If you’ve ever experienced uneven skin tone on the face – you’re not alone! While we might have our skin routines sorted, it’s likely that we’ll notice signs of an uneven skin tone at some point in our lives. The causes of uneven skin tone will vary from person to person, but there is a wealth of brightening skincare and makeup products formulated to improve the appearance of skin and bring the glow back to your complexion.
Ahead, we’ll be diving into expert tips to visibly correct uneven skin tone with the help of our hero skincare and makeup products.
What is uneven skin tone?
Uneven skin tone on the face is a type of skin discolouration that can look a little different for everybody. Characteristics of uneven skin tone can include:
Dark spots (also known as hyperpigmentation)
Light spots
A patchy complexion
Skin tone blotchiness
Visible redness
Dullness
When your skin tone is uneven, the complexion tends to reflect less light – so you might notice a lacklustre appearance overall, as well as areas of discolouration. Uneven skin tone can affect all of us, so remember that it’s completely normal!
Causes of uneven skin tone on the face
Uneven skin tone on your face can be caused by a number of different factors. Some of the more common causes include:
Sun exposure – this is a major contributing factor, especially in countries like Australia where UV levels are high.
Hyperpigmentation – this causes patches of skin to become darker than other areas.
Ageing – you might have heard of ‘age spots’ before, which are tan or brown marks that appear after decades of sun exposure.
Dryness – dry, rough patches on the skin can make the complexion look dull and uneven.
Post-blemish marks – after they disappear, some pimples can leave marks and discolouration in their wake.
Skincare to even out skin tone: your 3-step routine
So, what helps even skin tone on the face? When it comes to skincare, we recommend a three-pronged approach – an exfoliating cleanser, a targeted serum, and a brightening moisturiser – to help deliver brightening ingredients to your skin at every stage of your morning and evening skincare rituals.
Read on as we guide you through each step using our go-to products and ingredients.
Step 1: Cleanse
Cleansing is the first step in every skincare routine to remove oil, dirt, makeup and other impurities, but an exfoliating cleanser is going to be especially beneficial for uneven skin tone. Chemical exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) are going to help slough dead skin cells and encourage skin cell turnover – promoting brighter, more unified skin tone.
Facial serums deliver powerful ingredients to address individual skin concerns like correcting uneven skin tone. When choosing your serum, you’ll want to look out for ones which contain superstar brightening ingredients: such as niacinamide, vitamin C, and glycolic acid.
Well-hydrated skin is happy skin, so it’s important to finish your skincare ritual with a nourishing moisturiser – bonus points if it’s formulated to brighten and correct uneven skin tone.
Our pick: For brighter, hydrated, and more even-looking skin, we recommend the Niacinamide Dark Spot Hydrating Day Cream SPF 15. This moisturiser is enriched with 2% niacinamide, and formulated with UV filters to help prevent age spots forming.
Makeup to even out skin tone: your three-step routine
Our complexions can be temperamental at the best of times, but we can always rely on makeup to even out our skin tone. With a few holy grail makeup products and the right application techniques, you can unify the appearance of your skin tone.
Prep the skin: After skincare, apply the Prime Lab 24H Pore Minimising Primer to your face. Formulated with a 1% AHA + LHA + BHA fusion, this mattifying primer blurs enlarged pores while extending the wear of your makeup.
Apply foundation: Using your fingertips, a foundation brush or a beauty sponge, apply the Infallible 32H Matte Cover Foundation With 4% Niacinamide - 25. This full-coverage foundation is perfect for visibly correcting uneven skin tone, while providing the brightening benefits of niacinamide. Its SPF 25 formula is also waterproof and transfer-, sweat-, and shine-resistant – giving you flawless, longwearing coverage for the day ahead.
Spot cover with concealer: Whether you are seeking additional coverage over foundation or trying to spot-cover bare skin, concealer is a fool-proof way to target the appearance of skin discolouration. Another makeup-skincare hybrid, True Match Radiant Serum Concealer offers blendable, precise coverage while nourishing the skin with hyaluronic acid. For flawless results, apply with the applicator and blend with the tip of your finger.
