IMAGE: A picture of 0x41434f arm, showing the hyperpigmentation caused by long hours of cycling in the sun.
As someone who spends countless hours cycling under the sun, I’ve always known it could take a toll on my body. But until the summer of 2023, I never paid much attention to how the sun was impacting my skin. After a long ride one day, I noticed something strange—parts of my skin looked darker while other areas, where my jersey covered, were much lighter. I had always thought the sun was just making me tanner, but nope, I was officially dealing with hyperpigmentation.
How It All Started
To be honest, skincare wasn't really on my radar before this. I believed that nobody is inherently "ugly"—it just takes a bit of effort to look good. But, like many people, I wasn’t putting in that effort. That changed when I randomly saw an ad for men's skincare products while browsing online. That same day, I had looked up sunscreens for cyclists because I realized my skin had become uneven after a ride.
For context, I’d been cycling for long hours in the sun without sunscreen, and being from a region that's always hot, I just never really thought much of it. Little did I know that this sun exposure was doing more than just tanning—it was actually causing hyperpigmentation, especially on my forehead.
So, I decided to take action. I started using an SPF 50+ sunscreen before every ride in the summer of 2024. But I ran into a problem: the sunscreen needed to be reapplied every two hours, and during long rides, that just wasn’t practical. I mean, who has time to stop mid-ride, pull out sunscreen, and reapply? I didn’t want to add more to my already tiny jersey pocket either. For next summer, I’m planning to bring it along and reapply while coasting during flat sections of my rides, especially on my arms, which have seen the worst of the sun’s damage.
More Than Just Preventing Hyperpigmentation
Sunscreen isn't just for preventing uneven skin tone—it plays a crucial role in preventing skin cancer and the signs of aging. A recent Washington Post article highlights how daily use of sunscreen can significantly reduce the risk of skin cancer and slow down aging caused by sun damage. This only reinforced my commitment to making sunscreen a regular part of my skincare routine, especially as a cyclist exposed to the sun for hours on end.
Seeking Professional Help
Fast forward a bit, and I’m talking to one of my friends about this hyperpigmentation issue. She suggested I get laser treatment for my face. So, we headed over to Meg Fox Aesthetics in Towson, but the consultant said my face wasn’t severely damaged enough for laser treatment (thankfully!). Instead, we opted for her signature hydrafacial.
Now, let me tell you, this treatment was a game-changer. It was 60 minutes of pure skin TLC—thorough cleansing, hydration with peptides, antioxidants, hyaluronic acid, and a personalized booster serum to address my specific skin concerns. The LED light therapy during the treatment helped reduce signs of aging and inflammation, and by the end of it, I felt like a new person. My skin was glowing.
Here’s the treatment description for those who are curious:
“This 60-minute procedure thoroughly cleans the skin, removes impurities, and moisturizes with peptides, antioxidants, and hyaluronic acid. Also, a personalized booster serum is chosen depending on your unique skin conditions. LED red and blue light therapy decreases outward symptoms of aging, relaxes the skin, and provides rapid effects. Our specialized lymphatic drainage technique helps reduce puffiness and inflammation.”
After that treatment, I knew I had to get serious about my skincare.
Building a Routine
I bought a few products after the hydrafacial—an exfoliating face scrub, moisturizer, and more sunscreen—but I’ll be honest, I struggled with consistency. The face scrub was supposed to be used two to three times a week, and I often forgot. The sunscreen I got was too thick, leaving a whitish residue on my skin, which didn’t exactly motivate me to keep using it.
In early spring, I made another push to step up my skincare game. I picked up a few new products based on a friend’s recommendations:
- Kojic Acid Skin Soap for Pigmentation: This became my go-to for dealing with hyperpigmentation. However, I stopped using it as of November 2024.
- Lumin Face Wash Silicone Micro Scrubber: I have been using a face scrubber since 2020, so that was already part of my routine.
- Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser: I used this for a while but paused when I started using the Kojic Acid soap. Once I finished the Kojic Acid soap in November 2024, I returned to using Cetaphil as my daily cleanser.
- Botanics All Bright Smoothing Face Scrub: I added this in November 2024 to gently exfoliates my face.
- Botanics ‘All Bright Cleansing Toner’ and Night Cream: These became part of my nightly routine. Recently, I purchased the rebranded Botanics All Bright Glow Toner, which now includes Quillaja Saponaria Wood Extract and Ascorbic acid for enhanced exfoliation and brightening.
- Botanics All Bright Vitamin C Glow Serum: I added this in November 2024 to help achieve brighter and more even-looking skin after finishing the Kojic Acid soap.
- Botanics Organic Facial Oil: I used this for extra hydration, especially during the colder months.
- Lumin Dark Circle Defense Balm: I picked this up as part of a 7-day free trial to address dark circles under my eyes.
- Naturium Dew-Glow Tinted Moisturizer SPF 50+: I began using this in November 2024 as the final step in my face skincare routine. It provides SPF 50+ protection and a subtle tint, so I’ve switched to this for facial sun protection.
- Banana Boat Ultra Sport Clear Sunscreen Spray SPF 50: This was my go-to sunscreen for the summer of 2024, and I used it for both my face and body. However, since picking up the Dew-Glow Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 50+, I now use the Banana Boat spray only for body protection.
Updating my routine with these products has helped me focus on my specific skincare goals—especially tackling hyperpigmentation, enhancing hydration, and improving overall skin texture and brightness. Consistency remains my challenge, but I'm motivated by the improvements I've started to see.
November 2024 Update: AI Skin Analysis Results
To better understand my skin’s needs, I used an AI skin analysis tool to scan my face. The scan highlighted a few specific areas for improvement:
- Moisture: My skin is on the dry side and could benefit from more hydrating products to restore and lock in moisture, leaving it smooth and refreshed.
- Pores: My pores are noticeable, giving my skin a more uneven texture. I’ll focus on products that refine and minimize pores for a smoother, more even look.
- Wrinkles: There are some visible lines, though they aren’t too deep. Products that firm and hydrate can help keep these wrinkles from becoming more pronounced, maintaining a smoother appearance.
- Dark Circles: My under-eye area needs targeted attention to reduce dark circles.
- Breakouts: Although I can manage breakouts, occasional flare-ups still happen. My goal is to prevent future breakouts and keep my skin consistently clear.
- Redness: My skin tone is even and free of redness, which I aim to maintain by focusing on products that soothe and protect.
With these insights, I’m refining my routine even further to address these specific needs.
Taking Care of the Rest
Skincare doesn’t stop at the face. For my body, I started using exfoliating body washes in late 20 after my ex bought one from Walgreens. In summer 2023, I switched to Olay Exfoliating & Hydrating Body Wash with Deep Sea Minerals and Coconut Water, and in summer 2024, I moved on to Olay Fresh Outlast Rose Water & Sweet Nectar Body Wash. I still have a couple of packs of the Olay Exfoliating & Hydrating Body Wash with Deep Sea Salts left, so I’ll be using that too.
I also tried Dr. Bronner's soap in 2022, but honestly, I wasn’t paying as much attention to my skincare back then, so I didn’t notice any major changes. One issue I’ve had is itchy skin after showers, but that goes away after moisturizing, so I can’t tell if it’s the body washes or the type of shower scrub I’m using. I’ve alternated between a Goshi Exfoliating Shower Towel and African net sponge, and I plan to try Goshi's new Exfoliating Shower Sponge next.
For moisturizers, I used to use Shea Moisture Soothing Body Lotion, but I stopped because I think it made me more prone to sun damage, plus the label peeled off easily and got messy when wet. Recently, I’ve been using Naturewell Vitamin C Moisture Cream and Naturium The Glow Getter Body Oil in the mornings, which helped brighten my skin and improve its texture.
The Importance of Self-Care (and My Next Steps)
I think having a self-care routine is important—it shouldn’t be gendered or sexualized. Everyone deserves to feel good in their skin, and for me, skincare has become a way to take care of myself. I’m determined to stay consistent and fix my hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. I’ve heard great things about Japanese skincare products, so that’s on my radar for when I run out of my current set of products.
As for my hair, I use Shea Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner and have been using Brazilian Skala Expert cream for my curls along with Salon Line oil. I’ve even started doing my own nails, buying nail kits and applying gel myself, which has been a fun addition to my self-care routine.
I’ve also started taking peptide collagen, and I’ve noticed an improvement in the strength of my nails and less hair shedding. All of this goes to show that self-care is more than just about appearance—it’s about feeling good, inside and out.
Final Thoughts
I’m sure with more consistency, I’ll be able to fix my hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone. The process might be slow, but it’s a journey I’m committed to.