You’ve heard this one before, but did you know that the sun is a very likely culprit in hyperpigmentation? (In fact, 50% of sun damage occurs after you leave direct sunlight, which means you may be dealing with more sun damage than you realize.) Unprotected sun exposure can create redness, dark spots, and uneven pigmentation that linger long after the sun has set. The right products can help support your skin in the healing process, but it’s also essential to cut off this unprotected exposure so that you aren’t re-exposing these areas of uneven skin tone every day. If you are, it will be difficult to see the healing results that you’re looking for. 

This is another piece of advice we guarantee you’ve heard often, but maybe you didn’t realize that dehydration could be at the root of your uneven skin tone. Hydration is so important for our body processes, as well as for the skin barrier to function properly. If you are dehydrated, it can be difficult for your skin to protect against environmental aggressors or heal from disruptors that cause uneven skin tone, like acne and sun exposure. Not to mention, effective hydration can bring positive results for multiple skin conditions at once, so it’s kind of a freebie! Hydration helps flush out toxins, maintain skin elasticity, and support a clear complexion.

A common rule of thumb has been to drink about 8 glasses of water per day (or 2L). However, if you really want to be well-hydrated, you may favor looking into an individualized approach. Some experts recommend that you drink between 0.5-1 ounces of water per pound of your weight, leaning toward the upper end of the range when you are performing strenuous activities or combatting dehydrating factors (like salty foods). If you have trouble drinking plain water, it’s important to note that you can meet your fluid requirements through a combination of water, watery foods, and other beverages. Check out these tips to increase your fluid intake if you don’t love drinking water!   

3. AVOID HARSH CHEMICALS

If your skin is not getting along with your current routine, product irritation can be a major cause of uneven skin tone. This especially applies if you have used any harsh skincare treatments while not absolutely acing #1 and #2, or if you haven’t taken pH balance into account in your routine. Your skin must maintain a weakly acidic pH level to carry out its protective and healing functions, with some studies estimating the ideal number at 4.5-5. 

As much as possible, try to limit exposure to harsh skincare products, synthetic fragrances, and abrasive ingredients that can strip natural oils from your skin and cause irritation. Instead, opt for gentle natural formulations that support skin health without causing damage. If you are particularly sensitive, you may want to take a closer look at not only your skin products but also other products your skin may be coming in contact with (like the detergent used on your pillow cases). 

When you do have a concentrated active or stronger treatment in your routine, keeping your skin barrier strong by hydrating, moisturizing, pH balancing, and protecting from sun exposure can help avoid new or persistent instances of uneven skin tone.

4. ESTABLISH A CONSISTENT SKINCARE ROUTINE

If you are experiencing uneven skin tone, you will also want to consider your routine. Everyone is different, but many find that their skin doesn’t appreciate a lot of unpredictability. Our bodies are always trying to adjust to our daily habits and make efficient decisions about oil production, water consumption, healing rates, and more—all based on what it knows about our habits and environment.

Although our routines and environments will shift around life factors, it’s important to have some constants that our skin can always expect: cleansing, toning, and moisturizing daily. The methods, products, and frequencies that work best for these steps are individual, so you may need to learn about yourself before finding your flow. However, trying too many new products in a short time frame can work against your skin; when possible, space out new additions to your routine.

Cleanse your skin daily to remove dirt, oil, and impurities that can contribute to irritation causing uneven skin tone and texture. Follow up with a toning mist like the Neroli Clarifying Complexion Mist to balance pH levels, which can also help address and prevent irritation. Lastly, finish with a moisturizing cream, facial oil, or balm to lock in your hydration and protect the skin barrier—we don’t want to lose that hard-earned hydration through TEWL, AKA Transepidermal Water Loss.

5. PRACTICE GENTLE EXFOLIATION

If you’re doing everything you can to promote healing in your skin and remove triggering factors, gentle exfoliation can be the last piece to help your new complexion shine through. As cells turnover, you may see improvement of your uneven skin tone in the fresh skin cells. Weekly gentle exfoliation can support this process of cell turnover and reveal a brighter, more even complexion each time. You can also choose an exfoliant with ingredients that complement your goal of an evenly toned complexion, like the natural sources of AHAs in our Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud. Sugar, oats, and fruit enzymes can all be great choices of exfoliating agents.

What if I Have Persistent Sunspots or Scarring?

Persistent forms of hyperpigmentation like sunspots and scarring can be addressed at home with science-backed active ingredients like Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) and Vitamin C, as well as with some holy grail natural actives like sea buckthorn berry oil. That said, sunspots, acne scars, and long lasting hyperpigmented patches can be very stubborn. Although you will likely see some improvement with these holistic methods, complete removal may require professional treatment. For persistent sunspots or scars, we recommend seeking professional treatments, which may include laser therapy, dermabrasion or microneedling. Consult with a dermatologist or skincare professional to determine the best course of action for your specific concerns. 

Remember to continue observing these holistic steps and complementing your treatment with a gentle natural skincare routine in order to support your healing from any stronger treatments.

Products Recommendations for an Evenly Toned Complexion

If you have read up to this point in our blog, it's a good time to share some of our favorite products that customers have found to be helpful in their skin health journey.

1. DOUBLE CLEANSE KIT

This double cleanse kit gently lifts impurities with a brightening pumpkin pulp soap and an illuminating vetiver essential oil cleanser. A reviewer recently shared, “I love that the vetiver oil takes off makeup and sunscreen, the milky texture is wonderful and leaves my face feeling beautifully moisturized. Then the pumpkin soap makes my face glow. This is the duo you never thought you needed." —Nazia A.

2. NEROLI CLARIFYING COMPLEXION MIST

This toning hydration mist helps maintain a healthy pH for your skin barrier while adding hydration through Niacinamide and an immortelle hydrosol. Customers have nicknamed our best-selling product “Liquid Gold” after the effect it has on brightening and evening out skin tones.

3. ULTIMATE GLOW MASKING DUO

This masking duo moisturizes, regenerates, and exfoliates with our best selling Vitamin C Regenerative Balm paired with our favorite exfoliator, the Hibiscus Exfoliating Mud (at an ongoing 15% discount compared to purchasing the two products separately!). 

If you dream of an evenly toned complexion, remember that your skin isn’t working against you in this. An uneven skin tone can be a sign of unmet needs in the skin such as dehydration, pH imbalance, or the need for restoration from sun damage. Implement these 5 holistic skincare tips and audit your skincare products to help your skin glow at its best!