When we hear 'summer skin' our minds might jump to dewy cheeks or a scatter of freckles. Although we all know deep down that the sun's rays can be incredibly dangerous, we rarely think of the hindrances that a tanned glow can bring to our complexions. One of these is a dark upper lip.
A subtle bronzing of the skin is usually welcomed with open arms. However, when it occurs above the lip to appear as dark facial hair, it can leave you more self-conscious than sun-kissed. It's the tan that nobody asked for. Plus, unlike that lovely post-holiday glow that fades as quickly as it appears, this summer skincare woe seems to stick around.
Luckily, we have the answer to restore your confidence and balance the appearance of your skin tone. Keep reading to discover how to improve the appearance of a dark upper lip.
What causes upper lip discolouration?
Upper lip discolouration usually comes down to an excess of melanin. Melanin is the substance that gives our eyes and skin their color. Too much of it causes the skin to darken which can cause some dark patches on the face or more specifically, above the lip.
Multiple factors including hormones, family history and sun exposure can affect melanin. Patches of darker pigmented skin are particularly common during pregnancy, when hormones and oestrogen levels are high and UV light exposure is known to make them significantly worse.
Even those who are dedicated to SPF can experience a dark upper lip. This is simply due to the fact that the upper lip is a vulnerable area when it comes to sun exposure and SPF can be easily wiped away here. Every time we take a drink, eat food or clean our mouths we are exposing the skin to the sun's rays.
How to lighten the appearance of a dark upper lip
To prevent the UV rays from worsening any dark patches, constant sun-cream on the lip is always the best option. However, if the damage has already been done, fear not. Although it can be tricky to conceal with makeup, there are ways to lighten the appearance of a dark upper lip.
There are three parts of lightening a dark upper lip, the first is exfoliation, the second is cell renewal and the third is brightening the skin's tone.
The skin on the upper lip can be sensitive. It's best to avoid any physical exfoliants that can be irritating and harsh. Instead, look for ingredients that chemically exfoliate, such as BHAs, salicylic acid and retinoids. These ingredients break the bonds of those dead skin cells and give them the budge they need to get moving. While doing this, these ingredients also work to renew the surface of the skin. After sweeping away the old, dead skin cells, they encourage the new ones to come to the surface and replace those that have become over-pigmented.
How can AMELIORATE help?
You can incorporate each of these ingredients into your skincare throughout multiple steps or by simplifying it down to use one product which contains them all, such as the Transforming Clarity Facial Serum. We supercharged this lightweight, high-performance, anti-blemish serum with our unique blemish fighting LaB6 Skin Clearing Complex. It has been designed specifically to reduce the appearance of pores, discolouration and remove excess sebum.
There's no need to let your skin and your confidence suffer this summer. With the right skincare routine, you can rest assured knowing your skin is renewed, refreshed, and hydrated. Let summer skin return to it's original meaning- that lit-from-within glow!
Updated on 08/11/2024 by Emily ManockShop This Post:
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