Have you ever wondered why your skin becomes dark after applying moisturiser? Perhaps this might be an issue to some extent for people, especially for those who have a darker complexion including myself. And you might start to question why it is occurring.
Experiencing discoloration on your face and not knowing exactly why can sometimes feel frustrating and depressing. You may even blame the moisturiser you used if you don’t know the cause. But let me tell you that it might not be quite the reason as to why your face becomes darker.
But first let’s look at the main function of a moisturiser to be able to start answering the question.
What’s the main function of a moisturiser? 
Moisturisers are generally meant to give the skin the hydration that it needs and help keep the skin looking soft and supple
A moisturiser helps prevent the skin from drying out while reducing the amount of shedding of dead skin.
Typically, moisturisers are mixtures of water, mineral oils, and plant oils. They are designed to prevent water loss from the skin. They normally contain humectants, which attract water from the air to the skin. They also relieve itchy and tight skin.
We are often told that moisturisers can reverse time, stop time, or even defy time. They are said to make your skin look like a baby’s. But are we being misled?
Perhaps to an extent, since they give us the impression that using a moisturiser daily will make our skin healthier. Despite the fact that it might be true to some extent, moisturising by itself won’t improve your skin. To name just a few basics, you must also use products such as cleanser and sunscreen.
It is for this reason that many would advise not to use a moisturiser in a more humid climate.
However, if you do suffer from dry skin, a moisturiser should be used daily to help moisturise the skin and keep hydrating the skin throughout the day. This means that you should never skip using a moisturiser in your skincare routine, no matter the weather.
Related:
*The best moisturizer for dry-sensitive skin-cerave-vanicream-or-cetaphil
*The best facial moisturizer for dry-sensitive skin-according to experts
Besides, before delving deeper into the topic, we should answer a few basic questions.
*Can the skin darken?
Perhaps we should answer the question by looking at the types of skin tone.
Since the face produces more melanin than the rest of the body, it tends to be darker. The sun’s rays can damage the melanin cells, and since the face is most exposed to sunlight, it is likely to be affected first. If the melanin cells become swollen or unhealthy, they produce excessive amounts of melanin. This can result in patchy or uneven skin tone, as well as pigmentation.
In addition, we all change over the years, because of exposure to environmental conditions and other factors that make us appear darker. Melanin production by our skin protects us from the sun, so we tend to become darker with age.
Even though it can occur in people with lighter complexions, skin discoloration is more common in people with darker complexions.
Note that if this occurs, know that it is completely normal, but this might differ from person to person. And if you feel like it is getting serious, you should seek medical advice from an expert.
Can skincare products darken the skin?
I would say that based on the research done skincare products are generally not the main cause of your skin getting darker. However, sun exposure can cause certain skincare products to darken the skin, especially if they contain photosensitive ingredients.
You should watch out for lightening ingredients such as hydroquinone, AHA (alpha hydroxyl acids), Retinol, and certain essential oils like citrus-based ones.
Whenever possible, wear a sunscreen or stay away from direct sunlight when you use any products containing photosensitive ingredients.
Can a moisturiser darken the skin?
The answer is no. Any moisturiser that is designed for dry and sensitive skin types (or any other skin types) has no influence on the colour of your skin.
A moisturiser itself cannot make a person’s skin darker but can make it appear to look slightly darker if the skin is rich in oil or greasy.
What is the main cause then?
Generally speaking, your moisturizer will not change the colour of your skin by itself.
External factors, however, can cause it, like:
*Skin pigmentation: our face is usually the darkest part of our bodies, commonly known as skin pigmentation. We will talk about this symptom later in the blog.
Besides, many would suggest that the reason why your face becomes dark after applying moisturiser is because the face might be a part of your skin which contains dark pigment. That can cause the skin to get darker. This is normal and you should not be concerned about it.
*Rubbing face: Constantly rubbing your face with your hand after applying moisturiser. The skin that soaks up the moisturiser can make the skin appear slightly darker
*Sun exposure: getting sun exposure after applying the moisture can cause your skin to darken
*Allergies: Some dermatologists would even suggest that this is a skin allergy and that opting for more natural products (jojoba oil) can help the skin to recover.
*Skin tone/types: It also might depend on the skin tone and texture. Also, dryness might cause an ashy look.
Most common symptom that causes darker skin – Hyperpigmentation
This is a type of skin pigmentation that causes discoloration of skin colour which causes cells to produce excess melanin.
Hyperpigmentation is a common, benign condition in which patches of skin become darker than the normal surrounding skin. This darkening is the result of a build-up of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin colour.
Pigmentation on the skin can be caused by excessive sun exposure, skin injuries, and skin problems, or even by hormonal changes.
A form of hyperpigmentation that is often caused by hormonal influences and harder to treat is known as Melasma.
Most often, melasma appears on the face, with matching marks on both sides. This is particularly common in women with darker complexions (and pregnant ones).
According to healthline.com these discolorations usually appear on the cheeks, forehead, bridge of the nose and chin.
Other symptoms of skin discoloration can be caused by Age spots, sunspots, post-inflammatory or even freckles. While these conditions can affect people of all skin types, they are more common in people of colour.
How to prevent it?
When it comes to moisturisers, there is not a specific prevention because they are not the main cause of dark pigmentation. It is rather caused by external factors, as we have seen. But you should make sure you are using the correct moisturizer as per your skin type and skin concern. Also, make sure to apply sunscreen right after moisturiser to protect the skin against the sun’s rays!!
Nonetheless, if your face becomes darker than your body skin, you should stop using the moisturiser all together and speak with your dermatologist or doctor. Skin problems such as hyperpigmentation may be to blame and not the moisturiser.
Therefore, if you are confused, seek the advice of an expert. They will be able to guide you to the most appropriate treatment for your situation.
