Diminishing Dark Spots – Skin Care Expert and Vertere® Skin Care Founder, Bethany Hilt, Shares What Works

When it comes to skin care, there is a lot of trial and error. And typically, you find a handful of products that you love to use together. But what about those days when things are just so busy, and hectic, and you need to keep it simple? And what happens when those days, happen to be everyday? I was so excited to be able to try out Vertere® at the end of 2014. This fantastic product line was created to improve the appearance of aging, hyperpigmentation, and adult acne with one regimen that can be used for all skin tones. I am beyond excited to share this guest blog post by skin care expert and Vertere® founder Bethany Hilt, giving you the inside scoop on what works for diminishing dark spots and boosting beautiful skin!

Diminishing Dark Spots – Skin Care Expert and Vertere® Skin Care Founder, Bethany Hilt, Shares What Works

By: Bethany Hilt, Founder of Vertere® Skin Care and President/CEO of b.hilt cosmeceuticals llc

Vertere Founder Bethany Hilt

We typically blame the sun as the culprit for causing our dark spots, but sun damage isn’t the only factor. If you diligently minimize your exposure to the sun’s rays but still struggle with dark spots, consider the other sources - oral contraceptives, pregnancy and even breakouts.

Whatever the cause, I have four tips for you that will not only help you diminish existing dark spots but also help prevent new ones so you can have a visibly more flawless, even skin tone.

Sun protection - Even though sun exposure is not the only cause of discolorations it’s a significant one. We all know now SPF-containing moisturizer is key year-round, but did you know proper application really makes a difference? Researchers have found a properly applied SPF 15 provides more protection than a poorly applied SPF 30. No matter the SPF level you choose, make sure you apply it evenly.

Sun protection extends beyond sunscreen. Protective clothing and accessories are a must for warm-weather and cold-weather activities. Whatever your outdoor passion, adding hats and eyewear really do make a difference because of how they block the sun’s rays. Don’t rely on sunscreen alone – especially wear a wide-brimmed hat and oversized sunglasses in the summer. It may sound like common sense but an uncommonly low number of women actually do this!

Daily Resurfacing - Consistent exfoliation works wonders and lactic acid is one of the best exfoliating agents you can choose. It’s a gentler alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) because of its larger molecule size, and it also provides a better lightening result than other AHA’s because it inhibits melanin synthesis, the cause of brown patches, freckles and uneven skin tone; glycolic and salicylic acids do not. When you use lactic acid in a high concentration, as with our patented Dramatic Transformation Cream SPF 15, you experience all of the benefits of this power-packed ingredient – exfoliation, lightening and collagen-building.

Safe and Effective Lightening - When it comes to discolorations, there are many lightening ingredients on the market and it can become confusing to know which to choose. Alpha Arbutin has been shown to have a more pronounced lightening effect at 30 days than kojic acid or hydroquinone. Alpha Arbutin is not only effective but also safe. Many don’t realize hydroquinone is banned around the world due to carcinogenic concerns. This is why I choose to incorporate Alpha Arbutin rather than hydroquinone in our products.

Peels - Adding a low-strength peel (20-30%) to your regimen can really boost your lightening efforts. The frequency with which you receive your peels will depend on factors such as your skin’s tolerance and the peel itself. Lactic acid peels have become more popular in recent years, and have a bit more lightening effect than a glycolic. If you typically experience a lot of redness following a peel, a mandelic acid peel may be best for you because of its anti-inflammatory properties and also because its molecule is even larger than that of lactic acid so it’s gentler. Mandelic acid also inhibits the growth of melanin.

If you put these four tips into practice, you will see a visible improvement in the appearance of your dark spots and a luminous even-complexion.