
Uneven Skin Tone Treatment: 5 Effective Ways to Fix and Manage
Uneven skin tone is visible as red spots, pesky dark patches, or blotchy complexion that pop up like an uninvited guest out of nowhere and linger as persistent dullness on the skin.
Luckily, fixing uneven skin tone is not a challenge with the 5 effective yet simple steps to achieve a glowing skin and an even-toned complexion.
This guide on uneven skin tone treatment covers its meaning, causes, effective tips to fix it, and more.

Table of Contents
What is An Uneven Skin Tone?
Uneven skin tone (skin pigmentation), also called hyperpigmentation, is a one-stop term for different kinds of skin discolouration. The skin tone largely varies as per the melanin pigment inside the skin. But when some parts of our face produce an excess quantity of melanin as compared to other parts, it causes variations in skin colour.
This colour contrast or variation causes the skin adjoining your mouth and eyes to look darker than the other parts of your face, a condition called uneven skin tone.
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What is The Reason Behind Uneven Skin Tone?
Before going deep into the aspects of how to get rid of uneven skin tone, it is important to unveil the causes behind it. Some of the prominent causes are :
- Hormones: Hormonal fluctuations cause melasma, which is a condition characterized by brown patches or grey discoloration appearing on the face.
- Pollution: Environmental pollutants that include air pollutants and smoke might accumulate on your skin, causing irritation and discoloration.
- Sun Damage: Prolonged exposure to sunlight is the main reason for uneven skin discolouration. UV rays cause overproduction of melanin, causing sun spots and patches.
- Post-Inflammatory hyperigmentation: This is a type of skin darkening due to acne scarring and skin injury.
Uneven Skin Tone on Face Treatment – 5 Best Ways To Fix it
The following are the effective steps on how to cure uneven skin tone or the 5 corrective steps towards correcting your complexion:
1. Build a Skincare Routine as Per Your Skin Type
Applying the wrong skincare products, which might not be suitable for your skin type, might not help treat discolouration. So, choosing the right products as per your skin type is one of the best methods of how to fix uneven skin tone.
- Parched skin: Ingredients that are soluble in water, such as glycerin, lactic acid, enhance the hydrating properties of moisturizers.
- Combination Skin: The answer to how to remove uneven skin tone for those with combination skin lies in applying hydrating products on dry areas and oil-free products on oily areas.
- Normal Skin: For daytime use, apply hydrating products to keep the skin clean and moisturized. But oil-free products might be more beneficial at night.
- Oily Skin: Opt for non-comedogenic, oil-free products to unclog pores and prevent acne and dark spots.
2 . Exfoliation
Exfoliation is a proven method of how to treat uneven skin tone. It removes dead skin cells from the surface. Select an exfoliator according to your skin type and follow these steps:
- Make sure to apply the exfoliator on a clean, moist face.
- Apply using your fingers or a damp washcloth.
- Using circular motions, massage the exfoliant gently on the face to get rid of dead skin.
- Clean the product using warm water.
3. Facials
Trying to figure out how to fix uneven skin tone on face, facials offer the fastest way to treat discolouration on face.
There are two facial options. Choose a professional-grade dermatologist-approved facial or go for DIY, budget-friendly facial options at home.
Chemical peel is the best professional-grade treatment for how to get rid of uneven face skin tone. This treatment helps peel off the superficial damaged skin layers from the face.
Preparing your own at-home facials is a cost-effective way of managing your uneven skin. Certain ingredients to include are :
- Onion juice and apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar, combined with lemon juice, is an example of a great natural remedy on how to reduce uneven skin tone on face. Prepare a mixture using equal quantities of onion juice, apple cider vinegar, and allow the mixture to stay on the face for around 10-15 minutes before washing.
- Lemon juice: It can effectively heal skin discoloration. Apply lemon juice to the affected part and let it remain for 10 minutes.
- Aloe vera: It has deep healing and restorative properties caused by of sun’s UV radiation.
- Garlic: Apply fresh garlic cloves to the damaged parts to make your skin look lighter and more natural.
4. Daily cleansing and moisturization
Regular cleansing and moisturizing are essential steps to even and lighten skin tone. Select products with the following ingredients to achieve the best results on how to reduce uneven skin tone.
- Mulberry: Lightens skin complexion dramatically.
- Hydroquinone: Corrects uneven skin complexions and lightens dark skin patches.
- Kojic acid: Not only good for whitening, but it also helps prevent melanin formation.
- Gluathathione: It is a kind of peptide with strong whitening effects.
5. Consume a clean diet
Not just topical application, you can also correct your skin tone from the inside. The most unique solution for uneven skin tone is to include a balanced, clean diet. Do not eat processed foods or preservatives like:
- Soda
- Candy
- Chips
- White bread
Include the following foods in your diet to treat uneven skin tone :
- Green vegetables: Vitamins B and E help prevent sun spots and provide better defense against free radicals.
- Green tea: Its rich antioxidants help enhance your skin tone and the overall quality of your skin.
- Citrus: Tomatoes and oranges, enriched with vitamin C, repair skin cells, minimize existing pigment, and reduce the impacts of UV rays.
- Tuna: It is full of omega-3 and healthy fatty acids. It helps prevent hyperpigmentation and repair skin damage.

Skincare Product Recommendations For Uneven Skin Tone Treatment and Their Use Cases
Recommended Products for uneven skin tone | Suggested Ingredients | Use cases |
Cleanser (face wash) | Glycolic acid | Enhances skin clarity and helps restore uneven, dull skin tone. |
Exfoliants | Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, or AHAs, skin-lightening vitamin C ingredients. | Exfoliate the skin’s outermost layer to reveal a brighter, evenly toned layer. |
Dark spot serum ( targeted treatment ) | Vitamin C, Licorice extract. | Mitigates uneven skin tones and improves the appearance of dark spots and discoloration. |
SPF Sunscreen | Niacinamide, hyarulonic acid | Minimizes the appearance of uneven pigmentation and helps provide a more uniform complexion. |
Night Cream | Niacinamide, vitamin C | Helps create a smooth and even skin texture. |
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How Long Does It Take to Fix Uneven Skin Tone?
It takes a variable amount of time to address uneven skin tone, with results seen in some cases within a few weeks to several months or more.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
Surface-level discoloration: Minor issues, like those caused by sun exposure, might start to improve within a few weeks with consistent skincare and treatments.
Deeper pigmentation: More persistent unevenness, like that caused by acne scars or aging, could take several months or longer to see significant changes.
Treatment methods:
- Over-the-counter products: Some products, like dark spot correctors, may show noticeable results after a few weeks, while others may take longer.
- Medical treatments: Procedures like laser therapy or chemical peels can provide faster and more dramatic results, but may require multiple sessions.
- Skincare routine: Maintaining a consistent skincare routine, including cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturizing, can help support overall skin health and contribute to a more even tone.
Hyperpigmentation: If hyperpigmentation occurs due to the use of a new skincare product or medication, stopping its use may resolve the issue within 6-12 months.
Sun protection: Consistent sun protection is crucial, as it can help prevent new areas of unevenness and protect existing discoloration.
Important Considerations:
Patience is key: There’s no quick fix for uneven skin tone, so it’s important to be patient and consistent with your treatment plan
Professional consultation: For persistent or severe cases, consulting a dermatologist for specialized treatments might be necessary.

Conclusion
Thus, uneven skin tone treatment doesn’t always require expensive lasers or doctors. You can even out your skin tone using simple remedies at home, including natural ingredients and lifestyle changes.
One thing to remember is that perfectly even-toned skin is rare. But if you don’t see any improvement in your uneven complexion after following the five methods for one month, it’s time to see a skincare specialist.
FAQs
What to do for uneven skin tone?
Regularly apply sunscreen to prevent further hyperpigmentation and sun damage, and uneven skin tone.
Is uneven skin tone a permanent condition?
No, the issue of uneven skin tone is not permanent. It can be resolved or improved with the right treatment and skincare.
How to fix uneven skin tone on face using professional treatments?
Opt for treatments such as chemical peels, microdermabrasion, or laser therapy for treating uneven skin tone.
Is vitamin C effective for uneven skin tone?
Yes, Vitamin C is beneficial for uneven skin tone caused out of hyperpigmentation.
What is the recommended juice for treating uneven skin tone?
Lemon juice, with its natural exfoliant properties and also vitamin C, can help even out skin tone.
How to fix uneven skin tone naturally?
Regular exfoliation, including brightening ingredients and sun protection, helps treat uneven skin tone naturally.
How to get rid of uneven skin tone fast?
Regular exfoliation using face wash helps get rid of excess oil, dirt, or impurities from your skin and aids in treating uneven skin tone fast.
Which is the best oil for uneven skin tone?
To fix uneven skin tone, coconut oil is usually recommended.
Does uneven skin tone go on its own?
Uneven skin tone does not go on its own, particularly occurring caused by hyperpigmentation needs treatment.
What is the best way to get the original skin tone back?
To restore the original skin tone, focus on sun protection, a regular skincare routine, and professional treatments.