VITAMIN C
If last summer you caught too many rays and it led to increased pigmentation – AKA sunspots – now’s the perfect time to start brightening with vitamin C. Add it to your skincare routine today!
IT CAN BE EASY TO FEEL A little blue in midwinter, what with the lack of sunlight to help pep you up. But the reduced UV means now’s a great time to address any increased pigmentation from last summer, as you can go for stronger actives without so much worry about the sun sensitising your skin.
Retinol might be an obvious choice for resurfacing a dull complexion, but when it comes to reducing pigmentation, vitamin C’s the way to go as it can add brightness and glow – just what you need in the middle of winter!
Hyperpigmentation is very common and means that some areas of the skin look darker than others. For some people, this manifests as brown, black, grey or even red spots. And these spots are referred to as age spots, sunspots or liver spots.
Your skin gets its colour from a pigment called melanin, made by special cells. If these cells become damaged they can affect your body’s natural melanin production. Skin cancer expert Dr Paul Banwell (paulebanwell.com), founder and former head of The Melanoma and Skin Cancer Unit in East Grinstead, one of the largest skin cancer units in the UK, says the sun’s ultraviolet light can cause a lot of damage. ‘Sun damage is generally the main cause of pigmentation issues. When the skin is exposed to UV, hormonal balance or trauma, it activates melanocytes, which increase melanin production,’ says Dr Banwell.
Melanin is the pigment that gives your skin it’s colour, and when melanin is not evenly distributed, it can cause freckles, brown spots or patchy pigmentation. ‘Although freckles and brown spots are not a skin disorder, they are a key sign of sun exposure and damage, both of which are linked to premature ageing of the skin, which is associated with skin cancers.’
BEST TIME TO LIGHTEN
Fortunately, winter is the perfect time for addressing pigmentation as the sun’s rays are weaker so won’t sensitise your skin as much, and an ideal ingredient in your arsenal is vitamin C. ‘Vitamin C is a key ingredient to effectively treat hyperpigmentation because of its powerful antioxidant properties and its ability to inhibit melanin formation,’ says Dr Banwell.
‘I also recommend retinol products, which can be applied topically to lighten skin and reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation. However, you must be careful with retinol, because it can lead to sunburn (hence why you always need to apply a high-factor SPF during the day when using retinol), because it encourages new skin cells to de
