On social media, there is a distinct disconnect between clear skin trends such as “glass skin” or the “clean girl” and the skin-positivity movement where blemishes, texture, pores, pimples, stretch marks, and more are embraced and given necessary visibility. Yet, cutting through the noise, there is still a demand and need in understanding how to fade unwanted pigmentation safely and effectively — especially for Black and brown folks. On TikTok, videos detailing how to clear hyperpigmentation on dark skin have amassed more than 8 million views and counting. In the age of skincare influencers (some qualified estheticians and dermatologists, others skincare enthusiasts), advice on how to treat hyperpigmentation can often be complicated, expensive, and not always the best approach for individual needs. Alicia Lartey — a Black esthetician from London known for helping demystify the world of skincare with digestible, science-backed advice — has created a guide to understanding hyperpigmentation, especially on darker skin tones.