Acne and dark spots may not always be an issue for everyone. We all have different skin types and our skin reacts differently to certain ingredients in our skin care products or to every day routines in general. Overall, many people face skin discolorations on their face and body. Healthline states, “Discolored skin patches are irregular areas where there are changes in skin color. They are a common problem with a wide array of potential causes.” So whenever you see an area that may be lighter than your natural skin tone, this could be a sign of discoloration. Though discolorations may be harmless, like dark spots and hyperpigmentation, discolorations is a sign of excess melanin levels, which helps even out skin tone. So if the skin has unbalanced and excess melanin levels, it creates an uneven skin tone.

1. Noemi Iniguez
Skin Discolorations

2. Acne and dark spots may not always be an issue for
everyone. We all have different skin types and our skin
reacts differently to certain ingredients in our skin care
products or to every day routines in general. Overall,
many people face skin discolorations on their face and
body. Healthline states, “Discolored skin patches are ir-
regular areas where there are changes in skin color.
They are a common problem with a wide array of po-
tential causes.” So whenever you see an area that may
be lighter than your natural skin tone, this could be a
sign of discoloration. Though discolorations may be
harmless, like dark spots and hyperpigmentation, dis-
colorations is a sign of excess melanin levels, which
helps even out skin tone. So if the skin has unbalanced
and excess melanin levels, it creates an uneven skin
tone. Not all discolorations will come out with an
“even” amount of skin discolorations, meaning that
one area may be more complicated to even out skin
tone, because of the imbalanced melanin levels. Not
all skin discolorations will be the same also because
they can be birthmarks that are either in sensitive areas
or are simply incapable of going away without laser
treatments. There are however ways to preventing fu-
ture discolorations and treating them in order to
achieve an even skin tone.

3. Causes
Sun Exposure
Being exposed to the sun on a daily basis, such as working in the
sun, or kids playing out in the sun, may lead to skin damage be-
cause of the UVA and UVB rays. When we are overly exposed to
the sun, melanin begins to produce excessively in order to protect
our skin, so not only do we get a tan, but our melanin becomes
imbalanced, thus causing discolorations in certain areas. When
sunburns heal, our skin not only cracks, and dries up, but it leaves
new skin tissue exposed to the sun, which may be harmful if sun-
screen is not properly applied. Furthermore applying sunscreen in-
completely may lead to tanned patches which may lead to une-
ven skin tone. Lastly, even using certain products may make your
skin more sensitive to the sun which again leads to sunburns. Even
dehydrated skin such as dry knees or elbows, may cause skin dis-
colorations because of over exposed sunlight which again leads
to dehydration.

4. Hormones
Women are more likely than men to experience
melasma which is a skin disorder that cause un-
even skin discolorations. Melasma may also be
due to sun exposure but also in birth control or
pregnancy. This can also be referred to as the
“mask of pregnancy” because of the hor-
mones, such as estrogen and progesterone,
creates changes in the body such as skin color.

5. Post-Inflammatory
Hyperpigmentation
(PIH)
PIH is caused by dis-
coloration on a per-
son’s face or body.
The condition is also
caused by the ex-
cess melanin level
which kicks into
overdrive in cases
such as injury or an
inflammatory reac-
tion to the skin. Alt-
hough it may hap-
pen to anyone, PIH
occurs more often
on darker skin tones,
because darker skin
tones have higher
melanin levels, so by
increasing melanin
levels higher, discol-
orations occur more
often on darker skin
tones.

6. Acne
When it comes to darker
skin, skin is more likely to
receive “trauma” be-
cause of acne. This
“trauma” occurs by cre-
ating dark spots or hyper-
pigmentation in the ac-
ne area. So whenever
you get a pimple, it is
likely for hyperpigmenta-
tion to occur if you pop
the pimple because of
the fact that popping
pimples means breaking
the skin, which means
damage, and that dam-
age leads to uneven skin
tone.

7. Prevention
H2O
Drinking at least eight glasses of water
everyday will not only keep you ener-
gized, but it helps your skin stay hydrat-
ed, after all, our skin is made up about
64% of water, according to Teen
Vogue.

8. Apply Sunscreen Daily
Here at Clear Essence
we highly stress the im-
portance of applying
sunscreen, not only after
using our products, but
every time you know
that you will be out in
the sun for a long period
of time. Although it may
be a hassle, sunscreen
needs to be used in or-
der to prevent future skin
damage as well as pre-
vent current skin discol-
orations from getting
worse. It’s also recom-
mended to apply sun-
screen even if you’re
driving or are in the of-
fice because of the fluo-
rescent lights.

9. Don’t Touch Your Face!
Touching your acne, or popping a pimple
prematurely can lead to dark spots which
also affect skin tones. The more you pop,
the more dark spots, and the more dark
spots, the more likely it is for skin discolora-
tions to occur because the skin is essen-
tially injured from popping the pimple. So
don’t touch your face! Remember, your
hands touch a lot of things throughout the
day which is filled with bacteria, so you
may also injury your face with infections
that damage your skin, so don’t touch!

10. Treatment
Clear Essence Plati-
num Line Skin Beauti-
fying Milk
This moisturizing lotion
not only helps dry
spots, but it also helps
even out skin tone by
preventing dry spots
by creating an even
toned glow. This best
seller focuses on lock-
ing in moisture so that
not only can dark
spots be prevented,
but it helps out with
dryness and discolora-
tion using hydroqui-
none and botanical
extracts. Use this prod-
uct after cleansing
and applying your
treatment.

11. Clear Essence Platinum Line Medicated Fade
Crème
This is a medicated treatment which helps hyper-
pigmentation, skin discoloration and acne scars
for normal to dry skin. The crème helps even out
skin tone and fade dark spots with the formula
that contains hydroquinone. Plus it contains UVA/
UVB SPF 15, so not only will you be fighting against
your dark spots, but the formula also helps pre-
vent future discolorations! Use this product after
cleansing your face and then use a moisturizer.

12. Clear Essence Platinum Line Skin Lightening Serum
Clear Essence Skin Lightening Serum treats hyper-
pigmentation, fades skin discolorations, and lightens dark
spots on all skin types and skin tones. This skin lightening se-
rum contains Hydroquinone and botanical extracts which
go to work to fade problem areas. This product is especially
popular for being safe and delicate enough for sensitive ar-
eas such as around the eyes and on oily, acne prone skin.
Use as an all over toner or spot treatment.

13. Though there are myths and questions in regards to hydroqui-
none, the FDA states, “Hydroquinone is a skin bleaching ingredi-
ent used to lighten areas of darkened skin. In 1982, we published
a rule to propose that OTC skin bleaching drug products contain-
ing 1.5 to 2 percent hydroquinone be generally recognized as
safe and effective (GRASE).” Clear Essence does carry products
that contain 2% hydroquinone. The reason hydroquinone is used
not only in our products but in other company products is, by
lightening problematic areas, such as discoloration, dark spots,
or sunspots, it helps even out skin tone. The ingredient is meant to
even out skin tone and therefore, when achieving results, contin-
ue to use sunscreen in order to prevent future discolorations.
Hydroquinone and Skin Discoloration

14. Dark spots, Hyperpigmentation, Skin
discoloration, and other conditions
should not keep you from flaunting
your skin! It’s important to be in-
formed however of what’s happen-
ing to your skin and how you can pre-
vent your skin from being damaged
even further. We may not be able to
stop every pimple, but we can try!
Most importantly, don’t forget that
letting the real you shine through is
what matters! If you feel that discolor-
ation is blocking you from shining
through, then take these tips into your
hands and get ready to glow! You
have the power to control how your
skin works, and you have the power
to achieve radiant and beautiful skin!

15. Phone: 800-423-4824
Fax: 909-565-4825
Email: cs@clearessence.com