Dark Spots + Hyper­pigmentation

Over-the-counter creams are limited in their potency and type of ingredients. Our dermatologist-developed spot-fading trio—hydroquinone, tretinoin, and fluocinolone— is only available by prescription. That's what makes CX.1 a powerful treatment for unwanted spots due to sun damage, melasma, or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

CX.1 is an excellent treatment for pretty much all types of hyperpigmentation. It works on individual splotches, the mottled pigmentation that occurs in melasma, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

It depends on the type of spots. Melasma and sun-induced spots often have a waxing/waning nature. Be sure to use broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen daily to help prevent recurrence. If hyperpigmentation does reappear, you can do another course of CX.1 and maintain the results with VX.4. For those with post-inflammatory pigmentation, once it fades, it shouldn't show up again unless there's a new inflammation flare.

Most people will see significant fading after 12 weeks. But it's also not uncommon to use CX.1 for three months and then, after a three-month break, resume CX.1 for another course. You can also try rotation therapy: alternating a hydroquinone-based-product like CX.1 with a non-hydroquinone brightener, such as VX.4. This ensures a safe and effective treatment protocol and helps maintain results. (Using hydroquinone for too long in one stretch creates the risk of exogenous ochronosis, a rare darkening of the skin.)

Yes, CX.1 is highly effective on dark spots from pregnancy, though it should not be used while pregnant or breast-feeding. This skin condition is called melasma, a brown or gray-brown mottling triggered by high heat, UV exposure, or hormonal changes including pregnancy. Melasma typically show up on the cheeks, forehead, and above the upper lip. To prevent melasma from worsening, it's important to wear broad-spectrum SPF 30+ daily.

Old data showed a link between hydroquinone and cancer, but that has since been debunked. There is no clinical evidence that hydroquinone causes cancer in humans when applied topically in a cream for short-term use. And the ingredient’s safety in personal care products has been studied for more than 60 years. There is a rare form of hyperpigmentation called exogenous ochronosis, which leads to increased darkening of the skin, that can occur when using hydroquinone for longer than 12 weeks consecutively. While this is mostly an issue with unregulated blends of hydroquinone outside of the U.S., it's always best to err on the side of caution. For more details, please see our safety information.

Since both products contain the prescription retinoid tretinoin, it is best to use CX.1 as a stand-alone therapy and then resume VX.2 after the CX.1 course. That said, it's ok to use a neck-specific product like VX.6 or an undereye one such as VX.5 at the same time, since they treat different areas.