Odd dark blotches, weird sunspots and unsightly age spots that seem to appear out of nowhere … what’s going on, beauty?

 

Well, it’s called  hyperpigmentation  and it’s is one of the toughest complexion conundrums out there, affecting women (and a few unlucky dudes) of all races and ages. This tenacious skin condition is a common, usually harmless condition in which patches of skin become darker in color than the normal surrounding skin.

 

What causes it?

 

This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin. It can be a result of years of sun exposure, hormonal changes and skin trauma from acne breakouts (and picking them) which lead to post-inflammatory scars and eventually hyperpigmentation.

 

Sure, high-end dermatologists will be happy to take your money for potentially harmful prescriptions and treatments. But before you delve into these drastic measures, let’s unpack the benefits of two natural ingredients that hyperpigmentation fears most!

Vitamin C Sensation

 

Chances are you’re already enlightened on how important Vitamin C is for overall health and wellness. But now, 50 years after Linus Pauling brought it to the world’s attention, Vitamin C is gaining recognition for its complexion-loving benefits. And at the top of that list is its hyperpigmentation fighting benefits.

 

It’s one of the most potent antioxidants out there and believe us when we say that it lives up to the hype, especially when it comes to tackling hyperpigmentation.

 

As time marches on, natural and environmental factors cause structural tweaks in the skin, leading to uneven pigmentation. UV-induced age spots and post-acne hyperpigmentation fear Vitamin C because it halts the biochemical reactions that cause uneven pigmentation and effectively brightens skin.

 

Here’s one dermatologist’s take on this super vitamin…

 

One of Vitamin C’s biggest uses is for reducing scars, spots and other hyperpigmentation, says dermatologist Melanie Palm. “Vitamin C is a well-known brightening agent, as it interferes with abnormal pigmentation through tyrosinase inhibition of the melanin pigment pathway.”

 

What does that mean in simple terms? “It is used topically to fade brown spots without altering normal skin pigmentation,” Palm states.

 

But Vitamin C’s superpowers don’t end there! Studies show that Vitamin C jumpstarts production of collagen and elastin, proteins that are essential for keeping your skin firm and wrinkle-free.  And it gets plenty of extra bonus points for its age repairing, wrinkle-preventing benefits thanks to its powerful antioxidants.

 

Time for Turmeric!

 

This vibrant yellow-orange spice is related to ginger and is a main ingredient in curry. Sure, it’s tasty, but what we really love about turmeric is how it tackles dark spots due to the compound curcumin, which has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

 

A 2018 study showed turmeric greatly reduces dark spots.  The curcumin contains a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that reduces excess production of melanin, which helps to even skin tone and lighten scars left over from pesky acne episodes.

 

Like Vitamin C, turmeric is rich in antioxidants. It helps fight off those sneaky free radicals that trigger skin aging. Turmeric protects against the aging effects of sun damage UV radiation and the formation of wrinkles and dark spots. And as if that wasn’t enough, turmeric helps prevent loss of skin texture and elasticity. It’s also an effective – yet gentle -- exfoliant, sloughing off dead skin cells and promoting skin cell renewal. It revitalizes as it brightens the skin for a healthy, natural glow.

 

Skincare experts say one of the best ways to reap the dark-spot-fighting benefits of these two natural wonders is in a soothing face mask. Sure, you could try a messy DIY mask, but why waste your time when there is such a great product on the market?

 

Gleamin face mask is an easy-to-use product that comes with an applicator so you can apply wherever and whenever spots crop up. It’s rich in turmeric, Vitamin C, Aloe Vera along with other mighty antioxidants and vitamins that will reduce signs of discoloration and make your skin look radiant.