A guide to key ingredients for an even skin tone
If your skin often turns red, check this first!
Are you prone to redness?
(Quick test)✅
☐ My face often turns red.
☐ I’m concerned about redness on my cheeks or nose.
☐ My face feels hot.
☐ My skin turns red when I cleanse it.
☐ I have sensitive skin that reacts to external triggers.
☐ My skin tone is uneven because of redness.
☐ I notice spots or freckles becoming more visible.
☐ I’m concerned about blemishes or hyperpigmentation on my face.
If you ticked 3 or more:
-> Facial redness and an uneven skin tone are probably your main everyday concerns.
In that case, instead of picking products at random, why not first find out which ingredients suit your needs best?
Which ingredients should you look for if redness is your concern?
1. Is your skin red and sensitive? → Centella Asiatica (CICA)🌿
Centella asiatica is a plant that has traditionally been used for skincare across Asia, and its extract is very popular in cosmetics. It helps soothe the skin comfortably and care for areas sensitised by external stressors.
2. Worried about both dryness and sensitivity? → Panthenol💦
Panthenol is a precursor of vitamin B5 that converts into pantothenic acid on contact with the skin. It helps provide hydration and maintain a healthy skin barrier, which is why it is widely used in the care of dry and sensitive skin.
Which ingredients are good if dark spots and melasma are your concern?
3. Is your skin tone uneven and are blemishes a concern? → Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B3 widely used in a variety of facial care products. It contributes to strengthening the skin barrier and is used to help improve dull, uneven skin tones.
4. Are dark spots (melasma) your biggest concern? → Tranexamic Acid
Although tranexamic acid was originally used for haemostatic purposes, in cosmetics it is valued because it helps regulate the processes involved in melanin production. It is an especially useful ingredient for helping to even out the tone of skin with melasma and hyperpigmentation spots.
5. Is a dull skin tone also a concern? → Vitamin C 🍊
Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant that is also found in fruits and vegetables. It helps improve the look of dull skin and achieve a brighter, more even-toned complexion.
Table: Which ingredient suits your skin best?
| Skin concern | Centella Asiatica | Panthenol | Niacinamide | Tranexamic Acid | Vitamin C |
| Redness / Sensitivity | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ||
| Dryness | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ||
| Uneven skin tone | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐ | ||
| Dark spots / Melasma | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ||
| Dull skin | ⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Discover our editor’s 5 favourite K-beauty ingredients! ✨ If you want to discover more products, visit Piyonna and find the one that best suits your skin’s needs. Take care of redness and dark spots the smart way with K-beauty!
💗 Discover more K-Beauty products
Sources
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), Rosacea: Diagnosis and treatment
- DermNet, What’s triggering my rosacea? And why?
- Perper M. et al., Tranexamic Acid in the Treatment of Melasma: A Review of the Literature, American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2017.
- Taraz M. et al., Tranexamic acid in treatment of melasma: A comprehensive review of clinical studies, Dermatologic Therapy, 2017.
- AlJabr A. et al., Tranexamic Acid for Hyperpigmentation Disorders: A Literature Review on Efficacy and Safety in Melasma and PIH, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2026.
<Note: This article contains AI-generated images.>
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