Everybody desires brighter, glowing skin. However, you may have noticed dull or dark spots despite making extra conscious efforts to keep your skin more radiant and glowing. Sometimes, your face can look darker than your body, which can be annoying.
What is a Skin Tone?
Skin tone is the skin’s surface color. Some people confuse skin tone and skin undertone. Skin undertone is a subtle hue beneath the skin surface. The pigment or melanin in the skin’s uppermost layer determines the skin tone.
Generally, people have four primary skin tones. These are:
Deep or dark
Medium
Fair
Light
Skin undertones are cool, warm, and neutral. Each skin tone has several complexions. People often break it down into very deep, very light, etc.
Some people experience a darkening skin tone with age. However, this happens in some areas, such as the hands and face, that darken due to uneven distribution of melanocytes or pigment cells. However, other factors can alter the skin tone while undertones remain unchanged. So, what can make your skin tone darken?
Top Mistakes That May Darken Your Skin Tone
Many people struggle with dark spots and scars on their skin. In most cases, skincare mistakes and unhealthy lifestyle choices are the primary reasons for a dark skin tone. However, a darkening skin tone can be due to various reasons. Here are common mistakes that may darken your skin tone.
1. Sun Exposure
Your skin has melanin, the pigment that gives it a dark color. Excessive and prolonged sun exposure can trigger melanin. That’s why your skin tone may darken or appear dull after an extended or excessive sun exposure. Therefore, staying outdoors longer is among the mistakes that darken the skin tone. If you must be outdoors, use a quality sunscreen to safeguard your skin from UV and UVB rays from the sun.
2. Using Harsh Chemicals
Some skincare products can also darken your skin tone. The face has more sensitive skin than other body parts. Therefore, regular application of products with harsh chemicals can irritate the skin, leading to blemishes, dry patches, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. Additionally, some products have toxins that may trigger scars and acne, giving your skin a darker or discolored appearance.
3. Damaging the Skin
You may damage the skin with practices like excessive exfoliation. Also, using the wrong cosmetic products can damage your skin. When this happens, your skin may experience post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. It is when the skin produces excessive melanin, experiencing some irritation or injury.
Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation makes the skin darker in areas with an allergic reaction, scars, injury, or acne. So, if you notice a dark tone where you have damaged the skin, address the underlying inflammation first. Once the inflammation has reduced, your skin will eventually lighten itself.
4. Leading an Unhealthy Lifestyle
Some lifestyle choices, such as excessive alcohol consumption and smoking, can damage and darken your skin tone. Excessive alcohol dehydrates the skin, while smoking reduces blood flow to the skin. Additionally, inappropriate hydration and poor nutrition can negatively affect your skin’s tone and health. Therefore, lead a healthy lifestyle by avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking. Also, maintain a healthy, balanced diet and hydrate the body to address your darkening skin tone.
5. Ignoring Proper Skin Care
Failure to care for your skin can cause problems that darken the skin tone. For instance, neglecting skin cleansing and exfoliating can cause dead skin cells and excess sebum accumulation on the top skin layer and pores, making it darker. Also, failing to moisturize your skin can make it dull and dry or cause an uneven skin tone. Therefore, establishing and maintaining a consistent skincare routine can help you develop and maintain healthy, glowing skin.
Conclusion
Embracing a comprehensive approach to overall health and skin care can help you address a darkening skin tone. That means protecting the skin from the sub, making healthy lifestyle choices, and sticking to a healthy skincare routine. Also, use organic skincare products to avoid the damaging effects of harsh chemicals. If you suspect an underlying is the reason for your darkening skin tone, consult a professional dermatologist for personalized treatment and custom guidance.
