To even out skin tone, you can try several natural remedies at home. But you may wish to speak to a dermatologist in case the unevenness is caused by an underlying condition.
We may wish for perfectly smooth, even skin, but many of us have uneven skin tones. This may take the form of redness, acne scars, age spots, or sun damage, which can cause blemishes or patches of color on the skin.
Uneven skin can be temporary or permanent, and it may result from:
- sun exposure
- age
- medications
- hormones
Fortunately, there are remedies to help you smooth out discoloration and hyperpigmentation in your skin.
Lifestyle changes to even out your complexion
There are a number of different behavioral changes you can make to improve the appearance of your skin.
Stay hydrated
Keeping your skin — and your body — hydrated will do wonders for your skin.
Drinking water hydrates your body from the inside out.
Applying moisturizer helps soothe skin, helping to resolve dryness and redness. Choose noncomedogenic moisturizers to prevent skin irritation and clogged pores.
Don’t forget to moisturize all of your skin — not just your face. Using a broad-spectrum moisturizer, which protects against both UVA and UVB raysTrusted Source, on your hands can help prevent age spots over time.
Use sunscreen
Use sunscreen every day to prevent sun damage to your skin. Not only will this prevent immediate redness and peeling from sunburns, but it’ll also prevent the formation of age spots.
Wear sunscreen every day and reapply it any time you’ll be in the sun, even in winter.
Avoid certain foods and drinks
Certain foods can trigger flushed, uneven complexions. Some, like sugary snacks, may even speed up development of wrinkles and age spots.
Avoiding them can help preserve that even skin tone you’re looking for.
Foods to avoid include:
- alcohol, which can cause the blood vessels to dilate and lead to a flushed face
- spicy foods, which can increase redness
- foods high in refined sugars
- dairy that may trigger various types of skin irritation, including acne
- overly processed or greasy foods like chips
Natural ingredients for more even skin
There are plenty of different natural remedies that you can use at home to even out skin tone. Many high-end beauty products contain these as active ingredients.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant and can protect against free radical damage that can cause tissue damage, resulting in uneven skin tone.
You can take supplements, use a vitamin C serum, or find vitamin C in foods like:
- oranges
- guava
- bell peppers
- kiwis
- strawberries
The best sources for vitamin C tend to be a balanced diet and a vitamin C serum.
Niacin
Niacin is a nutrient that’s essential for skin, hair, and nail health.
It can help:
- restore uneven skin tone
- reduce wrinkles
- brighten your complexion
It does this by helping to improve skin hydrationTrusted Source. Niacin can be found in foods like:
- poultry
- green peas
- mushrooms
- tuna
Niacinamide, a derivative of niacin, has also been shown to offer benefits that promote healthy skin, including helping:
- retain moistureTrusted Source
- reduce the incidence of pre-cancers
- improve the signs of aging
Witch hazel
Witch hazel is soothing, with anti-inflammatory properties that may help reduce irritation and redness. You can apply witch hazel topically, directly to the skin, or find it in products such as lotions, toners, or soaps.
Note that witch hazel can be drying or sensitizing for certain people.
Rosehip
Rosehip oil may help reduce discolorationTrusted Source from inflammation. It’s thought that the antioxidants it contains fight free radical damage and simultaneously boost collagen production.
You can apply rosehip oil directly to the skin for maximum benefits.
Nigella sativa
Nigella sativa oil — also known as blackseed oil — may help treat skin infections thanks to its antibacterial and antifungal properties.
It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that have the potential to help even out skin tone.
One 2015 study even suggested that it was effective at decreasing vitiligo with no serious side effects.
Kojic acid
Kojic acid is found in many over-the-counter (OTC) products thanks to its antioxidant properties. It’s been found to be safe at a concentration of 2 percent in cosmetic products.
It’s often used as a skin lightening treatment for hyperpigmentation.
Chemical peels
There are several different options for chemical peels. Professional and at-home treatments may contain low doses of glycolic acid and salicylic acid.
You should avoid these peels if you have sensitive skin or are currently using any type of acne product. This includes both topical products like retinol and oral medications like Accutane.
Here are more tips for doing a chemical peel at home.
Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid can help treat acneTrusted Source, scars, sun spots, age spots, and wrinkles. It works by penetrating the top layers of the skin with a chemical solution and causing it to exfoliate, revealing healthier new skin underneath.
Salicylic acid
Salicylic acid is an ingredient found in many OTC acne treatments. Slightly more mild than glycolic acid, it also exfoliates the outer layer of the skinTrusted Source to remove damaged skin cells.
It can help treat:
- acne
- scarring
- discoloration
Medical options
There are some treatment options that are only available through a prescription from your healthcare provider. These can be more expensive, but they can help treat stubborn problems that home remedies aren’t affecting.
4 percent hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a cream that can be applied to the affected area twice a day or as your healthcare provider directs. It’s usually used as a skin lightening cream that can help lighten dark spots on the skin, helping to even out the skin tone.
This cream may cause skin irritation or contact dermatitis. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source has deemed it safe for use, but the concentration is limited.
If you’re experiencing pain, redness, or sustained dryness, talk with your skin care professional about other treatment options.
Laser treatment
Laser treatments are being used to help improve skin tones, with the ability to lighten scars or age and sun spots. Yellow lasers, for example, are used to flatten scars and reduce their redness.
Sometimes, laser treatments may cause hyperpigmentation, or a change in skin color. Because of this, you may want to try other treatment options first.
When considering laser treatment, use caution when deciding which healthcare professional to see and always choose a provider who has experience treating pigmentation.
Clinical-strength peels
Clinical-strength peels come in three levels:
- light
- medium
- deep
They work by penetrating your skin with a chemical solution, causing the skin to exfoliate and peel before revealing newer skin.
Light peels use more gentle acids, like salicylic acids, and can be done quickly. Medium peels may require sedatives or pain relievers, and deep peels require sedation as they use phenol, a strong ingredient.
The recovery time for deep peels can last up to 2 weeks, though you may have redness for several months. A light peel has a short recovery time of just several days.
Professional microdermabrasion
Microdermabrasion can treat a number of skin conditions, including:
- light scarring
- sun damage
- discoloration
It works by helping to thicken the collagen in your skin while removing the thicker, damaged outer layer, creating a more youthful appearance.
There’s almost no downtime for microdermabrasion. You may experience some redness, dryness, or peeling for several days following the procedure.
Makeup
If you need an immediate solution for uneven skin tone, there are plenty of great makeup options. These include:
- foundations, which offer thick coverage that’s meant to be used on the whole face to even out skin tone
- tinted moisturizers, which come in skin-tone tints and green tints. Green tints are ideal for those dealing with minor redness. These don’t offer the full coverage of foundation, but they can help with minor unevenness.
- concealers, which are designed to cover blemishes or skin discolorations
Warning about injectable products
Injectable skin lightening or bleaching products have been determined to be both unsafe and ineffective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)Trusted Source. They have the potential to contain harmful ingredients or contaminants.
If you’ve used any injectable products for skin lightening and are having any negative effects, talk with a healthcare provider as soon as possible
