Uneven skin tones can be anything from acne scars, sun damage, redness, ageing, discolouration or blemishes. Many of us wish for even skin tones and glowy skin, and that is achievable with the right skincare routine and products.

Remember, there is no such thing as an even skin tone. Everyone will have spots at times, textured skin or dark under-eye circles. Unfortunately, ageing is a natural process of life, so wrinkles will start to appear over time as we lose collagen.

However, there are ways to help improve your skin tone with treatments and good skin care products. Everyone has their insecurities, and we understand that. So let's get into the blog.

What Is An Uneven Skin Tone?

There is no black-and-white answer for what an uneven skin tone is, as there are many characteristics.

It can be any of the following:

• Discolouration

• Skin texture

• Dark patterns/markings

• Spotty texture

• Rough texture

• Hyperpigmentation

• Redness

• Sunspots

Uneven skin tone can present itself in many different ways. But, to simplify it, it is typically skin with some texture or discolouration: either spots, dark patterns or redness. So, instead of one universal texture or skin colour evenly across your face, there is a variation.

What Causes An Uneven Skin Tone?

There are lots of things that can cause uneven skin tones, which is why it is so common.

You could be born with hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is the overproduction of melanin which is responsible for the colour of your skin, hair and eyes. When exposed to the sun, it can spread across your skin in defence of UV light and cause discolouration.

Another reason for uneven skin tone is sun exposure. If you don't wear an SPF on your face, you can run the risk of developing sun spots. Sun damage accelerates skin ageing and is one of the most common causes of premature ageing. It can cause fine lines, sagging and wrinkles to appear.

You could also suffer from Melasma. Melasma is a skin condition that causes greyish, brown discolouration on the skin. It can be in both men and women and can be brought on during pregnancy due to hormonal changes. It can be made worse by spending time in the sun.

Then there is just the natural ageing process. As we get older, the production of collagen and elastin reduces, causing our skin to sage and wrinkles to appear. Therefore, it is natural that over time your skin tone will become uneven.

Steps To Even Out Your Skin Tone

So, how do you even out your skin tone? Follow these seven steps to help encourage a more even skin tone.

• Step 1: Cleanse

If you have read our blog on how to layer your skincare, you'll know that cleansing your face is the first step in any skincare routine. A great way to even out skin tone is to use an exfoliating cleanser.

An exfoliator cleanser not only cleanses your face of any dirt that has built up but also removes any dead skin cells. It encourages cell turnover, which can help with uneven skin tones and discolouration’s.

Another cause of uneven skin tones is pollution. All the smoke, dirt and chemicals in the air can block your pores and be absorbed into your skin. Therefore, cleansing is important to remove any build-up on your face causing uneven skin tones.

• Step 2: Tone

Toning helps to re-introduce moisture back into the skin. It hydrates your skin and helps to remove any oil or dirt your cleanser didn't quite manage. It also leaves a clean and even blank surface for the rest of your skincare regime.

We recommend you apply toner daily to see visible differences in your skin tone, as it helps to radiate the skin. In addition, a toner mixed with natural enzyme activators helps to remove the dead skin, which can cause an uneven skin tone.

• Step 3: Serum

One of the main symptoms of uneven skin tone is discolouration and dark spots. It can be for a number of reasons; ageing, excessive sun or inflammation. Brightening skincare treatments such as serums can help to even out skin tones.

Vitamin C is an excellent serum to help improve texture as it has lots of antioxidants that help to fight toxins that come into contact with your skin. In addition, it helps to aid the skin's natural regeneration process.

• Step 4: Under Eye Care

If you suffer from uneven skin tones, dark under-eye circles can become a common issue. The under-eye skin is thin and a lot more delicate than the rest of your face, so it shows ageing easier.

Using an under-eye cream enriched with Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid helps to hydrate and smooth the area. It can help to even skin tones by reducing the appearance of dark circles and under-eye wrinkles. Be gentle when applying creams, and use your ring finger.

• Step 5: Oil

Another reason why you might suffer from uneven skin tone is if you have post-acne marks or hyperpigmentation. These are very common and can be improved by incorporating oil into your skincare routine.

Oil can help calm the skin and reduce the appearance of redness. If you use it regularly, it can help strengthen the skin's barrier for more resilient skin. Oil is also great to encourage hydration in the skin which can brighten your appearance.

• Step 6: Moisturiser

Moisturiser should be a key step of your skincare routine regardless if you have uneven skin, even skin, dry skin or oily skin! Moisturiser should be used daily to hydrate the skin and smooth it out.

When looking at how to even out skin tone, it is best to find a moisturiser than addresses your issues. A brightening moisturiser will help to reduce the appearance of discolouration and smooth the skin out.

• Step 7: Treatments

If you are really struggling with your skin tone and want to go a bit further, there are lots of fantastic treatments available.

A popular treatment is a microdermabrasion. It is a minimally invasive procedure aiming to improve your skin tone and texture. If you suffer from sun spots, wrinkles, spots, ageing or scarring, then microdermabrasion is perfect for renewing your skin texture and boosting radiance.

Another great treatment is a skin peel. It helps to even out skin tone and texture by smoothing the surface and promoting collagen production. It leaves the skin radiant and glowing.

One step further is a Cosmelan deluxe peel. It is perfect for those with pigmentation or Melasma. It goes deeper than a normal peel by concentrating on eliminating pigmentation.

Conclusion

The biggest takeaway is that it is completely normal if you have uneven skin tone. Most people are likely to experience uneven skin tones at some time in their life.

There are lots of products and treatments to help even out skin tones. Additionally, small lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk of uneven skin tone getting worse in the future. Such as wearing an SPF, drinking more water and having a more balanced diet.

For Obagi Skincare products and more information on how to get these, contact us via email contact@karwalaesthetics.com or book a consultation here.