“First and foremost it is important to understand that melasma is a chronic condition for which there is no cure,” says Dr. Miller. “Dermatologists can treat and improve the appearance of melasma, but it almost universally recurs, typically after sun exposure.”

If you’re lucky, says Dr. Wechsler, your melasma may be episodic. In general, melasma will be better in the winter, when the sun and heat aren’t as strong and, therefore, are less triggering. For anyone struggling with melasma brought on by pregnancy, it’s possible for it to get better, say, once you’ve delivered your baby; you may even notice that patches fade almost entirely without much intervention. For many, though, melasma can turn into a life-long condition to manage, and there’s multiple ways to go about it.

Unfortunately, there’s no single magic bullet solution for treating melasma. One thing’s for sure, though: Both Dr. Wechsler and Dr. Miller recommend liberal sunscreen use for melasma prevention and to minimize recurrences. “One day in the sun can bring back pigmentation you’ve been working to treat for months,” says Dr. Wechsler. She suggests reapplying sunscreen at least every two hours when outside and recommends formulas with zinc oxide as well as layering sunblocks to shore up protection. “Sunscreens containing iron oxide, which are typically tinted, help protect against visible light in the blue spectrum, which we know contributes to melasma formation,” adds Dr. Miller. “Wearing a broad brimmed hat, seeking shade, and avoiding peak sunlight hours is also important.”

Beyond limiting your UV exposure and being consistent in sunscreen application, Dr. Wechsler also suggests avoiding—or at least, amending—certain activities that could make melasma worse. “Don’t do hot yoga,” she says. “If you’re going into a steam room or sauna, keep a cold cloth nearby to cover or cool off your face. You’ll also want to cool your face down after exercising.”

As far as in-office treatments go, approaches run the gamut. “Dermatologists may start with topical medications, but treatment can involve several strategies, including chemical peels, lasers, or oral medication,” says Dr. Miller. Regarding lasers, Dr. Wechsler says to proceed with caution here, since certain lasers could exacerbate your patches with their high-heat output. Dr. Miller says medications like Hydroquinone (currently only available as a prescription) and Cysteamine may be effective but should always be taken under a dermatologist’s supervision. Of course, these meds come with their own risk of potential side effects that you’ll want to be well-aware of, too, should you choose this route.

Luckily, on the at-home treatment front, there’s a laundry list of ingredients you can find in over-the-counter (OTC) products, which may help lessen the look of melasma by blocking pigment production:

• Retinol or retinoids
• Tranexamic acid (aka as TXA)
• Azelaic acid
• Kojic acid
• Niacinamide (aka vitamin B3)

In addition, “vitamin C and vitamin E can act to fade pigment,” says Dr. Miller. “Alpha or beta

hydroxy acids, such as mandelic acid, glycolic acid, and salicylic acid, act as exfoliants and

can purge excess pigment from the skin.”

If you’re looking to reduce the prominence of your patches, take your pick from this list of derm-approved and top-reviewed melasma creams and more. Each caters to a slightly different category, though they all pack one or more hero ingredients.