What is uneven skin tone?
One of the frustrating things to all of us as we age is the appearance of dark spots on our face. Our skin may be healthy but certain medicines may have side effects on our skin leaving our skin uneven and dull. Uneven skin tone means if some parts of your skin doesn’t have the similar skin color as the other parts have.
Everyone desires for a flawless, smooth and even skin tone, but only few of us have such a beautiful skin. The reason for this is our inadequate lifestyle and of course our environmental changes. Skin problems appears in the form of redness, acne scars, age spots or sun damage, which makes our skin tone uneven and full of dark spots and blemishes. Such discoloration in our skin may give inferiority complexes especially to teenagers and thus lead to separation between our inner self and the outer world.
What are the causes of uneven skin tone?
Increase in the production of melanin inside our skin is the key reason for such dark areas of your skin. Melanin is the natural pigment which has the key responsibility of giving color to your skin, hair, and eyes. This melanin production increases with the sun exposure and that’s why too much of everything is troublesome. It may cause temporary or permanent dark spots or patches in the form of tanning or sunburn on your skin. Dark spots that you observe on your face are the result of cluster of melanin deposits.
Uneven skin may result from any of the following factors and can affect our skin on temporary or permanent basis:
- sun exposure
- medications
- age
- hormones
Luckily today you don’t need to live with such discolorations as we can find a plenty of natural remedies that may help you smooth out your uneven skin tone and complexion without any possible side effects.
Ways to get Even Skin tone
Stay hydrated
If you want a flawless skin, one magical ingredient that you need to start taking more is water. It can be wonderful for your skin and hydrates the body from deep inside out. There exists an inverse relationship between the water and age spots and blemishes. It means more is the water intake, less is the appearance of spots and blemishes. Water helps in maintaining the skin elasticity and moisture level in your skin. Water helps to eliminate toxins from the body as well as skin and therefore it clears the bacteria and dirt from the skin giving an even skin tone throughout the body.
Sunscreen for your Skin every Single day
The importance and requirement of proper sun protection cream is to stop an uneven skin tone from getting worse and also avert the unevenness from returning back on skin. If you suffer from melasma that is hypersensitivity of melanin due to pregnancy or sun exposure, sunscreen is a must have product for you. That’s why using a sunscreen regularly is must to prevent sun damage and this will not only stop the immediate redness and peeling from sunburns but also prevent the occurrence of age spots.
So every time you move out of your house in sun, use the sunscreen having at least 50+ SPA and for everyday use, choose the daily moisturizer with considerable amount of sun protection in it. This is the only way you can prevent your skin and get a flawless skin.
Exfoliate regularly
If the texture of your skin isn’t so smooth and regular due to the occurrence of large pores and fine lines, the remedy for it is to exfoliate regularly. Removing the dead skin cells, minimizing pores and evening out the fine lines on face –all this can be done most effectively with just one remedy of proper exfoliation.
Based on the findings of many dermatologists, it was found that chemical exfoliation is much more effective than physical one. One can use a gentle glycolin treatment, one of the chemical exfoliator for shedding off the dead cells that block the pores in the skin. It will help you in tightening the pores, improving the texture of your skin, and also adds an instant radiance and glow in your skin.
Some of Natural Exfoliators
- Salt
- Sugar
- Oats
- Coffee
- Flax seeds and many more.
Natural Scrubs and Face masks
To get the beautiful and even skin tone, right skin care is necessary. Natural homemade scrubs and face packs can help you a lot in getting the perfect skin and that too without spending a lot of money. One can make the following natural scrubs and packs:-
- Milk, gram and baking soda face pack.
- Lemon, coconut oil and sugar scrub.
- Turmeric, yogurt and lemon juice face pack.
- Milk powder face pack.
- Tomato, lemon juice and honey face pack
- Honey and oatmeal face pack
All you need to do for making these face packs and scrubs is to blend the contents in mixing bowl to obtain a smooth and lump free paste. Apply the mixture and leave it until they are dried and wash it off with cold water. These natural scrubs and face packs are very helpful in getting the even skin tone and also beneficial for good skin health.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C also known as ascorbic acid has anti- oxidants that are one of the eminent defenses against free radical damage. It neutralizes the free radicals and prevents them from oxidizing. The contribution of vitamin c to our skin is to even out the skin tone. One can take supplements of Vitamin C, or take vitamin C in some foods like:
- oranges
- guava
- bell peppers
- kiwis
- strawberries
Avoid certain Foods
Uneven complexions are the result of eating certain foods and drinks. Eating too much of Sugary snacks, speed up the origination of wrinkles and age spots. One should avoid eating the following certain foods :-
- alcohol, which can give rise to the dilation of blood vessels and may lead to a flushed face
- spicy foods, which can develop the redness on face
- Adding too much of refined sugary products may cause wrinkles and development of ageing spots.
- Dairy products that may activate the various types of skin irritations including the acne.
- Processed and greasy foods like chips, namkeens etc.
Niacin
As the winter nights are approaching soon, temperatures falls and biting icy winds blows, it’s important to keep the skin hydrated, protected, and glowing. Niacin is an all-round skin care nutrient that works excellently for our skin, hair, and nail health. It can help in bringing back an even skin tone, lessen the appearance of wrinkles, and brightens up the face. Skin hydration is improved by consuming this super- nutrient. Niacin can be found in plenty in foods like mushrooms, poultry, green peas etc.
Kiwi
Kiwi is a delicious citrus fruit that is rich in antioxidants, vitamin C and E that are directly related to the beautiful and youthful skin. Vitamin C reawakens the dull and sluggish skin cells to revitalize your skin from deep inside. Vitamin C, when applied on skin, acts like natural astringent that helps to brighten up the skin. Collagen stimulating kiwi fruit has the combined powers of Vitamin C, Vitamin E and phytonutrients that helps the skin to fight the signs of skin aging.
Taking green Tea
Green tea is packed with a lot of goodness for our skin. It has detoxifying and skin boosting benefits and thus encouraging many of us to drink a cup each day. The regular use of this tea is related with getting a clear and even complexion. Catechins , a powerful antioxidant found in this tea is known for inactivating the free radicals that may cause dark spots.
Lime Juice
Lemon juice is a healthy drink having a lot of cleansing and disease-fighting properties. Buying lemons are pocket friendly and you might need only one lemon a day, depending on the dark spots on your skin. You can make fresh lemon juice each morning to give a healthy start of the day to your skin. Lemon juice is an excellent spot remover and skin lightener. Applying the freshly squeezed lemon juice to dark areas of the skin at least twice a week will lighten the dark spots. One can easily observe the difference after trying this for one week. it has bleaching properties and thus beneficial for the skin,
Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the magical ingredient found in every kitchen that can help you in restoring the natural glow and treat uneven skin tone. In order to improve uneven skin tone , make a quick and easy face mask by mixing one teaspoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of milk and 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric. Turmeric is also great in treating the sun tan that makes your skin dull and dark.
Nigella Sativa oil
Nigella sativa oil also called black seed oil is enriched with antibacterial and antifungal properties that are helpful in treating skin infections. It is also equipped with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which can help in improving the skin tone and make your skin softer and more supple.
Chemical Peel
There are several options available in the market for chemical peels. You can purchase any peel directly from the manufacturer and use them at home. These peels have different ingredients like glycolic acid, salicylic acid that are helpful for getting an even skin tone.
Avoid these peels if you possess sensitive skin or are currently using an acne treating product.
Kojic acid
Kojic acid has powerful antioxidant properties. Also, it is safe for the skin upto a concentration of 2 % in cosmetic products. It’s often used in skin lightening treatments.
Hydroquinone
This is a medical cream that can be applied to the darker areas twice a day. But it is advisable to apply this cream after taking the advice of medical practitioner depending upon your skin type and casualities. It is a skin bleaching cream and lightens the dark areas of the skin and evening out the skin tone. If one is experiencing any type of pain, redness, or sustained irritation, it is advised to stop using this cream and talk to your skin care professional before continuing with this cream.
Microdermabrasion
It is a standard procedure done by the professional person to renew the entire skin. It can be helpful remedy for a number of skin conditions, including light scarring, sun damage, and discoloration. Thickening of the collagen in your skin and removing the damaged outer skin layer is done by this process and thus creating a more youthful appearance.
Laser treatment
Today, Laser treatments are gaining popularity may be because of better and speedy results. It is helpful in improving the skin tones and it also lightens the scars or age and sun spots. Sometimes, laser treatments may even cause a change in skin color or hyperpigmentation. That’s why it is better to try other treatment options first.
Artificial-Make up
The last but not the least way to hide all the dark spots immediately is makeup. One can try concealers, foundations and tinted moisturizers for getting the even toned face. They give you the full coverage of dark areas and available in plenty in nearby markets.
Conclusion
Now you all are well equipped with both the natural and medical ways to even out your skin tone. These remedies can be tried at home or may be done at some professional health center. One can bring lifestyle changes and use the natural ingredients first before going for the advanced options for the treatment of skin, But If you are observing any blemishes or unevenness that may be caused by an underlying conditions one should not wait at home and get the medical help immediately.
- moles or blemishes that may be skin cancer
- severe acne that are not going even after the home treatment
One should immediately call for medical help if the home remedies are not working.
References
- https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224545.2017.1419161?journalCode=vsoc20
- http://www.e-ijd.org/article.asp?issn=0019-5154;year=2016;volume=61;issue=5;spage=487;epage=495;aulast=Nouveau
- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1473-2165.2008.00382.x