Melasma is a skin condition that affects many women, including myself. If you’re not familiar with the term, melasma is a type of hyperpigmentation that causes dark spots on the face, usually the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. The last few years, I’ve been on a quest to find the best products and treatments to eliminate my melasma. Throughout this journey, I’ve tried countless creams, peels, and even oral supplements. In this blog post, I’ll share my personal experience and the products and treatments that actually worked for me.
When I first started looking for solutions many aestheticians were offering me a treatments that would cost me 150$ – 200 $ per session. Something I found outrageous as melasma is something that will keep coming back every-time I go into the sun. Many of them offered me chemical peels or other facials while little aestheticians offered me laser which eventually ended up being the best option along with a 360 degree life style change to regulate my hormones.
I ended up doing everything in a very natural and sustainable way for me. Something that wouldn’t cost me an arm and a leg every time I would need to treat my face.
Hyperpigmentation can be either melasma or dark spots. Melasma is caused by sun damage and unbalanced hormones while dark spots are usually a type of scaring mostly derived from popping pimples. I soon realized that I had both types of hyperpigmentation on my skin; one being the melasma caused by hormonal effects and sun damage, and the other being blemishes from old pimples. Having both I needed a treatment that would work for the two types of hyperpigmentation. So in this article I’m tackling two problems in one starting with balancing out hormones and ending up with a natural skin care routine specifically for both types of hyperpigmentation.
Before trying laser I tried Tranexcamic acid and chemical peels, so I’ll explain why I didn’t like these two options in a different blog post. I also tried laser treatments to remove my melasma. The option the aesthetician gave me was IPL laser treatment, which uses tiny columns of laser energy to target the skin’s deeper layers and promotes collagen production. The treatment is less painful than a chemical peel and has shorter downtime. After only one treatment, I noticed a significant improvement in my melasma.
The experience was a little painful and for about 7-9 days you will have to stay out of the sun and probably away from people as well as your skin will look worse before it gets better. It tends to burn a little layer of your skin that eventually falls off and is replaced by new skin.
However, this treatment can be expensive, and it’s will not keep the melasma away without targeting the source of this effect. Balancing your hormones is the only way to get rid of it completely, but something that asks a lot of lifestyle changes and for me a continuous effort. As I still like to live life wildly I’ll probably do this laser treatment again sometime. However for now I’ve been able to keep my skin nice and shiny for over year, including two summers just with my skin care routine.
Have you been struggling with melasma or hyperpigmentation and wondering why it keeps happening despite all the skincare products you’ve tried? It may all be linked to your indocrine system. Your indocrine system is responsible for the hormones that produce melanin, and when your hormones are out of balance your system might produce an overproduction of melanin resulting in hyperpigmentation. In this blog post, we’ll dive deeper into how these two are related and what you can do to balance your hormones to prevent and reduce hyperpigmentation.
Did you know that chemicals are among the biggest endocrine disruptors and can damage your health? One common offender is BPA, which is often found in plastic bottles, food storage containers, and even in canned food linings. Limiting your exposure to these chemicals is vital for maintaining your well-being. Be mindful of the products you use on your body, including creams, deodorants, and other cosmetics. These substances can contain synthetic chemicals that can enter your bloodstream and potentially cause hormonal imbalances. In addition to improving your overall health, eliminating these harmful ingredients can even help heal skin disorders like melasma naturally. So be proactive and read labels carefully to avoid chemicals and live a healthier life. I always opt for organic products as you can’t go wrong with those.
A big problem is that the pesticides and chemicals used on food and the hormones given to the animals we eat are also endocrine receptors, so even if we eat healthy we can be affected by these chemicals.
I ended up only avoiding all dairy and badly sourced meat. My local butchers had a provider which supplied him only grass-fed beef and chicken which supported not only my health but also the local economy.
The indocrine system is a complex network that works with your hormones and glands to regulate your body’s functions. The main gland responsible for balancing hormones in your body is the pancreas. When the pancreas is overstimulated, it produces the right amount of enzymes for your gut to work well and has a positive impact on your indocrine system. However, certain foods like refined flour, sugar, alcohol, and coffee can overstimulate your pancreas and impact your indocrine system.
Certain foods can cause inflammation in your body and wreak havoc on your hormones. It’s best to avoid these foods to keep your hormones in check. This includes:
Now that we know what foods to avoid, let’s discuss what foods are beneficial for your indocrine system. Foods that are good for your pancreas and can balance your hormones include:
You really want to make sure you’re not gluten or dairy intolerant. This might be a huge factor of your pancreas trying to over compensate for the indigestion happening in your body. Directly affecting your endocrine system.
In order to balance your hormones, you’ll want to adopt healthy living habits. This includes getting adequate sleep, exercising regularly, and managing stress through activities like meditation or yoga. When your body is in a state of balance, it’s easier to manage melasma or hyperpigmentation.
I try to avoid and incorporate the foods I recommended as much as possible, however if you live a general healthy lifestyle you shouldn’t let it rule your life either.
In addition to taking care of your indocrine system through diet, there are also skincare products that can help with hyperpigmentation. Look for products that contain ingredients like Vitamin C, Retinoids, and Alpha Hydroxy Acids. These ingredients can help improve skin texture, even out skin tone, and brighten your complexion.
Exfoliation sponges can be a useful tool in addressing hyperpigmentation. It helps remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin, revealing fresh, healthy skin underneath. In the case of hyperpigmentation, exfoliating can help fade the pigmented areas over time by promoting cell turnover and encouraging the growth of new skin cells.
Once you get out of the shower and you apply your skin routine you’ll create a more receptive surface for skincare products to penetrate. This can improve the effectiveness of any targeted treatments or products you use to address hyperpigmentation, allowing them to penetrate the skin better and deliver their active ingredients.
Keeping the exfoliation sponge in the shower makes it easily accessible and reminds you to incorporate regular exfoliation into your skincare routine. It becomes a convenient step to integrate into your daily or weekly showering habits, ensuring consistent exfoliation for the affected areas.
If you suffer from melasma and are seeking a natural solution, incorporating a nightly skin cleansing routine can help. This simple step is one of the most crucial components of a comprehensive skincare routine, especially if you reside in a heavily polluted location like a city. Make sure to choose a soap that will gently nurture your skin, such as pure olive oil, or explore non-invasive tonics. Personally, I rely on a Vitamin E tonic to rejuvenate my skin post-cleansing. By consistently committing to an evening skincare routine, you may be able to naturally heal your melasma and enjoy clearer, more radiant skin.
Using natural soaps for cleansing your face can be a great option, especially if they are handmade using the traditional cold process method. Natural soaps often contain beneficial ingredients derived from plants, such as oils and butters, which can provide nourishment and hydration to the skin.
Natural soaps also tend to contain higher levels of glycerin, a humectant that helps attract and retain moisture in the skin. Glycerin is a by-product of the saponification process, and its presence in natural soaps can contribute to skin hydration, leaving your skin feeling soft and supple.
However, it’s important to note that while natural soaps can be beneficial you should never wash your face with normal soap as it can irritate your sensitive facial skin more.
You can add the step of using a toner between cleaning your face and adding acid hyaluronic to your hyperpigmentation.
As we age, blemishes become more apparent and can be frustrating to combat. However, with a prompt acid hyaluronic treatment, the appearance of dark spots caused by melasma, hyperpigmentation, and sun spots can significantly diminish. Not only does this natural compound help combat the signs of aging but it also hydrates the skin, leaving it feeling refreshed. Most importantly, many acid hyaluronic treatments contain added collagen to help restore those stubborn dark spots. The best part? It’s considered a natural substance and has little to no side effects. So go ahead and give it a try – you won’t regret it.
By applying the serum on two or three cue tips and giving it a gentle rub on the affected areas, the skin is given the chance to better absorb it. In addition to this, the process helps to get rid of old and dark cells that we would rather not see anymore. The result is a daily non-invasive peel that can help improve the look and feel of your skin, leaving you feeling more confident and happy.
Opt for applying vitamin C directly to the skin after an acid hyaluronic treatment. I only do this in the evening as the morning requires different products to protect your skin.
One of the best natural sources of this essential nutrient is lemon, which can actually work as a natural bleach due to its high vitamin C content. So you can apply a bit of lemon juice directly to the skin; note to only do this in the evening en never go out in the sun with lemon juice on your face as it will have the opposite effect.
As someone who likes to switch things up occasionally, I’ve tried various vitamin C serums, but one that I love is from the medik 8 brand. This serum provides nourishment to the skin and gives you a radiant glow, making it a great addition to any skincare routine. It’s quite expensive but lasted me almost a year and was completely worth it!
Protecting your skin from the sun is essential to prevent melasma, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and other unwanted sun spots. The most important step you can take is to use sunscreen regularly. However, we all know it’s not always possible to wear a hat daily. Luckily, there’s a little trick that can give you the same protection.
If you use foundation every day, then look for one that contains a very high SPF (50+), and apply it evenly to your face and neck every day. This will help shield your skin from harmful UV rays, which are a major cause of skin discolouration. Not only will your skin look more even and radiant, but you can also rest easy knowing that it’s being protected from further damage.
I don’t use any soap on my face in the morning, instead, I use a nice vitamin E toner to freshen up.
Using a toner in the morning can offer several advantages for your skin. One of the key benefits is its ability to restore the skin’s pH balance. Cleansers, while effective in removing impurities, can sometimes disrupt the skin’s natural pH level. So it serves as cleaning your face so to say.
In addition to pH restoration, toners also serve as a refreshing step in your morning skincare routine. Furthermore, toners can contribute to hydration and moisturization. Certain toners are formulated with soothing and calming ingredients such as chamomile, rose water, or aloe vera. These can help reduce redness, inflammation, or irritation, making toners suitable for individuals with sensitive or reactive skin.
When incorporating a toner into your morning routine, apply it to cleansed skin using a cotton pad or by gently patting it with your hands. Allow the toner to fully absorb before continuing with the rest of your skincare regimen.
It’s important to select a toner that is suitable for your specific skin type and concerns. As mentioned I prefer to use a vitamin E toner as it helps me get ready for the day with a nice glow.
Adding a facial serum to my morning routine really only happens when I feel my skin is dehydrated. I don’t feel the need to add an extra layer to my skin as the zinc I put on my face will soothe my skin and protect it from any harm like UV rays and pollution.
After applying the toner I always put Zinc on my face. Zinc Oxide Ointment 100% – is a mineral-based sun protection that offers superior benefits in shielding the skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s rays. It is particularly helpful in preventing melasma, hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and sunspots. These skin concerns often arise due to sun exposure and can be difficult to treat once they develop. Oxidized zinc functions by forming a protective barrier on the skin’s surface that reflects harmful UV rays away from the skin. Unlike chemical sunscreens that penetrate the skin, oxidized zinc sits on top of the skin and does not have any harsh chemicals. This mineral-based sunscreen is also hypoallergenic and safe for use on sensitive skin. Incorporating oxidized zinc into your daily skincare routine can help you maintain healthy skin and prevent sun damage.
It’s a very white substance, so taking only a bit of it and applying it evenly over the face until the white disappears.
In case it’s a sunny day I’ll also put a sun stick on affected areas or even just use it as my foundation as the one I use is skin tone. Using a stick to protect you 100% from the sun. Sometimes, when at the beach or just some days outside, you might want to leave that hat behind. Sticks are a thick paste that can protect you fully from the sun’s damaging rays. As I’ve had melasma for over 4 years, I’ve also tried many sticks and sunscreens, giving me some rash in the end. So I always opt for 100% natural ingredients that will not make the look of my skin any worse in any sense.
I order Nuura sun-stick online because it isn’t widely available. It has a foundation shade that seems to work for me. When wearing it is still noticeable I’m “wearing makeup”, however, it is the best option to use daily in the summer. Another great brand is Han-Sun Stick, however I have not found this brand online and only in some surf shops.
Note: Do not buy the invisible sun-sticks they are not as effective as the ones that completely cover you.
As someone who has struggled with melasma and hyperpigmentation, I am always on the lookout for skincare products that can help diminish the appearance of dark spots and sun damage. That’s why I love incorporating a rice-based facial mask and rose mosket oil into my skincare routine. Rice has long been known for its brightening properties, helping to fade dark spots and even out skin tone. Additionally, rose mosket oil is packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help protect skin from further damage and promote a more youthful appearance. I use this oil when my skin feels a bit dry and dehydrated but not on a daily basis. By using these illuminating products regularly, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in the overall clarity and radiance of my skin.
Dealing with hyperpigmentation can be a long and tedious journey, but it’s crucial to have patience to find effective solutions. The biggest lesson I learned from my experience is that avoiding harmful chemicals is essential and that hyperpigmentation caused by hormonal effects is just not going to disappear overnight. It’s essential to take the time to find safe and sustainable solutions and be consistent in the treatment application. I hope my experience can help other women who are struggling with hyperpigmentation. Remember, you’re beautiful, no matter what’s on your skin.
