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 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.
