Even Out Skin Complexion

Many people have problems with their complexion. Whether it be uneven color, texture, or wrinkles, getting a smooth skin tone is easy. Making lifestyle changes, using spa products, applying the right makeup, and visiting a dermatologist or spa can all help to significantly improve your complexion.

Steps

Evening Skin Complexion with Lifestyle Changes

1. Drink lots of water. Water is responsible for cleansing skin from the inside out and preventing wrinkles. Keeping well hydrated will keep your skin looking plump and fresh as a child’s.
   • Try to drink at least 64 ounces of fluid a day, including water. Try to make water your primary drink, substituting it for sugary drinks or alcohol.
   • Avoid sodas and alcohol which can affect skin negatively. The sugar and chemicals in soda and sugary drinks causes acne and oil buildup, while drinking alcohol steals moisture from your skin and gives the appearance of premature aging.
   • Try adding cucumber or lemon slices to your water, as both have proven to have extra skin-boosting benefits and add a refreshing twist to your H2O.
2. Apply sunscreen regularly. Sun damage is one of the top causes of an uneven skin tone, so protect yourself by using a minimum SPF15 on a daily basis.
   • Avoid tanning beds and laying out in the sun for hours whenever possible, as these are incredibly dangerous due to their carcinogenic properties.
   • Although SPF 15 is the minimum level of sun protection, to really save your skin apply at least an SPF 30.
   • Apply sunscreen on a daily basis, even if it is cloudy out. 80% of the sun’s radiation penetrates cloud cover, meaning you can still receive sun damage when it’s gray and rainy.
   • Use an SPF that has both UVA and UVB protection. UVA are the rays from the sun that cause wrinkles and age spots, while UVB rays are responsible for burning your skin. Keep in mind that many facial moisturizers and foundations contain sunscreen. Check the label to be sure. If your makeup or moisturizer does not contain sunscreen then you can always wear sunscreen under your makeup.
3. Exercise regularly. Working out doesn’t just affect your size and weight, but helps to generate new skin cells which keeps your complexion even and young.
   • Heavy workouts aren’t required to get healthy looking skin. Instead, focus on just getting your blood pumping for a few minutes every day.
   • If you get dirty during your workout, be sure to wash your face afterwards to keep oil and dirt from getting trapped in your pores and causing your skin to break out.
4. Forego junk food and eat fresh fruits and vegetables instead. Healthy eating in general can help to promote a clear complexion. However, in the beginning you might notice you are breaking out a bit more due to your skin pushing out all the toxins. The chemicals, oils, and sugar in junk food cause your skin to create more oil, which clogs your pores.
   • Instead of completely cutting junk food out of your diet, slowly incorporate more fresh food and less processed food to help your skin.
   • Some foods like blueberries and salmon, which are high in antioxidants, are great for evening out your complexion.

Evening Your Complexion Using Spa Products

1. Exfoliate your skin. Dead skin cells build up over time on your skin’s surface, giving it the appearance of old age or dryness. Slough off those dead skin cells to give your skin a revitalized appearance.
   • Many brands offer a chemical exfoliator or special exfoliating brush that you can purchase at local drug and beautify supply stores for cheap.
   • Make your own exfoliator out of sugar and honey. Rub this on your face in small circles followed by a rinse with warm water to remove the dead skin buildup. If you want a softer exfoliant than sugar, mix oatmeal with honey instead. Another option is to use equal parts baking soda and water. This mask is quite exfoliating, so only use it once every one to two weeks.
   • Most dermatologist offices and spas offer specialized exfoliation treatments. Research to see what these offices in your area offer.
   • Look into the option of buying an electric exfoliator. These work by using a specialized moving brush (similar to an electric toothbrush) to wash you face with twice a day. They can be a bit expensive, running upwards of $100, but work wonders for keeping skin soft and pores clean.
2. Apply a face mask. These help to reduce redness and even out the color and texture of your skin.
   • Buy a specialty face mask at a local beauty supply or drugstore. Many different types of masks are available depending on your desired results; there are ones to reduce redness, aid in age spots, get rid of acne, and smooth your skin.
   • Make a face mask out of a banana and honey for your face. Mix the two together until it forms a paste, and apply it to your face for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.
3. Use a face peel. Face peels are a type of mask or gel you apply to your face that use healthy acids to dissolve dead skin cells. These remove the top layer of the skin which appears dull or has discoloration or scarring.
   • Use a face peel that has salicylic acid if you have problems with acne or acne scarring.
   • Try a peel that is made with glycolic acid to help your skin if you have problems with wrinkles.
   • Always wash off your peel with warm water when the time limit, typically ten minutes, is up. This way it will keep the peel from over-exfoliating your face.
   • Avoid using a skin peel if you have problems with eczema or rosacea, as these can be worsened by the acids in the peel.
4. Get rid of dark spots with spot-remover. These are products that are used for helping to break-up the unwanted pigmentation that forms from sun damage.
   • Many spot removers work for both sun spots and age spots. If you have both, try this type of dual product.
   • Freckles are a type of sunspot, but a spot remover may not work in lightening these.
   • Try an all natural spot remover of lemon juice. Dab on the juice to your dark spots and allow it to sit for ten minutes, and then rinse. The acid in the juice helps to bleach the spots.
   • Another way to reduce the appearance of dark spots is to use a toner that contains witch hazel.
5. Use moisturizer. In order to even out complexion a good moisturizer is key. There are many variations available which meet your specific skin needs - from dry to oily or wrinkled skin.
   • Find a moisturizer that includes an SPF to expedite your process of applying creams.
   • Tinted moisturizers can work to apply a bit of color in addition to making your skin soft. Make sure to find one in the right skin tone for you though, because the wrong tint can make your skin appear orange or sickly.
6. Use pure Rosehip oil on hyper-pigmentation, burns and scars. It will speed up the healing process, as well as hydrate and moisturize the area. You can also use witch hazel for this.

Evening Your Skin Tone with Makeup

1. Apply a concealer. Concealer is a liquid or cream that blends with your skin to hide dark or red spots and under-eye circles. It is great for giving an even color to your skin.
   • Concealers come in either your natural skin color (a shade of brown or tan), or in colors such as yellow, green, and lavender. These colored concealers (also known as color correctors) are used to neutralize redness or acne spots in your skin.
   • Always use a concealer brush, which is a small, stiff, round-edged makeup brush, to apply concealer. Using your fingertips can expose your pores to more bacteria, worsening your acne or redness.
   • Don’t rub concealer in, but rather dab it on and blend the edges with your brush. You can also use a clean sponge to blend in your concealer.
   • Make sure your concealer isn’t too dark, as this will result in rusty orange colored spots on your face instead of sun or age spots. It is better to use a concealer that is too light rather than one that is too dark, as applying foundation over the top will help to darken the concealer. Be sure to sue a color corrector first and then apply concealer over that.
2. Apply foundation. Foundation is the makeup used to cover your whole face to even out your entire skin tone. Foundations come in many variations, including powders, liquids, creams, and aerosol sprays. Although any of these work, powders tend to be the longest lasting and will cover up any natural oils on your skin.
   • Always use a large foundation brush, sometimes called a kabuki brush, to apply your foundation. This is regardless of whether your foundation is a powder or liquid; the brush gives an even application and will help to blend the color. Using your fingers spreads bacteria that can make your skin worse, and will not give as even of an application. Using a beauty blender sponge also helps to ensure that your foundation is even.
   • Dab extra foundation over your spots of concealer to help set it. This can help to match the color and add extra coverage should you desire it.
   • Blend your foundation all the way to your neck in ensure complete coverage of your face.
3. Add color and depth to your face. Now that you’ve evened the color of your skin tone, it will be left looking single-faceted and color. Add blush to your cheeks to supply your face with a natural looking hue.
   • Apply blush with a round brush starting at the apples of your cheeks moving upwards towards your temples at a 45 degree angle for a more modern blush look.
   • You can use either a powder or cream blush, but find one that matches your skin texture and needs the best.
   • Blushes are available in hues of pink, peach, and violet. For very fair skin, go with a pink shade. Medium and beige skin tones benefit from a peachy hue. For dark rich skin coloring, use a plum or violet blush.
4. Add shadows to your face. Use a bronzer in the hollows under your cheekbones and a highlighter above to mimic the natural shadows that occur with the light.
   • Sweep the bronzer on starting near your hairline towards your nose, avoiding a heavy application. Be sure to blend well.
   • Use a highlighter to add light to the parts of your face that are kissed by the sun. This is typically a light, slightly metallic cream or powder that can be applied with a brush or rolled on. Put the highlighter on your face under your eyebrows, at the corner of your inner eye, and in a “C” shape from the bottom of your cheekbones to the base of your forehead. You can also add some highlighter along the cupid’s bow on your upper lip and going down the bridge of your nose.
5. Add a setting powder. Although setting your makeup is optional, setting powders can help your makeup to last longer and keep their natural and even coloring.

Evening Your Skin Tone with Professional Help

1. Get a prescription for skin-clearing medication. Visit your dermatologist and discuss your complexion problems. Based on your specific issues, your dermatologist will be able to prescribe different medications to help even your skin.
   • Some medications may be taken as a pill and help control hormonal imbalances which can lead to poor skin complexion.
   • Medicated creams are available through your dermatologist to apply to your skin. These can deal with problems such as age or sun spots and acne or acne scarring.
   • Be sure to ask your doctor about possible side-effects from medication for your skin.
2. Get a facial. Facials, from either a local spa or your dermatologist, greatly improve skin clarity and complexion over time. See what types of facials are offered in your area.
   • Facials often differ depending on your specific skin problems. Look for facials that target acne, sun damage, skin disorders, or aging depending on your needs.
   • Facials can be expensive, but it is better to pay a bit more for an esthetician you trust than to try to be cheap. They aren’t particularly dangerous, but for the best results it is worth a higher price.
3. Get a laser treatment. These help fight age spots and wrinkles, but can only be performed by a dermatologist. Keep in mind that this might be a bit expensive and may not be covered by insurance.
   • A laser treatment works by sending short, strong pulses of light to remove layers of skin. Because of this, it is sometimes also called a laser peel.
   • Avoid getting a laser treatment if you have acne, as this could worsen the condition.
   • Recovery from a laser treatment takes up to two weeks. This is the time in which the skin will regrow and all discoloration or scabbing has disappeared.
4. Get a microdermabrasion session. This is a combination of a peel and exfoliant that helps to remove dead skin and discoloration. These are available from your dermatologist and some spas.
   • Microdermabrasion is essentially “sanding” away skin with a peel and a special brush or tool. Therefore, it works best for dark spots and dull skin.
   • Dermabrasion, similar to microdermabrasion, works primarily to remove scarring. It is only safe for people with fair skin however, as it can worsen scarring in dark skin. Only consider dermabrasion as an option if you struggle with scarring from a skin disease, significant acne, or accidents.

Tips

• Thoroughly clean makeup brushes between uses to prevent bacteria buildup.
• Never go out in the sun after applying lemon. This can cause irritation and redness.
• After applying the makeup don't forget to wash your face before going to sleep.
• Use almond oil for a natural toner.
• Try drinking a cup of water every 30-60 mins.
• If you happen to have both a ruddy (reddish) and a sallow (yellowish)skin complexion, decide which one you would prefer to correct, as using both a mint concealer and a lavender concealer will make your skin look too mottled.

Warnings

• Sometimes cosmetics can induce allergic reactions in individuals. If you are trying out a new product, be aware of your skin's reaction as well as any changes that occur.
• Certain skin issues can be symptoms of underlying conditions. Any new or serious skin concerns should be raised with a professional.

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