How to Improve Uneven Skin Tone
Uneven skin tone can be a problem for many people. It’s surprisingly easy to achieve, but luckily, there are ways to improve the overall appearance of your skin.
Here’s more information on uneven skin tone, its causes, and treatments to prevent it from becoming a bigger problem.
What is Uneven Skin Tone?
Uneven skin tone, also known as pigmentation, comes in many forms:
Dark spots
Redness
Acne scars
Color spots
Age spots
Some skin blemishes
These areas of uneven skin tone are caused by an overproduction of melanin (which is responsible for pigmentation in the skin and hair) and can damage the skin without you really noticing.
For example, when the skin is exposed to too much UV light, melanin can escape through holes in the damaged skin layers, creating a continuous stream of pigment that causes dark spots and areas to darken.
If this pigmentation is not treated, over time the skin can look noticeably older, even ten years older!
What causes uneven skin tone?
Environmental pollution – Everyday influences are harmful to the skin.
Not only do they cause premature aging, but toxins in the air and environmental particles can penetrate the skin and cause dark spots to appear on the face.
A thorough cleansing and a good skin care routine will remove pollutants from your face and keep your skin clear and healthy.
Sun exposure – The sun’s UV rays are very strong, and overexposure to the sun can cause dark spots, brown spots, and uneven skin on your face and other areas.
You don’t have to sunbathe on a sunny day to enjoy the sun. Just walking from your car to your office door is enough to cause damage.
The sun’s rays are divided into two beams: UVB, which causes skin burns, and UVA, which causes skin aging. UVA can even penetrate glass.
But don’t panic, and use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every day to protect your skin.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – Dark spots and larger areas of skin become hyperpigmented after inflammation, usually caused by pimples and blemishes.
This is a great example of why squeezing pimples can cause more damage. Once the skin is damaged or compromised, it takes longer to heal and will leave dark, hyperpigmented acne scars.
In other words, don’t pick at pimples.
Hormones – Hormonal hyperpigmentation, also known as melasma, occurs in expectant mothers who develop “pregnancy spots.”
Certain birth control pills, cosmetics, and medications can also cause uneven skin tone.
How to Get Rid of Uneven Skin Tone
I don’t want to sound too pessimistic, but getting rid of dark spots and uneven skin tone takes a lot of time, and there are no products that work overnight.
You may also find that the hyperpigmentation doesn’t completely go away after treating the affected area, especially if it has reached the lower layers of the skin.
However, it’s hard to see them with the naked eye. Here are some daily steps to protect your skin and treat all areas at once.
Daily SPF – This can’t be stressed enough. Make sun protection a part of your morning routine. Not only does it block UV rays, it also protects against harsh effects like environmental pollution.
Exfoliation – Exfoliating two to three times a week helps remove dead skin cells from the outer layer of your skin.
By removing these and revealing new skin underneath, you can slowly remove the hyperpigmentation of dark spots and make them appear lighter.
Skin Care – Find a skincare routine with the best ingredients to treat and prevent uneven skin tone.
Products that act as chemical peels, such as AHAs and BHAs, can instantly eliminate pigmentation spots. Moisturize – Drink plenty of water and moisturize your skin every day.
This retains moisture and keeps your skin barrier healthy and functional.
Regularity is crucial. You will notice that your skin stays balanced. Think of this habit as a giant sun hat that protects your skin from damage throughout the day.
For areas that are severely aggravated or cause you great concern, it is best to consult a dermatologist to discuss the next steps in treatment.
Where Do You Get Uneven Skin Tone on Your Body?
Any part of the body that is regularly exposed to excessive sun exposure or pollution can develop uneven skin tone.
The simple steps described above can be applied to any part of the body. Always be aware of the damage your skin has received and maintain an optimal skin care routine.
How to Treat Uneven Skin Tone on the Face
Pigmentation affects the face more than other areas of the skin. This is often because the face is often exposed to the sun and other environmental influences.
That is why we are going to tell you the most important ingredients you should look for in your skin care.
Vitamin C, also known as absorptive acid in skin care products, is extracted from fruits such as oranges, strawberries, and pomegranates.
Vitamin C contains a variety of antioxidants that protect the skin from free radicals, which can damage tissue and skin layers and cause dark spots. This vitamin also gives the skin a radiant glow.
Chemical Peels – Facial acids like glycolic and salicylic acid are able to penetrate deep into the skin layers to remove dead skin cells that cause blemishes and a dull complexion.
You’ll also notice that dark spots become less pigmented over time and that moisture is retained in the skin.
Chemical Peels – If you find that over-the-counter products aren’t giving you the results you expected, you should consult a trained professional.
These may use higher concentrations, medical-grade AHA and BHA concentrates that are more potent and produce results faster.
While it can be frustrating to discover uneven skin tone and brown spots, it doesn’t mean all is lost, especially if you act quickly.
With daily protection and the right skin care, you won’t have to worry about uneven skin tone for long!
DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek.
“Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more.
Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals.
Sunscreen
“We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.”
Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen
An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup.
Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand.
Vitamin C Serum
“A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum
The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation.
Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum
This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants.
Peptides
Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.”
Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses.
Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream
This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively.
This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek.
At-Home Peel Pads
Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate.
“The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.”
According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says.
Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad
A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection.
KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads
These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids.
Emollient Night Cream
“In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.”
“Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products.
Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream
One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid.
RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme
“The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.
