Melasma on Indian Skin: Causes, Treatments, and Prevention

Have you tried everything from DIY turmeric masks to very expensive serums, and yet those brown patches simply refuse to fade away?

You are not alone; melasma is one of the most common problems of pigmentation amongst Indian women. It does not usually go away with quick fixes or brightening treatments.

But there is no reason to get disheartened. With proper routine and regular care, it is most definitely possible to visibly reduce melasma and manage it over time. In this article, you will find out what causes it, how to treat it step by step, and how to avoid recurrences.

What is Melasma?

Melasma is a condition where brown or grey-brown patches usually appear on the face, especially across the cheeks, forehead, nose, and upper lip. This happens when the skin produces too much melanin. The condition isn't harmful but can be resistant to treatment and does have a tendency to recur, especially in medium to dark skin types.

Why Melasma is Common in Indian Skin

If you've ever felt like melasma crops up on your skin more often than it should, it's probably because of your skin type or the environment you live in. Studies have shown that individuals with medium to deep skin tones-the majority of Indians-fall under the Fitzpatrick type III-V category, who have faster and stronger reactive melanocytes to sunlight and heat. That means even a few minutes of unprotected exposure can trigger visible dark patches-and those marks tend to stay longer than on lighter skin tones.

Here’s why it happens more often:

• Sun and light exposure: Both UV and visible light stimulate pigment cells. In Indian skin, visible light — not just UV — is a major reason why the patches darken and come back easily.

• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, or birth control pills, may cause changes that make the skin's pigment cells go into overdrive.

• Post-inflammatory marks: Breakouts or overuse of active skincare ingredients can leave behind darker spots that merge into melasma over time.

Treatments 

The American Academy of Dermatology says that there is no single treatment which permanently cures melasma. Even after successful treatment, pigmentation may return, and many people experience melasma more than once.

For this reason, management of melasma is best achieved as a step-by-step routine-a consistent approach that targets pigment formation, supports the skin barrier, and prevents relapse. Each of the steps incorporated into your daily and nightly skincare helps to reduce existing patches and lowers the chance of new ones forming.

1. Address overproduction of melanin.

2. Promote strengthening of the skin to facilitate repair.

3. Protect it from sun and light exposure that stimulates pigment.

4. Ensure even skin tone and skin texture for a long time.

Step 1: Target Pigmentation

Melasma develops when your skin produces excess melanin-the pigment responsible for skin color-in certain areas. Melanocytes are more reactive in Indian skin; hence, sun exposure, hormones, and inflammation may trigger these pigment cells to overproduce melanin, which appears as dark, patchy spots typical of melasma.

It's important to slow down melanin production in the affected areas, as this diminishes the intensity of the already existing patches and inhibits the formation of new ones. This way, it will also be easier for subsequent skincare steps to repair the skin barrier and maintain an even tone.

We believe that for this step, Kanti Skin Radiance Nano Serum could work perfectly. It is a lightweight, fast-absorbing serum of smooth, almost liquid texture and with a delicate natural fragrance, designed to be easily layered under moisturizers or sunscreen. This nano-encapsulated formula helps to push curcumin stem cell extract, peptides, and brightening activities deeper into the skin to support targeted pigment correction and slow the formation of new melanin.

How to use: Apply 2–3 drops nightly, or in the morning under sunscreen, and gently pat over areas with visible pigmentation. This helps control the early build-up of pigment, providing a base for the next steps in the routine.

Step 2: Restore the Skin Barrier

After targeting pigmentation, the skin can get sensitive. Active treatments, exfoliation, or environmental stress may have compromised the skin barrier. If the barrier is weak, your skin loses moisture faster (TEWL), feels irritated, and inflammation can even trigger new pigmentation-just what you're trying to prevent.

Strengthening the barrier locks in hydration, soothes irritation, and makes your skin more resilient to both environmental stress and active pigment treatments.

A hydrating, barrier-repair cream can do the job. Try Shubra - Luminous Skin Brightening Cream: rich emollients such as shea and mango butters and soothing actives such as kumkumadi tailam, turmeric, and curcumin stem cell extract in this cream help the skin maintain hydration and reduce irritation from active treatments or environmental stress.

How to use:

• Apply morning and night over your serum (Step 1).

• Take a pea-sized amount and gently smooth over the face, targeting areas that may feel dry or sensitive.

• Let it absorb completely, then apply sunscreen in the morning.

Step 3: Prevent Relapse

Sun and visible light are the biggest triggers for melasma. Even if your pigmentation improves, the mere exposure to UV and visible light can cause it to return. That is the reason consistent sun protection is so important to avoid relapse.

To make your job easier, we pulled the best sunscreen from Evaraa’s range: Red Rice Sunscreen SPF 50+. It’s a lightweight, non-greasy formula that shields your skin from UVA and UVB rays with nano TiO₂ and ZnO, and supports skin health with antioxidants like red rice ferment and pomegranate. While it doesn’t contain iron oxide for visible light protection, it forms a reliable base layer. For stubborn melasma, you can add a tinted iron-oxide sunscreen or makeup on top for extra visible light defense.

Step 4: Maintain the Glow

Many of you might think that maintaining the glow simply means keeping the skin bright. Well, that is only half the story. The other half is to keep your skin healthy and prevent new pigment buildup. Once you've reduced dark patches and strengthened your skin barrier, the next step is to ensure skin keeps renewing gently, so the old pigment fades and fresh cells come through.

You can easily do this using a night serum or a gentle renewal cream a few times a week. For instance, Evaraa's Red Rice Serum is a very good option. It combines mandelic acid for gentle exfoliation, niacinamide to regulate pigment, and red rice ferment for hydration and antioxidant support.Together, these ingredients help even out the skin tone and support your barrier so that your earlier treatment efforts are not lost.

By maintaining this step in your routine, you are preventing melasma from creeping back, which will keep your skin even, bright, and healthy.

Prevention of melasma is essentially a matter of managing the various triggers for excess skin pigmentation.

The three key factors are sun exposure, hormonal changes, and inflammation; therefore, preventive measures are aimed at minimizing these factors and generally supporting the skin.

• Take care of your skin by protecting it from UV rays and visible light: It is important to use broad-spectrum sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days. Consider using extra protection against visible light by wearing tinted layers or physical barriers if spending extended periods outdoors.

• Limit exposure to direct sun especially during peak hours: This includes seeking shade, wearing a wide-brimmed hat, and using protective clothes when going outdoors during 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

• Keep your skin barrier strong: avoid over-exfoliation, aggressive peels, or harsh treatments that may irritate the skin. A healthy barrier reduces inflammation, which in turn lowers pigment formation. 

• Keep a gentle routine: Utilize mild cleansers and soothing actives or barrier-supportive products. Minimizing irritation from skincare or environmental stressors reduces pigmentary triggers. 

For any of the above-mentioned products, if you have questions or would like clarity, please reach out - we are here to help. Otherwise, you can browse other product ranges suited to your skin concern here.

FAQs on Melasma:

1. How long does it take to see improvement in melasma?

Melasma does not fade overnight. With a consistent routine that includes pigment-correcting serums, barrier repair, and strict sun protection, you may start noticing visible improvement in 6–8 weeks. Deeper or long-standing melasma can take 3–6 months to show significant results. Consistency and patience are key.

2. Can melasma come back even after treatment?

Yes, melasma can recur if its triggers - especially sun exposure, hormonal changes, or skin irritation - are not managed properly. This is why ongoing sunscreen use, gentle skincare, and barrier protection are essential even after the pigmentation has improved.

3. Is it safe to use active ingredients on melasma-prone skin?

Yes, but they must be used carefully and in moderation. Overuse of strong exfoliants or harsh treatments can weaken the skin barrier and worsen pigmentation. Opt for gentle, well-formulated products that support the skin while regulating melanin, and always pair actives with good moisturization and daily sun protection.