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    5 easy ways to improve skin pigmentation

    2 Mar 2018 4:00 PM | Posted by
    bh's Stephanie Pattemore's picture
    bh's Stephanie Pattemore
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    Growing up in a coastal location is something I loved. Now even though I have moved away from the beach and to the city, I’ve still been left with the tell-tale signs from my sunkissed roots – skin pigmentation! Yes, freckles! Whether you love them or hate them (I fall into the latter category) these ‘signs of character’, as my mum would tell me, are a lasting effect of too much exposure to the sun. Unfortunately for pigmentation sufferers there is no easy way to completely reverse this damage to the skin; unless you look into professional treatments. However there are a few easy and affordable solutions you can work into your current skincare routine to help improve skin pigmentation and diminish those dark spots for good!

    RELATED: Must-have products for radiant skin in autumn

    RELATED: This facial treatment could make your skin look brighter

    1. SPF

    Seeing as sun exposure is the culprit for dark spots and pigmentation, SPF should be your first step in stopping damage in its tracks. Whether you prefer a chemical or physical sunscreen, layering SPF on everyday is one of the easiest ways to help improve skin pigmentation. Not only will it prevent your current spots from darkening but it will also protect you against new spots forming – yes please!
    If you like physical sunscreen: Try SunSense Sensitive Invisible SPF 50+
    If you want a multitasker: Try Bobbi Brown BB Cream SPF 30+
    If you wish to layer SPF under makeup: Try Mecca Cosmetica To Save Face Superscreen SPF 50+

    2. Brightening face masks

    Face masks are definitely a pamper night essential, but they can also provide serious results for your skin if used as a regular part of your routine. To tackle dark spots and freckles, look for brightening and whitening masks. These types of masks are formulated to help exfoliate by removing the dull, dead, top layer of skin to reveal a brighter and more radiant complexion. This type of brightening effect can help improve dark spots and skin pigmentation. My go-to favourites are The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask and Real Nature Lemon sheet masks.

    3. Chemical exfoliators

    The same principle of exfoliating dull skin to reveal a brighter (and lighter) complexion is what makes chemical exfoliators so useful in treating skin pigmentation. These exfoliators are formulated with AHA’s like glycolic and salicylic acids to resurface the skin and work like an overnight facial to refresh dull and tired complexions. Used a few times a week these types of exfoliants can keep skin pigmentation looking clear, bright and revitalised.

    bh loves Alpha-H Liquid Gold Rose and Paula’s Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA.

    4. Natural oils

    Natural oils such as rosehip are great go-tos for treating dark spots and freckles as they can help to renew and repair your skin including sun damage. Try using formulas with added antioxidants to give the skin an extra boost of hydration while also defending the skin against further free radical damage.

    We recommend: Essano Rosehip Certified Organic Rosehip Oil with Acai Berry

    5. Vitamin C

    Vitamin C has many widely known health benefits for the body but what may surprise you is the multitude of benefits it can have on your skin! Vitamin C is an antioxidant so it works to improve skin pigmentation by neutralizing free radical damage. While also assisting in the skin’s natural regeneration process, giving skin a healthier overall appearance. Plus Vitamin C can impact your skin’s melanin production meaning dark spots are harder to form in the first place!

    bh loves: DMK Direct Delivery Vitamin C, DermaE Vitamin C Concentrated Serum and Vanessa Megan Two Phase Vitamin C Brightening System.

    Do you suffer skin pigmentation? What are your go-to methods for improving dark spots?

    Have you tried any of the products mentioned above?

    Review them now to earn points that you can swap for free beauty products in RewardsRoom.

    SunSense Sensitive Invisible SPF 50+
    Write a Review
    The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng & Rice Clarifying Polishing Mask
    Write a Review
    Alpha-H Liquid Gold Rose
    Write a Review
    Paula's Choice Resist Daily Smoothing Treatment with 5% AHA
    Write a Review
    Essano Rosehip Certified Organic Rosehip Oil with Acai Berry
    Write a Review

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    72 Member Comments

    Michele72 5 Oct 2019 2:08 AM

    I need something for my chest because I have a lot of pigmentation

    Cheapohippo 5 Feb 2019 12:58 PM

    I've tried all these but they don't really seem to work! I put on SPF 50 sunscreen everyday, use vitamin C serum and brightening face masks a few times a week but I still have lots of freckles and age spots. I've also tried laser. Had 3 sessions so far and the pigmentation has lighten a little.

    Yohanna 31 Jan 2019 1:38 PM

    1. SPF. Yes, finally started using these. Physical seems to be only one suited. Still searching for the HG, one that does not dry the skin or make my pores look even huger. So far IZ sheer does a good job, but have no patience for setting period. And it is visible on the skin.

    2. Brightening face masks. Yup! Love these. Atm using Oskia ren. with acids. Oh, makes skin glow like mad and so soft. Seems to exfoliate

    3. Chemical exfoliators. Oh yes! Using DCL pentapeel pads. Super strong stuff, gets dead skin and more off. Insane stuff. Great for my skin type. Not the sensitive or eczema prone or dry.

    4. Natural oils. Have a few. They do nothing in terms of reducing my pigmentation. I use them to soothe the skin when overdoing in strong actives. Using less and less, as my skin is producing plenty of oil itself. Rosehip one does not brighten anything. Have been using it for a long time (months), nope

    5. Vitamin C. Not reducing pigmentaiton in my case. Had only One product work so far, from all vitC I have tried. Just because it had added natural arbutin and licorice . The ones with just vit-c as an active, nothing.

    millie-rosexo 3 Nov 2018 8:20 PM

    great article! i really want to try vitamin C in my skincare routine

    Raksha 10 Sep 2018 2:55 PM

    I missed out on Alpha-H Liquid Gold Rose...

    jessjess1324 18 Mar 2018 4:00 PM

    This is such a good list, I do all of them except for the vitamin C, I'll have to get on to it, if anyone has any good suggestions, hit me up!

    Jacinta1453 16 Mar 2018 2:32 PM

    I wear my invisible zinc every day without fail!

    ray_jay 13 Mar 2018 6:32 PM

    A has are really important for pigmentation especially when it comes up to the surface.

    ray_jay 13 Mar 2018 6:31 PM

    I just have accepted mine and do what I can with treatments but alas it is there and will be for a while.

    Frenchy1 1 Aug 2019 10:40 AM

    Yes acceptance is the key. I never had pigmentation until I hit 50 and have avoided the sun or used SPF since I was 15. Hormonal changes means it happens. Thank God for concealer and foundation!

    Shop A Everyday 11 Mar 2018 12:59 AM

    Great ways here for all skins to benefit

    You beauty 9 Mar 2018 6:29 PM

    Didn't know the body shop has face masks too, I will try soon.

    Sally10 9 Mar 2018 4:38 PM

    Great advice - I've been using sunblock on my face everyday for decades!

    sootyblack_14 9 Mar 2018 2:51 PM

    Great article and tips!!!

    Susmat 9 Mar 2018 11:35 AM

    I find rosehip oil applied at night before night cream is good. The recs for SPFs to try are good; thanks

    Chrystalage 9 Mar 2018 11:00 AM

    I didn't think I had many pigmentation issues, until I looked at my skin under a UV imaging lamp. It was heart breaking. Sunscreen is your no 1 priority

    ThisIsMe 6 Mar 2018 1:06 PM

    I don't spend much time out in the sun so am quite lucky I don't have pigmentation issues.

    BlueBite 6 Mar 2018 3:07 AM

    I am doing everything on this list except the chemical exfoliators. I need to buy me some soon.

    Sparklesparkle 5 Mar 2018 5:11 PM

    Agree with using sunscreen (rain hail or shine) and love the liquid exfoliants from Paula's Choice. I've found using Caudalie's Vinoperfect serum has also made a huge difference to my pigmentation- mostly the freckles/sunspots I get along my cheekbones if I have been in the sun too much.

    Sassy_Minx 5 Mar 2018 4:31 PM

    I have pigmentation really bad on my upper lip from the pill and also the sun :-( I am so self conscious about it so hopefully I can try one of these products!

    maggieball 5 Mar 2018 9:38 AM

    I love rosehip oil. I didn’t know it could help with pigmentation, but it does leave my skin glowing.

    misfortune8 5 Mar 2018 12:48 AM

    I had a tiny patch of pigmentation years ago. I used salicylic acid from a compounding chemist & it disappeared before I even got through the whole jar.

    Beautybabe140194 4 Mar 2018 10:56 PM

    I have started using a vitamin C serum and I am finding my skin is a lot more even and radiant as a result.

    Rpear 4 Mar 2018 8:24 AM

    When I google pigmentation ... It looks so extreme! I would say I have the early stages of pigmentation close to my hairline. The rest are freckles. It really gives you a reality check for what could come if not careful ! Go google it ! It will freak you out! And then you will feel so lovely about your skin!

    Chicklet 3 Mar 2018 11:42 PM

    Most of the freckles on my face have faded, but I don’t think I’ll ever be rid of the ones on my arms and shoulders whatever I do.

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