Look fresh-faced this fall by eliminating dark spots + hyperpigmentation
By Carla Snuggs
Although we know it's best for our complexion (not to mention our health) to protect our skin from the damaging rays of the sun, even the most well-intentioned of us probably slip up occasionally during the summer months. So by the time the weather starts to cool, our exposure to the sun and the environment may leave us with less-than-youthful looking skin. But instead of hiding our mistakes (think dullness and dark spots) under layers of makeup, fall is the perfect time to erase (not cover) the signs of premature aging and get skin back into shape.
Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, Stanford-trained practicing dermatologists and co-developers of Rodan + Fields, share the following insider tips on how to look fresh-faced, glowing and younger:
#1 Out with the Old, In with the New
Exfoliate your skin regularly with cleansers containing fine polyethylene grains or beads, alpha hydroxy acids, acetyl glucosamine and retinol. You may want to follow-up with an at-home microdermabrasion product for deeper exfoliation and to prep the skin for the products that follow.
#2 Spots be Gone
Lighten and brighten your whole face with a treatment containing hydroquinone and brighteners like bearberry and licorice to fade brown spots and discolorations. Try a regimen like Rodan + Fields REVERSE Regimen, a simple full-face solution that tackles both the damage below the surface and the visible pigmentation that is the result of years of incidental sun exposure. Exfoliate away dulling dead cells, lightens unwanted pigmentation, evens and brightens overall skin tone, and protects against further UV damage. The result: skin's tone and texture is improved for a clear, radiant complexion.
#3 Take a Break
"Just like your body can benefit from an occasional 'cleanse,' to rejuvenate internal systems and improve overall health, so too can your complexion," declares Dr. Rodan. "Taking a short break from your skincare routine and temporarily switching to a regimen that directly addresses visible (and not-yet visible) damage is often just the 'cleanse' your skin needs. It's the perfect way to clean the slate, so to speak, and give your skin a jump start."
#4 Fake it
Keep your summer glow going all year long - the healthy way. A product like Rodan + Fields ESSENTIALS Foaming Sunless Tan ensures even, natural looking color without exposure to harmful UV rays and ENHANCEMENTS Mineral Peptides in Bronze is a bronzing powder (with broad spectrum SPF 25), that offers a radiantly bronzed glow and sun protection all in one little pot.
Best Products to Treat Hyperpigmentation and Uneven Skin Tone
Here are some of Posh Beauty Blog’s favorite products that will help your skin look amazing, bright and even-toned for the fall.
Skin Authority Hyperpigmentation Treatment
A fast absorbing gel featuring Hydroquinone, Skin Authority Hyperpigmentation Treatment helps fade the appearance of dark spots, discoloration, and age spots to reveal a clearer, brighter, and more even complexion. It also works to help to inhibit the appearance of future discoloration. Why I love it: This treatment is so lightweight and a little goes a LONG way. I used this on the right side of my jaw line where I had some discoloration from old acne scars and it improved the texture of the treatment area and the spots are just about gone.
Eraclea Lite and Brite
Eraclea Lite and Brite serum is a multi-functional cream that addresses many of the skin imperfections that affect women of all ages, including uneven skin tone and discoloration much of which is the result of sun exposure. Lite and Brite is with proven lightening and brightening ingredients including kojic acid, resveratrol, and licorice root extract. The formula also includes retinyl palmitate, and green tea leaf extract. Why I Love it: I love the brightening and skin toning effects of the Lite and Brite. I use it on my face and decolattage for a wonderful even-tone effect and it makes my skin glow!
Exuviance OptiLight Tone Corrector & Performance Peel
Correct uneven tone and reveal a youthful, more even complexion without harsh bleaching agents with Exuviance OptiLight Tone Corrector. Gentle exfoliant, NeoGlucosamine® helps break up pigment clusters, while Retinol and Vitamin C target existing spots. Bonus points: A special tumeric extract helps prevent new spots from forming. Exuviance Performance Peel AP25 is an at-home professional-level peel that harnesses the power of Alpha and Polyhydroxy Acids to exfoliate skin’s dull surface layers while stimulating cell renewal to reveal a fresher, healthier complexion. This potent home peel will help enhance skin’s clarity and radiance while evening skin texture and tone. This is a 6 week supply.
Why I love them: I am a huge fan of Exuviance products because they have proven to be super effective. Together these items have truly helped even-out my skin tone and have also improved the texture of my skin and have worked great on any fine lies that I have. I used to be afraid of the word “peel” and especially at-home peel. But this is a safe way to get an at-home peel and save some cash. My skin thanks me every single time and my complexion is becoming more and more even toned with each use.
Le Mieux Brightening Serum
This powerful, skin-lightening serum contains 8 advanced brightening agents to minimize the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation, improve uneven skin tone and visibly brighten dull skin. Continued use will dramatically boost radiance and restore vitality for a bright, more youthful appearance. Shop at Myskincarebox.com. Why I love it: This product gave me the best glow! I really have to use a lot less foundation every day because it makes my dull skin look and feel very healthy and radiant after just a few uses.
HydroPeptide Even Out, Skin Brightening Pigment Corrector
HydroPeptide Even Out, Skin Brightening Pigment Corrector helps you safely brighten your complexion. It contains3 Peptides including a Brightening Peptide and Preservative Peptide to improve overall skin radiance and health while reducing pigmentation activity to lighten skin. Chromabright brightens the skin without the cytotoxicity or irritation linked to hydroquinone and works more effectively than arbutin and kojic acid. Resveratrol, green tea, and allantoin offers potent antioxidant protection and anti-irritation benefits to help protect and even skin tone. Why I like it: This is a great drug-free option that is highly effective. Even Out is free from gluten, artificial fragrance, Parabens, Phenoxyethanol, PEG’s, Phthalate and Sulfates.
Jan Marini Skin Research Retinol Plus Mask
Jan Marini Skin Research Retinol Plus Mask addresses the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, sun damage, hyperpigmentation and acne. When used 1-2 times weekly, the advanced treatment mask enhances penetration of multiple advanced anti-aging technologies for long-term benefits while resurfacing agents immediately smooth and refine the skin. Why I love it: This is worth the splurge. The results are immediate (within 10 minutes). It’s great for all skin types, even sensitive skin.
Rodan + Fields REVERSE
Regimen to refine, renew and recharge sun-damaged skin, leaving it radiant, glowing and perfected. This simple full-face system improves the appearance of skin dullness and dark marks caused by incidental sun exposure. Rodan + Fields REVERSE four-product regimen includes : REVERSE Deep Exfoliating Wash: A multi-mechanism exfoliator that simultaneously cleanses and refines sun-damaged, blotchy complexions; REVERSE Intensive Brightening Toner To exfoliate and brighten skin, fade the appearance of discoloration and reveal a more radiant complexion; REVERSE Dual Active Brightening Complex : This revolutionary product offers an unprecedented one-two punch of potent ingredients to visibly brighten skin and diminish the appearance of skin discolorations with the combination of powerhouse ingredients pure vitamin C and retinol to enhance the brightening of skin while diminishing the look of fine lines and wrinkles. REVERSE Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ Sunscreen: Provides protection against the sun for prolonged UVA protection and helps decelerate the effects of photo-aging. Why I love it: If you really are invested in great skin, you must take a look at Rodan + Fields because their products are outstanding. I love that it makes my skin noticeably softer and I am noticing fewer breakouts. My skin feels renewed going into fall. The best part is if you buy your product from a Rodan + Fields and you aren't completely satisfied, there is a 60-day, money-back guarantee.
LANEIGE Bright Renew Collection
You can click here about my love of LANEIGE of products. To combat hyperpigmentation, try Bright Renew Emulsion, Bright Renew Original Serum and Bright Renew Original Cream. All of these products have patented Melacrusher technology that gently eliminates and blocks melanin production. As well, the LANEIGE BB Cushion employs the same Melacrusher technology to brighten skin and prevent the formation/reduce the appearance of dark spots. The BB Cushion in Dark works best for my complexion and I love that it makes my skin look better and better with each use. My favorite is the Bright Renew Original Serum. It minimizes my pores, smells fabulous, and truly brightens the complexion. Laneige products are affordable and available right at your local Target.
Equitance Brightening Skincare Products
Equitance Brightening products are now a new favorite. I love them because I have combination skin, very oily at the T-zone. These products are soothing, gentle, never greasy. The Equitance products have diminished the dark circles under my eyes, which has been an ongoing issue for me. I noticed an overall improvement in the texture of my skin. My skin feels, bright and smooth after each use. I suggest trying sample sizes of the entire line. It’s a great way to discover the products you love. My favorites from the line:
- Equitance Hydrating Brightening Cream The ultra-light, yet luxuriously rich cream works as a moisture lock to keep skin soft and supple. It deeply nourishes and restores radiance.
- Equitance Brightening Toning Lotion Perfectly balances moisture and evenly tones. This refreshing brightening toning lotion better prepares the skin to maximize absorption and improve the efficacy of the serum and cream.
- Equitance Brightening Serum + Spot Corrector: Clinically proven to improve the appearance of discoloration and uneven skin tone. This pioneering spot-targeting serum formula zeroes in on the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark discoloration. It uses patented technology to continuously deliver a key brightening ingredient, linoleic acid.
emerginC vitamin C Serum
emerginC Vitamin C Serum is one of the most stable, high concentration vitamin C liquid gel serums on the market. It fights free-radical damage, antioxidant, key co-factor in the production of collagen, improves skin tone and texture, calms, fights sun damage and improves pigmentation problems. Why I love it: Great brightening effects without the irritation that some vitamin C products can cause. I love that it gives my face and immediate lift and glow and the scent is fabulous! Great for sun damage and restoring your skin for fall after a long summer in the sun.
MD Complete Anti-Aging Dark Spot Remover
This fabulous dark spot remover, MD Complete Anti-Aging Dark Spot Remover contains hydroquinone to help fade dark spots and hyperpigmentation and boosts skin radiance, while Vitamin B, C & E support active collagen production. It also contains allantoin which calms the skin along with Niacinamide, Black Raspberry and Pomegranate Fruit Seed Extracts brighten that even skin tone for more radiant skin.Why I love it: It's available over the counter at Target and has won many accolades beating the more expensive brands in testing. Over the course of about a month, every other day at night, I tested the product on a few spots I had on my jawline on the left side of my face and they have begun to fade. It’s paraben-free and gluten-free and not tested on animals.
Lumixyl Brightening System
The Lumixyl Brightening System is a revolutionary multi-faceted approach to effectively treat hyperpigmentation without irritation or other side effects associated with prescription Hydroquinone or retinoids. Lumixyl peptide (Decapeptide-12), created at Stanford University, works to safely brighten skin and reduce sunspots in just eight weeks. The system includes the Active-Prep Cleanser, Topical Brightening Creme, GlycoPeel 20 Rapid Exfoliating Lotion, and MoistureLock Sunscreen SPF 30. Why I love it: I tried the Topical Brightening Crème and love it because it makes it’s non-toxic and non-irritating. It exfoliates the skin wonderfully and works well under my everyday face cream. I noticed the reduction of dark spots on my forehead and would image using the entire system would be even more effective.
Feature image source: Skinbleachings.com
Disclosure: Press samples were provided by the brand/PR for editorial consideration, product testing, photography and review.
What products or techniques do you use to combat dark spots and hyperpigmentation? Leave your comments below!
