How to decrease melanin in the skin is a popular question nowadays. Many people are looking for ways to reduce melanin production to have radiant and even-toned skin.
Melanin is the pigment that determines skin, hair, and eye colour and while it is important in protecting your skin from UV radiation, excessive synthesis can cause major concerns such as uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.
In this detailed post, we explore effective ways to decrease melanin production in your skin. We’ll also go over a recommended skincare regimen for decreasing melanin production.
What Is Melanin?
Melanin, a natural pigment seen in variable degrees in your skin, hair, and eyes, is produced by specialised cells called melanocytes found in your skin’s outer layer. Although everyone has the same amount of melanocytes, the generation of melanin and its specific variances varies. Melanin directly impacts the colour of your skin and when produced in high amounts can result in darker skin tones.
Melanin is usually classified into two types, eumelanin, which is responsible for brown and black tones, and pheomelanin, which is responsible for red and yellow tones.
In some cases, melanin can accumulate in certain regions of your skin, a condition medically known as hyperpigmentation. This accumulation of melanin is caused by external factors such as UV exposure, hormonal changes, other environmental changes, etc. Now that you know what is Melanin, let us help you understand what causes excess Melanin in your skin. Scroll!
What Causes Excess Melanin Production?
An increase in melanin production on your skin is known as hyperpigmentation. This results in a change in your skin tone making it look darker. Here are a few factors that cause excess melanin production:
Hormonal imbalances:
A hormonal imbalance results in causing hyperpigmentation and is mostly observed in women. This happens because of excess production of more Estrogen and Progesterone during pregnancy, or while taking birth control pills which causes increased melanin production on the skin. Estrogen production causes such imbalances in melanin production and leads to excessive melanin. It is more common in dark-skinned people as they naturally have more melanin in their bodies.
Inflammatory causes:
Skin inflammation also causes excess melanin production on the skin. The melanin-producing cells are present in the epidermal layer of the skin. Stimuli such as UV rays cause inflammation which later affects the melanin production and concentration in the affected areas of the skin.
Vitamin Deficiency:
Although this is not deeply clear, Vitamin B12 deficiency causes an increase in melanocyte skin cells in our body.
Certain medications:
Certain types of medications can cause increased melanin production in your skin.
Excess Sun exposure:
Excess sun exposure is also one of the causes of excess melanin production. It causes dark spots and patches on the skin known as dark spots or sun spots.
Effective Ways To Reduce Melanin In Skin?
how to reduce melanin in skin
Protect Your Skin From The Sun
Sun and UV rays are the primary sources of hyperpigmentation. Therefore, it is crucial to prevent sun exposure and all kinds of potential damage. Invest in a good broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30. Also, never forget to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours.
Incorporate Active Ingredients
Several compounds including vitamin C, kojic acid, and alpha arbutin, have skin-lightening qualities. To combat pigmentation and dark spots, look for products that include these ingredients.
Chemical Exfoliation
Chemical peels are exfoliating solutions that aid the shedding of dead skin cells and encourage the healthy formation of new skin cells gradually and gently. This process helps replace your skin layers with a new even layer.
Chemical peels containing AHAs and BHAs, such as glycolic acid or salicylic acid, can help remove the top layers of dead skin cells, hence reducing melanin accumulation.
Incorporate Retinoids Or Its Natural Alternatives
Retinoids, generated from vitamin A, are well-known for their effects on skin health. Retinoids speed up skin cell turnover, causing damaged cells to shed and revealing smoother, more radiant skin. Retinoids also lessen excessive pigment development and support a more even skin tone by modulating the activity of melanocytes, the cells in charge of melanin creation.
However, if you have sensitive skin, and are not confident about adding retinoid to your skincare regime, you can opt for its natural alternative, bakuchiol. For instance, you can go for The Moms Co.’s natural age control day cream. It is formulated with bakuchiol which is a natural and non-inflammable alternative to retinol with the same benefits. It boosts collagen production, resulting in more elasticity and suppleness in skin and reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
Use A Vitamin C Serum
Vitamin C serum works to fade dark spots and level out your skin tone by gently reducing melanin production. Vitamin C also functions as a natural exfoliator in addition to reducing melanin production. It gently exfoliates dead skin cells, exposing fresher, brighter skin beneath. This also helps give a more glowing overall look.
Stay Away From Products That Can Irritate Your Skin
Skin irritation can increase the development of melanin. To avoid unwanted irritation, use gentle, non-irritating skin care products.
Keep Yourself And Your Skin Hydrated
Skin that is adequately hydrated is more resistant to inflammation. Therefore, drink lots of water and use hydrating skincare products.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatments are professional techniques that can target and break down melanin deposits in your skin. This is often considered a permanent solution to melanin production.
Skincare Routine To Stop Melanin Production
Skincare Routine To Stop Melanin Production
Cleanse With A Mild Face Wash
Always begin with a gentle cleanser to remove impurities, makeup, sunscreen and more. Also, ensure that the cleanser you choose is a gentle one that will not remove your skin’s natural hydration.
The Moms Co.’s natural vitamin C face wash
If you’re looking for a gentle cleanser which will also reduce melanin production, consider buying The Moms Co.’s natural vitamin C face wash. This alcohol and chemical-free face wash will also ensure to not cause any inflammation on your skin.
Apply A Hydrating Toner
Toner hydrates your skin and keeps the pH level in balance. Incorporating a vitamin C-enriched toner in your skincare routine will help with reducing melanin production and pigmentation.
The Moms Co.’s natural vitamin C daily face toner
If you’re looking for a natural toner, you can try The Moms Co.’s natural vitamin C daily face toner, formulated with green tea, niacinamide, and aloe vera that helps maintain an even skin tone and reduce redness and inflammation.
Exfoliate Twice A Week
Include mild exfoliation in your regimen 2-3 times per week to remove dead skin cells and promote healthy cell turnover.
The Moms Co.’s natural green tea face scrub
It can be a great addition to your skincare routine if you are looking for a gentle exfoliant. It is formulated with black sand and five plant AHAs that help clean your pores and stimulate collagen to give you a supple and radiant look.
Treat With A Serum
Use melanin treatment products, such as products enriched with vitamin C to boost the reduction process. Serums are one of the best ways to target stubborn concerns like hyperpigmentation. They penetrate easily and since they’re formulated as advanced treatment products, you also get faster results.
The Moms Co.’s natural 10% vitamin C face serum
If you are looking for the best vitamin C serum, try out The Moms Co.’s natural 10% vitamin C face serum, enriched with licorice extracts, Korean ginseng, and ferulic acid that promote collagen synthesis, reduces uneven skin tone, and moisturises and brighten your complexion.
Moisturise With A Rejuvenating Cream
Moisturiser is a must to lock in all the products you have used. This ensures your products are working at their maximum capability. Invest in a non-comedogenic moisturiser to keep your skin’s natural barrier function intact.
The Moms Co.’s natural brightening vitamin C face cream
The best way to reduce melanin is to incorporate brightening agents in skin care products. If you are looking for a brightening moisturiser, try out The Moms Co.’s natural brightening vitamin C face cream.
The Moms Co. Natural vitamin C oil-free moisturiser
Meanwhile, if you have oily skin and are looking for a lightweight yet brightening moisturiser, you can consider using the natural vitamin C oil-free moisturiser from The Moms Co. It is formulated with niacinamide which is an antioxidant and also regulates sebum production.
Sunscreen
Always finish your morning skin care routine with sunscreen. Sunscreen is always a non-negotiable product as it prevents most of the sun damage your skin is otherwise exposed to. Ensure you are using a broad-spectrum sunscreen to get maximum sun protection.
The Moms Co. Natural Daily Sunscreen
Formulated with Zinc oxide, Licorice extracts, Chamomile extracts, etc. this natural and lightweight daily sunscreen offers broad-spectrum protection, prevents dark spots, fights pigmentation and soothes skin.
If you have hyperpigmentation, understanding and regulating melanin production is essential for achieving a healthy and bright complexion. It is equally important to use a comprehensive skin care routine that includes sun protection and other essential products, and even advanced treatments for the best results.
Moreover, it is important to realise that hyperpigmentation is a tough concern to deal with. Reducing melanin to have control over hyperpigmentation requires patience and realistic expectations. It is a slow process.
Ingredients To Reduce Melanin
If you want to heal your skin from excess production of Melanin, some active ingredients can help you out. Read on:
Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an ingredient with properties that decrease melanin production on the skin. One of the reasons for an increase in melanin levels in the skin is Melanin synthesis and Vitamin C inhibits such synthesis through the downregulation of tyrosinase enzyme activity.
Kojic Acid: Tyrosine in your cells is responsible for the production of Melanin in the body. Kojic Acid is an ingredient that creates a barrier against the formation of tyrosine in the skin bringing out a lighter skin tone. So this is an amazing ingredient to decrease Melanin.
Glycolic Acid: Glycolic acid is an effective skin-lightening acid that decreases melanin production on the skin by acting as an exfoliating agent which eliminates the skin’s outer layer of pigmentation and build-up of dirt.
Azelaic Acid: This ingredient is mainly used in acne treatment. However, it is also an effective skincare ingredient that decreases melanin production on the skin by eliminating the multiplication of discoloured cells.
Lactic Acid: Lactic Acid also inhibits tyrosinase activity in your body to reduce melanin production. It is more suitable and effective for people with dry skin type. For best results, you should use it twice a week.
Retinol: This is a skincare ingredient that reduces epidermal melanin.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get rid of melanin on my face?
Combining careful sun protection, tailored skincare products, and maybe expert treatments will help reduce melanin on the face.
2. What reduces melanin fast?
It is not possible to reduce melanin production quickly. However, the most effective technique is to utilise sun protection and suitable skincare on a regular basis for several weeks to months for noticeable results.
3. Which vitamin helps reduce melanin?
Vitamin C, an antioxidant, has been shown to decrease melanin production and is a frequent component in many skincare products due to its multiple benefits.
4. Which food reduces excess melanin most?
While there are no specific foods that reduce melanin, eating a well-balanced diet rich in antioxidants and vitamin C helps promote good skin overall affecting all skin concerns. Also, drink plenty of water.
5. What happens if melanin is high?
Excess production of melanin in the body can result in hyperpigmentation, uneven skin tone, and increased sensitivity to UV damage. Melasma and other skin disorders are also connected with high melanin levels.
6. Does vitamin C reduce melanin?
Yes, Vitamin C has properties that help reduce melanin production on the skin. This ingredient inhibits Melanin synthesis through the downregulation of tyrosinase enzyme activity.
7: Does milk reduce melanin?
Yes, milk is one of the foods that can help reduce melanin production in your skin.
8: How can I remove melanin naturally?
There are many ways you can reduce melanin naturally through ayurvedic treatments, yoga and workouts, drinking enough water, home remedies like homemade face masks with honey and lemon juice, turmeric powder with rose water and curd, and better diet intake etc.
Also Read:
Antioxidants In Skincare: Read more about what are antioxidants in skincare and how you can reap the benefits in your skin care routine.
Top 7 Things to Know About Vitamin C Face Care: Are curious about how vitamin c works? Read this post to know everything you need.
Sunscreen Benefits: Know more about sunscreen and what are the benefits of sunscreen.
Best Treatment For Pigmentation On Face: Step-by-step routine to treat pigmentation on your face and the best products to add to your beauty routine.