An uneven skin tone is caused by any discolouration that leads to a visibly less uniform complexion. This discolouration can be due to hyperpigmentation, skin sensitivity, dark circles or the skin’s response to stressors and can affect any skin type. Gentle products that help enhance clarity, boost brightness and calm the skin can target uneven skin tone and reveal a more radiant, healthier-looking appearance.

An uneven skin tone is a complexion that appears less even due to dark spots or redness caused by hyperpigmentation, skin sensitivity, dark circles, dry skin or other forms of discolouration.

WHAT CAUSES UNEVEN SKIN TONE?

There are various causes of an uneven skin tone, depending on your skin type, level of sensitivity, proneness to breakouts and more. Hyperpigmentation, or the overproduction of pigment in the skin, is the leading cause of uneven skin tone. Hyperpigmentation can lead to dark spots, age spots or dark circles that lead to a less even skin tone. Redness caused by irritation, sensitivity or stressors can also cause the complexion to become less consistent, resulting in the appearance of an uneven skin tone. Fortunately, there are plenty of gentle treatments for uneven skin tone that can help even skin tone appearance through visibly diminishing discolorations to enhance overall skin clarity. 

HOW TO GET A VISIBLY EVEN SKIN TONE

When caring for an uneven skin tone, it’s important to choose gentle products and avoid being too abrasive so as not to further irritate the skin. It’s important to have a skincare routine that works to soothe the skin, target and minimise the triggers of hyperpigmentation, improve skin cell turnover and skin barrier function while replenishing antioxidant reserves to help prevent further discoloration and target uneven skin tone. 

WHAT ARE THE BEST PRODUCTS FOR UNEVEN SKIN TONE?

Gentle, yet effective formulas are recommended to calm uneven skin while targeting the dark spots, redness or other inconsistency causing an uneven skin tone.

Cleanser & Toner:

It’s important to find the right cleanser or toner for skin type and concern. We recommend our Calendula range for soothing skincare experience. Try our Calendula-infused alcohol-free toner to help refresh the skin and even skin tone appearance.

Face Oil:

Our non-comedogenic Cannabis Sativa Seed Oil Herbal Concentrate visibly reduces skin blotchiness and provides skin with relief from feelings of discomfort, resulting in a more even-looking skin tone and a healthier-looking complexion with enhanced clarity.

Serum:

Our gentle, yet efficacious dark spot corrector works to enhance clarity and visibly diminish dark spots and hyperpigmentation. For sensitivity or skin responding to stressors, we recommend using serums specifically formulated to fortify even the most sensitive of skin including our skin-strengthening serum.

Moisturiser:

Try our cica-cream in a routine for even skin tone. Our cica-cream is suitable for sensitive skin types with a compromised skin barrier function. When used regularly it leaves skin feeling comforted and helps to lock in hydration for a stronger skin barrier function.

WHAT IS THE BEST SKINCARE ROUTINE TO EVEN SKIN TONE?

Your routine for a visibly even skin tone should start by addressing the triggers of the discoloration:

Blemishes

If you have blemish-prone skin and regularly experience breakouts, you can try formulas that work to target blemishes and improve cell turnover to help keep the appearance of breakouts to a minimum. Pairing formulas such as our Breakout Control Blemish Treatment Facial Lotion with Niacinamide with our milk-peel toner will work to target breakouts while improving cell turnover to help reveal a visibly clearer, healthier-looking complexion.

Hyperpigmentation and Dark Spots

If hyperpigmentation is causing discolouration in your complexion, look for formulas to enhance clarity and even skin tone appearance. We recommend our Clearly Corrective range, particularly our facial serum with Salicylic Acid and Activated C to help minimise the appearance of hyperpigmentation and help visibly brighten the appearance of skin. Our formula targets dark spots and discolouration to help enhance clarity for an even skin tone appearance.

Skin Sensitivity

If your skin is red or uneven due to sensitivity, choose gentle skincare products formulated specifically for sensitive skin. Try our non-comedogenic facial oil or our products for sensitive skin for formulas that are soothing, yet efficacious enough to treat your skin with care throughout every step of your routine.

Dark Circles

Brown or blue dark circles under the eyes can appear due to a variety of causes including hyperpigmentation, lack of sleep, digital fatigue or sun exposure and can contribute to an uneven skin tone. Targeting dark circles under the eyes is a similar process as targeting discoloration on any other part of the skin. You’ll want to look for products that help visibly diminish signs of dark circles. As well as reducing the appearance of fine lines, our dark circle eye cream with Vitamin C also visibly brightens the under-eye area for a fresher, brighter-looking appearance. You can also try our avocado eye cream to nourish the under-eye area and provide a burst of hydration.

Stressors

Should your skin show signs of an uneven skin tone due to external or internal stressors, you can implement a skincare routine to help replenish the skin’s antioxidant reserves and fortify the skin barrier function to better prevent signs of ageing or irritation due to stressors. Our skin-strengthening serum helps even the appearance of skin’s complexion while bolstering its strength against further damage from internal or external stress factors.

Your Last Step

As a final step in a routine to target an uneven skin tone, we recommend you end your daily skincare steps with a sunscreen to protect your skin from sun exposure, which can lead to hyperpigmentation and discoloration. Try any of our effective sunscreen formulas as a last step in your skincare routine to even skin tone and reveal a brighter, healthier looking complexion.

How Can You Maintain an Even Skin Tone?

Simultaneously addressing triggers of discoloration while targeting existing areas of hyperpigmentation or other dark spots can help you achieve and maintain an even skin tone. Book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Kiehl’s Skincare Experts. Our complimentary appointments are available in-store and online and last for 30 minutes.