Pigmentation – Causes and Cures
Our skin goes through so many changes as we age – fine lines and wrinkles start to appear, our skin loses firmness as estrogen reduces, and pigmentation comes to the fore. Of all the changes to our skin, this is the one that seems to age us the most, and the one I like least. According to Gina Cook, Ella Bache National Training Manager, “Hyper-pigmentation is when skin has dark spots and uneven tone. This can be caused by sun-exposure, hormone imbalances and injuries to the skin. Vitamin C is the go-to ingredient for tighter, brighter skin due to it’s ability to promote collagen production and reduce pigmentation.”
The good news is pigmentation can be reduced, and even eliminated. I’ve been reviewing products that claim to reduce and eliminate pigmentation (over time – depending on the severity and your individual skin), and I’ve found and tried some of the best! I’ve been using these for 4 weeks, and although it’s still early days, I’ve noticed my pigmentation spots are smaller and lighter already. Many of these products contain the wonder ingredient Vitamin C, mentioned above, and others other powerful ingredients – let’s take a look.
Ella Bache NeoBright Radiance C Ampoule Set
The Ella Bache NeoBright Radiance C Ampoule Set is a clever 2 part set which mixes a Powdered Vitamin C Concentrate into a Brightening Serum, for a powerful skin brightening formula, which you use for 14 days (morning and night). As well as Pure Active Vitamin C, the formula contains other potent antioxidants including tomato, licorice, pomegranate, and white tea, which, when mixed together, helps to protect your skin from environmental aggressors which cause pigmentation, and also helps to stimulate collagen production, to fight existing pigmentation. Used in conjunction with the rest of the NeoBright range, your skin will start to look more radiant immediately, and brightness and clarity will improve over time. Brightening Serum 13ml, Active Vitamin C Concentrate 3.6g RRP, $59.00 for the set.
Simplicite Hyper-pigmentation Serum A and B
By having 2 separate hyper-pigmentation serums, Simplicite has been able to provide powerful levels of beneficial ingredients in two very potent serums to help prevent and combat pigmentation. Serum A contains the powerful botanicals Uva Ursi, to help aid the repair of skin exposed to the elements. The extract from these berries contains Arbutin which helps to lighten the appearance of your skin. Buchu contains high quality antioxidant flavonoids that help reduce pigmentation in your skin, whilst Mulberry and Grapefruit are free-radical scavengers with de-pigmenting benefits.The Serum B contains Niaoili, which helps to reduce post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, Celery Seed, to enhance the breakdown of excess melanin, and Rosehip Oil, to help slow down the signs of premature ageing and reduce age spots. Serum A 30ml RRP $97.50, Serum B 30ml RRP $112.70.
La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Serum
If you have sensitive skin, the La Roche-Posay Pigmentclar Serum is an intensive, yet oh-so gentle serum, designed to help reduce dark spots and unevenness on your face, neck and decolletage, for a uniform and luminous complexion. The super lightweight lotion contains key ingredients Ph-E Resorcinol and Niacinamide, to help decrease the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation, and LHA to provide gentle, micro-exfoliation to help increase skin luminosity. When used regularly, your skin looks more uniform and radiant. The formula is paraben free, and designed not to irritate sensitive skin. 30ml RRP $59.95.
PRIORI Q+SOD fx220 Brightening Serum
This skin clarifying serum works to decode your skins needs in real-time, to give your skin exactly what it needs, exactly when it needs it. The clever formula contains the advanced skin antioxidant CoQ10, combined with SOD, an enzyme antioxidant known for its superior skin protection and correction. The addition of 15% Lactic Acid helps to gently exfoliate your skin, and boost hyaluronic and collagen responses in your skin. 0.15% Retinol has been added to help with skin resurfacing and renewing, whilst Licorice and Mulberry extracts help to brighten your skin, and even out skin tone. When used over time, your skin looks more even toned, luminous, and radiant. 30ml RRP $165.00.
Nivea Q10plusC Anti-Wrinkle + Energy Sleep Cream
NIVEA Q10plusC Anti-Wrinkle + Energy Skin Sleep Cream is billed as a moisturiser for tired skin and fine lines, and it’s also brilliant on pigmentation, thanks to the Q10/pure vitamin C combination. These two powerful antioxidants work together overnight, to target fine lines, and skin dullness and discolouration, so you awaken in the morning to skin that looks well rested, with a more energised and smoother, youthful looking complexion. Used over time, your skin starts to look fresher, more radiant and luminous, and more even toned. 40ml RRP $23.99.
Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate
With a high potency of Vitamin C, and it’s know anti-aging benefits, and addition of Hyaluronic Acid, the fast-absorbing Kiehl’s Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate serum delivers an instant boost in skin radiance, whilst also providing improved wrinkle reduction benefits. When used over time, skin dullness is reduced, luminosity is improved, and your skin looks more radiant. The high dose Vitamin C provides antioxidant protection, to help prevent future pigmentation, and improve the texture of your skin. The formula is gentle enough to use on sensitive skin. 50ml RRP $98.00.
L’Unico High Potency 30% Vitamin C Serum
As you’ve read above, Vitamin C is nature’s potent, wonder anti-oxidant. It helps to protect your skin from sun damage, helps to repair existing damage, and it helps to boost collagen production to give your skin a radiant, luminous glow. The high concentration of Vitamin C used in the L’Unico’s High Potency Vitamin C Serum really packs a punch. The highly stable Vitamin C used in the serum, quickly goes to work on your skin to help kick-start collagen and elastin synthesis, whilst helping to reduce the tone and colour of dark spots, leading to improved skin tone, and luminosity over time. The use of ascorbyl tetraisopalmitate as the Vitamin C source means it is non-irritating, and can be used on sensitive skin. 30ml RRP $128.00.
Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Spot Brightener
Using THD Ascorbate, a new, powerful form of Vitamin C, that is up to 50 times stronger than traditional Vitamin C, the Peter Thomas Roth Potent-C Spot Brightener helps to reduce the look of dark spots, and brighten your skin tone. The rich, yet fast absorbing cream also contains Vitamin E and Ferulic Acid, for enhanced skincare benefits, and Gwennis and Angelys Angelica Root Extract to help camouflage and reduce the appearance of dark spots. When used over time, this powerful cocktail helps to reduce the appearance of dark spots, giving your skin a more radiant, luminous appearance. 15ml RRP $81.00.
Antipodes Apostle Skin Brightening Serum
The natural, organic (and vegan) Antipodes Apostle Skin-Brightening Serum, helps to target pigmentation, brighten your skin and restore an overall even tone. Using an antioxidant compound of Vinanza Grape and Kiwi, to help target pigmentation and freckling, the compound also helps to decrease redness/facial flushing. The addition of Vinanza Oxifend (from pinot noir grapes), helps to defend skin cells from oxidative stress, so helping to prevent future damage. 15,000-year-old Waiwera artesian water, with a slew of beneficial minerals and kiwifruit exfoliating enzyme, helps to renew your skin for a glowing, radiant look over time. 30ml RRP $59.00.
Inika Organic Certified Organic Enriched Rosehip Oil
If you’re looking for organic, vegan, and cruelty-free skincare, another of our favourites is the Inika Organic Certified Organic Enriched Rosehip Oil. With a powerful burst of Vitamin C, from Australian Kakadu Plum, and Lilli Pilli, as well as free radical protection from Quandong and antioxidants from Crown of Gold, this botanical wonder helps to target premature aging and pigmentation in one go. Used over time, the oil helps to brighten your skin and combat dryness, leaving you with more even toned, luminous skin. 15ml RRP $39.00.
A’kin Certified Organic Rosehip Oil with Vitamin C
Designed to improve your skin’s overall tone and texture, the wonderful A’kin Certified Organic Rosehip Oil combines with the brightening powers of Vitamin C for a potent pigment-fighting oil. The Oil helps to combat the high level of stress and damage caused to skin throughout the summer sun months, with a high concentration of Rosehip, Vitamin C and Macadamia, which combine to help reduce the visible signs of ageing, sun damage, pigmentation, age spots and uneven skin tone over time. The luscious, lightweight, non-greasy and fast absorbing texture is the perfect addition to any skincare routine. 20ml RRP $29.95.
The Jojoba Company Natural Pigmentation Oil
Another natural favourite of ours if The Jojoba Company’s Natural Pigmentation Oil, which is enriched with vitamins and antioxidants specifically to target pigmentation and to help reduce the appearance of age spots. Actives such as Rumex (to help inhibit the effect of pigmentation enzymes), Carrot (rich in the antioxidant Vitamin A), Abyssinian Oil (which works to smooth the texture and tone of your skin), Buriti Oil (which has healing and anti-inflammatory properties), and the wonderful Vitamin C (to help with cell regeneration and collagen synthesis) all combine with the Jojoba Bean (which mimics your skin’s own lipids), to form a powerful oil to help fight pigmentation and dark spots. 30ml RRP $39.95.
Of course the key to preventing sun-related pigmentation is to use sunscreen (SPF 30 or above) whenever you are outdoors, so remember to slip, slop, slap in addition to using any of the above pigmentation products, to prevent future pigmentation, and to protect your skin while using these products – some have powerful actives that mean you need to use a sunscreen.
Have you used any of these products? How did they work for you? Let us know in the comments below. PS, stay tuned, we have an article on how and when to use sunscreen, as well as some of our favourites, coming soon.
