Fading the Marks: How I Tackle Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation from the Inside Out

PIH is the discoloration left behind after acne or skin trauma heals. It’s not a scar, but it can feel just as frustrating—especially when it lingers for weeks or months.

PIH often appears as:

• Flat brown or dark spots where a pimple used to be

• Red marks on lighter skin tones

• Uneven patches that don’t fade quickly

While PIH isn’t permanent, it tends to stick around longer in medium to deep skin tones, and it can worsen with sun exposure, picking, or overuse of actives.

Why Internal Support Is Just as Important as Topical Care

Most people treat PIH with spot correctors or exfoliants—and while those help, they only address the surface. To see more consistent, long-term brightening, I like to support skin health from the inside, too.

That’s where Face Reality Clear Skin Balance comes in. It’s not a brightening pill—but it is a powerful, antioxidant-rich supplement that supports the kind of internal balance your skin needs to fade discoloration faster and more evenly.

What Makes Clear Skin Balance Helpful for PIH?

This formula isn’t just about breakouts—it supports clearer, brighter skin by fighting inflammation, supporting repair, and protecting against oxidative stress. Here’s what I love in this context:

1. Lutein + Zeaxanthin

These antioxidants—sourced from marigold flowers—help protect against blue light and oxidative stress, two major triggers that can worsen PIH. They also support overall skin tone and radiance.

2. Vitamin A

Vitamin A encourages healthy skin turnover. When skin is sluggish, dark marks linger longer. Supporting turnover from within—alongside topical retinoids or mandelic acid—helps fade pigmentation more efficiently.

3. Omega-3 Fish Oil

Omega-3s reduce inflammation that contributes to pigmentation and slow healing. I see better recovery and less residual discoloration in clients who supplement omega-3s consistently.

4. Vitamin D3 + E

Both vitamins help regulate inflammation and support the skin barrier. A strong barrier recovers from trauma faster, reducing the chances of lingering pigmentation.

How I Use It in My Clinic

When clients come in with PIH, we take a full-skin approach:

• Barrier support to reduce irritation

• Brightening topicals like mandelic acid or non-hydroquinone pigment correctors

• Internal support with Face Reality Clear Skin Balance to boost resilience and repair

Clients take 2 capsules daily with food. I typically suggest they commit to 90 days, especially if PIH is persistent or new breakouts are still happening.

Home Tips for Fading PIH Faster

Here’s what I tell my clients when tackling post-acne marks:

• Wear mineral SPF daily (yes, even indoors)

• Avoid picking—every squeeze creates more pigment

• Incorporate gentle exfoliation 2–4 times a week

• Layer brighteners like azelaic acid or licorice root

• Support internal balance with Face Reality Clear Skin Balance

What My Clients Say

"I’ve struggled with leftover marks after breakouts for years. This is the first time they’re actually fading."

"I didn’t expect a supplement to help, but my skin just looks more even overall."

"I paired this with a mandelic serum and saw a difference in tone within weeks."

Bright, Balanced Skin Starts From Within

PIH takes patience—but you don’t have to wait forever for results. Face Reality Clear Skin Balance helps create the conditions for healing by reducing inflammation, supporting repair, and protecting against stressors that deepen pigment.

If you’re feeling stuck or unsure where to start, I’d love to help.

Book a virtual or in-person consultation, and we’ll create a targeted plan to fade stubborn discoloration and reveal a more even, radiant complexion.