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How To Remove Pigmentation Around Mouth And Face Permanently

The Ordinary Serum

How To Remove Pigmentation Around Mouth Permanently – Brown skin beauties have their own struggles like pigmentation, dull skin and uneven skin tone.

Pigmentation in particular is difficult to treat so you have to be patient with your skin care routine.

This post about hyperpigmentation includes a

  • 5-step morning skin care routine
  • 6-step night skin care routine

KEY POINTS

Start with one serum a week to check how your skin reacts to each of them.

Use Sunscreen And reapply every 4 hours.

Introduce low concentration(2-5% serum) until your skin gets used to it. Then, increase the potency of the serum depending on your skin tolerance.

How Long To Reduce Pigmentation Around Mouth?

Small changes can be seen within 4 weeks time.

Pigmentation skin care routine takes about 8-12 weeks to see a major difference in lightening of the patch.

If you have mild pigmentation, you are certainly get rid of them completely in 2-3 months but, those with deeper pigmentation may need 6-8 months of treatment.

Morning Skin Care Routine(5-Steps)

The morning skin care involves consecutive 5 steps starting with a cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser and finally a sunscreen.

I usually do not use face wash or cleanser in the morning. Just a simple rinse with warm water is enough for my normal skin.

CLEANSER

STEP – 1

You can use homemade Oats flour cleanser to cleanse your face or, go for a store bought cleanser.

cetaphil gentle cleanser

PROS

  • Prescribed for post procedure skin
  • Dermatologist recommended
  • Does not dry out your skin
  • Suitable for dry, sensitive and acne prone skin
  • Can certainly be used 2 times a day
  • Affordable
  • Mild but effective

You can use hydroxy acid cleansers in the morning provided, you are not using an acid based toner(AHA, BHA, PHA). In this case, Follow up with a gentle soothing toner.

MANDELIC ACID TONER

STEP – 2

Use of exfoliants helps gently peel away the dead skin cells revealing younger looking even toned skin.

I recommend Mandelic acid toner which despite being an acid is least irritating among all the hydroxy acids like glycolic acid and salicylic acid.

Consistent use does give you a healthy looking brighter skin.

Unlike higher concentration of glycolic acid and salicylic acid, there will not be any visible peeling while using Mandelic Acid.

Kaya Acne Free Purifying Toner, with Mandelic Acid

Acid percentage not disclosed compared to the other products I have mentioned below. So I’m not sure about its effectiveness. 🙁 🙁

For Oily/Acne Prone skin

Kaya Acne Free Purifying Toner

Mandelic acid helps to exfoliate dead skin cells and definitely promotes skin cell turnover, lightens blemishes and also dark spots, fights ageing and hence results in a brighter, even toned and healthier, radiant skin.

A combination of mandelic acid, salicylic acid and cucumber surely helps control excess oil and prevents breakouts.

This toner does soothe irritations, gently exfoliates and unclogs pores.

Minimalist PHA 3% + Biotic Toner

Suits all skin types – Fragrance free

Minimalist PHA 3% + Biotic Toner

A daily, gentle exfoliating, pH balancing, pore tightening & skin hydrating toner.

Boosted with Pre-Biotics and Pro-Biotics to balance skin microbiome and hence it definitely helps accelerate the recovery of skin’s barrier function

By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Prep Water

Best suited for all skin types, especially sensitive skin.

Fragrance free, Vegan friendly.

By Wishtrend Mandelic Acid 5% Prep Water

Mandelic acid is an alpha hydroxyl acid which derived from bitter almonds but,  is less irritating to the skin compared to Salicylic acid and Glycolic acid.

Mandelic acid has a larger molecular weight that sits on the surface of the skin and gently exfoliates without irritating the skin.

Additional key ingredients like Panthenol, Centella Asiatica Extract and Beta-Glucan soothes and moisturizes the skin even after exfoliation.

NIACINAMIDE SERUM

STEP – 3

Niacinamide is most certainly compatible with most antioxidants, hydroxy acids, ceramics, peptides, retinol and also vitamin C.

Moisturisers definitely perform better when used with niacin amide and hence, leaves your skin soft and supple.

It also suits all skin types including sensitive skin and problem skin.

Start with a low concentration like 5% and then slowly work your way up to 10%.

minimalist niacinamide serum

Niacinamide Benefits

Better sun protection

Promotes ceramide production

Prevents dryness and flaky skin

Retains the moisture level

Minimises the appearance of pores, fine lines and even wrinkles

Soothes redness and irritations

Fades hyper-pigmentation

Helps reduce Orange peel skin

Improves skin texture

Brightens skin

MOISTURISER

STEP – 4

After using a toner, follow up with a good moisturiser that suits your skin.

And of course, If you already have a HG moisturiser and sunscreen, please feel free use them.

Just make sure the moisturiser or day cream does not have any ingredients that neutralise Niacinamide.

FOR OILY/ACNE PRONE/COMBINATION SKIN

Aloe Vera Gel – BuyNow

Ponds Super Light Gel Oil Free Moisturiser – BuyNow

Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel Ph5.5 – BuyNow

FOR DRY/MATURE SKIN

Plum Hello Aloe Caring Day Moisturizer, BuyNow

Derma Essentia Ultra Hydrating Moisturiser – BuyNow

After you are done with cleaning, toning and moisturising, It is time for the most important step in morning skin care routine which is certainly the Sunscreen.

SUNSCREEN

STEP – 5

You can choose a sunscreen based on your skin type but, just remember to go for a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 50+++.

Brands like Innisfree, L’Oreal and Biore provides protection against all UVA and UVB rays of the sun. You can see the label that shows something like this, SPF 50++++

REAPPLY EVERY 4 HOURS.

Do not skip this especially if you have pigmentation and melasma as, a 5 minute sun exposure can worsen your condition.

PHYSICAL SUNSCREEN

Most of the mineral sunscreens have a prominent white cast because of the presence of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. 🙁

9 Best Mineral/Physical Sunscreen In India 

CHEMICAL SUNSCREEN

Solasafe Sunscreen

L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect  SPF 50++++

Bello PhotoStable Sunscreen

Brinton Healthcare Uvdoux Face & Body Sunscreen Gel

SUMMARY

This routine in particular also provides anti-ageing benefits and keeps you skin youthful and glowing.

Mature skin can also try this routine as it improves the appearance of fine lines and promotes collagen and ceramide production.

Morning Skin Care Routine

  • Gentle Cleanser
  • Mandelic Acid Toner 5-10%
  • Niacinamide Serum 10% (Beginners – 5%)
  • Moisturiser
  • Sunscreen spf 50+++

Follow this routine religiously for 8-12 weeks to see noticeable difference in pigmentation around mouth.

Now moving on to the night skin care regimen which consists of all the actives.

NIGHT TIME SKIN CARE ROUTINE

All the actives used in treating pigmentation around mouth or any other part of your body are generally included in the night time routine as most of the actives are sensitive to light.

NOTE – Use gentle cleansers and toners in the night skin care routine.

DOUBLE CLEANSE

STEP – 1

Use an oil or oil based cleanser to remove your makeup, sunscreen and grime, After which you can use a mild foaming cleanser or a simple gel cleanser to ensure that your skin is squeaky clean.

Since we are using actives to remove pigmentation around mouth, make sure the skin is clean so that the serum can penetrate the skin easily and work effectively.

NOTE– Use a gentle cleanser to avoid skin irritation from using too many strong ingredients together.

You can use micellar water to remove layers of water proof makeup and sunscreen.

The same cleanser can also be used twice for the double cleanse method especially if you are not that keen on applying layers of makeup.

GENTLE TONER

STEP- 2

Go for hydrating and skin soothing toners that are gentle on the skin like, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Clear Lotion(Shop Now) or Plum Chamomile & White Tea Calming Antioxidant Toner(Shop Now).

You can also opt for a simple Rose water toner or Cucumber toner.

Trust me, it does not interfere with the actives that we are going to apply after this and is safe to use with active ingredients too.

For sensitive skin, Better go for a Fragrance free toner.

Skip toners with ingredients like glycolic acid or any other acids, skin brighteners and any kind of exfoliators.

LAYER SERUM

This is the most important step in our night time skin care routine.

Remember, Always choose trustworthy brand products.

The order in which you apply each ingredient is really important for the routine to work effectively.

How To Layer Serum For Pigmentation?

Apply Lactic acid serum first, wait for 2 minutes and then, apply Alpha Arbutin serum.

Wait for 2 minutes and follow up with Vitamin C serum.

NOTE – If you are a beginner to Lactic acid and vitamin C then, To avoid irritation use these on alternate days until your skin gets used to it.

Do a patch test first. (IMPORTANT GUYS !!!)

Lactic Acid Serum (5% for beginners, other’s go for 10%)

STEP – 3

How Often To Use Lactic Acid?

Depending on your skin tolerance, you can use lactic acid daily or 2-3 times a week.

Start using it 2 times a week and see how your skin tolerates a 5% lactic acid serum. Then, work on from there until you reach 7-10%.

Exfoliation is important to lighten pigmentation around mouth and cheeks.

Alpha Arbutin serum (2%)

STEP – 4

Minimalist Alpha Arbutin serum

Alpha Arbutin is compatible with most actives and is not known to cause any kind of irritations on the skin.

This is one of the most well known ingredient to get rid of pigmentation around mouth and other parts without any side effects.

Vitamin C serum (10%)

STEP – 5

Minimalist vitamin c serum

MOISTURISER

STEP – 6

It is really important to apply a moisturiser after the application of the actives to prevent dry skin.

Choose one according to your skin type.

I usually go for skin repair creams that provide a good healing environment for our skin.

Ingredients like Oats, Green tea provide antioxidant benefits while also healing the skin.

FRAGRANCE FREE MOISTURISERS

Minimalist Sepicalm 3% Face Moisturiser

It’s Skin Hyaluronic Acid Moisture Cream

Sebamed Clear Face Care Gel Ph5.5

Kaya Acne Free Purifying Nourisher

Cetaphil Moisturising lotion

ETUDE HOUSE SOONJUNG Moist Emulsion

Bioderma/Aveeno/A-Derma/Avene Moisturisers

Normal skin like mine could go for Aloe Vera gel followed by a 2 drops of squalane oil/rose-hip oil for long lasting hydration.

Choose a moisturiser without any actives like vitamin C, hydroxy acids, or retinol in it.

Keep It Simple.

SUMMARY

This is not a substitute to a treatment in the clinic So, consult a dermatologist before trying this routine or any new potent ingredients to make sure it suits your skin and does not cause irritation.

I am giving you details on how to get rid of pigmentation around mouth based on what worked for me and on how each ingredient should be layered so that you get a basic idea on layering actives.

Following these guidelines helps you to safely remove pigmentation around mouth permanently.

Night Skin Care Routine

  • Double Cleanse (With oil & Gentle cleanser)

  • Hydrating Toner (No AHA or BHA)

  • Lactic acid 10%

  • Alpha Arbutin 2%

  • Vitamin C 10%

  • Moisturiser

Finally, Not all ingredients suit everyone.

So, always start slow and see how your skin reacts to each ingredient.

Build a skin care routine that suits your needs.

Buy products from a reputed and trust-worthy brand to ensure its efficiency.

Last but not the least, BE PATIENT FOR 12 WEEKS. 🙂

 

 

 

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