Getting older means looking older - a fear that has driven many women and even men into the arms of the anti-aging industry. With its numerous products promising a more youthful and vibrant complexion, it is no wonder that this industry has enjoyed booming business year after year. However, while wrinkles, fine lines, and sagging skin has been a main target in the fight against anti-aging, uneven skin tone is an often forgotten factor that can make or break your complexion.

Surprisingly, having an uneven skin tone can make you appear older even before your time. Even if you use the best anti-aging skincare products to treat the other signs of aging, it will all be for naught if your complexion appears discolored and mottled.

There are a number of reasons why uneven skin tone can develop. One of the more common causes is because of melanin production. Melanin is a substance that is responsible for giving our skin its natural color. However, some areas of the skin have more melanin than others so the areas that get exposed to the sunlight will get darker, while the other areas will remain the same. Sometimes this can appear as patches of discoloration on the face. If you find this to be the cause of your uneven skin tone, you’ll want to look into exfoliating the darker areas of your face with an effective, yet gentle facial scrub. By exfoliating the affected areas once to twice a week, you’ll be able to achieve a more even complexion.

Other reasons for uneven skin tone to develop include hormonal changes that occur due to pregnancy, oral contraceptives, or a combination of excessive sun exposure and unbalanced hormonal levels. Additionally, certain skin conditions like acne can also result in uneven skin tone. Although exfoliation can be a solution, this practice could be too harsh for those with sensitive or dry skin. Medical studies have suggested that using specific skincare products formulated with ingredients like vitamin C, ALA (alpha lipoic acid), and DMAE (dimethylaminoethanol) are ideal for treating this type of uneven skin tone effectively. However, that is up to your doctor or dermatologist to determine if this is the route you wish to take.

Those with oily skin types can also experience moments of uneven skin tone. This skin type tends to produce little sebum (oil), which causes dead skin cells to become solid and adhere to the skin’s surface. This results in an uneven, discolored appearance. While exfoliation is a solution, the best method to avoiding this type of skin issue is with proper, daily skin care. Sticking to just exfoliation alone may not entirely solve the problem and may make it worse.

When uneven skin tone is tackled along with the other signs of aging, you can effectively smooth out your complexion and maintain an overall healthy appearance, regardless of whether you’re in your 20s, 30, and beyond.

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