Eucerin ProACNE Solution Triple Effect Serum

PIH is a type of hyperpigmentation of the skin that is mainly triggered by the way skin regenerates after inflammation. It can affect the face and body, typically especially UV-exposed areas, and appears as flat spots of hypercoloration. These range in color from pink to red, brown or black, depending on skin tone and the depth of hypercoloration. The root cause is increased melanin production, the pigment that defines the color of a person’s skin, which is stimulated by inflammatory factors. The blemish triggers melanocytes – the melanin-producing cells – to release excessive melanosomes (pigment granules). The excessive pigment granules darken and discolor the formerly stressed area. Once initial blemishes have subsided, spots of hypercoloration, so-called post-acne marks, can remain.

Additionally, sun exposure can aggravate PIH symptoms, darkening the affected patches and prolonging the time it takes for them to fade. Most acne-related PIH will eventually fade over time, but it can take several years or even a decade until it is fully gone*.

^{*Abad-Casintahan, F. et al., “Frequency and Characteristics of Acne-Related Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation.” J Dermatol. 2016; 43:826–828.}

No, there is no issue regarding the products in combination with sun exposure. At the same time, skin areas prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation should limit sun exposure, as sun exposure can aggravate symptoms, darkening the affected patches and prolonging the time it can take for them to fade. This is why we recommend using our Eucerin ProACNE Solution Day Bright Mattifying in addition to the Triple Effect Serum since it includes broad-spectrum ultraviolet radiation filters that protect from both UVA and UVB rays.

Yes, you can use it underneath your make-up.

Yes, you can use the Triple Effect Serum underneath a face mask. In fact, 91% of the volunteers in our product in use study* confirmed it is suitable to be worn with a mask.

88% of the volunteers also confirmed the product prevents blemishes coming from wearing face masks frequently. Learn more about Maskne (mask-induced blemishes) on the Maskne page.

*100 volunteers, eight weeks of regular usage twice daily.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is common among many acne sufferers since a root cause for acne is inflammation. Those post-acne marks left behind after blemishes subsided can be even more aggravating and emotionally distressing than acne itself. Men and women are equally susceptible, and all skin types can get post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, although it is more prevalent in darker tones of skin, with over 65% of the Black Americans experiencing it, followed by 53% of Hispanics, 47% of Asians and 25% of Caucasians*. This means that we need effective and tolerable skincare fighting both blemishes and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation for consumers all over the world.

^{* Kaufman et al., Am J Clin Dermatol. 2018; 19:489–503, Perkins et al., JEADV. 2011; 25(9):1054–1060.}