WRITTEN BY Lesley Holland Downey
In my younger years I would be super excited for all the fall beauty launches with rich colors to play with and enjoy. But to me the end of summer now means time to address the pigment that I’ve accumulated all summer. Pigment—whether age spots, melasma or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation—can age us just as much as wrinkles and sagging. Take a look in the mirror at the difference between the two sides of your face as evidence—passive sun exposure from driving a car shows up as pigment on the left sides of our faces.
Here are my favorite weapons to fight the pigment battle along with some other standouts that I’m currently crushing on.
VITAMIN C No matter your age, we all should incorporate a quality vitamin C product in our routines—in addition to brightening the skin and fighting free radical damage, vitamin C makes your sunscreen more effective. In a clinical study of L-ascorbic acid (another name for vitamin C) applied topically, skin was less prone to sun damage.
Dr. Lara Devgan Vitamin C+B+E Ferulic Serum
Dr. Brenner Vitamin C Serum with Vitamin E, Ferulic and Hyaluronic Acid
SUNSCREEN At the risk of sounding like a broken record, you need a dedicated sunscreen daily. The SPF in your moisturizer or makeup will not give you the same protection. One-fourth teaspoon for your face and neck (yes, it’s a lot more than you use now) is what you need to get the SPF indicated on the bottle. Thankfully, sunscreens keep getting more user friendly—these Asian brands have amazing textures that I love. Without sunscreen, you are throwing your money away on any anti-aging skin care products you use.
Biore UV Aqua Rich Watery Essence Sunscreen
Neogen Day-Light Protection Airy Sunscreen
Naturium UV Reflect Antioxidant Sheer Sunscreen
RETINOIDS Using a nightly retinoid (tretinoin, retinol or retinaldehyde) is one of the most effective anti-aging weapons that is clinically proven. Fall is the time to restart this if you’ve taken the summer off. U Beauty Resurfacing Compound has a retinol complex along with antioxidants and hydroxy acids to help with texture, tone and pore size.
ANTI-PIGMENT PADS AND SERUMS About twice a year, I do a course of super active pigment-fighting treatment pads or a serum just to target my brown spots. Look for active anti pigment ingredients like kojic acid, alpha arbutin and niacinamide.
Love Skin by Angie Thomas Brightening Antioxidant Pads
Pillowtalk Derm Major Fade Hyper Serum
COLOR CORRECTORS Clé de Peau Beauté Radiant Corrector for Eyes is like a magic wand for dark circles and redness around the nose. This isn’t a heavy, full coverage product—it’s more blurring and hydrating. This is a great disguise for any pigment you want to hide.
Super light in texture but beautiful on the skin, Hourglass Veil Hydrating Skin Tint is the perfect “your skin but better” option to blur and even out.
Other Fall Favorites
AT-HOME DEVICES keep getting better and better, and two FDA-approved laser devices are on my radar. Both the Nira Pro Anti-Aging Laser and the Lyma Laser work by stimulating natural collagen production without redness, pain or downtime. If you are a committed at-home device user, and willing to make an investment in time and money, this may be your ticket to avoiding in-office procedures.
Not ready to give up the summer glow? The easy-to-use Westman Atelier Liquid Super Loaded Highlight can be used either over makeup or under it as a primer. I love how it adds sophisticated warmth and sheen to the skin.
Lip oils are everywhere these days—less sticky than a gloss, with more hydration and some staining properties which leave behind a subtle flush of color. Try Merit Shade Slick Tinted Lip Oil (Sangria , Cara Cara or Mapleton) or Ami Colĕ Lip Treatment Oil (Bliss, Excellence or Smitten).
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