Meladerm Review: I Tried It For Hyperpigmentation

If you deal with hyperpigmentation, dark spots, sun spots, or uneven skin tone, then you know that trying to diminish these skin discolorations can be a frustrating process. Many products claim to help with hyperpigmentation, but most don’t work very well or have harsh side effects.

You may have tried different creams with minimal results. However, if you have not tried Meladerm Pigment Correction cream for hyperpigmentation and discoloration, you should read further to find out how it performs in this Meladerm review.

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Meladerm Review

When I saw the ingredient list of this cream, I had to give it a try. Meladerm contains some of the best over-the-counter actives to address hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.

Seeing niacinamide as the third most concentrated ingredient was enough reason alone for me to purchase the cream, as niacinamide is one of my favorite skincare ingredients.

The cream itself is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and is non-irritating on my somewhat sensitive skin.

I have been using it on a small patch of hyperpigmentation on my cheek for a few months, and I am starting to see some softening of the discoloration and patchy uneven skin tone.

I really appreciate the fact that the cream contains brightening actives that work synergistically by using multiple mechanisms to reduce melanin production. (i.e., niacinamide inhibits melanosome transfer while arbutin inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme.)

While many skin lightening creams are available on the market that contain just one or two skin lightening actives, this cream contains more than 10 ingredients that target hyperpigmentation. Very impressive.

I will continue using this while alternating with other skin brightening products in my skincare routine that work differently, like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) glycolic acid and lactic acid.

AHAs provide a chemical exfoliation and sweep away dead skin cells to brighten the skin and improve skin texture and skin tone, and reduce the look of post acne marks.

I also use retinol in my skincare routine, which increases cell turnover to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.

Retinol also has some potent anti-aging benefits, like smoothing fine lines and wrinkles. See a Melderm alternative containing retinol below.

What is Meladerm?

Meladerm is a skincare cream from Civant Skincare that is formulated as a skin lightener to brighten the skin and reduce the look of hyperpigmentation in its many different forms, including:

• dark spots
• uneven skin tone
• old scars
• post-acne scars caused by post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation
• sun spots, age spots, liver spots
• birthmarks
• melasma
• skin discoloration on elbows, knees, underarms, and knuckles

Meladerm Key Ingredients

Meladerm contains many natural skin brightening ingredients to tackle hyperpigmentation and dark spots instead of chemicals like hydroquinone, which has a questionable safety record.

Meladerm is formulated with more than 10 advanced active ingredients that work together to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation.

The ingredients below are listed in order of concentration from highest (niacinamide) to lowest:

Niacinamide (Vitamin B3): Niacinamide is an effective ingredient for lightening the skin and reducing the look of uneven skin tone, dark spots, and sunspots. It inhibits melanosome transfer to reduce hyperpigmentation.

This 8-week study found that a 4% niacinamide cream to be as effective as a 4% hydroquinone cream in the treatment of melasma, but with fewer side effects.

It also has powerful antioxidant properties that help protect the skin from future hyperpigmentation caused by inflammation, UV sun exposure, or other factors.

Niacinamide is a true multi-tasker, as it also boosts ceramide and collagen production, which helps to smooth wrinkles and fine lines and strengthen the skin barrier.

Morus Alba (White Mulberry) Root Extract: Morus Alba is the scientific name for the white mulberry plant.

White mulberry (and its extracts) contain many antioxidant polyphenols that help reduce skin hyperpigmentation and have whitening properties.

According to one study, 75% Morus alba extract oil significantly improved melasma after eight weeks. This skin-brightening extract works well when used in conjunction with licorice root extract and kojic acid.

Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract: Licorice root is an herb with many beneficial skincare properties.

It contains natural skin brightening ingredients that can help even skin tone and reduce the appearance of brown spots by inhibiting melanin formation in the skin.

Licorice root extract also contains glabridin, an antioxidant flavonoid that helps prevent pigmentation from UVB rays.

Licorice root extract also has anti-inflammatory benefits, which are helpful for those with sensitive skin or prone to skin irritation.

Scutellaria Baicalensis Root Extract: Scullcap root extract is rich in antioxidants and possesses anti-inflammatory properties.

Per the product manufacturer of this extract, it contains skin brightening properties.

Arctostaphylos Uva-Ursi (Bearberry) Leaf Extract: Bearberry extract contains arbutin (also known as beta-arbutin), which helps fade dark spots inhibiting tyrosinase activity required for melanin production. It also has antioxidant and antibacterial benefits.

Kojic Acid: Kojic acid is derived from mushrooms and fermented rice. Another potent antioxidant, it inhibits the production of tyrosinase, an enzyme involved in melanin production.

Alpha Arbutin: Alpha arbutin is a form of arbutin that inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that helps produce melanin.

It is a derivative of hydroquinone that functions similarly to hydroquinone but without the safety concerns surrounding it.

Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate: This vitamin C derivative has similar benefits as pure vitamin C (ascorbic acid) but better stability.

It also helps to brighten the skin, has antioxidant properties, and can even help with acne.

Undecylenoyl Phenylalanine (Sepiwhite): Sepiwhite is derived from the essential amino acid phenylalanine. This active ingredient interrupts melanin production to lighten skin discoloration. This study found that Sepiwhite is even more effective when combined with niacinamide.

Phenylethyl Resorcinol (Symwhite): Derived from pine trees, this active is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin from oxidative stress and lightens hyperpigmentation.

Achillea Millefolium Extract (Gigawhite): An extract derived from plants from the Alps, Gigawhite whitens and brightens the skin.

Hyaluronic acid draws water to and plumps the skin.

Cocoa butter and argan oil are rich in fatty acids and moisturize the skin.

Vitamin E protects the skin against free radical damage from UVB rays.

Meladerm Packaging

It is important to note that light and air can break down and oxidize certain actives like kojic acid and arbutin.

To improve product shelf life, this lightening cream is packaged in an airless pump dispenser that does not allow light to penetrate the bottle.

How To Use Meladerm

Apply an even layer of Meladerm to the desired area twice a day (once in the morning and once at night) on clean, dry skin.

Massage the cream into general areas of hyperpigmentation on the face, hands, necks, or other areas of the body until the cream is absorbed.

You can apply moisturizer, sunscreen, and makeup after applying Meladerm, but it is best to wait 10 minutes for Meladerm to absorb before using any other products to the skin.

It is very important when using this and other skin lightening creams that you use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, as sun exposure is one of the main culprits that trigger hyperpigmentation in the first place.

NOTE: The safety of Meladerm on pregnant women and nursing mothers has not been confirmed, so please do not use it if you are pregnant, nursing, or planning on becoming pregnant.

Meladerm Alternatives for Skin Brightening

There are many skincare ingredients that address hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and uneven skin tone with targeted brightening ingredients such as azelaic acid, vitamin C and retinol.

Here are a few of my favorites:

Azelaic acid is an antioxidant found in grains, which helps to reduce the look of hyperpigmentation.

The gel-cream uses a 10% concentration of azelaic acid to brighten dullnes, unneven skin tone, the look of redness, and textural irregularities.

Azelaic acid typically is less irritating than other exfoliators like alpha hydroxy acids such as glycolic acid, so it is appropriate for daily use.

Vitamin C is skin brightening ingredient and a potent antioxidant that protects skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun.

The serum also contains vitamin E and ferulic acid. Ferulic acid not only stabilizes vitamins C and E, but also doubles their photoprotective benefits.

The serum also contains sodium hyaluronate, the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, to help keep your skin hydrated and nourished.

Panthenol moisturizes, and bisabolol soothes irritated skin.

Retinol increases dead skin cell turnover to help reveal a brighter, smoother complexion.

It evens out skin tone, improves skin texture and helps reduce the look of enlarged pores. It also improves skin elasticity and firmness. Every time I use this serum, I wake to brighter, smoother skin with improved clarity.

The serum also contains antioxidant vitamin E and soothing bisabolol, which helps offset the irritation that can come along with retinol. It has a lightweight texture and absorbs quickly.

Please note that retinol and other retinoids can make your skin sensitive to the sun and may degrade retinol, so retinol should only be used in your evening skincare routine.

It is important that you apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when using the serum and for a week after.

To minimize hyperpigmentation and dark spots, you should wear sunscreen every single day, regardless of whether the sun is out or not.

How Much Does Meladerm Cost?

Meladerm is priced at $58.00 for 1.7 oz. You can also purchase a 2-pack at a discounted price of $91.00, which is a $25.00 savings. You can buy Meladerm here on the Civant website.

How Long Does It Take For Meladerm To Work?

If you use Meladerm in combination with products that exfoliate your skin, per Civant’s website, you should see initial improvement within 2-4 weeks.

It will take about 2-3 months of consistent use to see full results, which will vary based on your skin type.

Civant has a 30-day money-back guarantee for new customers on first-time purchases. But keep in mind that it will take longer than 30 days to see complete results from Meladerm.

How Long Does A Bottle Of Meladerm Last?

Civant notes that one 1.7 oz bottle will dispense about 50 full pumps of product. Since about half a pump will cover your entire face, a 1.7 oz bottle will last about 7 weeks if applied twice daily on your entire face.

If you only use it as a spot treatment like I am, the generous 1.7 oz bottle will last quite a while.

Does Meladerm work on African American and Dark Skin Tones?

Per the Civant skin care brand, Meladerm is formulated for all skin tones, although it may take longer to see results in very dark skin tones.

Can Meladerm Be Used With Other Products?

Yes, you can use Meladerm with other products like cleansers, toners and moisturizers, sunscreen, and makeup. Civant does not recommend mixing Meladerm directly with other substances.

Civant recommends patch testing for skin irritation when using Meladerm with multiple skincare products on the face and body.

NOTE: You should patch test before using any new skin care product on your face for the first time.

Related Posts: The Best Face Washes for Hyperpigmentation

About Civant Skincare

Meladerm cream is sold by Civant Skincare, a brand founded in 1999 that works to produce products that not only work but also that you can feel good about using on your skin.

All Civant products are cruelty-free and vegan. Civant is a member of PETA Beauties without Bunnies program.

Civant does not use hydroquinone, parabens, mineral oil, petrolatum, sulfates, or phthalates in their skincare products.

What is Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation occurs when there is an increase in melanin in the skin. It presents as dark spots, patchy discoloration, and/or uneven skin tone.

Melanin is a pigment in the skin that gives it color. Melanin is produced by organelles called melanosomes. The enzyme tyrosinase is involved in melanin production in melanosomes.

Skin naturally produces melanin, but when melanocytes produce too much of it or if some trauma damages these cells, hyperpigmentation, age spots, and other discolorations may result.

What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

This hyperpigmentation can be triggered by anything that causes skin damage or changes the skin’s natural structure. Some common causes of hyperpigmentation include the following:

• Sun damage is one of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation. Free radical damage from UVA rays and UVB rays can cause dark spots, sun spots and uneven skin tone.
• Injuries or burns, acne, and other types of trauma can all cause scarring on the skin. When the skin is injured or a burn occurs, melanocytes will produce more pigment as a protective mechanism against further damage. This causes hyperpigmentation close to the injury site.
• Melasma is hyperpigmentation caused by hormonal changes that are often found on the cheeks, nose, or forehead during pregnancy or due to taking contraceptives. 
• Hyperpigmentation can also be triggered by inflammatory skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, or eczema, which causes darkening of the skin.
• Freckles are another form of patchy clustered hyperpigmentation that is genetic and occurs when cells produce an excessive amount of melanin. Freckles are often found on the face, neck, and shoulders and can be triggered by the sun.

Final Thoughts on Meladerm Review

I have not found one magic eraser for hyperpigmentation, but using a combination of products (not at the same time) will provide better results than just using one product dedicated to reducing a skin issue like hyperpigmentation.

The bottom line: I think Meladerm cream is an excellent addition to your skin brightening arsenal as it contains some of the most potent skin lightening actives, like niacinamide, arbutin, licorice root extract, kojic acid, and white mulberry root extract.

If you have hyperpigmentation issues and are interested in purchasing Civant Meladerm skin lightening cream, you can find it here on Civant’s website.

Thanks for reading, and until next time…here’s to your good skin health!