Dark Skin… Dark Spots…
Dark spot and hyperpigmentation correction are probably one of the most common skincare treatment questions I get from friends and clients. Typically, I get these questions mostly from my dark-skinned brothers and sisters. (Yes, MEN do care about their skin too! I can do a whole post on men’s skincare too in the future! Just leave a comment if you’re interested in that!).
Before going further into this post, please keep the following in mind:
If you do not wear sunscreen, or do not plan on using sunscreen, there is pretty much nothing that will work to correct dark spots and they will reoccur. Sunscreen is the #1 skin care product in preventing dark spots, lines, wrinkles and over-all collagen breakdown.
With that said…
The first thing that you should investigate is the why. Why am I developing dark spots? The answer could be a plethora of reasons including acne, bites, burns, scratches and cuts, piercings, over exposure to sun or the elements, hormones, pregnancy, waxing, shaving, the list goes on! It could also be from the products or treatments you’re using already. So many people go right for the strongest and most potent products without consulting their own bodies first. It’s so important to know the cause, before you look for the solution. This is a mantra I’m trying to use not just in my skincare regime, but in life as well.
In my opinion, and maybe I am partial because I genuinely adore the majority of this brands products, Kiehl’s is my top recommendation for skin brightening and evening serums. I love the Kiehl’s Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, not only because it works beautifully but also because it works great for sensitive skin and DOES NOT BLEACH SKIN!!!
My beautiful Cocoa Goddesses, please don’t bleach your skin. It’s so very harmful to not only your skin, but your psyche as well.
The Kiehl’s CCDSS is packed full of skin brightening ingredients with-out the harmful chemicals that can irritate the skin and cause even more issues.
Let’s dive into potent ingredients, shall we?!
Activated C- Vitamin C is a well-known skin brightening agent that’s also chock full of protective antioxidant qualities. Activated C penetrates the skin on a faster and deeper level which in turn helps to visibly improve skins brightness and clarity, usually in about 2 weeks or so.
White Birch Extract- this extract aids in replenishing moisture into the skin, while combining with Activated C to enhance its brightening properties. FUN FACT- White Birch is also excellent for reducing fine lines and increasing skin suppleness. Birch Sap can also be ingested (ONLY IN FOOD GRADE PRODUCTS) to help boost immunity, fatigue, and treat joint pain!
Peony Extract- Peony is a natural antioxidant that further protects the skin against environmental aggressors, like sun exposure.
The idea that everyone should get comfortable with when delving into any type of skin correction or treatment, is that these things take TIME. It’s so important to really understand that what you put into yourself, is ultimately what you get out. Specifically, with Dark Spots, on any complexion, this is not an overnight fix. If you need an ASAP fix, you need to speak with a dermatologist or skin care professional. For the rest of us, time and consistency are the name of the game. On average, skin cell turnover takes about 28-30 days. You should give most products about that time frame to see a more visible result and judge if the product is working for you. The depth of color and the length of time the dark spot or pigmentation has been visible is also a factor in correction. The longer you have had it, and the darker it is, the longer it will take to even out.
With this and any other regiment, you MUST use your serums consistently, as directed, moisturize AND use sunscreen.
Without the use of sunscreen, dark spots will deepen the same way your skin does if you tan. PROTECT YOUR SKIN!! Your SPF should be 30 or higher for optimal protection. It’s also important to have broad spectrum protection from both UVA and UVB rays. Think: UVA rays Age the skin and UVB rays Burn the skin. You definitely want protection from both. As a woman of a deeper complexion, I can say that tanning from being out-side is going to happen with or without sunscreen. I love when I get all golden brown in the summer and sunscreen has never prevented my color deepening, it only cuts down my risk of burning.
If you have any other questions about dark spot correction or sunscreen, please leave a comment! I’d love to hear what your favorite dark spot solutions and sunscreens are!