What really causes pigmentation (and what you can do about it)?

Pigmentation, hyperpigmentation, age spots or dark spots on the face: many women 50+ recognize the frustration. Your skin suddenly appears blotchy, uneven, and despite serums or treatments, those spots remain. But did you know that the true cause often lies deeper than sun exposure or skin aging?

In this article, I will take you - from my expertise as an Eastern and Western medicine-trained skincare expert - to the root cause. Because even skin doesn't just come from a jar. I look with you at nutritional deficiencies, lifestyle, hormonal imbalance, stress and natural skincare. And I give you a gentle, effective routine against pigmentation, especially for mature skin.

What exactly is hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a common problem in which there is more melanin is produced than normal. This pigment provides color in our skin, but overproduction creates dark spots. Consider:

• Pigment spots (due to sun, age or inflammation)

• Melasma (hormonal pigmentation, often on cheeks/forehead)

• Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (after acne, eczema, wounds)

• Age spots (lentigo solaris, often on hands or face)

'All kinds of women and also men in my area tell me with some concern about hyperpigmentation and that they have their spots cut away at the dermatologist. Obviously their skin is not doing well, and they don't understand where the underlying cause is or what to do to counteract hyperpigmentation.'

How does hyperpigmentation occur?

Many people think of the sun when they think of hyperpigmentation. And although UV radiation plays a role, it is often not the main culprit. The sun increases the visibility of pigment spots, but the body decides for itself whether or not to produce melanin. And that process is influenced by something much more fundamental: your inner balance.

Deep inside: the hidden causes of pigmentation spots

1. Deficiencies in essential minerals and vitamins.

The production of melanin - and its balance - depends on certain nutrients. When deficiencies occur, the system becomes disrupted. Important micronutrients are:

• Minerals: Copper, zinc, manganese, iron, boron, selenium, iodine, silicon. Copper in particular is really overlooked in the mineral list. However, its influence on normal skin pigmentation is a scientifically proven one. Copper as a spore element is found in all kinds of foods and always in combination with other minerals and spore elements. Take a look at Eidon minerals.

• Vitamins: B12, folic acid and the full B complex. Vitamins in the B complex have a major impact on the normal production of skin pigments and the mechanism of melanin production.

Without enough of these nutrients, the body cannot produce and regulate pigment properly. Result: hyperpigmentation, skin discoloration, spots.

2. How do these deficiencies occur?

• Inadequate diet: Processed foods are low in B vitamins and minerals. Fresh vegetables, seeds and whole grains are often lacking.

• Too much coffee: Caffeine reduces the absorption of zinc and iron, among other nutrients. Especially with several cups a day. There are many other nutrients that inhibit the normal absorption of these nutrients. Consider products that contain soy.

• Malabsorption: Due to stress, medication and poor gut health, fewer nutrients are absorbed than you would like. The result is ultimately that your skin and hair suffer. Malabsorption, by contrast, occurs on a very large scale. anyone who has breakfast with an ice cream latte, for example, can count on a bloated belly, and poor digestion. Or consider, for example, a cold bowl of yogurt with fruits and nuts. It acts cooling and deteriorates the function of the Stomach and Spleen, resulting in malabsorption and undigested food in the stool. In the West, we do not understand the function of hot food and drink for our digestion. It causes massive digestive problems at younger and younger ages.

• Medication use: Think of antacids, birth control or painkillers, but also chemo, all kinds of other regular medications. It is a known side effect that pigment spots can develop from regular medication use. It is accepted as a known side effect, but the cause is not exposed and nothing is done to counteract it. Many drugs consume vitamins and minerals when broken down through the liver, the liver needs them as a major detoxification plant to do its job.

• Hormonal imbalance: Too much sugar, fast carbs and not enough healthy fats (omega 3-6-9) disrupt your hormones. Melasma is a classic result of this. You can find these fatty acids in healthy foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, borage oil, evening primrose oil, algae.

'When I counseled a 54-year-old woman in my practice with persistent pigmentation after the summer, it turned out she had a B12 deficiency for years due to antacids. After supplementing and adjusting her diet, her skin became visibly more even in six months.'

3. The sun is not the enemy - but a mirror

Sunlight is often the trigger, but not the cause. A healthy body - rich in antioxidants and well nourished - can handle sunlight better with the normal 30 to 50 spf protection. Pigment spots after sun appear more quickly in people with:

• low antioxidant status

• deficiencies in copper/zinc and other trace elements

• hormonal imbalance

• Susceptibility to inflammation (e.g., rosacea or acne)

How to get rid of pigment spots.

Step 1: Repair from the inside out

• Eat really pure, unprocessed, fresh foods. Choose vegetables, healthy fats, seeds, whole grains, legumes (contain copper), oily fish, egg.

• Limit sugar and coffee. Replace coffee with a delicious coffee-free alternative such as Yannoh or Bambu. You don't need coffee if you take good care of yourself and get enough rest.

• Supplement deficiencies: Supplements including B12, folic acid, zinc and copper under the guidance of a natural dietitian.

• Take care of your gut: Eat at least 500 grams of cooked/steamed/stewed vegetables per day and use probiotics, for example, from Nutergia or Biovitaal, if necessary.

Step 2: Natural skin care with brightening ingredients

Natural skincare can visibly lighten pigment spots - without harsh acids or synthetic bleaches. Choose ingredients that work together with your skin:

'I am often told that when using our skincare, 50+ women suddenly have disappearing pigmentation spots with longer use. I like that. Our skincare really works with your skin in a very beautiful pure and natural way. Your skin recognizes nature.'

• Vitamin C (amla, sea buckthorn): antioxidant, inhibits pigmentation. Step 3 Elixir Vitamin Bomb.

• Niacinamide: evens out, strengthens skin barrier, coming soon in our Step 2 Skin Drink Serum.

• Licorice root: Inhibits tyrosinase (enzyme that activates pigment), In our Herbal Miracle Mask coming out soon. Wonderful mask to keep skin even.

• Shea Butter: Nourishes, repairs and soothes inflammation. Shea butter has been proven to help prevent and reduce pigmentation. Steps 1, 4 and step 5 are packed with this beautiful pure shea butter.

'I use these steps every day, and the hyperpigmentation on my cleavage skin has completely disappeared.' Also, read my blog about keeping your cleavage beautiful after 50?

• Green Tea: Protect against free radicals from UV light

• Ectoin: protects your cells from sun damage, soothes and deeply moisturizes. A super amino acid for your skin that really does a lot

• Symphytum (comfrey): supports skin repair and smoothing

Our favorite anti-dark spot routine

The MOTHR EARTH PROOF® skincare routine combines nourishing ingredients with antioxidants, blossom waters and botanical extracts that help skin recover:

1. Step 0 - REMOVE: Gently cleanses with grapeseed oil, chamomile and calendula. Removes makeup, dirt and city air. Also suitable for waterproof.

2. Step X - MIST: Refreshing blossom waters (rose, orange blossom) with antioxidants. Soothes, moisturizes and reduces pores.

3. Step 1 - Peel + Shine: delicious regenerating shea with green tea to clean and nourish your skin, evens and deeply hydrates. Skin-Repairing.
4. Step 2 - Serum Skin Drink: hydrating serum with aloe vera, symphytum and soon niacinamide and ectoin® repairs your skin, evens out and soothes.

5. Step 3 - ELIXIR: Facial oil with passion fruit, baobab, blackcurrant, perilla, acai berry, abyssinian, rose hip, bakuchiol (coming soon) sea buckthorn, jojoba and vitamin C, vitamins A, B and E. This unprecedentedly powerful fast-absorbing facial oil supports cell renewal, soothes and evens out the complexion. A true anti-ager.

6. Step 4 - REPAIR: Night care with ectoin, shea butter and amino acids. Helps with regeneration and pigment reduction.

7. Step 5 - S.O.S. Eyes - crowfeet fighter: a regenerating eye cream with wonderful butters like Shea, Mango, Cacao, Muru Muru, very nice fast absorbing oils that restore and brighten the skin. A real must have for the 50+ woman. Soon available in the webshop.

'I am already getting all kinds of very nice response from our test panel to Step 5 S.O.S. Crow Feet Fighter. It is a cream that many women have been waiting for. And I can't live without it myself! Protecting my eye contour from moisture loss every day as the last step! The skin remains beautifully elastic and smooth.'

This routine is gentle, 100% natural and ideal for mature skin with spots, melasma or sun damage.

In conclusion, back to basics - back to nature

Hyperpigmentation is a symptom - a message from within. Let that sink in deeply. It is by no means a superficial complaint, but an invitation to take care of yourself differently and better. By eating pure, reducing stress, taking more rest (time to stare at the blue sky or reading a regular book (i.e. not an audiobook or podcast) that you can hold in your hands and turn page after page (gives peace of mind), balancing hormones and supporting your skin with natural power.

Because beauty happens where nourishment, care and rest meet.

Our mission is to connect you with the power of nature!