Bye, Bye Blotchy

Majority of women run after "whiter" complexions not realizing that what they perceive as "dark" is actually the result of having a blotchy, uneven complexion. Blotchy skin refers to uneven patches of color on the skin ranging from redness to dark spots, which can give you an overall muddy-looking visage. Check out these steps to help banish the blotch.

Cause and Effect
First and foremost, you have to determine the root of your blotchy skin. Factors that cause unevenness in skin tone include premature age spots due to sun exposure or environmental triggers like pollution or allergens present in your surroundings.

Also read: Time to Exfoliate

Consult the experts
Before embarking on your very own skincare trials, it's important to consult a dermatologist first. "Blotchy skin could be caused by pre-existing conditions like rosacea, acne, eczema or dermatitis," says Dr. Diana Lorenzo of Skinhealth. In cases like these, it's important to find the source of the discoloration in order for it to be properly managed.

Also read: Treating Acne Scars

Block the sun
One of the chief causes of uneven complexion is being exposed to the sun and its harmful UV rays. Ask any skin expert and they are all quick to prescribe a good sunscreen as part of one's daily skin care regimen. Look for a formula that suits your skin type and lifestyle, e.g. if your skin is oily, look for an oil-free, fluid-type sunscreen that dries matte or if you're a surfer, make sure to look for high SPF with opaque coverage.

Also read:How SPF really works

Damage control
A heaping of antioxidants—inside and out—does the body and skin good. Antioxidants help fight free radicals, which cause cellular aging and help prevent cell and tissue damage. Make sure to include an antioxidant-rich cream in your daily skin care routine—antioxidants ingredients include vitamin C, vitamin E and fruit by-products like lycopene. These not only help even out your skin, they'll also protect your skin from further damage.

Also read: 5 Worst Signs of Aging

Color-correct
When covering up blotchy skin with makeup, it's important to know what color the unevenness is. Piling on foundation or concealer to cover up blotchy skin will only give you cake-y face on top of the blotchiness. A color corrector, either in cream or fluid type, mixed in with your regular foundation will help neutralize the discoloration on your face without you having to apply a lot of product. If the cause of your uneven skin tone is mostly red—red patches on cheeks, forehead and chin, then a green corrector will help neutralize the red. Similarly, brown patches on skin can be neutralized by an orange corrector (bonus: the orange corrector works on dark undereye circles, too). When applying your color corrector make sure to mix it with your foundation or concealer instead of applying it directly, mixing it into your base will make it easier to blend.

Also read: Prevent Dry Skin Now