Quick answer
Melasma — symmetrical brown patches on the cheeks, forehead and upper lip — is very common in Bangladesh. Here is an honest, sun-first plan.
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Shop dark-spot & pigmentation products →Melasma shows up as symmetrical brown or greyish patches, usually on the cheeks, forehead, nose bridge and upper lip. It’s triggered by sun, heat and hormones (pregnancy, birth control) — all common in Bangladesh. It’s manageable, not “curable” overnight, and the #1 rule surprises people.
Rule #1: sun protection is the treatment
No serum works if you skip sunscreen. Melasma is driven by UV and visible light and heat — so in BD you need broad-spectrum SPF 30–50, reapplied, plus shade and hats. This single step does more than any “whitening cream.”
Ingredients that genuinely help
- Azelaic acid — fades pigment, safe even in pregnancy. (guide)
- Niacinamide — reduces pigment transfer. (guide)
- Vitamin C — antioxidant + brightening by day. (guide)
- Tranexamic acid, alpha-arbutin — targeted pigment helpers.
- A gentle routine — over-exfoliating and harsh “fairness” creams make melasma *worse*. (See why cheap fairness creams damage skin.)
What to avoid
- Mercury/steroid “whitening” creams — they lighten briefly, then rebound darker and damage skin permanently.
- Aggressive scrubs and high-strength acids without guidance.
- Skipping sunscreen on cloudy days (UV still passes).
A simple BD melasma routine
AM: gentle cleanser → vitamin C or niacinamide → moisturizer → sunscreen (reapply midday).
PM: gentle cleanser → azelaic acid (or alpha-arbutin/tranexamic) → ceramide moisturizer. If pregnant, see the pregnancy-safe guide. For persistent melasma, see a dermatologist.
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