Best Body Lotions for Uneven Skin Tone & Hyperpigmentation

If you feel that your skin appears uneven with dark or dull patches, you may want to explore some of the best body lotions for uneven skin tone and hyperpigmentation.

Everyone’s skin is different and, therefore, everyone’s needs are different, but the best products all work similarly.

The discoloration in question can be caused by a number of factors, some of which may resolve on their own (such as the “mask of pregnancy”) and some of which may be responsive to topical treatments.

Dermatologists and other skincare experts generally agree that the best way to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation—patches or areas of the skin that appear noticeably darker than the surrounding skin—is through exfoliation to remove dead, dull skin cells and then promote the growth of new, fresh, smooth skin cells.

Read on to learn more about some of our favorite ingredients and products, and let us help you decide which one would suit you best. The good news is that they are all very accessible and you can work with them in the privacy of your own home without the need to (literally) expose yourself for treatment.

Table of Contents

• 1 Best Body Lotions to Even Skin Tone
  • 1.1 PCA Skin Body Therapy
  • 1.2 Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion
  • 1.3 Glycolix Elite 15% Body Lotion
  • 1.4 Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
  • 1.5 COSMEDIX A-Lift Overnight Vitamin A Body Treatment
• 2 What Ingredients Are Good for Uneven Skin Tone?
• 3 FAQ - Body Lotions for Uneven Skin Tone
  • 3.1 What Causes Hyperpigmentation on the Body?
  • 3.2 How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation?
  • 3.3 Is Uneven Skin Tone Permanent?
• 4 Bottom Line: Body Lotions for Uneven Skin Tone

Best Body Lotions to Even Skin Tone

PCA Skin Body Therapy

This is a professional-grade, luxury-level therapeutic treatment designed to even out the skin tone on the body.

It contains 12% lactic acid, which is a powerful exfoliant made from natural ingredients, and it’s also rich in shea butter to soften and moisturize the skin. It’s designed with a proprietary time-release system so that the active ingredients are released over 10 hours. This helps to prevent irritation and allows the agents to penetrate deeper into the skin.

PCA skin body therapy also contains hyaluronic acid and jojoba esters to enhance smoothness and elasticity and boost moisture.

It is best suited for normal to dry skin. Users report that it is pleasant to use, with a nice, natural scent. This product contains no fragrance and no synthetic dyes, and it has not been tested on animals.

Pros

• Professional-quality product.
• Lactic acid to reduce discoloration and rejuvenate the skin.
• High-quality natural ingredients.
• Time-release system.
• Shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and jojoba for moisture.
• Paraben-free, fragrance-free, cruelty-free.

Cons

• High price tag.
• Possible irritation if the skin is very sensitive.

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Glytone Exfoliating Body Lotion

This premium beauty product is loaded with 17.5 PFAV glycolic acid (an amount that has been shown to increase cellular turnover and collagen production) and vitamin E. The dual action exfoliates the skin while thoroughly nourishing it.

It’s well suited for people who are coping with keratosis pilaris as well as hyperpigmentation. The exfoliating body lotion peels away dead surface skin cells and rough bumps, which will make skin appear smoother, more radiant, and more even in tone. It also moisturizes deeply to preserve your skin’s new radiance.

Users praise the lotion’s thickness and texture, and note that a little can go a long way. They also report that the bottle is well designed and easy to use. There are no added fragrances, and the lotion has a very neutral scent.

Pros

• Contains 17.5 PFAV glycolic acid.
• Contains Vitamin E, an antioxidant known to fight signs of aging and nourish the skin.
• Smooths skin texture as well as tone.
• Comes in a premium container.
• Has lovely texture.
• Dermatologist-recommended.

Cons

• Can sting if it gets in open cut; do not use after shaving.
• May not be suitable for sensitive skin.

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Glycolix Elite 15% Body Lotion

This is a professional-quality treatment packed with antioxidants to refresh skin cells and achieve a softer texture and tone. The active ingredients in this product include 15% ultra-pure crystalline glycolic acid (AHA), Vitamins C, E, and A, CoQ10, and green tea extract.

This dermatologist-approved body lotion removes dull, dead skin cells and promotes the growth of new cells for a fresher look and a more even skin tone. This is a lotion, not a cream, so it is thinner and absorbs easily, but does not provide the deep moisture that a body cream or body butter would.

It contains no synthetic fragrances and has a very neutral scent.

Pros

• 15% pure, crystalline glycolic acid to smooth out skin.
• Vitamins and antioxidants to nourish skin and fight free radical damage.
• Budget-friendly skin treatment.
• Professional quality.
• Absorbs quickly.
• Suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin.

Cons

• It is not as thick and creamy as others.

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Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment

This is a high-end skin-smoothing treatment featuring a combination of retinol, antioxidants, evening primrose oil, and shea butter. These work together to help skin shed dead, dull, dark cells and replace them with new, fresh, and radiant cells.

The shea butter also enhances the look and feel of the new skin. This formulation contains no fragrance and no parabens, and it is suited for all skin types from dry to oily.

It contains no synthetic fragrances and has a very neutral scent.

Pros

• Natural, effective ingredients.
• Exfoliating, smoothing, and moisturizing effects.
• Part of a complete skincare line.
• Cruelty-free, fragrance-free.
• Light, smooth texture.

Cons

• Medicinal smell.
• Small bottle with a relatively high price tag.

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COSMEDIX A-Lift Overnight Vitamin A Body Treatment

This is a premium beauty treatment loaded with Vitamin A and other natural active ingredients, including caffeine, safflower seed oil, bakuchiol, and antioxidants.

It is designed to be used overnight to rejuvenate skin and even out skin tone, texture, and clarity. It has also been clinically proven to promote skin firmness and elasticity. The cream is suitable for use on the torso, chest, arms, and legs. It has a luxuriously thick, creamy feel.

The packaging has a handsome, gender-neutral appeal.

Pros

• Premium-quality body-specific treatment.
• Promotes even skin tone and appearance.
• Combines two forms of Vitamin A, retinol and retinal.
• Thick, soft cream.
• High concentration of active ingredients.

Cons

• Small, pricey tube.
• Relatively new product with little feedback.

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What Ingredients Are Good for Uneven Skin Tone?

Vitamin C

We all know that Vitamin C can help prevent colds and other bugs, but it’s also fabulous for your skin. It is important for repairing tissues and making essential enzymes, and as an antioxidant, it also protects the skin from free radicals caused by UV exposure.

In addition, vitamin C inhibits the production of melanin. This means that it can reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and brown spots, as well as even out skin tone and promote radiance.

AHA (glycolic acid, lactic acid)

Just as Vitamin C is primarily found in citrus fruits, AHAs (alpha-hydroxy acids) are found in sugary fruits. AHAs are very effective exfoliants; they gently peel away dull surface skin so that new skin cells can be generated and the skin can appear more evenly pigmented.

Glycolic acid comes from sugarcane and is an excellent exfoliant as well as an antimicrobial agent. Lactic acid is made from milk and offers both exfoliating and anti-aging properties.

Retinol

Retinol is a derivative of Vitamin A that can help accelerate the skin’s cell turnover and renewal process. This helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and evens out the skin tone.

Retinol is effective for sun-induced dark spots, scars, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Retinol treatments have been shown to be very effective over time, but they are not an especially quick fix.

Salicylic acid

It’s best known as the active ingredient in aspirin, but salicylic acid breaks down the bonds between skin cells, which causes the old skin to peel away and new skin to grow.

This makes the skin appear fresh and rejuvenated. It also evens out skin tone and fades dark areas such as melasma, freckles, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

FAQ - Body Lotions for Uneven Skin Tone

What Causes Hyperpigmentation on the Body?

Hyperpigmentation is when excess melanin settles in deposits, which makes patches of skin appear darker than the surrounding skin on the body or face. This can include age spots, also known as liver spots, which appear on areas of the body that have been exposed to the sun, such as the hands.

Melasma is often triggered by hormonal changes such as pregnancy. Other areas of hyperpigmentation can be credited to genetics, skin conditions, and trauma to the skin.

How to Prevent Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is bothersome, but it is harmless. Still, it’s not something that most people actively seek out. Some causes of hyperpigmentation are genetic or hormonal in nature, and there’s not much anyone can do about them.

But others are more preventable; staying out of the sun (or using a good sunscreen) and not picking at scabs can go a long way in keeping your skin tone even and clear.

Is Uneven Skin Tone Permanent?

There are different types of hyperpigmentation, which is what causes uneven skin tone. Dermal melanosis, which includes many types of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, is relatively resistant to treatment.

Melasma is typically hormone-related, and it often clears up when the hormones are properly balanced again. Epidermal hyperpigmentation is closest to the surface and the most responsive to topical treatments.

Bottom Line: Body Lotions for Uneven Skin Tone

The bottom line here is that it’s your body and your choice how to treat it. We’ve shown you products that range from functional to opulent, with a wide spectrum of active and complementary ingredients.

Consider how much skin you need to treat, whether or not you require rich moisture, and your personal level of comfort.Then pick out one or more to get started with!

Keep in mind that because these are designed for home use, you may not see results immediately. Don’t be discouraged, though, because all of these lotions feature active ingredients that have been proven to do what you need them to do!