Tips For Getting An Even Skin Tone
Wrinkles are often considered the primary undesirable issue for skin, and a whole industry focuses on eradicating that symptom. Uneven skin tone also ages a person’s appearance, and recent scrutiny and awareness has lead to improvement in how we prevent and combat blotchiness and dark spots.
Arising from acne, exposure to sun, scars and hormonal changes, freckles, age spots and patchy discoloration can mar otherwise good skin. Taking care of your skin, inside and out, is the best way to keep your skin clear, radiant and blotch-free. Here are a few simple ways to get even skin tone:
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Image courtesy of graur codrin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
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Drink lots of water
Hydrated skin is healthy skin. While the jury’s still out
as to whether or not drinking water actually prevents dry skin, water is the most important nutrient for your body. As your largest organ, skin
relies on water, like any other system in the body, to flush away toxins. Many
people are not aware that skin is 30 percent water—when you are dehydrated,
your skin is less resilient and takes longer to recover its shape. Whether or
not you can moisturize your skin from the inside out, water is still necessary for good overall health, which leads to a
glowing complexion.
Use sun protection
One of the biggest causes of uneven skin, exposure to sun
can darken existing or developing scars, worsen acne and cause the development
of age spots. Always use sunblock with UVA and
UVB protection on any exposed part of your body, especially on your face,
during prolonged periods in the sun.
Use a daily sun product for your face, regardless of
whether it is sunny or overcast. Protecting your skin from the damaging rays of
the sun will not only help keep your skin tone even and clear, but will also reduce your risk of getting skin cancer.
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courtesy of Luke Lehrfeld / Flickr.com
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Exfoliate
While the first two tips help prevent further skin damage
and unevenness, you may need to use products or take extra steps to erase the
signs of existing blotchiness and scarring. Exfoliation removes the top layer
of dead skin, revealing the healthier and more even toned skin underneath.
Layers of dead skin can add to an uneven complexion, so exfoliation is key—especially as we get older and
skin’s natural cell turnover slows down. Chemical (glycolic, AHA, BHA) or
physical (scrubs) exfoliants can help improve overall evenness of skin tone;
however, people with sensitive skin should avoid over-exfoliating.
Use skin lightening products with natural ingredients
To banish the lingering scars,
spots and unevenness, use skin lightening products that are
designed to target hyperpigmentation; however, try to use ingredients derived
from natural sources, like kojic acid
found in mushrooms; they are much safer than some lab-derived chemicals.
Gentle on the skin, yet effective,
natural whitening and lightening can reduce the overall melanin production in
your skin, while targeting problem areas. Vitamin
C, mulberry, licorice extract and lemon juice extract are some other natural
ingredients also believed to have skin and spot lightening abilities.
The path to clear, even skin is
part prevention and part treatment. Combat the signs of aging, hormonal changes
and sun exposure with good health care and an excellent skin care regimen that
includes exfoliation and skin lightening products. Protect your skin from harsh
chemicals by using natural or naturally derived ingredients, and achieve the
glowing, flawless skin you desire.
Guest post by Marcela De Vivo , who is a freelance writer from Southern California
whose writing covers a wide range of health topics, including skin cancer, skin
care solutions and alternative medicine. You can check out the full extent of
her writing on her online portfolio.