I've noticed that my skin is getting darker every day, and I'm not sure why. My skin is naturally dry, and I have a lot of dark spots, blemishes, and dark circles. Whenever I'm out in the sun, my skin turns red and then gets even darker. I used to have a Wheaties complexion about two years ago, but recently, my skin has been darkening, even though I get 7-8 hours of sleep and I don't smoke or drink. I'm not outside that much, and when I do go out, I always apply sunscreen. Lately, I've also noticed my neck is getting darker along with the rest of my body, which used to be lighter. Could you help me figure out what's going on and what I might be able to do about it?

Dr Mubarak Parveez B

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 2+ Yrs

Consult Now

You may be experiencing hyperpigmentation and sun-induced skin darkening. To address this issue, you can try using a topical cream containing hydroquinone, such as Melalite cream, to lighten the dark spots and blemishes. Apply a thin layer of Melalite cream on the affected areas once daily at night. Additionally, you can use a vitamin C serum, like Celin Vitamin C Serum, in the morning to help brighten your skin and reduce dark spots. For your dry skin, you can use a moisturizer like Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream to hydrate and nourish your skin. Apply the moisturizer twice a day, in the morning and evening, on clean skin. To address the redness and sensitivity when exposed to the sun, you can try using a gentle sunscreen specifically formulated for sensitive skin, such as Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen SPF 50. Apply the sunscreen generously on all exposed areas of your skin before going outside, and reapply every 2 hours. For your darkening neck and body, you can also use the Melalite cream on those areas, following the same application instructions as mentioned earlier.

Answered 04/07/2025