So you want that flawless glassy and glowy skin tone? Well, who doesn’t - Your skin is beautiful but as a black & brown person it can be a difficult thing reaching your skin goals when you have annoying discolored patches that tend to cause an uneven skin tone. The culprit in most cases is hyperpigmentation. As Dr. Craig A. Kraffert, Board Certified Dermatologist, puts it “Treatment of hyperpigmentation is challenging. Long-term success requires strict avoidance of sun exposure on hyperpigmentation-prone skin.”

While it may be a common problem, there are some useful tips to reducing its occurrence and evening out skin tone. Let’s explore some natural ways we can even out the skin and get you that glassy skin tone.

Why Black Skin is Different?

Black skin comes in different shades and tones. Some include almond, caramel, espresso, hazelnut, ebony, toffee, and even deep ebony. The skin is so diverse because it has a thicker dermis, and this means higher collagen levels. While the dermis protects the skin against wrinkles, fine lines, and sun damage, it can also cause thick scars and keloids due to the larger dermis cells. These keloids often appear on the chest, scalp, ear lobes, and even the back.

In the same vein, the melanin-producing pigment, melanocytes, produces more of the chemical than the skin of other non-black people. This increased melanin also reduces skin damage and protects the skin. However, the melanocytes cause other issues because they are more sensitive. They can cause uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.

There are two different kinds of hyperpigmentation. Melasma is one. It is caused by pregnancy and birth control pills. It develops on the forehead, upper lip, and cheekbones. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, on the other hand, occurs when there is an overproduction of melanin in response to injury.

Top Ways to Even Out Skin Tone For Black & Brown Skin

A healthy skin care routine can help you to even out your skin tone. You also have the option to use natural remedies as well as ready made ones. One simple routine regardless of the method you choose would follow this structure:

• Exfoliate
• Cleanse
• Moisturize
• Apply sunscreen

You can use natural remedies such as kiwi extracts have antioxidants that reduce under eye circles. Vitamin C is another top antioxidant that protects your skin from environmental stressors. On the other hand, vitamin B3 or niacinamide helps even the skin and firm it up as well.

Licorice is another natural brightening remedy for uneven skin tone. Its active compound known as “gladridin” lightens the skin naturally. Green tea is also one of the underrated remedies for uneven skin tone. It has antioxidant properties and applying cooled bags to your dark spots can lighten them naturally.

What to do to get an even skin tone?

Now, there are some store made products with these ingredients you can try out as well. The section below will focus on how you can use these products for an even skin tone.

Exfoliate Regulary

Exfoliating the skin simply means scrubbing the face gently to remove dead skin. It is an old remedy that has proven to be useful even today. It works for all types of skin, regardless of race. There are also exfoliation products available for black skin to make this easier. Black skin is drier because it does not contain enough ceramides. Experts like Mona Gohara, MD, recommend glycolic or lactic acid. Also, the product should not contain harsh chemicals that promote dryness.

If you want to even out your skin, experts recommend exfoliating 2 to 3 times a week. However, the best option for you depends on your skin. Once a week can work wonders, depending on your skin’s sensitivity.

Cleanse daily

Since you cannot exfoliate every day, you should cleanse at least once a day. However, you need to be careful not to cleanse your face more than twice daily. You run the risk of washing off the skin’s natural oil. This can cause other issues. A great cleanser needs to contain some salient ingredients for clearer and more even skin.

Look out for ingredients like panthenol or vitamin B5. It helps your skin hold moisture. Others to consider include betaine and allantoin, which are amino acids and skin-soothing agents, respectively. Use a Brightening Serum After cleansing your skin, the next routine is applying serum. This brightening serum moisturizes your skin and its antioxidant quality can lighten those areas naturally. Your best bet is to get a vitamin C serum. This type of serum brightens your face and protects it from free radicals.

Moisturize Daily

Moisturizing is one of the most important steps to achieving even-toned skin. Doing this daily reduces the chances of developing oiliness or extreme dryness. Both conditions can cause problems for the skin and most result in acne. Moisturizing also camouflages the skin’s blemishes as well. One great option when it comes to moisturizing is choosing a product with plant-based ingredients. A moisturizer with SPF is also ideal.

Some black women use cocoa butter or shea butter, while others opt for premade products. The best option for you depends on your skin and your budget.

Hydrate the Skin

Healing the skin’s outward appearance starts from within. You owe your body a duty to drink water and eat healthily. Drink enough water daily and munch on fruits and vegetables. This alone will change your skin dramatically.

Conclusion

Getting an even skin tone as a dark or brown-skinned person is possible with the different tips listed above. However, you need to be careful about the types of products you use. Lightening products are common on the market but do not solve hyperpigmentation problems. Using the routine stated above will produce better results than lightening the skin. Lastly, do not forget to use sunscreen daily. It prevents premature aging and protects your skin from sunburn.