Time to lighten up your skin
Dark spots and pigmentation are something that Irish Celtic skin tone is prone to. It can make skin look dull.
There are differing types. Melasma is believed to be caused by hormonal changes and may develop during pregnancy, often referred to as ‘the mask of pregnancy’.
Areas of hyperpigmentation can appear on any area of the body, but they appear most commonly on the face. Sunspots or solar lentigines, sunspots are common. They are related to excess sun exposure over time. Generally, they appear as spots on areas exposed to the sun, like the hands and face.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation is a result of injury or inflammation to the skin. A common cause of this type is acne.
Start to tackle dark spots with PowerBright Dark Spot Serum (RRP €105), a new launch from Dermalogica. Formulated with high-tech ingredients and light-diffusing technology that start working fast, it fades dark spots and begins to balance the appearance of uneven pigmentation within just a few days.
It brightens and boosts skin’s natural luminosity and keeps working overtime to deliver smooth, even-toned skin, which acts like invisible mesh to provide a visible lifting and tightening effect. It also smoothes fine lines and helps protect skin against pollution, which can lead to premature signs of skin ageing.
How does it work? Hexyl resorcinol and vitamin B3 (niacinamide) help fade the appearance of dark spots. Hexyl resorcinol inhibits tyrosinase activity (the copper-containing enzyme) and therefore melanin production whilst vitamin B3 blocks melanin transport.
Peony flower decreases the amount of tyrosinase, so less is available to produce melanin, and alongside blackcurrant oil boosts skin’s natural luminosity.
Skin care powerhouse shiitake mushroom - rich in beta glucans - helps brighten skin and even skin tone by degrading melanin.
Of course, our greatest solution in tackling pigmentation is of course SPF.
Neo Strata Skin Active Repair Matrix Support SPF 30, (RRP €74.05) is an age-defying day cream which targets the skins hydrating matrix to firm the skin’s appearance and repair crow’s feet and expression lines.
The advanced, rich formulation improves skin texture and uneven tone whilst helping skin to look firmer and healthier. Skin Active Repair Matrix revolutionises the feel and look of the skin, resulting in a bright and vibrant natural look.
Eminence Bright Skin Moisturiser SPF 30 (RRP €64) is a brightening daily moisturiser complete with natural hydroquinone alternative and SPF 30 all mineral protection to target the appearance of hyperpigmentation and help prevent sunburn. The texture is stunning and your akin feels so nourished. For normal to combination skin types.
Skingredients Skin Shield SPF 50 PA +++ (RRP €45 for 50ml) is your invisible mineral parasol, a lightweight broad-spectrum SPF lotion that helps shield your skin from sunlight pollution and assists in protecting you indoors from the HEV light emitted from computer, phone, tablet, and other screens.
It is always important to shield and protect your biggest organ. Rock star ingredients include zinc oxide - a mineral that works as a physical SPF filter and protects from HEV light. Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is an antioxidant, helps to improve skin tone and texture and vitamin E, a potent antioxidant which also protects from free radical damage (pollution).