Fresh-faced, bright, and even-toned skin is what we all desire. A unified complexion with a luminous glow signifies health, balance, and youthfulness, so it can be immensely frustrating when dark spots and patches suddenly make an appearance on your beautiful face. We are talking about hyperpigmentation, and while the condition is generally harmless, it can be a real bummer. But worry not! These dark-tinged spots and patches can be remedied and rectified. Here is everything you need to know to reclaim your bright and brilliant luminosity, NATURALLY!

 

What is Hyperpigmentation?

 As the term implies, hyperpigmentation refers to excess pigment. It shows up as brown-tinged patches on the skin, sometimes just in small spots, sometimes in larger sections of altered pigmentation. Hyperpigmentation refers to freckles, sunspots, and so-called liver spots — commonly on the face or the hands, back, décolleté, and forearms. This phenomenon is common and generally harmless, but it makes our skin appear older, less fresh, and bright due to uneven tone.

 

• Small or large, brown-tinged patches
• Freckles
• Sunspots
• Liver spots

 

3 Common Types of Hyperpigmentation

 

• Sunspots: These small dark areas can vary in size and color. Also called age spots, liver spots, and solar lentigines, they can appear anywhere on the body that has received a lot of sun exposure: the face, chest, back, shoulders, hands, arms, and even our ankle area.

• Melasma: Melasma sounds ominous but refers to a skin condition often caused by hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy and perimenopause. It can also be caused by stress, which causes the body to produce more cortisol. Birth control pills, some antibiotics, and retinoids can also instigate melasma.

• Post-Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: Also known as post-inflammatory melanosis, this type of hyperpigmentation can be triggered by acne, infections, certain medications, medical or cosmetic procedures, and allergic reactions. The latter can happen from over-the-counter products that contain percentages in the “active ingredient” box, toxic preservatives, or fillers that strip and rob your skin’s microbiome. It loses its defense, gets irritated, and experiences red patches or just weird texture shifts that look like pigmentation issues.

 

What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

 Hyperpigmentation happens when certain cells create too much melanin. Melanin is a natural pigment responsible for giving our skin, eyes, and hair their color. An increase in melanin is often caused by factors such as sun exposure, inflammation, hormonal fluctuations, and skin injuries. Some people naturally produce more melanin than others.

• Exposure to the sun
• Inflammation
• Hormonal changes
• Skin Injuries

 

How to Heal Hyperpigmentation 

 Ideally, hyperpigmentation should be tackled both from within and topically. We’ve put together this roundup of skin-saving tips to help you on your journey toward reclaiming your radiant luminosity! People often forget that what is best for their skin and health goes hand in hand, so we recommend solutions that work from the inside out as well as topical applications. The only way to prevent and heal it, stop it from getting worse, is via living by the recommendations on our list here!

Vitamin C

This powerful antioxidant tops our list as the holy grail in the fight against hyperpigmentation. It can block the production of melanin by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase. Boasting anti-inflammatory properties, it will make your skin burst with natural luminosity. Load up DAILY on vitamin C internally and apply it topically for brightening results.

Zinc

This trace mineral inhibits melanocyte-stimulating factors to reduce the chance of developing dark spots. And it will lighten existing age spots to give your skin a brighter and more even-toned glow! Zinc boosts the production of collagen and elastin and heals damaged tissue for firmer and more youthful skin. Please visit our Skin Rituals page where we recommend the ideal percentage of zinc for your skin type!

Green Tea

A fantastic source of antioxidants, green tea prevents melanin production (just like zinc and vitamin C) and soothes inflammation. Use it both orally and topically to reap its anti-aging effects and make your skin glow with a healthy light.

CoQ10

This nutrient is produced naturally by our bodies. The antioxidant works as a depigmentation and skin-whitening agent by inhibiting excess melanin production. CoQ10 will even out your skin tone and make your skin bloom with a radiant glow. It is also great for anti-aging, supporting skin repair, and encouraging collagen production.

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids are great candidates for treating hyperpigmentation as they can also decrease tyrosinase enzyme activity and the production of extra melanin. They also promote healthy cell function, fight free radicals, and give tired-looking skin a restorative lift. A healthy, skin-nourishing diet should contain a good amount of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. 

Rooibos

This herbal tea (also called red bush tea) from a plant native to South Africa is rich in antioxidants and can help to fade dark spots and smooth uneven skin tone. You can apply topically or brew a delicious cup — your body will soak up its free-radical-fighting, immune-boosting, heart-healthy, and anti-inflammatory benefits.

Probiotics

The health-promoting live bacteria are vital players in maintaining a healthy community of microorganisms in your gut, which in turn benefits anything from your mood to your skin. They will help lighten dark spots and prevent their appearance thanks to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tyrosinase-activity-inhibiting properties.

Directly from Jenette Skin Care, the following products will break up pigmentation as well as prevent future discoloration on your skin, especially when used and followed daily.

 

Be Calm - Brightening C Serum

Our most anti-inflammatory product features a medical-grade oil-soluble vitamin C, omega fatty acids from pomegranate seed oils, and radish root-derived probiotics to gift your face with a bright and even glow. It will whisk away environmental stress and sun damage, lighten hyperpigmentation, and improve skin texture for pearl-like radiance.

 

Magic Matcha - Green Tea Superfood Masque

Fortified with amazing all-natural ingredients (including organic Matcha green tea), our queen of masques works magic in reducing inflammation, evening skin tone, minimizing acne, and boosting your skin’s elasticity. Those looking to tackle pigmentation should use it every 4 to 5 days.

 

Be Divine – Age Defying Toner

This divine toner for all skin types ­is exquisitely anti-aging and anti-inflammatory. Powered with probiotics and antioxidants (such as lycopene and omega fatty acids from rosehip seed and geranium), it heals compromised skin, delivering profound skin support for a unified complexion and radiant glow.

 

Be Nourished – Age Defying Moisturizer

A luxurious, nutrient-rich moisturizer fortified with medical-grade vitamin C and potent probiotics to heal and repair at a profound cellular level. Be Nourished is a must for anyone facing dull, dry, and uneven skin tone.

 

Green Tea – Superfood Facial Bar 

Antioxidant-rich and skin-brightening green tea comes to the rescue with this soap that will leave you with a hydrated, clean, and even-toned complexion. This superfood cleanser also gently soothes inflammation and reduces redness!

 

Potion No.1 & Potion No.2

Both of our anti-aging Potions are brightening “superstars” that visibly diminish dark spots, as they each contain 75% probiotic (Potion No. 2 also boasts vitamin C and omega fatty acids!) to purge environmental damage and stress, repair and heal your epidermis on a cellular level, and transform your complexion back to that covetable, all-day glow.

 

Divine Balance – Luxury Face and Body Oil

This luxurious oil does wonders for smoothing out the skin of your face and décolletage. An anti-inflammatory powerhouse, it is infused with medical-grade peptides and packs omega fatty acids to soothe and calm compromised skin.

 

How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation in the First Place!

 

Defend Your Skin Against the Sun!

Hyperpigmentation can sometimes take quite a while to treat, so ideally you do everything in your power to prevent it (and more serious issues such as skin cancer!!!) from occurring at all! Preventive measures are a must, so please be sure to always wear a strong digital defense sunscreen (spf 30 to 50) and a hat anytime you are in direct sunlight for more than 20 minutes, or in the car for long lengths of time, particularly during the hours between 8 AM and 5 PM.

Be Careful with Acids

Also, be aware that there are ingredients that can be a double-edged sword for pigmentation issues while also damaging cells and causing long-term complications. If you use acids such as AHAs and BHAs with percentages and retinoids regularly, your skin is much more susceptible to pigmentation. If you are spending a lot of time outside, you should avoid using these types of products, period!!! 

 

Say No to Hydroquinone and Skin-Bleaching Agents

We also wish certain products like hydroquinone would not even be allowed on the market. Most Western dermatologists recommend hydroquinone for melasma, but while this skin-lightening agent bleaches the skin, it is super harmful, especially for our liver! These products can contain mercury and steroids! Also, hydroquinone can worsen hyperpigmentation in darker skin tones over time.

If you would like more guidance, please schedule a skin consultation with one of our professionals at Being In LA! We have helped so many clients with every type of skin, especially pigmentation issues!