What is uneven skin tone and how can I treat it?
One of the most common online searches about skincare is, 'what is uneven skin tone?' – and we’re here to answer that question and recommend a few solutions to help you.
It’s important to remember everyone’s skin is different so what might work for one, may not work for another. And that skincare can’t work miracles overnight. Whenever you’re trying something new, you need to give your skin time to adjust, and you’ll begin to see the results you desire.
What is uneven skin tone?
Uneven skin tone covers the multiple variants of skin discolouration, such as dark spots, melasma, sunspots, redness and hyperpigmentation. You’ll often find uneven skin tone is alongside uneven skin texture too, like a build-up of dead skin cells, enlarged pores and rough patches.
These types of uneven skin tone can be found across the anywhere on the body, but commonly across areas of the face, such as the cheeks and forehead.
What causes uneven skin tone?
The reasons why we get uneven skin tone can vary from your skin type, how sensitive your skin is, where you live, sun exposure and changes in your hormones. Adding a new exfoliant or a product with harsh ingredients or high levels of fragrance can upset the balance of your skin and cause it to react and show as uneven skin tone.
If you’re exposing your skin to the sun without the correct sun protection, sunspots will begin to appear, and uneven skin tone develops as your melanin production goes into overdrive. Hormone-related hyperpigmentation is especially common with pregnant women, again as your melanin production increases and causes areas of pigmentation.
What are the best products for uneven skin tone?
Focus on products which call out anti-pigmentation, correcting uneven skin tone and dark spots. Often, you’ll find these in a serum treatment or moisturiser as they work below the surface of the skin and work over a period for visible and long-lasting results – which is why it’s so important to stick to a consistent routine!
Let’s start with a serum, they have smaller molecules to reach the lower levels of the skin and encourage new, healthier skin cells to reach the surface. This roughly takes around 28 days depending on your skin type.
Our AP Perfecting Anti-Pigmentation Serum features a blend of key actives to target uneven skin tone and effectively reduce their appearance. In our serum you’ll find ingredient Hexylresorcinol which is known for its antioxidant and brightening properties, fighting free radicals that contribute towards uneven skin tone.
Alongside it, we have a supercharged dose of 10% Niacinamide that hydrates and repairs the skin barrier, as well as reducing enlarged pores and dullness which can add to an uneven skin tone overall. To complete our combination of hero ingredients we have N-Acetyl Glucosamine (NAG) that works to gently exfoliate the skin for a smoother and fresher complexion.
Where you’ll also find ways to effectively tackle uneven skin tone is in your moisturiser. We formulated our AP Perfecting Anti-Pigmentation Day Cream to include NAG and Niacinamide to tackle hyperpigmentation, plus nourishing glycerin and amino acids and grape seed oil to plump and restore the skin back to its optimal health.
Let your skin tackle pigmentation and uneven skin tone overnight with our AP Perfecting Anti-Pigmentation Night Cream, a luxuriously silky texture that instantly sinks into the skin. Combining our NAG and Hexylresorcinol ingredients with 0.5% Tranexamic Acid to fade dark spots and improve skin tone. While you sleep, your skin isn’t being attacked by free radicals, sun exposure and constant face touching, so choose the right moisturiser to do the best job for you.
How can I maintain an even skin tone?
By keeping a consistent routine with products that have ingredients specifically to target dark spots, pigmentation and uneven skin tone. Your daily morning routine should include a cleanse, serum, eye cream, moisturiser and SPF. Having a high sun protection product in your routine is key for pigmentation, preventing the sun rays from stimulating the melanin production and causing discolouration. Opt for an SPF 30 or higher for effective protection.
Your evening routine will follow similarly with a double cleanse, serum, eye cream and night cream, ensuring each layer has time to absorb before moving onto the next for effective results.
Try our full AP Perfecting Anti-Pigmentation range for targeted treatments and effective results for uneven skin tone.