With the return of the sun, some of us will see spots appear on our skin. These dark spots are due to an imbalance of melanin and can be avoided. Discover our tips!
Pigment spots: why do they appear?
Pigmentation spots are patches of lighter or darker color that appear on our skin. They are due to an imbalance of melanin, a brown pigment that is activated especially after exposure to the sun. It is therefore responsible for your pretty summer tan. When the latter becomes unbalanced, it will generate more or less pigment in certain areas of the body and face, which leads to the appearance of pigment spots.
REN Clean Skincare
If your skin has too many melanocytes in one place, it will reveal one or more brown spots, a symbol of hyperpigmentation. Conversely, if you suffer from hypopigmentation in places, you will see light spots appear. These spots can appear all over the body, but they are generally located on the face, hands, and neckline, areas most exposed to UV rays on a daily basis. There are different causes of hyper or hypopigmentation of the skin, here are some of them:
- A hormonal imbalance can cause pigment spots, whether it is pregnancy (pregnancy mask), menopause, hormone therapy, or thyroid problems;
- Photoaging is also often responsible for the appearance of pigment spots. This is why, the older you get, the more you have, especially as a result of exposure to the rays of the sun;
- Photosensitizing products, if you take regular medical treatment, it is quite possible that you are advised not to expose yourself to the sun. Indeed, some drugs, but also some essential oils, are photosensitizing, that is to say, they will make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
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Pigment spots: our advice to avoid them
Tip n°1: Do not ignore sun protection
As you will have understood, the sun and its rays are largely responsible for the appearance of pigment spots. Regular application of sunscreen, particularly on the face and neckline, can therefore work miracles by limiting the risk of these unsightly spots. Detour revealing yourself to the sun’s rays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m, and opt for an SPF 50 sunscreen product to be applied every 2 or 3 hours. Here are our favorites:
- Solar Defense Booster SPF 50 – Dermalogica;
- Face Sun Cream SPF 50 – Mimitika;
- Organic Face Sun Cream SPF 50+ – Patyka;
- Tinted Face Sun Cream SPF 50 Certified Organic – Laboratoires de Biarritz.
Tip n°2: Adopt a clean beauty routine
Some ingredients used in these cosmetic products can be irritating and thus accentuate existing pigment spots, or even trigger their appearance. If you are still hesitating to switch to green and clean cosmetics, now is the time! We, therefore, avoid controversial ingredients, such as endocrine disruptors, and we prefer organic cosmetics and care or at least with a simple and transparent composition.
If you can find a day cream with an SPF 30 index, for example, don’t forget that you will still need to add a real sunscreen to reapply throughout the day. To avoid pigment spots, consider applying an enzymatic scrub and a moisturizing mask once or twice a week depending on your skin type, and go for a night cream rich in antioxidants to stimulate the regeneration of your skin at night. Here are our favorite clean products to prevent and reduce dark spots:
- Face Cream With Vitamins SPF 30 – Oskia;
- Mineral Foundation Powder SPF 20 – Jane Iredale;
- Tinted Powder SPF 20 – Ilia;
- Skin Tint Super Serum SPF 30 Lightweight Foundation – Ilia;
- Daily Microfoliant Exfoliating Powder – Dermalogica;
- Radiance Overnight Glow Anti-Dark Spot Radiance Night Cream – Ren Skincare.
Tip n°3: We make a cure of food supplements
Dietary supplements designed to prepare your skin for sun exposure will stimulate its production of melanin from the inside and allow it to better protect itself from aggressions linked to UV rays. In addition, these supplements will save your skin from oxidative stress, responsible for skin aging. 1 to 2 months before your holiday in the sun, take a course of food supplements rich in beta-carotene and other vitamins and minerals, and thus limit the risk of pigment spots. Here are our favorite cures:
- We want… a unifying booster – Atelier Nubio;
- Summer Glow – Likes;
- We want… a sublime tan – Atelier Nubio;
- Solar food supplements – Mimitika.
Tip n°4: Opt for an anti-dark spot serum
Enriched with antioxidants and targeted active ingredients, the anti-dark spot serum is ideal for limiting the appearance of pigment spots and reducing the visual appearance of existing spots. It also participates in the regeneration of the skin and will hydrate, treat and protect the skin cells. Ideal as night care, it can also be applied just before your moisturizing day cream! Here is our selection of green anti-dark spot serums:
- Dark Spot Correcting Serum – Patyka;
- Clearly Corrective™ Dark Spot Solution Radiance Serum – Kiehls;
- Vinoperfect Anti-Dark Spot Radiance Serum – Caudalie;
- C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum – Sunday Riley;
- Diem Vitamin C Gel Cream Anti-spots – Antipodes.
Photo: Pexels/ Ali Alcántara
