The Summertime for many, presents a time to get a tan which, we know, there is no such thing as a healthy or safe tan! For many it is also about sun-safety and protection as it is the season where we accumulate the most sun damage including sun burning, pigmentation and premature skin ageing. With Summer now gone, the hyper-pigmentation from all that sunshine is still lingering and showing more than ever. Winter is definitely the best and safest time to treat such skin hyperpigmentation issues and is it is also the best time for the skin recovery process. This blog will tell you everything you need to know about pigmentation, its causes, how to effectively treat it and why winter is the ideal time to do so!
WHAT IS PIGMENTATION AND WHAT CAUSES IT?
Also known as skin discoloration, sunspots, hyperpigmentation, liver spots, dark spots and age spots, pigmentation is caused by an increase in melanin production. Melanin is a substance in the body that gives our skin its pigment and the more melanin you produce, the darker your skin will be.
It all starts at the bottom of our epidermis (top layer of the skin), where we have skin cells called Melanocytes. Once these cells are activated, they produce melanin. Melanin travels all the way up the epidermis and creates a skin pigment (colour). When we get too much sun exposure to the skin, we get an overloading of these melanin pigment cells that causes skin darkening (tan). Often, these pigment cells are unevenly produced, and clump together, rising to the surface of the skin creating a noticeable sun patch/spot – found on the face, chest, arms, and hands.
Melanocytes are activated by exposure to the sun’s Ultra-Violet Rays, but they can also be activated by scarring and inflammation, laser treatments, certain medications, hormones like estrogen and pollution.
WHY WINTER IS THE IDEAL TIME TO TREAT PIGMENTATION.
Here are the main reasons why winter is the ideal season for treating and reducing pigment-induced skin damage.
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A reduction to sun exposure: While you can still sustain sun damage in the Winter months, Ultraviolet (UV) levels are lower at this time of year because the earth tilts away from the sun. Winter is the time of year where we tend to spend more time indoors and it also brings us shorter days, meaning we are less likely to be exposure to the sun.
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A reduction of your summer-induced tan: During the winter months, your tan has paled, and your skin has rebalanced its natural colouring , which allows treatments to work at peak performance.
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Enhanced treatment effectiveness: When you are using more ‘active’ ingredients on your skin to tackle pigmentation, the skin can become more sensitive and excessive sun exposure to more fragile skin is not a good idea. This makes Winter the perfect time of year to spend time on overall skin rejuvenation and recovery.
WHAT INGREDIENTS WORK BEST ON PIGMENTATION?
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Vitamin C: Known to be one of the most effective treatments to reduce the appearance of pigmentation and enhance skin radiance. Topical Vitamin C reduces melanin by inhibiting the action of tyrosinase, an enzyme that controls melanin production. Vitamin C is also a strong antioxidant that provides protection against UV free radical damage and acts as a cellular anti-inflammatory.
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AHA’s: Mostly found in foods, the most common AHA’s come the following sources: Glycolic acid (sugar), Malic acid (from apples) Citric acid (citrus fruits) and Lactic acid (from milk products/lactose). AHA’s are natural water-soluble acids that work on the very top layer of the skin to gently exfoliate thereby removing surface dead skin cells and old pigmentation. Additionally, they allow for a deeper penetration of other skincare products.
Liquorice: Liquorice root extract helps to both brighten the appearance of skin discolouration while also dispersing melanin to prevent sunspots from arising.
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Broad Spectrum SPF: Prevention is always better than a cure and we are still not fully protected from the sun on colder, more overcast days. It is important to continue to wear sunscreen all year around especially when the UV factor is high or when your skin is more vulnerable from active skin treatments.
THE BEST PIGMENTATION-REDUCTION SKINCARE REGIME
Complexion Perfection Skincare
Origani’s high-performance Complexion Perfection products are a MUST for dull, pigmented, and uneven-textured skin. This advanced 100% natural and highly organic skincare collection is specially formulated to reduce the appearance of dark spots, pigmentation, a dull complexion, and other sun-damage based concerns. Origani’s powerhouse range uses some of the latest bio-ingredient technologies to promote product absorption, ingredient stabilisation, and prevent against the formation of excess melanin. Our innovative formulas for much brighter skin include potent organic bioactive complexes and advanced cosmetic delivery systems to aide in pigmentation removal, delivering a smoother more luminous and even-looking complexion. Serious skin ingredients like SPF, Vitamin C (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid), AHA complexes with Lime Pearl Caviar, zinc oxide, rose water, hyaluronic acid, and Osmo 'city™ anti-pollution shield, are all included in a 4-product treatment offering that will have your skin glow factor at a 10!
SKINCARE STEPS TO TREAT SKIN PIGMENTATION
- Use a twice-weekly exfoliation product with AHA’s.
Product recommendation:
Manuka Honey Peel: Delivering 10 skin benefits in 10 seconds by way of its unique two-way exfoliating system and remarkable cocktail of delicious natural ingredients, this world-famous peel contains a healthy dose of precious high-grade Manuka Honey renowned for a multitude of incredible instant skin benefits.
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Use topical skincare treatments specifically designed to brighten the skin, fade existing dark spots, and also inhibit the production of melanin.
Product recommendation:
Ultra Bright Vitamin C Serum: Boosts skin brightening, radiance and skin repair to prevent dullness & wrinkles with the strongest Vitamin C (3-o-ethyl ascorbic acid) and skin-brightening organic extracts.
Dark Spot Correction Concentrate Pen: Directly targets pigmentation with Biovitamin C Glucoside and an intensive AHA complex with Lime Pearl Caviar.
- Use an SPF moisturiser that also defends against other environmental assaults like pollution.
Product recommendation:
Complexion Perfection Daily Pollution Shield SPF 15: Suitable for all skin types, this is a pioneering 360-degree skin protecting moisturizer offering a natural broad-spectrum defence. Jam Packed with Rose water and Hyaluronic acid plump and hydrate the skin, it also contains a skin defence active called Osmo 'city™ that leaves a protective anti-pollution film on the skin. The skin is also boosted with nutrient rich V’s B3, B5, B6, C and E BeauPlex®.
Now is the time to tackle to pigmentation head on for your brightest and most even-looking complexion yet!
Love,
The Origani Team xo