:
Pick one tip from this guide — maybe a new serum, maybe just wearing sunscreen daily (yes, even on cloudy days). Start small. Stay consistent.
Because your glow-up isn’t on pause.
It’s just waiting for permission. 💛
Want To dIg deeper?
Results take time, so it helps to know what’s realistic— this timeline breaks down how long fading actually takes.
No fading plan works without daily UV control, and the research shows why sunscreen matters even for old spots.
If you’re ready to shop specific actives, start with these five ingredients that actually fade pigment.
🔬 References
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Callender VD, St Surin-Lord S, Davis EC, Maclin M. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: etiologic and therapeutic considerations. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2011 Apr 1;12(2):87-99. PubMed
Davis EC, Callender VD. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation: a review of the epidemiology, clinical features, and treatment options in skin of color. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2010 Jul;3(7):20-31. PubMed
Passeron T. Melasma pathogenesis and influencing factors - an overview of the latest research. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2013 Jan;27 Suppl 1:5-6. PubMed
Duteil L, Cardot-Leccia N, Queille-Roussel C, Maubert Y, Harmelin Y, Boukari F, Ambrosetti D, Lacour JP, Passeron T. Differences in visible light-induced pigmentation according to wavelengths: a clinical and histological study in comparison with UVB exposure. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res. 2014 Sep;27(5):822-6. PubMed
Yaar M, Gilchrest BA. Photoageing: mechanism, prevention and therapy. Br J Dermatol. 2007 Nov;157(5):874-87. PubMed
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Kim HJ, Moon SH, Cho SH, Lee JD, Kim HS. Efficacy and Safety of Tranexamic Acid in Melasma: A Meta-analysis and Systematic Review. Acta Derm Venereol. 2017 Jul 6;97(7):776-781. PubMed
Telang PS. Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013 Apr;4(2):143-6. PubMed
Hakozaki T, Minwalla L, Zhuang J, Chhoa M, Matsubara A, Miyamoto K, Greatens A, Hillebrand GG, Bissett DL, Boissy RE. The effect of niacinamide on reducing cutaneous pigmentation and suppression of melanosome transfer. Br J Dermatol. 2002 Jul;147(1):20-31. PubMed
Callender VD, Baldwin H, Cook-Bolden FE, Alexis AF, Stein Gold L, Guenin E. Effects of Topical Retinoids on Acne and Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation in Patients with Skin of Color: A Clinical Review and Implications for Practice. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2022 Jan;23(1):69-81. PubMed
Griffiths CE, Finkel LJ, Ditre CM, Hamilton TA, Ellis CN, Voorhees JJ. Topical tretinoin (retinoic acid) improves melasma. A vehicle-controlled, clinical trial. Br J Dermatol. 1993 Oct;129(4):415-21. PubMed
Mahmoud BH, Hexsel CL, Hamzavi IH, Lim HW. Effects of visible light on the skin. Photochem Photobiol. 2008 Mar-Apr;84(2):450-62. PubMed
