Melanin is responsible for your skin color. It also protects your skin from UV damage. However, your skin produces more melanin when you are exposed to the sunlight (1). This is one of the main causes for your face being darken than your body. It can also cause age spots that appear as tan, brown, or black marks on your skin (2).
2. Hormonal Issues
An increase in estrogen levels in the body may lead to increased skin pigmentation. This condition is known as melasma. You usually notice it in women who are on oral contraceptive pills or hormone replacement therapy and pregnant women. This skin disorder mainly occurs due to sun exposure, hormonal changes during pregnancy, photosensitizing drugs, and steroids (3). You can observe brown patches on the skin that look similar age spots. Also, genetics play a key role in the case of this skin disorder. That means you are likely to have melasma if people in your family have melasma. Abnormal cortisol level is also said to cause estrogen imbalance in the body (4). This then increases melanin production which, in turn, causes darkening of the skin (5).
3. Irritating Cosmetic Products
Most of the skin care products that you put on your face contain harmful chemicals that are harsh on your skin. These chemicals may cause dry patches, age spots, and discoloration. They may also contain some ingredients that are susceptible to darkening in the sun. Also, some cosmetic products cause acne outbreaks and make your face even darker.
4. Autoimmune Diseases
A few autoimmune diseases can cause inflammation in your facial skin. Diseases like lupus can change your skin color (6). Discoloration can also be the first symptom of diabetes (7). Also, if you have any kidney-related disease, your skin color may turn dark (8).
5. Medications
Intake of certain medications can cause hyperpigmentation on your face. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, and cytotoxic drugs may cause skin discoloration (9). They can impart a gray tone to your skin. These are the reasons for facial skin darkening. Are you looking for natural ways to improve your facial skin color? Here are home remedies that you should try. Home Remedies You Should Try There are several treatment options to address this skin concern. Scroll down to know more!
Best Treatment Options To Improve This Condition
1. Retinoids
Retinoids are derivatives of vitamin A. They are used to treat many skin issues, like acne and signs of aging. Retinoids are an effective topical treatment for melasma (15). They help to reduce age spots by improving cell turnover. Also, they are used to treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
2. Kojic Acid
Kojic acid is used for skin lightening. It is used to treat skin hyperpigmentation, melasma, and wrinkles (16). It lightens the skin by inhibiting the production of tyrosine (an amino acid) that is responsible for the production of melanin. You can find kojic acid in many cosmetic products such as gels, creams, and lotions.
3. Hydroquinone
Hydroquinone is a standard depigmentation and skin-lightening agent used in many medicated creams (17). When applied to your skin, it regulates melanin production, reduces dark spots, and lightens your skin tone.
4. Salicylic Acid
Salicylic acid prevents acne formation by disrupting cellular functions and stimulating natural exfoliation (18). This skin-lightening acid peels off the outer layer of your skin and allows new skin cells to be regenerated.
5. Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3. It can improve the appearance of aging facial skin and hyperpigmented spots on the face (19). It reduces the sebum production on the face and works as an excellent treatment for acne (20).
6. Alpha Hydroxy Acids
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are natural water-soluble acids that exfoliate the skin to reduce comedone formation (18). They reduce the appearance of acne scars, age spots, and minimize discoloration.
7. Glycolic Acid
Glycolic acid peels work to exfoliate your skin by removing dead skin cells from your face. It lightens your skin tone and decreases the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (21). If you are taking any topical medicines, avoid using glycolic acid. You can also opt for laser treatments that can speed up the process of removing the outer layer of your skin. However, laser therapies are expensive compared to the other options mentioned above. You can prevent your facial skin from getting dark. Find out how in the next section.
How To Prevent Your Face From Getting Dark
Why is my face darker without sunlight? Hyperpigmentation is the most common cause of skin darkening without exposure to the sun. This is a condition where the body produces extra melanin, the pigment responsible for skin color. What foods make your skin lighter? Some of the foods that can make your skin lighter are:
Carrot Yogurt Cucumber Sesame seeds Kale Orange Strawberry Avocado Tomato
