How To Lighten The Dark Skin Discoloration on Your Face

If you have a darker skin tone, each and every time your skin breaks out, you'll find yourself left with a dark mark on your skin. Overtime if your skin keeps breaking out you will likely find yourself with very uneven skin tone and an increased self conscious as you wear more foundation in an attempt to even out your skin. As much as I love makeup myself, its always nice to know that makeup and especially foundation can be worn as an option as opposed to having it be a major requirement in your daily life. So to cut to the chase, I'm going to share which products have worked for me in terms of how I have managed to significantly lighten the dark skin discoloration on my face. I hope I can be of help to you if you have oily, acne prone skin and are looking for products to use in order to fade any dark mark you might have on your skin.

Skin Type: Oily, prone to the occasional breakouts

Cleaning My Face

=>To clean my face everyday, I use plain ol Dove Beauty Bar for Sensitive skin (yep my skin's so super sensitive I can't even bare to use any of those foaming cleansers, more on that at a later post). When I'm wearing makeup, I use the Dove Beauty Bar and scrub my face every so gently with a simple face brush. I gently work in the lather, then rinse using luke-warm water.

  Spot Treatment

 In order to get rid of the dark marks on my face, I use Nadinola Extra Strength Discoloration Fade Cream and I must say that I have seen very significant and impressive results and I have tried many creams in the past which never worked. So if you haven't tried the Nadinola Cream, all I have to say is THIS STUFF REALLY WORKS! 

I am not trying to lighten my skin, just fade the dark spots. I would advise that you it only to fade the dark spots because if you use it all over your face, then it might just lighten your skin, however your dark spots will become more noticeable since they won't lighten at the same color  of your skin. 

I use the following products for Spot treatment

1. Nadinola Extra Strength Fade Cream

Moisturize

=> To moisturize my face during the day, I use the Garnier Fructis Gel Cream and finish off with the Avon MagiX Face Perfector SPF 20 as part of my everyday sunscreen and shine control gel. It also works to keep dark marks from re-appearing and also protects my skin from the damaging UV rays.

I NEVER leave the house without putting on some SPF 20 and I absolutely LOVE the Avon Magix Face Perfector because it work on ALL skin tones, from light to dark!

 

At nigh and before bed I simply moisturize my face using Bio Oil which has worked wonders for my face and its the one oil that has never broken me out and it also helps to even out my skin!

Toning

=> I use a toner on my face every other week and especially if I'm wearing foundation I use the toner after cleansing my face. The only toner I use is the Thayer Witch Hazel Toner (Rose Petal) simply because its alcohol free, it works very well and it doesn't dry out my face like some of the toners I've used in the past. Whenever I apply a chemical peel to my face, I also use some toner beforehand and I find that doing so really helps to open up my pores and allows the peel to work on more deeper layers of the skin.  

 Skin Resurfacing & Preventing Breakouts

=> The very first thing I did when I started the process to try and lighten the dark skin discoloration on my face was a chemical peel (I did one all by myself at home). The peel I started using 1 year ago and still use to this day, is the Salicylic Acid 20% Professional Gel Peel from Amazon. I recommend that if you've never used any chemical peel to start with the 20% concentration, and only leave it on for 2 minutes the first time. I leave it on my face now for just 7 minutes maximum. 
- I have never gone higher in concentration because the Salicylic Acid 20% concentration works perfectly for me and my skin has adjusted very well to it from the start and up to now. 
- I always use a neutralizer every time I finish a peel and before I rinse of the peel with luke-warm water as this helps to balance the ph levels on my skin.

•  To make the neutralizer, I just mix regular baking soda with luke-warm water in a spray bottle and use it after 7 minutes with the peel on my face, I rinse my face with plain water and also spray the neutralizer on my face once more. I find this really calms my skin after a peel.

What to expect when using Salicylic acid peel:
-Stinging of the skin, your skin will sting alot especially the first few times you use it
- Again, a stinging burning sensation...
-Flaking  of the skin 1 or 2 days after you apply the peel ( not to worry, this is the peel working to help your body in shedding off the top layer of the skin, revealing new skin underneath) 
- Excessively dry skin like you won't believe!...This is where the Bio Oil comes in handy

*Very Important: Follow the directions on the insert (that comes with this peel) and never leave the peel on your face for more than 8 minutes max. Remember you're dealing with a chemical peel that has the possibility of burning your face if left on for a longer time than what's recommended. 

Lightening The Skin 

I also use the Lactic Acid 50% Professional Gel Peel with Kojic Acid & Bearberry Extract to further lighten the skin underneath what the salicylic acid has helped me shed. Its recommended that whenever you're using 2 chemical peels, you need to space them out about 2-3 weeks apart in order to avoid chemically over-
processing your skin. This is exactly what I do. I use Salicylic Acid in the first week of every month and use it for two days during that first week. Then I have two weeks of no chemical peels and on the 4th week, I use the Lactic acid  two times during that fourth week. I have a calendar to track my chemical peels and I recommend you get a separate calendar to track this process as well as it will be less confusing in the long run.  
When I first started using it 4 months ago, I wasn't seeing results as quickly as I hopped but at the present time, I really do notice a great difference especially in terms of the intensity of the dark marks and the smoothness of my skin. Most of the dark marks I had on my forehead from previous breakouts are all but faded away. 
In terms of really helping to lighten any dark skin discoloration you may have on your face, this Lactic Acid peel really helps to fade any post acne pigmentation marks, melasma or other dark spots you have on your skin. It's also thick so you can build the layers as you see fit.

What to expect when Using Lactic Acid Gel Peel
- A stinging sensation especially if its your first application
- Flaking skin ( this is the acid working to help your skin shed faster and reveal new skin underneath)
- A whiteish cast to your skin your skin may look a bit frosty during and after you use the peel, this should go away with time and as the skin sheds more.

Purging Pores & Getting Rid of Blackheads

=> I am never without my Mint Julep Masque, absolutely can't live without it! I use this mask 2 days every week to purge my pores, dry out any zits or pimples and it also works in get rid of any developing blackheads on my skin. I've heard of some people experiencing some stinging sensation when using this mask, however for me that's not the case.The only downside to this mask is with the packaging, it tends to dry out in the tube if you don't store it with the lid facing down. So to make sure it doesn't dry out and get crusty, don't store it laying sideways, but store it with the lid facing down on a flat counter surface or you can instead get the Mint Julep Masque Jar and save yourself the trouble.

That's pretty much the regular round of products I use to stay spot free and acheive a more even complexion and skin tone. I never use any products that have Hydroquinone as a lightening ingredient and I stay far away from using concentrated vitamin E oil on my face ( no other oil breaks me out like vitamin E oil!).  I also NEVER EVER use a face towel on my face! I noticed that when I used to breakout often is when I used to use a face towel to dry off my face after cleansing. Nowadays, I just wash my face and let it air dry before applying moisturizer and I rarely break out!! 

Your pillow cases can also cause breakouts, make sure that you're changing your pillow case every week, yep i said it, EVERY WEEK! Keep in mind your hair contains oils, which usually transfers onto your pillowcase at night when you're sleeping. Doing a face plant into a dirty pillow each and every night is just a recipe for breakouts on your face! Always remember, even though there are great products you can use to get rid of the dark skin discoloration on your face, prevention is always better than any treatment!

How to Treat Dark Skin Discoloration on Your Face Using Natural Methods

Skin pigment change on your skin as well as your face can really make you self conscious. Truth is nobody wants to have dark skin discoloration on their face! Having dark marks on your face is usually most common with people who have a darker skin tone. These marks are usually cause either by pimples, acne or melasma. Throughout this article we're going to discuss about the various causes of skin pigment changes on the face as well as on other parts of the body and how you can treat and even fade dark marks on your skin. Everyone deals with some type of skin problem here and there in their lifetime.

To be honest skin problems do not discriminate regardless of age, race, social status or financial status. Skin problems can actually affect both teens, people in their 20's and even grown adults in their 30's, 40's and beyond! Normal skin is a type of skin that is even in tone and is smooth to the touch.
 Skin disorders however can make skin more dry, excessively oily, patchy and at times uneven.

 Increased exposure to the sun, pollutants, cosmetics and an inactive diet combined with a poor lifestyle also work together and can negatively affect your skin condition. Whatever the reason is, people want the most immediate remedy for their dark skin discoloration, especially on the face.

Remedies for Dark Skin Discoloration on The Face
Facial skin discoloration can wreck havoc on your self esteem as well as your appearance. Most dark skin discoloration happens after a pimple or a breakout of some sort, even after the pimple, zit or whitehead has healed, you'll find that you're left with an unattractive dark spot that tends to stay around longer than you are comfortable with. The great news is, with hyperpigmentation, you can treat it overtime, however, you will need some patience to start seeing results.

 Vitamin C is an excellent way to fade post hyperpigmentation and dark skin discoloration on the face. You can make a great paste to apply to your face each and every other day in order to fade any dark marks you have on your skin. A good paste full of anti-oxidants, lactic acid and vitamin C can work wonders for your complexion.

Skin Lightening Mask
=> Mix a paste of dried orange powder, milk, turmeric, honey as well as a few drops of lemon juice
=> Apply this paste to your face and leave it on for around 15 -20 minutes
=> Rinse off with warm water

Skin Brightening Mask
=> Prepare a fruit mask of mashed papaya, apricot and cucumbers( This works to decrease the dark discoloration and makes the skin glow and stay radiant)

The Potatoe Juice Remedy
=> Slice a potato in half and apply the potato juice directly to your skin ( potato juice is high in glycolic acid and will help to naturally bleach and fade post acne pigmentation effectively if used regularly each day)

Almond Paste 
=> Soak 7-10 almonds overnight in room temperature water.
=> Peel the almond skin and then grind all the almonds into a paste
=> Mix 1 tablespoonful of honey and mix it into the almond paste
=> Apply the mixture to your face, exfoliate lightly and leave it on for 20 minutes everyday this will fade spots if used daily ( the almonds remove dead skin cells and help to resurface your skin).


If you have severe dark skin discoloration on your face because of severe acne breakouts or you have had cystic acne and now have pock marks, your option to fade your dark marks and scarring may need to come from microdermabrasion or other forms of treatment from a qualified medical doctor ( dermatologist).

The Most Important Thing You Can Do If you suffer From Dark Skin Discoloration on Your Face

 Even if you have dark skin, you absolutely NEED TO WEAR SUNSCREEN! If you do not wear sunscreen when going outdoors ( yes, even on those super cloudy days) any dark marks you have on your skin will get worse, rendering any fading treatments useless because you will have to start all over again.  I recommend the Eltamd UV Clear SPF 46, 48-Gram 1.7 oz sunscreen simply because its very light and you can wear it under makeup. It also doesn't have that icky, oily, greasy feel and it won't leave you with that white mask like appearance that most sunscreens have. 

Watch what you Eat
Your diet really matters when it comes to the health of your skin. Make sure that you're eating foods high in vitamin C to help your body fight off infections, you can find vitamin C in both vegetables and fruits. Vitamin E and B complex vitamins are also essential to ensure glowing skin ( these vitamins are especially great if you suffer from dull skin as well).

 Drinks lots of H20!
Also remember to drink lots of water, avoid empty calorie drinks such as sugary juices and pops. Water works to help your skin to stay clear, supple and well hydrated. If water consumption is hard to fit into your schedule, you can always take a water bottle with you to work, school, your workout and anywhere else you go, you'd be surprise how much water you drink when you carry it around with you!

 If you have a  severe case of facial skin discoloration, it could be due to the makeup and cosmetics you're using. If you can, try to use only oil free and non comediogenic cleansers and lotions. If you wear makeup, wash your makeup brushes regularly with an antibacterial makeup brush cleaner, this will help you to avoid breaking out and ending with dark marks on your skin as a result of a zit or a pimple. If your condition persists or the treatments aren't working, you might need to then speak to your doctor/dermatologist for a more aggressive treatment/therapy options.