If your once-flawless complexion is now a canvas of ruddy dullness and dark spots, you’re not alone. Uneven skin tone is a common concern, and the reasons behind it can be as diverse as our faces themselves. But fear not, there’s hope for a brighter, more even future.
There are many causes for an uneven skin tone; the first step is to identify what’s causing the issue. As we age, our skin’s natural cell turnover slows, leading to a build-up of dead skin cells that contribute to roughness. Stress, lack of sleep, dehydration and a diet devoid of essential nutrients can leave skin looking parched and lifeless. But the biggest culprit of all is sun damage. Exposure to ultraviolet rays, even in the shade, sends melanin production into overdrive.
According to aesthetic practitioner Dr SK Tan, founder of IDS Clinic, women are more prone to pigmentation issues than men, due to hormones; more so if they live in areas with significant sun exposure. To maintain radiant skin, Tan insists on wearing sunscreen daily with regular reapplication, especially if you’re outdoors all day.
Patients coming to him for pigmentation issues have become so prevalent that Tan curated a comprehensive four-step programme called Beauty and the Best - Melasma Program ($700). It combines skincare, oral supplements, laser procedures and energy-based devices, followed by the application of IDS proprietary formulations post-laser to enhance skin lightening and repair.
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Step Up The Exfoliation
Vinoperfect Brightening Micropeel Foam, $48, Caudalie
For maintaining even skin tone, you need to build a skincare routine that focuses on both smoothing out the texture of your skin as well as treating and preventing spots from developing. For a start, use exfoliating face washes or toners infused with gentle acids like salicylic-, lactic- or glycolic acid such as Caudalie Vinoperfect Brightening Micropeel Foam. These gentle acids help clear away dead skin cells while removing dirt, oil and impurities. Exfoliating regularly not only keeps your skin clean (guaranteed, no breakouts) but also encourages cell turnover, which is crucial for fading dark spots and other discolourations, leading to a more even-toned complexion.
Bright Skies Peeling Gel Exfoliator, $52, Sigi Skin
If you have dry bumpy skin, you might need a mechanical exfoliator like Sigi Skin’s Bright Skies Peeling Gel Exfoliator to manually rub away grease and dirt.
Kale-Lalu-yAHA Gentle AHA Exfoliator, $35, KraveBeauty
6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant, $59, Paula's Choice
If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, it would be better to use a liquid exfoliator like KraveBeauty's Kale-Lalu-yAHA Gentle AHA Exfoliator (with 5.25 per cent glycolic acid), or Paula's Choice 6% Mandelic Acid + 2% Lactic Acid Liquid Exfoliant, which has an optimal pH range of 3.0-4.0 to maintain skin’s delicate balance which gently eating away at dead skin cells.
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Bank on Vitamin C
If it’s good for the body, it’s good for the skin . Vitamin C isn't just a superstar for your immune system, it’s a powerhouse for your skin, too. We all know about its internal benefits, but topical application unlocks a whole other level of brilliance. Think of it as your skin’s personal bodyguard. This potent antioxidant goes beyond just boosting your immunity; it increases collagen production, combats dullness and inhibits an enzyme (tyrosinase) used in the production of melanin, which makes it an effective lightening agent.
Bright Plus Fresh Serum and Ampoule, $190, Clarins
Diorsnow Essence of Light Serum, $205, Dior
Supplement your daily oral dose with vitamin C-infused skincare like Clarins’ ultimate brightening duo: Bright Plus Serum and Fresh Ampoule. The latter contains a potent 15 per cent vitamin C complex, which apparently will show visible radiance and luminosity in just one week. Similarly, Diorsnow Essence of Light Serum is infused with a new vitamin C derivative called ethylated ascorbic acid, designed to promote radiance and improve the overall quality of the skin.
Abeille Royale Double Clarify & Repair Essence, $185
Phyto-Blanc La Nuit Overnight Brightening Cream, $300, Sisley Paris
Guerlain Abeille Royale Double Clarify & Repair Essence boosts the power of its Vitamin C derivative with glycolic acid and white honey to reduce uneven pigmentation and enhance skin tone. While Sisley goes a step further by adding vitamin B to its Phyto-Blanc La Nuit Overnight Brightening Cream, to help detoxify the skin at night, and in doing so, frees the skin from accumulated melanin.
Intensive Treatments
Brightening Mask Supreme, $460, Clé De Peau Beauté
Once or twice weekly masks are a great way to boost radiance. Try Clé De Peau Beauté Brightening Mask Supreme, which produces noticeable brightening in a single application. The set comes with two-part face sheets and tubes of brightening serum. It’s infused with intense moisture and brightening ingredients like tranexamic acid to minimise the appearance of spots and freckles.
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ONE BY KOSÉ Melanoshot W Limited Kit, $108, Kosé
To complement its bestselling Melanoshot W brightening serum, Kosé recently launched the One by Kosé Melanoshot W Brightening Mask. It harnesses the brightening power of kojic acid, proven to effectively neutralise pigmentation and soften UV damage. Supposedly, a singular mask encapsulates approximately 50 times the volume of the serum.
A facial is another great way to get glowing fast. I saw results instantly with the Illuminate & Lift Facial ($460) at St. Regis Spa (formerly known as Remède Spa). The 90-minute treatment uses Sothys products such as an AHA exfoliating cream to polish away dullness. It’s followed by a stem cell massage for rejuvenation and a bio-cellulose mask for firming. Finally, Porcelain Flower Oil is administered with chilled spoons to awake the skin.
Homegrown spa, Porcelain offers a 90-minute Barrier Booster+ Facial ($368) that focuses on replenishing the skin with nourishing lipids and ceramides via advanced medi-technology. Not only does this boost circulation, promote cell regeneration and strengthen moisture retention, you’ll notice that your skin tone looks more even, with a reduction in redness and fine lines.
You should also head to La Mer’s flagship boutique at ION Orchard to indulge in its 90-minute Genaissance Facial ($550), the brand’s crème de la crème of facials. It’s a massage-focussed treatment that uses products from the Genaissance de la Mer range to target all visible signs of ageing and awaken inner radiance and clarity.