Australian Dermatologist Dr Natasha Cooke claims that “fixing your pigmentation can knock a good 5-10 years off your skin age!”
Whilst skin pigmentation can certainly add character to a face, anyone who suffers from skin pigmentation knows the anguish of layering on the foundation and concealer in the attempt to create an even, youthful and bright canvas to present to the world. Not to mention the concern that the pigmentation may actually be a sign of skin damage.
As our understanding of chemical based pigmentation treatments, and their potential to cause skin irritation and sensitivity advances, many of us are left looking for natural solutions for this difficult and extremely common skin condition.
What is Skin Pigmentation?
In actual fact all skin is pigmented. It is when we have hyperpigmentation that it causes large brown discoloured patches, or melasma, on our skin. When stimulated, melanocytes produce melanin which is the pigment that is then transferred to the surface of the skin and clumps together to create melasma, freckles, sun spots and a patchy complexion.
Whilst pregnancy and the oral contraceptive pill can exacerbate the appearance of pigmentation and melasma, the majority of excessive melanin production is stimulated by sun exposure.
When looking at natural skin care to help reduce pigmentation, it is important to look for ingredients that have been proven to reduce the production and transport of melanin.
Vitamin C.
Vitamin C, also known as Ascorbic Acid, is an acidic antioxidant found in many citrus fruits. More recently it has been discovered that Vitamin C can be found naturally in its highest concentrations in Australian Desert Fruits like the Kakadu Plum, Davidson Plum and Australian Finger Lime. Vitamin C serves many purposes when it comes to our internal health functions including wound healing and immune system function and has also shown to be beneficial in fading skin hyperpigmentation. Biologi are the first in the world to create technology that allows them to deliver natural, stable Vitamin C in their 100% active serums created from Australian desert fruits. These serums offer some of the highest active Vitamin C concentration in skincare, with the Bqk Serum being their go-to for the treatment of skin pigmentation.
Vitamin A.
Vitamin A, also known as Retinoid or Retinol, stimulates increased cellular turnover and promotes rapid loss of melanin or pigment. Vitamin A has long been used a key dermatological ingredient for treating skin thanks to its ability to fade pigmentation and sun spots, and speed up the process of shedding old, damaged skin cells and bringing new ‘baby’ cells to the surface. Vitamin A is literally the elixir of youth. Sans [ceuticals] Activator 7 Oil is a high dose Vitamin A multifunctional formulation that can be applied to face, body, hair and can also be used as a shaving oil, makeup remover, personal lubricant and massage oil. We advise protecting your beautiful new baby skin cells from the sun when using this product.
Niacinamide.
Niacinamide is a gold standard ingredient when it comes to treating skin pigmentation naturally. Niacinamide is an active form of Vitamin B3 (niacin) that is found in yeast and root vegetables. It is known to inhibit the transfer of pigment to the skin and also acts to fade existing pigmentation. Studies show that this skin-brightening compound may improve hyperpigmentation within 4 weeks of use! Our go to products with active Niacinamide are the Cellular Repair Body + Face Lotion and Barrier Restore Butter, both from Sans [ceuticals].
Whilst these products are all truly revolutionary in their ability to naturally treat skin pigmentation we have to agree with what Benjamin Franklin wisely once said: “ an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. The best prevention for skin pigmentation, sun spots, melasma, freckles and uneven skin tone is to wear sunscreen whenever the UV factor is higher than 3 (which is the majority of days in the year!). Explore our natural sunscreen collection.
Discover more Natural Pigmentation Skin solutions at Nourished.
