Here’s what to look out for when you’re coveting a clear, fair complexion
The problem with dark spots or pigmentation, in general, is that anyone—fair or tanned skin—are susceptible to it. And it seems that more women are stepping up their ways to find out how to combat it. In an interview with Vanilla Luxury, Dr. Ariffin Ziaudeen of Bio Aesthetic Laser Clinic says that in Singapore alone, pigmentation is one of the top 5 skincare concerns of women. Here are our top tips to really prevent and reduce the appearance of your dark spots:
Habits
Avoid gluten as much as possible
Your skin knows when it’s not getting the right food it needs. While your favourite sandwich and cereals may seem harmless and healthy enough, chances are they contain gluten—which can cause pigmentation of the skin, leading to dark pigmentation patches and spots on your chin.
Be conscious of the sun
If you’re the kind of person who only occasionally remembers to use sunblock and still wonder why dark spots are forming—your habits need to change right now. Avoid sun exposure when the sun is the strongest (usually midday), or try to stand under shade if you have to be out. And while it might seem excessive, always bring your umbrella with you even if you’re popping out of the office for a quick lunch.
Let acne and breakouts naturally heal
Surprise surprise—did you know dark spots or pigmentation can form even when there’s no sun involved? Picking at your pimples or attempting to remove them by yourself can result in unsightly, permanent spots on your face. Make sure to use gentle skincare and form a good skincare routine to naturally let your acne and breakouts heal.
Skincare
Vitamin C
This skin perk-you-up provides a range of benefits—evening out uneven skin tone, fighting nasty effects of environmental impurities and pollution, helping with anti-aging and of course, brightening dull complexions. One of the best things about Vitamin C is that it helps to prevent dark spots from forming, but also effectively reduces pigmentation even after it’s occurred. Add Vitamin C to your routine and you’ll have youthful skin in no time.
Vitamin E
This antioxidant helps to keep your skin from pollutants while helping to improve skin health and fade pigmentation as it’s essential in the processing of Vitamin A. The latter is included in many skincare products like retinoids and specifically targets dark spots. Without Vitamin E, your body is unable to absorb Vitamin A properly, making your retinoids ineffective!
Black Mulberry Extracts (Morus Nigra Leaf Extract)
These berries contain Resveratrol, an antioxidant that helps to fight pigmentation by preventing the synthesis of melanin for clearer, brighter and younger-looking skin.
Niacinamide (Vitamin B3)
Also known as Vitamin B3, Niacinamide is an effective ingredient with various skincare benefits that range from pore minimizing qualities to the reduction of fine lines, dullness and hyperpigmentation! Hyperpigmentation occurs when the transfer of pigment (melanosomes) from your melanocytes to the skin surrounding your epidermis. This causes your skin to rapidly produce uneven, blotchy pigmentation and speed up the appearance of aging skin. If you’re at your wit’s end on how to slow down the effects of hyperpigmentation, niacinamide helps to suppress and slow down the transfer of melanin caused by UV rays to your skin’s epidermis so you have less freckles and age spots.
While it may be quite impossible to completely clear your skin of dark spots, there are always things you can do to reduce and prevent the appearance of pigmentation on your face. It’s always a good idea to incorporate little good habits into your daily life naturally rather than attempt things like staying out of the sun completely.
The Moisturizers Co’s products are made to naturally brighten skin complexions with potent ingredients that make them high efficacy moisturizers. For instance, the Brightening Moisturizing Cream is infused with natural brightening antioxidants like Vitamin A, E, C, while the Cell Regenerate Gel Cream has black mulberries as an anti-aging ingredient that fight dark spots. The Ultra Pore Refiner Anti-Blemish Night Cream has Niacinamide as its primary ingredient to reduce shine from oily skin and perform wonders for pigmentation too.
Discover them all here, and take our Skin Analysis if you’re not sure which one is most suitable!
About us: We are Skintelligence, a team focused on a 'skin-first' approach to beauty through artificial intelligence. We match products to you based on your unique skin type and needs. Results are highly accurate and personalized with AI and machine learning. It's fun, convenient, and it works. Try it here.
As featured in Her World, CLEO, FEMALE, Shape, Nuyou, Singapore Women’s Weekly, Daily Vanity, Layers of Skins.