Health- What Makes Your Skin Dark?

Your skin is like a window to see how healthy your body is. Acne and pimples on your skin can be caused by oily foods or poor hygiene. Dull skin can be the effect of lack of sleep or dehydration. Sometimes, what we do to our bodies often hinders the skin’s chance to become whiter.

Don’t let your skin whitening products go to waste. Here are some of the things you should stop doing because they can make your skin look dark.

Enjoying the Sun Too Much

The sun is a God-given gift. It is a vast source of light, heat and life. But it can also be a source of skin darkening, dark spots, sunburns, and more. The sun can definitely make your skin darker, but there’s a way around - sunscreens!

Use sunscreen whenever you’re going to stay under the sun for a long or short time. It’s not just for beach and pool parties anymore. Most products like facial cream and body lotions have sunscreen in them already. Use one to help your skin become lighter naturally.

Improper Skin Care Routine

You can’t really call washing your face at night with soap a skin care routine. A proper skin care routine follows at least the CTM (cleansing, toning, moisturizing) method. Exfoliation is also done as needed or at least once or twice a week. The routine during the morning is different from the evening as well.

It depends on the type of skin you have, your age, your usual environment and more. Someone who works at home may not need a skin lightening cream as compared to someone who works out on the field. The needs of a woman in her 20s are much different from a woman twice her age as well.

If you want your skin to not get darker, make sure that you are doing the right routine for your skin.

Less Sleep

The body performs much better when it is in a good condition. You can attain that by having a complete sleep. Your skin also benefits from sleep as it regenerates while you’re dreaming. Without much sleep, the skin around your eyes will be darker. Your skin could be drier and less firm in the long run.

Kojic Acid for Your Skin Whitening Needs

If you are looking to whiten your skin by having less melanin on it, Kojic Acid is the one for you.

Kojic acid is a very effective skin whitening ingredient that you can use if you’re into making your skin lighter. Being a natural derivation from various fungi, fermented rice wine, or miso, it is considered as a safe and natural option. But, how effective it is on your skin? Read on and know more about this skin whitening wonder. 

How it Whitens?

It affects the body’s tyrosinase proteins. This protein is a part of the body’s process in creating melanin. Melanin, on the other hand, is our skin’s primary pigment agent.  Kojic acid aids in inhibiting the tyrosinase from producing more melanin. While the skin pigmentation is slowed down or prevented, the result will be whiter skin.

When applied topically, it can penetrate the topmost layer of the skin to reach the part, where pigmentation occurs.

On Cosmetic Whitening Products

When the active ingredient inhibits the production of melanin, it goes a long way. Aside from making the skin tone lighter, it can also target dark areas for a more even skin. If you have highly pigmented age spots, kojic acid products can help you get rid of them too.

Many skin whitening products today have kojic acid as their main active ingredient. You can find it in soaps, facial creams, and body lotions - all used generously on the skin.

On Skin Disorders

Kojic acid is a great solution for skin disorders such as melasma. Melasma is a genetic skin discoloration that causes gray to brown patches to appear on the skin. It often appears on the face, arms, and neck where the skin whitening is often done.

It’s innate ability to inhibit melanin production is perfect against the effects of melasma.

Effectiveness

There’s no doubt that Kojic is an effective skin whitener. But, there are still things to take note of when using it. Consistent use over a period of time is required to notice visible effects. The difference varies on the type of skin that it is applied to. People with darker shade may have to wait longer.

Keep in mind that Kojic can be more irritating to people with sensitive skin. Check with your dermatologist for the right amount or whitening ingredient that is the best for your skin type.