Some reasons explain your darkening skin over winter, the primary of which has to do with your lack of sunlight, dry air, low blood circulation, and hormonal changes.
The reason behind dark skin can be anything related to the production and distribution of melanin in the skin. However, in winter, dry weather decreases the humidity due to cold temperatures, which causes dark patches on the skin.
Raw milk actually works as a great toner for the skin. Loaded with antioxidants and lactic acid, it helps to even out your complexion and remove dark spots on your face. You can also combine raw milk with ingredients like papaya, honey, almond, turmeric or so on to help your skin glow.
The darkening of certain areas of the skin can occur at any age and are often caused by sun exposure, inflammation, hormonal changes, or ageing. When exposed to the sun's damaging UV rays, the skin produces excess melanin, resulting in darker patches or sunspots.
The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin synthesis rather than a defect in melanin.
Skin whitening is possible to some extent through various methods: Topical Treatments: Over-the-counter products with ingredients like vitamin C, hydroquinone, and kojic acid can help lighten the skin. Professional Treatments: Chemical peels, laser treatments, and microdermabrasion can also lighten the skin.
Dehydration, stress, and lack of sleep are some of the primary skin dullness reasons. When your body lacks water, it affects the skin and makes it dull. Stress, on the other hand, restricts blood supply to the skin, resulting in inadequate oxygen supply. This makes your skin look tired and dull.
The Earth's Tilt – A Quick Science Lesson
Our planet, Earth, doesn't stand straight up as it orbits the Sun. Instead, it's slightly tilted at an angle of about 23.5 degrees. This tilt is what causes the different seasons throughout the year, and it's the reason we get more sunlight in summer and less in winter.
In the absence of SPF, you may notice at times that your skin is easily tanned. Either tan or your skin may have turned into a funny orange or peach-ish color. It is because Vitamin C is extremely potent but it can easily react with the air, light and heat in the environment to only make your skin appear darker.
Cold weather could cause the blood vessels to contract and reduce the flow of blood to the skin surface, which may enhance a darker complexion. Lastly, some may have hormonal changes that commence at the start of winter, which may affect the skin pigmentation.
If your skin is prone to melasma or has a history of hyperpigmentation, retinol may initially worsen the appearance of dark patches before it improves. Additionally, some individuals experience a “purging” phase where the skin becomes inflamed before showing results, which can contribute to temporary darkening.
Over-The-Counter Skin Brighteners
OTC treatments containing Vitamin C, Kojic Acid, Glycolic Acid, or Retinoids are game-changers when tackling hyperpigmentation. These ingredients work by neutralising the tyrosinase enzyme, reducing melanin production, and evening out skin tone.
In your 40s, your ageing skin can become drier, making lines and wrinkles more pronounced. You continue to lose subcutaneous fat, but not equally from all areas. Fat pads around the cheeks and above the mouth are generally the first to go, followed by fat from around the sides of the mouth, chin and jawline.
Various elements, including sun exposure, hormone changes, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, skin aging, skin problems, and lifestyle choices, can cause a darker complexion.
Causes of hyperpigmentation include: Skin inflammation (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) Use of certain drugs (such as minocycline, certain cancer chemotherapies, and birth control pills) Hormone system diseases such as Addison disease.
Estrogen and progesterone are two of the major factors responsible for catamenial hyperpigmentation of the skin.