For many of us, it can seem as though our uneven skin tone showed up overnight. And while it’s true that color-correcting makeup can go a long way toward improving the look of dark spots and other forms of skin discoloration, we’ve got a few more golden rules you should follow to start seeing your skin but better.
Rule #1: Remember to apply sunscreen every day.
Any dermatologist will tell you the best way to keep the hyperpigmentation you already have from getting worse is to protect your skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher, every day. Because we’re all about multitasking at IT Cosmetics, CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ is our go-to. This award-winning full coverage foundation flawlessly covers dark spots, redness and other skin imperfections while providing SPF 50+ physical sun protection.
Rule #2: Incorporate a niacinamide serum into your daily routine.
Niacinamide (aka vitamin B3) is a potent antioxidant with lots of skin-loving benefits. Chief among them: The ability to help visibly reduce dark spots. Our Bye Bye Dark Spots Serum is infused with 4% niacinamide, plus 1% ethyl vitamin C to help visibly improve overall skin clarity. Apply 4 to 5 drops to clean skin morning and night and you can expect to see a more visibly even skin tone in a matter of weeks.*
Rule #3: Regularly exfoliate with the right skincare ingredients.
Using skincare that works to refine skin texture, such as Bye Bye Pores Glycolic Acid Serum, or a moisturizer that gently exfoliates, is an easy way to maintain smooth, glowing skin. Fortunately, many over-the-counter options exist. Look for ingredients on the label like lipohydroxy acid (Full disclosure: You’ll only find this chemical exfoliant—a derivative of salicylic acid—in the L’Oréal portfolio of skincare products.) Also look for natural skincare ingredients like iris root extract and chickpea extract, both of which help reduce inflammation and brighten the look of skin.
Rule #4: Reach for a highly pigmented concealer to cover dark spots.
When it comes to covering dark spots—one of the most stubborn forms of hyperpigmentation—using an anti-aging concealer with full-coverage pigments and all-day wear is key. It’s also important to make sure your concealer delivers buildable coverage, since it usually takes more than one layer to truly hide dark spots. For the best application, use a makeup brush with dense, tapered hair. This will give you the ability to “stipple” the concealer, so you get the coverage you need exactly where you need it.
*Based on a 12-week consumer self-assessment.
