Are you noticing skin discoloration or skin texture when you look in the mirror? You’re not alone. While we strive for perfect skin, most people experience uneven skin tone in some variety. As you age, your skin can become rough, dry, and uneven due to depleted collagen levels and lack of hydration. Additionally, ingrown hairs, acne, and related scarring can cause redness, visible marks, or uneven texture.
Depending on what is causing your uneven skin tone, it may be temporary, or it may be long lasting. The good news: If you’re wondering how to get an even skin tone, there are several methods you can use and products on the market that can help.
Best Ways to Even Out Skin Tone
If you’re noticing redness, texture, or other unevenness in your skin, there are several things you can try to help you look glowing and flawless. Achieving healthy skin can be as easy as drinking more water every day, or if it’s a more challenging skin condition, you may want to seek professional help. Here are a few of the best ways to correct an uneven skin tone.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking plenty of water is the best way to keep your skin healthy from the inside out. Hydrating regularly may help resolve any redness or dryness and help your skin look plump and glowing.
You should also hydrate your skin from the outside with lotions and moisturizers. Using moisturizers all over your body - not just on your face - can help reduce flaky skin, red spots, and age spots.
Wear Sunscreen
The sun is a major contributor to skin damage and skin unevenness. In addition to temporary sunburns, the sun causes wrinkles, age spots, and other uneven texture as we age. One of the best ways to prevent and lessen damage from the sun’s harmful UV rays is always to wear SPF when outdoors. If you have oily skin, don’t fret! There are plenty of sunscreen options available that won’t clog your pores and cause breakouts.
Avoid Certain Foods
Some foods cause inflammation, which can result in redness, puffiness, and other skin irritation. Foods that may lead to skin unevenness include:
- Foods high in sugar
- Processed foods
- White bread
- Dairy
- Greasy foods
Instead, try eating foods high in Vitamin C and Vitamin E - like fruits and leafy greens - these vitamins are antioxidants that can help your body fight off the inflammation and help even out your skin tone.
Exfoliate
If you’re noticing texture or discoloration because of large pores, acne, blackheads, or dry skin, regularly exfoliating can help. Using a gentle exfoliant on your face cleans out clogged pores and removes dead skin cells. This can help your face have a smoother texture and eliminate some of the related shadows and darkness in your complexion.
Get a Peel
If your uneven skin tone isn’t going away, a chemical peel can help. However, make sure you’re choosing a quality, gentle peel to ensure it will not cause further damage or irritation to your skin.
Try Vitamin C or Vitamin E Serum
As mentioned above, vitamin C and vitamin E are both essential nutrients for healthy, even skin. Besides adding more of these vitamins to your diet, you can also apply them directly to your skin for similar results. Using a vitamin C or vitamin E serum can boost collagen production to help minimize wrinkles and fine lines and slow melanin production to help lessen dark spots in your skin.
Professional Treatment
If you’ve tried all of the at-home remedies and are still noticing uneven skin tone, it might be time to seek professional help. There are three main types of professional treatments that can help even skin tone.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments can help even out skin tone by reducing the appearance of scars, age spots, or sun damage. A dermatologist can help you determine the right type of laser treatment for your specific skin needs.
Clinical Peels
Unlike at-home peels, these chemical peels require aftercare and have up to two weeks of recovery time. However, the results can be very effective. They come in three levels: light, medium, and deep - depending on the severity of your skin discoloration. Light peels can be done quickly and heal in several days, where deep peels may be more intense and require several weeks to heal.
Microdermabrasion
This minimally invasive procedure helps thicken the collagen in your skin to give your skin a more even, youthful appearance. It also removes the outermost layer of your skin to get rid of any damage. This treatment works well for light scarring, sun damage, or other discoloration. It may cause some redness or dryness for a few days following the procedure.
Best Products for an Even Skin Tone
Paula’s Choice Skincare The UnScrub
For a gentle exfoliant that cleans skin and improves appearance, this one of a kind face scrub can remove dirt, makeup, oils, dead skin cells, and other imperfections to reduce unevenness caused by acne, pores, and blackheads.
Post Wax Refreshing Cream
This moisturizing lotion contains natural tea tree oil and menthol, known for their antiseptic and decongestant properties, helping to soothe any skin redness or irritation. The non-greasy formula also can help prevent uneven skin tone caused by ingrown hairs and bumps. It’s paraben-free and doesn’t contain harsh chemicals.
Drunk Elephant C-Firma Day Serum
This is a super-potent vitamin C serum. It’s packed with powerful antioxidants, fruit enzymes, and other essential nutrients to firm, even, and brighten skin appearance. It helps reverse skin damage caused by environmental factors while helping hydrate the skin and reduce the appearance of dark spots and other discoloration.
Cornstarch Powder
This product can help remove excess oil and contaminants that cause inflammation and irritation from the skin. It’s soothing, fragrance-free, and completely hypoallergenic. It also works well before waxing to prevent any ingrown hairs or post-waxing skin tone unevenness.
Takeaway
Most people have an uneven skin tone to some degree. Skin texture and discoloration is caused by a variety of factors and can be temporary or permanent. Luckily, there are plenty of products and treatments available to help you achieve flawless, even skin.
