Common Causes of Uneven Skin Tone and How To Restore Your Skin
You’re looking in the mirror and the next thing you know, you observe some redness here, a little freckling there. Wait, is that dark spot new?
A little variation in our skin tone is completely normal and actually makes us look more human. Perfectly airbrushed looking skin honestly looks a bit alien. But still, watching our skin tone change too quickly over time can be disheartening. Thankfully there are ways to even out skin tone and prevent more discoloration.
Sunspots/Age Spots/Liver Spots
The name Spot doesn’t sound so cute anymore, does it? Sunspots, age spots, and liver spots are interchangeable terms for those pesky flat spots we see on our skin. They can appear brown, gray, or black and are often seen on sun-exposed areas like the face and back of the hands.
Hyperpigmentation
In a clinical setting, hyperpigmentation is the official term to describe the sunspots, age spots, and liver spots mentioned above. Remember breaking words down by their Latin roots in school? “Hyper” means “above” while “pigment” means “color.” Hyperpigmentation is basically a Latin mashup to describe the overproduction of melanin (what makes skin darker).
Melasma
The term melasma might sound a bit intense, but it isn’t dangerous. Having melasma can even mean you have a lower risk for the skin cancer melanoma. That’s gotta count for something, right? Melasma is characterized by brown or brown/grayish patches on the skin and is more often seen in women than men (fabulous, said no woman ever).
Here are some of the causes of hyperpigmentation:
One of the easiest ways to prevent further damage is to wear SPF daily. Yes, this might be the second time we mentioned SPF in this post, but it’s that important! It’s suggested that UV rays are responsible for 90% of skin damage that leads to common aging concerns such as wrinkles, fine lines, and yes, dark spots too.
Ceramides
Moisturizers containing ceramides are a great choice for protecting against UV damage. They also soothe the skin, which is especially great if you experience redness.
Peptides
Look for creams that have peptides if you want to lighten hyperpigmentation as well as help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin B3
Commonly known as niacinamide, vitamin B3 is known to fight off hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C & Arbutin
Vitamin C is a great choice for fighting off hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that prevents UV damage and is easily found in many serums and face oils.
Often paired with vitamin C is arbutin, which is a natural ingredient known to lighten hyperpigmentation. You may have heard of hydroquinone that also treats hyperpigmentation, but unlike arbutin which is found in nature, hydroquinone is manufactured and can result in skin burning, blistering, inflammation and a long list of other side effects. We much prefer the safer alternative of arbutin. You can find it in bearberry extract, which is taken right from the bearberry plant. No extra chemicals needed.
If that isn’t enough, this powerful duo of vitamin C + arbutin can also stave off multiple signs of aging too. It’s really that good.
Hydration
If your uneven skin tone is caused by dryness, making sure to hydrate your skin with a nourishing moisturizer can help give you a smoother, my hydrated complexion. And don’t forget to drink your 8+ glasses of water a day, either!
Illumine Face Oil
This potent yet gentle treatment face oil is packed with ingredients meant to revitalize your skin and leave it brighter and oh so glow. Illumine is formulated with arctic cloudberry, an orange-hued berry which was used to treat vitamin C deficiencies in Viking explorers back in the 1400s. To think it’s made its way from Viking ships to your modern-day face oil! And if that wasn’t enough, Illumine’s nutrient-packed formula also contains bearberry to treat hyperpigmentation and fine lines. And did we mention it smells absolutely divine? Once you try Illumine, you’ll never want to go back to a regular face oil again.
Serene Face Oil
Serene Face Oil is designed for sensitive skin to hydrate and nourish all day long. Made with calming ingredients like argan oil and cranberry oil, Serene helps balance, soothe, and moisturize skin without any harsh ingredients. It also contains the edelweiss extract, a powerhouse ingredient that is rich in antioxidants, improves skin elasticity, and skin thickness. Serene is essential oil free and non-comedogenic, perfect if you have sensitive skin, acne prone skin, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Phew, that was a lot! Dealing with an uneven skin tone can be hard, but rest assured there are ways to embrace the changes in our skin and age gracefully through having a great skincare regimen and healthy habits. And even if you decide to do nothing at all, know that changes in our skin tone are perfectly normal as we age.
Want more cosmetic and skincare insights? Sign up for our newsletter and receive exclusive tips, news, and of course special deals.
A little variation in our skin tone is completely normal and actually makes us look more human. Perfectly airbrushed looking skin honestly looks a bit alien. But still, watching our skin tone change too quickly over time can be disheartening. Thankfully there are ways to even out skin tone and prevent more discoloration.
Decoding the Names of Uneven Skin Tone
Ever notice how science has a name for every little thing? Uneven skin tone is no different. Here are some common terms for different kinds of uneven skin tones.Sunspots/Age Spots/Liver Spots
The name Spot doesn’t sound so cute anymore, does it? Sunspots, age spots, and liver spots are interchangeable terms for those pesky flat spots we see on our skin. They can appear brown, gray, or black and are often seen on sun-exposed areas like the face and back of the hands.
Hyperpigmentation
In a clinical setting, hyperpigmentation is the official term to describe the sunspots, age spots, and liver spots mentioned above. Remember breaking words down by their Latin roots in school? “Hyper” means “above” while “pigment” means “color.” Hyperpigmentation is basically a Latin mashup to describe the overproduction of melanin (what makes skin darker).
Melasma
The term melasma might sound a bit intense, but it isn’t dangerous. Having melasma can even mean you have a lower risk for the skin cancer melanoma. That’s gotta count for something, right? Melasma is characterized by brown or brown/grayish patches on the skin and is more often seen in women than men (fabulous, said no woman ever).
Getting to the Root Causes of Uneven Skin Tone
Now you know the different names of uneven skin tones, but that doesn’t make them go away, does it? While you might be eager to jump straight into the best skincare routine to lighten dark spots (don’t worry we’ll get there!), let’s not sleep on the importance of knowing what causes them. By understanding the root causes, you can possibly prevent any further changes to your skin tone.Here are some of the causes of hyperpigmentation:
- Sun Damage. Wear that (mineral) SPF! Avoid spending too much time in the sun during peak hours.
- Pollution. If you live in an area with lots of pollution, don’t worry. A little vitamin C helps eliminate damage caused by everyday pollution and other environmental factors.
- Some Medications. Especially those that cause sensitivity to light.
- Vitamin deficiency. Being deficient in certain vitamins such as folate and B12 can contribute to hyperpigmentation.
- Dry Skin.
- Hormone Changes. Started a new birth control? Pregnant or going through menopause? While some hormonal changes are completely normal, they can still be a cause of fluctuations in our skin.
- Adrenal Disorders. Related to your adrenal glands, adrenal disorders are caused by your body making too much or too little of certain hormones such as cortisol, aldosterone, and adrenaline. Check with your doctor if you think this applies to you.
- Genetics. Yep. Sometimes it all comes down to genetics.
Saying Goodbye to Uneven Skin Tone
Enough of the science behind uneven skin tone. Let’s get to the good stuff: how do we fix it? We’re going to break it down into two sections. One for at-home treatments and one for dermatological treatments. Remember to determine your skin type to choose the right products for your skin. And if in doubt, consult a dermatologist to address your concerns!Topical At-Home Treatments
SPFOne of the easiest ways to prevent further damage is to wear SPF daily. Yes, this might be the second time we mentioned SPF in this post, but it’s that important! It’s suggested that UV rays are responsible for 90% of skin damage that leads to common aging concerns such as wrinkles, fine lines, and yes, dark spots too.
Ceramides
Moisturizers containing ceramides are a great choice for protecting against UV damage. They also soothe the skin, which is especially great if you experience redness.
Peptides
Look for creams that have peptides if you want to lighten hyperpigmentation as well as help reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin B3
Commonly known as niacinamide, vitamin B3 is known to fight off hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin C & Arbutin
Vitamin C is a great choice for fighting off hyperpigmentation. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that prevents UV damage and is easily found in many serums and face oils.
Often paired with vitamin C is arbutin, which is a natural ingredient known to lighten hyperpigmentation. You may have heard of hydroquinone that also treats hyperpigmentation, but unlike arbutin which is found in nature, hydroquinone is manufactured and can result in skin burning, blistering, inflammation and a long list of other side effects. We much prefer the safer alternative of arbutin. You can find it in bearberry extract, which is taken right from the bearberry plant. No extra chemicals needed.
If that isn’t enough, this powerful duo of vitamin C + arbutin can also stave off multiple signs of aging too. It’s really that good.
Hydration
If your uneven skin tone is caused by dryness, making sure to hydrate your skin with a nourishing moisturizer can help give you a smoother, my hydrated complexion. And don’t forget to drink your 8+ glasses of water a day, either!
Dermatological Treatments
Let’s say you’ve tried all the fancy ingredients mentioned above, but your hyperpigmentation just isn’t budging. Now what? A trip to the dermatologist is always a good choice. A skilled dermatologist can assess your skin concerns and offer you the best and most intensive treatment. Some of these might include laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels. What you decide is between the two of you.Find Your Next Skin Restoring Fave
We know dealing with hyperpigmentation can be exhausting. That’s why we formulate our face oils with the finest ingredients like vitamin C-packed cloudberry and bearberry to give your skin the nutrients it needs to restore its beautiful complexion. You’ll love these hyperpigmentation-fighting formulas:Illumine Face Oil
This potent yet gentle treatment face oil is packed with ingredients meant to revitalize your skin and leave it brighter and oh so glow. Illumine is formulated with arctic cloudberry, an orange-hued berry which was used to treat vitamin C deficiencies in Viking explorers back in the 1400s. To think it’s made its way from Viking ships to your modern-day face oil! And if that wasn’t enough, Illumine’s nutrient-packed formula also contains bearberry to treat hyperpigmentation and fine lines. And did we mention it smells absolutely divine? Once you try Illumine, you’ll never want to go back to a regular face oil again.
Serene Face Oil
Serene Face Oil is designed for sensitive skin to hydrate and nourish all day long. Made with calming ingredients like argan oil and cranberry oil, Serene helps balance, soothe, and moisturize skin without any harsh ingredients. It also contains the edelweiss extract, a powerhouse ingredient that is rich in antioxidants, improves skin elasticity, and skin thickness. Serene is essential oil free and non-comedogenic, perfect if you have sensitive skin, acne prone skin, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
Phew, that was a lot! Dealing with an uneven skin tone can be hard, but rest assured there are ways to embrace the changes in our skin and age gracefully through having a great skincare regimen and healthy habits. And even if you decide to do nothing at all, know that changes in our skin tone are perfectly normal as we age.
Want more cosmetic and skincare insights? Sign up for our newsletter and receive exclusive tips, news, and of course special deals.
