Exposure to sunlight, hormonal changes and ageing can cause an increase in melanin production and trigger hyperpigmentation.
But you can go from blemish to bright with these easy steps:
1. Double cleanse
Excess oil, dirt, and make-up can clog your pores, leading to hyperpigmentation. Using a pre-cleanser, like micellar water, before your usual one is called double cleansing. It will remove the excess oil and make-up and prepare your skin for your routine.
2. Toner glory
Wipe your face with a toner containing glycolic acid and salicylic acid, or witch hazel, to remove any leftover dirt after your cleansing routine. A toner will prepare your skin for a moisturiser and treatment serum.
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3. Moisture boost
Choose a moisturiser that contains ingredients such as hyaluronic acid and glycolic acid, or facial oils like baobab. Your skin needs a boost of hydration to maintain its health. Massage your moisturiser in an upward motion on your face and neck.
4. Target issues
Treatment serums are skin savers for hyperpigmentation. Look for ones that contain glycolic acid, retinol, kojic acid and vitamin C, that work to reverse the reaction that causes the dark marks. Ingredients like glycolic acid travel deeply into the pores to exfoliate and help speed skin cell turnover for brighter, clearer skin.
READ MORE | What is glycolic acid? These are 9 benefits of the smallest AHA
5. Sun protect
Wear sunscreen with an SPF15 to 30 to prevent blemishes from darkening even more. Apply it every morning straight after your moisturiser.
Applied directly to spots, a spot corrector can help fade and reduce the appearance of dark marks over time with continued use. It is also small enough to keep in your bag!
READ MORE | From quality sleep to journaling - 5 selfcare rituals to help you recharge
For hydrated skin
Hydrating
It has glow-giving properties that prevent water loss, allowing your skin to better retain moisture and stay hydrated throughout the day. It helps rejuvenate and protect your complexion.
Brightening
Give your skin a youthful glow by using vitamin C to help fade pigmentation marks and smoothen it out. It does this by encouraging surface skin cell turnover, which helps to reveal a more radiant layer of skin and combat dullness.
Sun protection
Using sunscreen with vitamin C provides an extra layer of protection against sun damage caused by harmful UVrays. It improves the skin’s resistance to UV and keeps damage at bay.
Soothes irritation
Rashes, cuts, burns and other irritations need the help of vitamin C to repair the damage. It may also play a role in the formation of skin cells needed to soothe an irritation or close up a wound.
Premature ageing
Tiny particles that can accelerate ageing and cause damage to your skin are called free radicals. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that can help fight free radicals, preventing premature signs of ageing.
Boosts firmness
When vitamin C is added to the skin, it combats any signs of stress, slows the ageing process and protects the skin. This gives it a tighter and more youthful appearance. It also boosts firmness by speeding up collagen production.
