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  • June 05, 2019 4 min read

    Treating Dark Spots, Scars, and Hyperpigmentation with Natural Ingredients

    No one likes dark spots, scars and blemishes.  Dark spots are caused by your body’s production of melanin. Skin cells that make melanin are called melanocytes. Like any cells, they are vulnerable to damage. Acne, unprotected sun exposure, inflammation, medical conditions, and injury can damage your skin cells. Genetics also play a role in skin health and cell replication.

    Excess Melanin Production

    Fortunately, skin cells can repair themselves if you have a healthy immune system. During the healing process, however, melanocytes sometimes produce excess melanin. Bingo...dark spots. (Hyperpigmentation is the term used by dermatologists.)

    Types of Hyperpigmentation

    Hyperpigmentation manifests itself in dark spots (sometimes called 'liver' spots or 'age' spots), red patches, and other irregularities. On darker complexions, hyperpigmentation can appear brown or gray. Hormones produced during pregnancy (or as a result of contraceptives) can also alter skin pigmentation.

    You May Like Your Unique Coloring

    Few people have a perfectly uniform complexion. And many people aren't bothered by variations in coloring. Many irregularities aren't necessarily a sign of unhealthy skin. Freckles, after all, are a beauty trademark for many actresses and supermodels. Dark moles that change color, of course, can be a warning sign that needs immediate medical attention. So watch for those!

    What if you want to fade your dark spots? Perhaps they bother you and ARE a sign of less-then-healthy skin. An increase in dark spots or blotchiness could be a sign that your skin needs some TLC without delay.

    Know The Facts About Skin Lightening Products

    Be careful when looking for products to treat hyperpigmentation. Especially products produced outside of the U.S. and Europe. Or even some locally-produced homemade products.

    Many contain mercury. You definitely don't want to absorb mercury into your bloodstream.  Dark spots will be the least of your problems. Mercury can cause organ damage, mental impairment, and brain damage to a developing fetus.

    Be aware that manufacturers sometimes identify (disguise) mercury as mercurous chloride or calomel.

    Safe Skin Lightening Ingredients

    So, what natural ingredients are safe for treating dark spots?

    Savvy consumers are rejecting old fashioned dangerous ingredients. They are finding safer (and surprisingly more effective) ingredients from unexpected places.

    The big trend for educated buyers is in plant-based ingredients with a high Vitamin C content. Vitamin C is your skin's best friend, regardless of your coloring. It’s vital for collagen and elastin production. These are the body’s weapons against aging, saggy and unhappy looking skin.

    Oranges and Blueberries No Longer Reign Supreme

    When it comes to vitamin C it used to be blueberries that were the gold standard. But not any longer. Australian native super fruits are making a name for themselves as having the highest Vitamin C concentrations of any plants found on the earth. Period. Many times the vitamin C and anti-oxidant ability of the best blueberries. These new discoveries are not being ignored and gaining rapid traction in the skin care and nutritional markets.

    Meet The New Vitamin C Superstars

    Look for Australian Kakadu Plum, Davidson's Plum, Lilly Pilly, Quandong and Tasmanian Pepper Leaf. Remember their names. These Australian Outback plants have been used for medical and therapeutic preparations for eons by the indigenous population. Now they are heralded as 'breakthrough' skin care ingredients. By real customers, not marketers.  And modern scientific processing breakthroughs now allow the extraction of these high level vitamins and anti-oxidants without the use of secondary chemicals used in the extraction. It’s called “cellular extraction”. The result is more pure, clean, bio-available nutrients than ever before. More about this in a future blog.

    Hydroquinone

    Hydroquinone is another common lightening ingredient that is generally considered safe in proper concentrations. It works by depressing excess melanin production. It works best when paired with strong antioxidants and anti-inflammatories—like the Australian super fruits mentioned previously.

    A Winning Combination For Treating Hyperpigmentation

    Dermatologists recommend a two-pronged approach. The idea is to fade light spots while infusing your cells with revitalizing nutrients. This is where the Aussie super fruits really come into their own. They flood the skin with a myriad of beneficial nutrients creating healthy skin. Healthy skin looks better, feels better and ages slower.

    Not only will you fade your dark spots, your skin will be more radiant, glowing, healthy and hydrated. As you even out your skin tone, you will also look younger and more refreshed.

    Summertime Sunscreen Reminder

    Sunscreen poses a bit of a conundrum for us.  Our whole mantra is zero harmful chemicals so we have chosen not to include sunscreen in any of our products and leave that to the consumer to make a personal choice.  Sunscreen chemicals can be a bit dubious.  Interestingly, western societies like to bask in sun and get tanned while Asian women are the opposite. They choose to avoid the sun and keep their skin as white and untanned as possible. This has real benefits on the health and slow aging of their skin.  I hate to tell you this, but sun is a big ager of skin and the more sun you get the faster your skin will age. But, if you are one that likes being out in the sun, we will give our obligatory sunscreen reminder. Your skin can't heal if it continues to be bombarded with cell-killing UV rays.

    Remember though, that when using skin-lightening products you should pair them with a high SPF sunscreen. These ingredients can make your skin more sun sensitive. On the other hand, it’s best to stay out of the sun as much as you can. You want to protect your skin from future sun damage, right?

    We thought so.

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