The Easiest Ways to Manage Pigmentation
By Wander Beauty | Sep 14, 2022
Struggling with uneven skin tone, discoloration or sun spots? You're not alone! Hyperpigmentation, which causes certain areas of your skin to become darker than the rest, is a common skin concern that affects people of all ages and skin types. There are a number of causes for this and it can appear in a variety of ways.
Skin pigmentation happens when the skin produces more melanin (the substance responsible for giving skin its color) than usual. Excess pigment is deposited within the skin, giving the area a darker appearance. If you're dealing with brown spots, blotchy skin or rough skin texture, you're likely to have wondered how to get rid of pigmentation.
In this blog, we’ll look at the different types of skin pigmentation as well as their causes, how to treat and prevent further pigmentation, and offer some top makeup tips to help you manage the appearance of dark spots and give you an even, radiant complexion.
Types of skin pigmentation
There are several different types of hyperpigmentation:
Age spots:
These are the most common type of hyperpigmentation and are formed due to sun damage. They are found in the areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, chest, hands and arms.
Melasma or chloasma:This is characterized by dark spots similar to age spots but covers a larger area. These spots mostly appear due to hormonal changes and are common during pregnancy.
Freckles:These are either genetic or caused by increased melanin production through sun exposure. They appear as tiny dots on your face and shoulders.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH):A condition in which your skin develops marks or spots as a result of an injury, burns, acne or aggressive chemical treatment.
Causes of hyperpigmentation
UV rays from sun exposure are the most common reason for the overproduction of melanin. Other factors that may cause hyperpigmentation include:
- Post-inflammatory pigmentation caused by rashes, bites, razor cuts, allergic reactions, etc.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy (known as melasma)
- Skin rashes (rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, etc.)
- Skin infections (acne, ringworm, candidiasis, etc.)
- A side-effect of medical conditions such as lupus, cyanosis, untreated or undiagnosed diabetes, etc.
To help prevent hyperpigmentation, be sure to avoid direct sunlight and apply sunscreen regularly throughout the day. It’s also important to consume a nutrient- and antioxidant-rich diet, making sure to include a variety of the best foods for beautiful skin. Also, make sure not to pick at mosquito bites or spots and avoid touching your face too much as it could lead to an inflammatory response and increase your exposure to bacteria.
Effective treatment for hyperpigmentation
Certain ingredients can help fade the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. These include:
Niacinamide:This is a powerful skincare ingredient that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. An easy way to include this into your routine is to find skincare and makeup products, such as moisturizers and foundations, that contain niacinamide. This eliminates extra steps from your skincare routine and is an effective way to manage pigmentation. The Mist Connection Essence and Toner is a great addition to your skincare routine as it soothes, tones and moisturizes the skin with a single application.<product>1</product>
Retinol:This vitamin A derivative offers a host of benefits which include lightening the skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots by speeding up the natural skin cell turnover. Do Not Disturb Overnight Repair Concentrate can help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone and texture while you sleep.<product>2</product>
Vitamin C:The best cream for dark spots on the face will always include vitamin C, which inhibits melanin synthesis and is essential in managing the effects of hyperpigmentation. Sight C-er Vitamin C Concentrate will brighten the skin and help protect it from environmental stressors.<product>3</product>
How to manage hyperpigmentation with makeup
If you've already taken the necessary precautions to prevent pigmentation and have included active ingredients to treat it in your basic skincare routine, well done! Makeup comes in next to help you achieve a flawless complexion. Follow these steps to minimize the appearance of skin discoloration and uneven skin tone.
Step 1: Moisturize
Your makeup routine should always begin with clean, moisturized skin. This is especially important for those with dry skin as it ensures your foundation looks smooth and natural. Dive In™ Moisturizer contains niacinamide and provides up to 72 hours of deep hydration. You may also want to look at the best face oil for glowing skin, such as Glow Ahead Illuminating Face Oil, which helps improve the appearance of skin over time.<product>4,5</product>
Step 2: Apply SPF and primer
To limit the harmful effects of UV rays it’s imperative to apply sunscreen every day, throughout the day. A mineral sunscreen is a good option for anyone with skin sensitivities as they are much gentler on the skin. After moisturizing and before applying makeup, you may also want to apply a primer to help create a smooth canvas for makeup application. Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 primes the skin and protects it from the sun, making it the ideal addition to your skincare routine.<product>6</product>
Step 3: Apply foundation and concealer
Once you’ve properly prepared your skin, you’re ready to apply foundation. Opt for a full coverage foundation such as Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation (which also contains niacinamide). Blend well into the face and neck using our Round Trip Dual Foundation Brush for a natural finish, before applying Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer to discolored areas on the face. Again, be sure to blend well. Applying concealer one shade lighter than your usual foundation color under the eyes will help you achieve a brightening effect.<product>7,8,9</product>
Step 4: Set your makeup
The best way to set your makeup is with a full-coverage powder foundation. This ensures your skin appears even and radiant throughout the day and even into the night. If you have dry skin, lightly dust-pressed powder across your face. If you have oily skin, a pat of loose powder can help create a smooth, mattified appearance.
Boost your confidence with Wander Beauty
Our mission is to help you look and feel your absolute best wherever you wander. We provide a range of makeup and skincare products and accessories suitable for all skin types and concerns. Get the ultimate glow with Wander Beauty.
The Easiest Ways to Manage Pigmentation
Struggling with uneven skin tone, discoloration or sun spots? You're not alone! Hyperpigmentation, which causes certain areas of your skin to become darker than the rest, is a common skin concern that affects people of all ages and skin types. There are a number of causes for this and it can appear in a variety of ways.
Skin pigmentation happens when the skin produces more melanin (the substance responsible for giving skin its color) than usual. Excess pigment is deposited within the skin, giving the area a darker appearance. If you're dealing with brown spots, blotchy skin or rough skin texture, you're likely to have wondered how to get rid of pigmentation.
In this blog, we’ll look at the different types of skin pigmentation as well as their causes, how to treat and prevent further pigmentation, and offer some top makeup tips to help you manage the appearance of dark spots and give you an even, radiant complexion.
Types of skin pigmentation
There are several different types of hyperpigmentation:
Age spots:
These are the most common type of hyperpigmentation and are formed due to sun damage. They are found in the areas frequently exposed to the sun, such as the face, chest, hands and arms.
Melasma or chloasma:This is characterized by dark spots similar to age spots but covers a larger area. These spots mostly appear due to hormonal changes and are common during pregnancy.
Freckles:These are either genetic or caused by increased melanin production through sun exposure. They appear as tiny dots on your face and shoulders.
Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH):A condition in which your skin develops marks or spots as a result of an injury, burns, acne or aggressive chemical treatment.
Causes of hyperpigmentation
UV rays from sun exposure are the most common reason for the overproduction of melanin. Other factors that may cause hyperpigmentation include:
- Post-inflammatory pigmentation caused by rashes, bites, razor cuts, allergic reactions, etc.
- Hormonal changes during pregnancy (known as melasma)
- Skin rashes (rosacea, psoriasis, eczema, contact dermatitis, etc.)
- Skin infections (acne, ringworm, candidiasis, etc.)
- A side-effect of medical conditions such as lupus, cyanosis, untreated or undiagnosed diabetes, etc.
To help prevent hyperpigmentation, be sure to avoid direct sunlight and apply sunscreen regularly throughout the day. It’s also important to consume a nutrient- and antioxidant-rich diet, making sure to include a variety of the best foods for beautiful skin. Also, make sure not to pick at mosquito bites or spots and avoid touching your face too much as it could lead to an inflammatory response and increase your exposure to bacteria.
Effective treatment for hyperpigmentation
Certain ingredients can help fade the appearance of dark spots and uneven skin tone. These include:
Niacinamide:This is a powerful skincare ingredient that is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. An easy way to include this into your routine is to find skincare and makeup products, such as moisturizers and foundations, that contain niacinamide. This eliminates extra steps from your skincare routine and is an effective way to manage pigmentation. The Mist Connection Essence and Toner is a great addition to your skincare routine as it soothes, tones and moisturizes the skin with a single application.<product>1</product>
Retinol:This vitamin A derivative offers a host of benefits which include lightening the skin and reducing the appearance of dark spots by speeding up the natural skin cell turnover. Do Not Disturb Overnight Repair Concentrate can help diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and uneven skin tone and texture while you sleep.<product>2</product>
Vitamin C:The best cream for dark spots on the face will always include vitamin C, which inhibits melanin synthesis and is essential in managing the effects of hyperpigmentation. Sight C-er Vitamin C Concentrate will brighten the skin and help protect it from environmental stressors.<product>3</product>
How to manage hyperpigmentation with makeup
If you've already taken the necessary precautions to prevent pigmentation and have included active ingredients to treat it in your basic skincare routine, well done! Makeup comes in next to help you achieve a flawless complexion. Follow these steps to minimize the appearance of skin discoloration and uneven skin tone.
Step 1: Moisturize
Your makeup routine should always begin with clean, moisturized skin. This is especially important for those with dry skin as it ensures your foundation looks smooth and natural. Dive In™ Moisturizer contains niacinamide and provides up to 72 hours of deep hydration. You may also want to look at the best face oil for glowing skin, such as Glow Ahead Illuminating Face Oil, which helps improve the appearance of skin over time.<product>4,5</product>
Step 2: Apply SPF and primer
To limit the harmful effects of UV rays it’s imperative to apply sunscreen every day, throughout the day. A mineral sunscreen is a good option for anyone with skin sensitivities as they are much gentler on the skin. After moisturizing and before applying makeup, you may also want to apply a primer to help create a smooth canvas for makeup application. Pack Up & Glow Priming Mineral SPF 40 primes the skin and protects it from the sun, making it the ideal addition to your skincare routine.<product>6</product>
Step 3: Apply foundation and concealer
Once you’ve properly prepared your skin, you’re ready to apply foundation. Opt for a full coverage foundation such as Nude Illusion Liquid Foundation (which also contains niacinamide). Blend well into the face and neck using our Round Trip Dual Foundation Brush for a natural finish, before applying Dualist Matte and Illuminating Concealer to discolored areas on the face. Again, be sure to blend well. Applying concealer one shade lighter than your usual foundation color under the eyes will help you achieve a brightening effect.<product>7,8,9</product>
Step 4: Set your makeup
The best way to set your makeup is with a full-coverage powder foundation. This ensures your skin appears even and radiant throughout the day and even into the night. If you have dry skin, lightly dust-pressed powder across your face. If you have oily skin, a pat of loose powder can help create a smooth, mattified appearance.
Boost your confidence with Wander Beauty
Our mission is to help you look and feel your absolute best wherever you wander. We provide a range of makeup and skincare products and accessories suitable for all skin types and concerns. Get the ultimate glow with Wander Beauty.
