Simple ways to even your skin tone

When we think of skin complaints most of will think of spots or wrinkles but many people suffer with uneven skin tones.

It may sound like a slight skin complaint but for some it can really affect their self-esteem. Uneven skin tone may take the form of redness, acne scaring, sun damage or age spots which can cause blemishes or patches of colour on the skin redness and/or pigmentation.

Uneven skin may result from-

• sun exposure
• age
• medications
• hormones

Fortunately, no matter what the cause of your uneven skin, there are plenty of ways to help you even out your complexion.

SPF

Not only will SPF help your skin with redness or irritation from sun exposure, it will always stop any more age spots or pigmentation appearing. Regardless of the weather you should always wear an SPF on your face, a high 50 if you are in the sun and for everyday use find a moisturiser with added SPF and incorporate it into your morning skincare routine.

Water

One we all know we should be doing but could all be doing a little more of and that is drinking more water! Drinking lots of water hydrates your skin from the inside out and will do wonders for your skin. While your water intake is helping with hydration from the inside remember to apply moisturiser morning and night. A good habit to get into is to apply it to your hands along with your face and neck as the hands can also be a victim of uneven skin tone and age spots. They are exposed to the elements just as much as your face.

Avoid certain foods and drinks

Certain foods or even drinks can be a trigger for your skin. It can cause your skin to become flushed with uneven complexions. Foods that are high in sugar can actually speed up development of wrinkles and age spots. Avoiding them can help to preserve an even skin tone. Common foods that can be a trigger include-

• alcohol can cause the blood vessels to dilate and lead to a flushed face
• spicy foods can increase redness
• foods high sugars can cause wrinkles
• dairy may trigger various types of skin irritation like acne

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can protect against external influences that can affect the skin. These can be any free radicals that can cause tissue damage, resulting in uneven skin tone. You can take supplements, but it is always best to try to get it from your diet. You can find vitamin C in foods like-

• oranges
• peppers
• kiwis
• strawberries

To name just a few.