Acne isn't the only skin issue. Uneven skin tone, sunspots, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation are all common skin issues. 

Educating yourself on these common skin issues is the first step to learning ways to care for and potentially brighten up your unwanted darker areas. 

WOW Skin Science is here to help; we want to help you look better, feel better, and perform better. Whether you're looking for ways to improve your skin condition or lifestyle overall, we're the place to be. 

Table of contents:

• What Is Uneven Skin Tone
• Hyperpigmentation
• Blotchy patches
• Facial flushing
• Skin discoloration
• Can You Prevent Uneven Skin Tone?
• Other Forms of Care
• Exfoliate
• Chemical Peels
• Word of Caution

What Is Uneven Skin Tone

Uneven skin tone can appear as textured skin, blotchy skin, dark spots, sun spots, hyperpigmentation, or facial flushing. 

Some cases of uneven skin can be corrected with the right skincare routine and skincare products. However, it'll be much easier to find a solution to your skin dilemma if you narrow down the possible causes of your uneven skin. 

The first step to narrowing down the causes would be to determine the kind of uneven skin tone you're dealing with. 

• Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation appears as dark patches of skin. Hyperpigmentation happens when cells overproduce melanin in certain areas of the skin. These dark areas can be very small (freckles) or large patches. 

• Blotchy patches

Blotchy skin patches are areas of the skin that appear raised. These patches may appear as white, red, or dark patches. These blotchy patches can be caused by excessive sun exposure but are sometimes hereditary. 

• Facial flushing

Some people experience facial flushing much more often than others. Facial flushing is really just a fancier way to put "blushing." Facial flushing occurs when there is increased blood flow around the facial area. 

Increased blood flow can happen for many reasons — intense feelings like nerves, anger, or embarrassment can increase blood flow to your face, causing facial flushing. It's a short-term condition.

• Skin discoloration

Any type of skin discoloration can be considered an uneven skin tone. Skin discoloration can form as light spots or dark spots. A difference in melanin levels causes skin discoloration. 

Melanin is the substance your body produces to protect your skin from the sun. This substance gives a dark color to the skin, protecting it from the sun's UV light. 

If there is an overproduction of melanin in one area of the skin, this can result in discoloration or dark spots. 

Can You Prevent Uneven Skin Tone?

Yes, in most cases, you can prevent uneven skin tone, hyperpigmentation, or skin discoloration. 

Each form of uneven skin tone will require different forms of precaution and care — we're here to help explain all of your options. 

• Skin Hyperpigmentation

Some methods may prevent hyperpigmentation from occurring, as well as ways to potentially return your skin to its normal color. 

1. Lightening creams

Some over-the-counter topical creams may help brighten your skin. These creams are formulated with certain ingredients meant to decrease pigmentation in areas where it's topically applied. These creams are usually applied once or twice a day for a few weeks. 

2. Face acids

While the term "face acid" may sound alarming, there is no reason to feel nervous. We're referring to acids such as azelaic acid, kojic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C, or a vitamin C serum in the form of I-ascorbic acid — these acids can be good for your skin. 

Using a face acid may help your skin exfoliate its top layer of skin. When your skin is properly cleansed and exfoliated, it allows new skin cells to emerge. These new skin cells may even out your skin discoloration or dark patches. 

If you have lighter skin with hyperpigmentation, using a face acid on these spots may help lessen the appearance of these dark areas. 

• Blotchy patches and skin discoloration

Uneven skin tone can appear as blotchy patches and skin discoloration. Blotchy patches are essentially dry or discolored patches of skin. Blotchy skin is usually nothing to worry about, and, in most cases, it's caused by too much sun exposure or even stress. 

If you're experiencing blotchy skin in the form of dry patches, here are some products and remedies that may lessen your discomfort and promote new and healthier skin cell growth. 

Skin discoloration is essentially the same as hyperpigmentation and blotchy patches. However, skin discoloration only happens when there is a difference in melanin levels in certain areas of the skin. 

Blotchy patches and hyperpigmentation can be caused by other factors — not just a melanin imbalance. Melanin imbalances are commonly caused by too much-unprotected sun exposure. 

1. Moisturize

Using an ultra-moisturizing cream or lotion on your skin can help promote your skin's health. 

Our facial and body lotions are packed with active ingredients, antioxidants, and vitamins to help in hydration, support more youthful skin, and maintain your skin barrier. 

2. Sunscreen

Often, blotchy patches are caused by excess sun exposure. While sun exposure is inevitable, there are plenty of ways to effectively protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV light and free radicals. 

Sun protection is so important for your skin's wellness. Sunburn is no fun, and neither is dealing with sunspots or skin discoloration caused by overexposure.

Sunscreen should be applied every two hours when you're out in the sun. You want to avoid any sunscreens that are less than SPF 15. SPF 15 provides the minimum amount of protection to protect your skin from sun damage. But don’t forget that sun damage can still occur with sunscreen use if you're not reapplying it.

Sunscreen can help prevent blotchy spots and skin discoloration, but it can also protect your skin from things like melasma. Melasma is when your skin becomes darker in certain areas. 

Other Forms of Care

While certain products may not work with your specific type of uneven skin tone, or skin type, some may work universally.

• Exfoliate

Exfoliating can help your skin in many ways. Using an exfoliate once or twice a week can help your skin shed dead skin cells and other bacteria to help maintain the appearance of brighter, more youthful skin. 

You can use a facial exfoliant for your face and a body scrub for the rest of your body. 

Yes, exfoliating is good, but in moderation — over-exfoliation can lead to dry skin and other skin issues. Exfoliating may not be beneficial if you have severely dry skin. If you have sensitive skin, you may need to take care of the kinds of exfoliates you choose to use. 

• Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are commonly used to help reduce fine lines, brighten discolored skin, or decrease the appearance of scars. Chemical peels are not usually suggested to people with sensitive skin.

Chemical peels aren't beneficial to everyone or every skin type. Here are some things to keep in mind before trying this method of care:

• There are three types of chemical peels: light, medium, and deep. Each one is meant to offer different results. Light is meant to be used as a less intensive form of treatment, whereas deep is meant for a deeper and more intense treatment. 
• They aren't meant for everyone: You should contact your doctor or dermatologist before doing a chemical peel. Some people see desired results with chemical peels, but others encounter unwanted side effects. 

Your dermatologist will have all the needed information on chemical peels and can better help you decide if your skin is a good candidate for this treatment. 

Word of Caution

While uneven skin tone is usually nothing to panic over, that's not to say that's always the case. In some instances, what was believed to be a harmless age spot or sun spot, can turn into something much worse. 

We're here to ensure everyone's skin stays its healthiest, so here's when we suggest contacting your dermatologist or doctor over your uneven skin tone. 

• Large brown spot with speckles. 
• A mole that changes in size and color.
  
  
• A lesion that appears red, pink, white, or blue.
• Any spot, lesion, or freckle that hurts, feels irritated or bleeds. 

Skin cancer is a very common skin issue you should always watch out for. Ensuring you wear sunscreen every day and performing regular checks on your entire body may help you catch any potential harmful spots. 

Usually, uneven skin tone is nothing more than your common discoloration, sun spots, or blotchy patches. In most cases, the fix is simple and easy, while at other times, it may be the sign of something more serious. Always err on the side of caution.

If your uneven skin tone turns out to be harmless and just a result of too much sun exposure or a melanin imbalance, there are so many home remedies or tips and tricks you can try out to help brighten the appearance of the dark or uneven areas of your skin.