Why dark spot treatments feel like they're doing nothing (they're probably not the problem)

The mechanism is straightforward, but a lot of people miss it. UV exposure triggers melanocytes to produce more melanin. So if you're using a depigmenting active without solid SPF, you're not really correcting anything - you're just keeping up with the damage. The treatment is working. The sun is reversing it the same day. Net result: you don't see results, and you assume the product doesn't work.

SPF in a dark spot routine isn't a nice-to-have. It's the step that makes everything else count.

Beyond UV protection, a few things are worth paying attention to when choosing an SPF specifically for pigmentation. Some formulas include niacinamide, vitamin C, or azelaic acid for example - so you're getting depigmenting ingredients built into the step you're already doing every morning. Not a replacement for a dedicated product but a useful addition.

Tinted formulas with iron oxides add a layer of defense against visible light, which has been shown to worsen pigmentation. It's something worth keeping in mind if pigmentation is your main concern.

What are people here actually using as their morning SPF when dealing with dark spots? Curious whether anyone's noticed a real difference switching to something more targeted.