How to even out skin tone

What causes uneven skin tone?

Melanin is the pigment that gives skin its color. When skin makes too much melanin, areas can look darker; when it makes too little, areas can look lighter. Discoloration can also appear as red, pink, purple, white or gray patches, so an uneven tone is not always a dark spot. Skin conditions, infections, injuries and birthmarks can all change skin color.23

A common cause of dark marks is postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, meaning darker pigment left after skin inflammation or injury. Acne, eczema, psoriasis, insect bites, cuts, burns, irritating skin or hair products, some medications and hormonal changes can trigger it. Sunlight can darken existing patches. A dark spot can outlast the inflammation that started it, which is a poor returns policy for skin.14

How to improve uneven skin tone on face

1. 1Start with the cause. If dark marks follow acne, eczema or psoriasis, treat the skin condition first. When irritation from a skin or hair product is the trigger, switch to gentler products; options labeled for sensitive skin or fragrance free can help. Once irritation settles, new marks tend to stop appearing and existing ones often fade.
2. 2If you think a medication is causing discoloration, do not stop taking it on your own. Ask the prescriber whether it could be a side effect and whether another medication is appropriate.
3. 3Use sunscreen daily, before going outdoors, on skin not covered by clothing. Broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is a useful baseline for preventing sun related dark marks.
4. 4Keep the skin from being irritated or injured again. Stop a product that burns or stings, and avoid picking pimples or disturbing a healing area.

After the trigger is controlled, a dark spot only a few shades deeper than your natural skin color usually takes six to twelve months to fade. Pigment deeper in the skin can take years. Treatment can speed fading, but hyperpigmentation treatments can still take months to show improvement. A dark spot a few shades deeper can take six to twelve months to fade, which is a queue with no ticket number.15

What skincare ingredients help even skin tone?

Over the counter products for dark spots can contain azelaic acid, glycolic acid, kojic acid, a retinoid such as retinol, or vitamin C. These ingredients can fade existing spots; some can also slow melanin production. Choose a product made for dark spots and use its directions. Retinol comes in a dizzying array of products, and its percentage is not always printed on the label, so choosing one can feel like a tiny scavenger hunt.16

If you choose a retinoid, start with the lowest formulation you can find and use it at night every other night. Increase use slowly and moisturize; irritation from a retinoid can trigger dark marks, especially in darker skin. Retinoids can make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so use sun protection during the day. Do not use retinoids during pregnancy. People with skin allergies or dry skin are poor candidates, and people with redness or inflammation should avoid them and ask a dermatologist about other options.6

How to prevent uneven skin tone?

For dark spots, choose tinted, broad spectrum, water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and iron oxide. Iron oxide helps protect against visible light, which can also contribute to dark spots. Tinted sunscreen covers visible light too, because sunlight apparently has more than one department. If you have oily skin, look for a formula that will not clog pores and blends with your skin tone. Apply it to uncovered skin before going outside, then reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating. A wide brimmed hat and shade during the strongest sun, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., add protection.1

When should you see a doctor?

Get a healthcare provider to check new or changing marks, moles or patches, since discoloration can have causes that need more than a fading product. Seek care for a patch that is red, hot, itchy or painful, or that leaks blood, pus or other fluid. If dark spots are not improving with the steps you have tried, a dermatologist can assess the cause and discuss prescription treatment.12