Summer Guide To An Even-Looking Complexion

If you are worried about uneven skin tone and dark patches appearing on your face during the summer, there’s no need to stress! You have more options than ever before for improving the appearance of the tone and vibrancy of your skin, dark spots and all. The trick is knowing which skin care products you need, and when. In the summer, it’s all about protecting your skin. The rest of the year you can work on lightening or brightening, whichever you need.

Here’s a closer look at the types of pigmentation irregularities, and how to achieve your most even-looking complexion, during the summer and beyond. 

Skin Coloration Changes

Areas on the skin that look darker than the surrounding skin can affect everyone. It’s a widely experienced condition known as hyperpigmentation. These spots are caused by an excess of melanin which produces deposits in the skin. Age spots, as they are commonly called, are usually seen where unprotected skin is frequently exposed to the sun. 

Overexposure to the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, is the primary cause of pigmentation changes. However, hormonal changes, such as pregnancy, can stimulate melanin production too. Melasma, as it is known, looks similar to age spots, but affects a larger skin area. Acne, skin diseases, and even inherited freckles, can also disrupt the even appearance of our skin tone.

Summertime Protection

Unfortunately, the harmful effects of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can create new dark spots, and cause the dark patches of your skin to become even darker. Protecting your skin during the summer months, when you are outdoors more often, is your number one priority. A broad spectrum physical SPF 30 sunscreen should be with you everywhere you go. Re-apply every 90 minutes while out in the sun. It is important to remember that it doesn’t take long for the sun to undermine your previous lightening or brightening skin care treatments. 

Lightening Vs. Brightening

Did you know there is a difference between lightening and brightening skin? Skin lighteners literally lighten the look of hyperpigmentation or melasma, fading the appearance of dark spots and patches to reveal a more even-looking skin tone. If dark spots aren’t an issue, but your skin looks dull and lackluster or blotchy and mottled, you may benefit from a skin brightening formula which enhances the vibrancy and overall glow. 

How do you know if you need to lighten or brighten your skin? Take a look in the mirror. Are you bothered by freckles, sun spots, age spots, or other dark spots? Then you’ll benefit from a skin lightener. If you look tired and washed-out, you would probably like to see a healthier-looking radiance in your reflection.

Skin Care Ingredients Matter

Several products on the market lighten skin with an active ingredient called hydroquinone, which bleaches your skin by reducing the number of melanin-makers, called melanocytes. Unfortunately, long term use can have side effects. On the other hand, skin care products with a gentle formulation of scientifically-proven and results-oriented vitamins and botanicals can decrease the effects of excessive melanin production and brighten dull, blotchy skin without causing more damage. 

First, normalize the skin with a vitamin A skin care routine, then add focused products packed with natural skin lightening and brightening agents like vitamin C and E, arbutin, mulberry extract, licorice, neem leaf, honeybush, and niacinamide (a form of B3) that target the appearance of visible signs of pigmentation or other skin concerns.

Lighten and Brighten Routine

Many people benefit from using both skin lighteners and brighteners. They work beautifully together to help you achieve the appearance of a more even, radiant, and younger-looking complexion. When in doubt, cover your bases with a few carefully chosen products to bring out your best. A daily regimen of toning and exfoliating your skin with an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) or beta hydroxy acid-based (BHA) product, followed by a skin brightener or skin lightener, or both, in addition to a moisturizer and a sunscreen for the day, or a nighttime serum before bed. 

Wear Sunscreen All Year

Do not neglect to wear a broad spectrum physical sunscreen of at least 30 SPF every day of the year! All the skin lighteners and brighteners in the world will do you no good if you are spoiling your results by exposing your skin to the sun. Any amount of sun exposure without protection causes stress to your skin, which leads to signs of premature aging.

For a brighter-looking, more evenly-toned appearance to your complexion, discover the ideal skin care products for you! Start by calling 877.337.6227 to find an Environ stockist near you today.