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Pigmentation – and how to deal with it?


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My clients often come to me with concerns about pigmentation and ask for advice on how to deal with it. First of all, I want to make it clear: I’m not a dermatologist or a medical doctor, so I can’t prescribe treatment. However, as a makeup artist, I do my best to learn as much as I can about skin, and I’m happy to share what I know with you. If your situation is serious, you should absolutely consult a doctor.

I decided to dive deeper into the topic of pigmentation and write an article about it for my blog. So, let’s take a closer look at the most common causes of pigmentation:

  1. The most common cause is sun exposure and UV radiation.

    How often do you use SPF — not just on your body, but on your face as well? If your answer is “rarely” or “never,” then that might explain a lot. When our skin is exposed to a lot of UV light, the body starts producing melanin as protection — which leads to dark spots and freckles [1].

  2. Inflammation and skin injuries

  3. Hormonal changes

  4. Certain medications and substances

  5. Addison’s disease and hemochromatosis

  6. Genetics

So what can you do about pigmentation? Identify the cause. It’s really important to understand why the pigmentation appeared — that will help you find an effective way to treat or manage it.

Don’t skip SPF. I know there’s a lot of debate around sunscreens, but the key is knowing which ingredients may be harmful to your health.

Avoid sunscreens that contain:

  • Oxybenzone — may absorb into the bloodstream and affect hormone levels

  • Octinoxate (Octyl Methoxycinnamate) — can cause skin and eye irritation

  • Homosalate, Octocrylene, Avobenzone — may cause sensitivity

  • PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) — can trigger photosensitivity reactions

Safer SPF filters:

  • Zinc Oxide

  • Titanium Dioxide

Look for labels that say: “Mineral sunscreen,” “Reef-safe,” “Non-comedogenic,” “Fragrance-free.” Even if the packaging says “dermatologist recommended,” take a moment to read the ingredients. And if you don’t feel like decoding the list — just take a photo of the label, send it to GPT Chat, and ask if it’s safe.   Choose skincare products that contain azelaic acid, niacinamide, and vitamin C [1] — they help reduce pigmentation, while green tea and aloe vera calm inflammation and slow down melanin production. If the pigmentation is making you feel uncomfortable, don’t delay — visit a dermatologist. Conclusion: Pigmentation is very common — and usually not dangerous. There are many ways to prevent it or reduce its appearance. All it takes is adding the right care and sun protection into your daily routine.

 
 
 

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