What is Uneven Skin Tone and How Can You Manage It?
Uneven skin tone is a common skin care concern. It can be caused by a variety of factors, such as sun exposure, aging, and genetics. Fortunately, there are ways to manage it.
What is uneven skin tone?
Texture and tone are two important aspects of skin care. Texture refers to the feel of your skin—for example, if your skin feels rough and bumpy—while tone refers to the colour of your skin (1).
Understanding the difference between texture and tone may help you choose the right products for your skin type and achieve the best results.
What causes uneven skin tone?
Your skin gets its colour from a pigment called melanin. One of the main causes of uneven skin tone is pigmentation disorders, where your skin produces too much or not enough melanin. Too much melanin causes hyperpigmentation, and hypopigmentation is where you have too little melanin.
Hypopigmentation is often caused by injuries to the skin, genetic conditions, or diseases such as vitiligo (2).
Hyperpigmentation has many causes including sun damage, inflammation, certain medications, and acne. Acne can cause both hyperpigmentation and scarring, which can lead to an uneven complexion (2).
Finally, aging can also cause uneven skin tone. As we age, our skin cells regenerate more slowly and our collagen production decreases. This can lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and a loss of elasticity. All of these factors can contribute to an uneven complexion (3).
Let's take a closer look at these causes below.
Sun exposure
We all know that too much sun can be bad for our skin. But did you know that ultraviolet (UV) rays can also cause uneven skin tone? When the sun's UV rays penetrate the skin, they can trigger the production of melanin, resulting in dark spots or patches (4).
Skin inflammation
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) is a common skin condition that can occur after any type of inflammatory skin injury, such as an acne breakout, bug bite, burn, or cut. The injury triggers the overproduction of melanin, resulting in dark spots or patches on the skin. These spots can be any colour, but they are usually darker than the surrounding skin (2).
Aging
As we age, our skin tone can become uneven. Sun damage can cause ‘age spots’—brown spots and other discoloration on areas of our skin, which can range from several millimetres to a few centimetres (5).
Our skin’s collagen production, which is responsible for its elasticity and firmness, also decreases as we age. This is why wrinkles and fine lines start to form and uneven tones are more noticeable (6).
Niacinamide, also known as vitamin B3, can help with uneven skin tone. Niacinamide is an important nutrient that helps keep our skin looking healthy. It can also help with moisture loss, protecting the skin from environmental stressors (7). Try Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Gentle Renewing Cleanser with Niacinamide to help reveal a brighter, radiant-looking skin tone.
Top 3 tips to help prevent uneven skin tone
There are three important steps to include in your skincare routine to help you manage and improve the appearance of uneven skin tone.
1. Exfoliate
Exfoliation can help improve your skin's appearance by removing dead skin cells and revealing healthy-looking, glowing skin underneath. Exfoliating can also help enhance your skin's texture and reduce the appearance of pores (8).
Want to get started with exfoliation? Try Cetaphil Extra Gentle Daily Scrub.
2. Moisturize
It's important to moisturize your skin every day – it not only helps keep your skin healthy looking, but it can also prevent dryness and flaking. Moisturizers can be used to keep your skin hydrated, help reduce the appearance of fine lines, and improve the integrity of your skin's natural barrier (9).
For maximum effectiveness, choose a moisturizer formulated for your skin type, such as Cetaphil Healthy Radiance Brightening Cream for sensitive skin. It contains niacinamide and can help reduce the appearance of dark spots and revive your skin’s complexion.
3. Use sunscreen
Sunscreen is essential for protecting yourself from the sun’s UV rays. It's also important to reapply regularly, and wear sunscreen even if it’s cloudy.
You should also wear protective clothing and avoid being in the sun during peak hours. If you do find yourself in the sun, choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to help keep your skin safe, such as Cetaphil Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 50 (10).
The bottom line: skin care for uneven skin tone
Uneven skin tone is a common issue and there are things you can do to help improve your skin’s appearance. Be sure to exfoliate, moisturize, and use sunscreen. With the right care you can achieve even, radiant-looking skin!
References
1. Goldie K, Kerscher M, Fabi SG, et al. Skin Quality - A Holistic 360° View: Consensus Results. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2021 Jun 14;14:643-654. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S309374.
2. Plensdorf S, Martinez J. Common Pigmentation Disorders. Am Fam Physician. 2009;79(2):109-116.
3. Farage MA, Miller KW, Elsner P, et al. Characteristics of the Aging Skin. Adv Wound Care. 2013;2(1):5-10. doi:10.1089/wound.2011.0356.
4. Moolla S, Miller-Monthrope Y. Dermatology: how to manage facial hyperpigmentation in skin of colour. Drugs Context. 2022;11:2021-11-2. doi:10.7573/dic.2021-11-2.
5. Choi W, Yin L, Smuda C, et al. Molecular and histological characterization of age spots. Exp Dermatol. 2017;26(3):242-248. doi:10.1111/exd.13203.
6. Reilly DM, Lozano J. Skin collagen through the life stages: importance for skin health and beauty. Plast Aesthet Res. 2021;8(2). doi:10.20517/2347-9264.2020.153.
7. Bissett DL, Miyamoto K, Sun P, et al. Topical niacinamide reduces yellowing, wrinkling, red blotchiness, and hyperpigmented spots in aging facial skin. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2004;26(5):231-238. doi: 10.1111/j.1467-2494.2004.00228.
8. Rodan, K, Fields K, Majewski G, et al. Skincare Bootcamp: The Evolving Role of Skincare. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. 2016;4(12 Suppl Anatomy and Safety in Cosmetic Medicine: Cosmetic Bootcamp):e1152. doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000001152.
9. Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R, et al. The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clin Med Res. 2017;15(3-4):75-87. doi:10.3121/cmr.2017.1363.
10. Sunscreen FAQs. American Academy of Dermatology. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/sunscreen-faqs Accessed 14 November 2022.
