Uneven Skin Tone: Causes, Solutions, and How to Achieve Flawless Skin

How To Improve Uneven Skin Tone

Uneven skin tone can be a problem faced by many of us. It is surprisingly easy to get, fortunately, there are some ways to help improve the overall appearance of your skin. Here is a little more information about uneven skin tone, it’s causes and treatments to prevent it from becoming a bigger problem.

What is uneven skin tone?

Uneven skin tone, also called hyperpigmentation comes in many forms;

Dark spots

Redness

Acne scars

Patches of colour to the skin

Age spots

Some blemishes

These areas of uneven skin tone are caused by the overproduction of melanin (which is responsible for the pigment of your skin and hair) and can wreak havoc on the skin without you really realising it’s being damaged. When the skin experiences too much exposure of UV rays, for example, the melanin is able to escape through the holes in the damaged layers of skin and will develop a continuous stream of pigment resulting in the dark spots and areas becoming darker. Over time if this pigmentation is left untreated then the skin will begin to look significantly aged, same even say 10 years older!

What are the causes of uneven skin tone?

Pollution- Daily aggressors you encounter in your day to day life are terrible for the skin, not only for prematurely ageing the skin, but toxins from air pollution and environmental particles are able to penetrate into the skin and form dark spots on the face. Ensuring you cleanse your skin and have a great skincare routine will rid the face of these aggressors and keep your skin clear and healthy.

Sun Exposure- The sun’s UV rays are extremely powerful and overexposure to them will cause dark brown spots and uneven patches on the face and other areas. It is worth noting that you don’t have to be sunbathing to catch the rays on a sunny day, even from moving from your car to your office door is enough time for the damage to start. The sun’s rays are split into two, UVB is the one that causes the skin to burn and UVA is the one that ages the skin, this one is even able to penetrate through glass. But don’t panic, applying a daily SPF of factor 30 or above will keep the skin protected.

Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation- You will find dark spots and larger areas of the skin develop pigmentation post-inflammation, usually caused by a breakout of spots and pimples. This is a great demonstration of how poking and squeezing a spot to “pop” it will create more damage. Once the skin suffers from an injury or lesion the longer it will take to heal and you will find dark pigmented acne scars are left behind. In other words, hands-off and stop picking your spots.

Hormones- Hormone-related hyperpigmentation, also called Melasma, is experienced by expectant mothers who develop the “mask of pregnancy” you will also find that certain contraceptions, cosmetics and medications will cause this form of uneven skin tone.

How to get rid of uneven skin tone

Not meaning to sound too doom and gloom, but ridding the skin of dark spots and uneven skin tone takes a considerable amount of time and there are no products available out there that will be an overnight cure. You may also find that after treating the areas the pigmentation won’t completely go, especially if it’s reached the lower layers of the skin. They will, however, become a lot less noticeable to the naked eye. Here are some daily steps to take to ensure you are keeping your skin safe and treating any areas simultaneously.

Daily SPF- This cannot be stressed enough, make an SPF a pillar in your morning routine. This will not only keep the UV rays away but will also protect from aggressors, such as pollution.

Exfoliate- Exfoliating the skin 2 to 3 times a week will help buff away the dead skin cells that sit on the outer layers of the skin. By removing these and revealing new skin underneath you are slowly peeling away the pigmentation of any dark spots and therefore making them appear lighter.

Skincare- Find a skincare routine that contains the best ingredients to treat and prevent uneven skin tone. Products containing chemical exfoliants such as AHAs and BHA will make light work of any brown spots

Hydration- Drink plenty of water and moisturise the skin daily this will lock in hydration and keep the skin’s protective barrier healthy and working correctly.

Consistency is key and you will find your skin is remaining balanced and even with these simple steps, just image this routine is a giant sun hat that protects the skin from damage all day.

For areas that have become considerably worse or you have become very worried about than seeking help from a dermatologist would be best to discuss the next steps in treatment.

Which areas of the body can get uneven skin tone?

Any area of the body that has constant overexposure to the sun or pollution will develop an uneven skin tone. The simple steps that have been explained before can be used for any area of the body. Just always be mindful of the damage your skin is vulnerable to and do your best to keep up with the best routine.

How to treat uneven skin tone on the face

You will find hyperpigmentation affects the face a lot more than other areas of the skin, this is generally because the face is often out in the sun and other environmental aggressors. It is with this in mind we will share with you the best ingredients to look out for when investing in your skincare routine.

Vitamin C – Also called Absorbic acid when it is included in skin care products and is derived from fruits such as oranges, strawberries and pomegranates. Vitamin C contains a lot of antioxidants and can protect the skin from any free radicals that damage the tissue and layers of the skin causing dark spots. You will also find this vitamin boosts the skin giving it a stunning glow.

Chemical Exfoliants- Facial acids such as glycolic and salicylic work hard at penetrating the deeper layers of the skin and removing any build of dead skin cells that leads to blemishes and a lacklustre complexion. You will also find that the pigmentation of dark spots begins to lighten over time and lock in hydration into the skin.

Chemical Peels – If you are finding the over the counter products are not providing the results you are hoping for, then asking for help from a trained professional should be your next port of call. They are able to use higher, medical-grade concentrates of AHAs and BHAs that are stronger and deliver quicker results.

Though finding you have uneven skin tone and brown spots may be disheartening, all is not lost, especially if you act quickly. Establishing a protective routine and finding the best treatments for your skin will mean you won’t need to worry about uneven skin tone for long!

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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