Skin pigmentation is a common issue that can affect anyone, regardless of age, skin type, or background. While it’s often associated with sun damage, other factors such as acne, cuts, burns, and hormonal changes can also contribute to uneven tone.

Causes of Pigmentation

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• Sun damage: UV rays can cause hyperpigmentation, leading to dark spots and uneven tone.
• Acne: Popping or picking acne can lead to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).
• Cuts and burns: Irritating the skin can cause hyperpigmentation, especially when combined with sun exposure.
• Hormonal changes: Pregnancy, contraceptive pills, and menopause can lead to melasma, a type of pigmentation disorder.
• Genetics: Inherited traits can affect skin pigmentation, leading to uneven tone.

According to Dr. Christine Hall, a skin expert, pigmentation problems occur when the skin’s reaction to sun exposure is disturbed, causing areas of both hyperpigmentation (dark spots) and hypopigmentation (light spots). Dr. Hall explains that hyperpigmentation is much more common and results in smaller, flat, uneven, darker patches on the skin.

The Three Main Types of Pigmentation

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1. Melasma: Caused by hormonal changes, genetics, and sunlight, melasma results in patches of discolouration over the forehead, temples, and cheeks. These patches will often fade once pregnancy is complete or use of the contraceptive pill is discontinued, but this type of pigmentation is notoriously difficult to treat and often comes back.
2. Sunspots: Also known as “liver spots,” sunspots are the marks that appear most commonly over the face, neck, and hands as a result of excessive exposure to the sun. They occur when the function of melanocytes (the cells responsible for producing melanin) is disturbed and they start to overproduce melanin, depositing it excessively and unevenly.
3. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation: While pigmentation disorders can occur anywhere on the skin, anything that irritates or inflames can result in hyperpigmentation that can become worse when mixed with sun exposure.

Preventing Pigmentation

Prevention is always better than a cure, according to Dr. Hall. It’s estimated that 90 per cent of visible skin aging is caused by the sun, and so sun protection is the most important step that can be taken to prevent damage. UV rays are present all year round, so SPF needs to become a staple part of your skincare routine. Hall also advises against picking or popping acne, as this can result in more pigmentation. When it comes to skincare ingredients, vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is proven to not only protect against further skin damage but also reverse some of the damage that has already been caused by oxidative stress. Azelaic acid is another lesser-known skincare ingredient with multiple actions and uses. Its anti-inflammatory, anti-pigmentation, anti-oxidant, and anti-microbial properties make it especially useful for those with acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation.

Using Makeup to Cover Pigmentation

While it’s impossible to completely remove pigmentation, makeup can be used to cover it. Givenchy Beauty’s national make-up artist, Claire Mulleady, advises to choose a foundation that matches your skin tone and provides the right level of coverage.

Best Foundations for Pigmentation

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1. Max Factor Miracle Pure Skin Reset 2 in 1 Serum Foundation: This skincare-meets-foundation hybrid is packed with clever ingredients to hydrate skin and repair damaged skin barriers. It contains niacinamide and chamomile extract to calm and soothe.
2. Givenchy Prisme Libre Glow Serum Foundation: This new launch from Givenchy is designed to leave skin looking bright, even, and balanced. It contains a combination of color pigments that work to lessen the appearance of dark spots or red areas and blur away dullness.
3. No7 Intelligent Colour Foundation: This clever base is one of the brand’s most repurchased products and works wonders to balance out uneven tone and disguise dark patches. It’s available in six shades.
4. Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Foundation: This best-selling foundation offers full coverage and is filled with caring goodies, including hyaluronic acid and peptides. It’s available in 41 shades.
5. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better Foundation: This foundation has a lovely finish that works equally well with oily skin types as well as those prone to dryness. It uses a cocktail of vitamins, aloe vera, and pearl powder to soften discolouration and minimize pores.
6. Clinique Even Better Clinical Serum Foundation: This foundation contains brightening vitamin C, exfoliating salicylic acid, and hydrating hyaluronic acid to reduce the appearance of dark spots and brighten skin. It offers a medium level of coverage and is available in 41 natural-looking shades.
7. L’Oreal Infallible 32hr Matte Cover Foundation: This foundation uses four per cent niacinamide to fight off and lessen the appearance of dark spots while wearing it. It offers plenty of full coverage to disguise them.

Expert Tips

Dr. Hall advises to always consult with your GP or dermatologist if you’re concerned about pigmentation. She also recommends using sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, and wearing protective clothing when spending time outdoors. Hall adds that prevention is key, and by taking steps to protect your skin, you can reduce the appearance of pigmentation. She also recommends using skincare ingredients that are proven to reverse some of the damage caused by oxidative stress, such as vitamin C and azelaic acid.

Conclusion

Pigmentation is a common issue that can be caused by a variety of factors. While it’s impossible to completely remove pigmentation, makeup can be used to cover it. By taking steps to protect your skin and using the right skincare ingredients, you can reduce the appearance of pigmentation and achieve a brighter, more even-toned complexion.