// Skin · Skin Concern · Uneven Tone — L3 data // Visual skeleton must match the Oily prototype exactly. Vary copy, never layout. const OILY = { type: "Uneven tone", parent: { title: "Skin Concern", href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/" }, grandparent: { title: "Skin", href: "/en/skin/" }, totalCount: 178, hero: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228720-195a672e8a03?w=1800&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", heroAlt: "Editorial skin study showing variation in tone and light", h1: "How to address uneven tone.", deck: "Cosmetic pigmentation, sun-driven shifts, and post-friction marks. The full library on niacinamide, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, and the SPF you have to wear.", intro: "Uneven tone is a cosmetic concern — shifts in surface pigmentation driven by sun exposure, post-friction marks, or the kind of slow accumulation that happens on skin that hasn't been consistently protected. The treatments that work are largely about slowing melanin production and supporting faster surface turnover: niacinamide, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, and vitamin C each address the process from a different angle. None of them work quickly. None of them work without SPF. The honest framing is that managing uneven tone is a six-month project at minimum, and the only thing that prevents it from coming back is the SPF you wear every day going forward. Below is the full library — what each approach does, how to layer them, and what to expect.", byline: "Edited by Nelly · Beauty & Style Director", meta: { count: 178, updated: "Updated 28 April 2026", reading: "Avg. 5 min per piece" }, }; // Skin-concern sibling rail — 7 siblings under /en/skin/skin-concern/ const TYPE_SIBLINGS = [ { id: "dehydration", title: "Dehydration", n: "01", href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/dehydration/" }, { id: "dullness", title: "Dullness", n: "02", href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/dullness/" }, { id: "uneven-tone", title: "Uneven tone", n: "03", cur: true, href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/uneven-tone/" }, { id: "texture", title: "Texture", n: "04", href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/texture/" }, { id: "congestion", title: "Congestion", n: "05", href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/congestion/" }, { id: "barrier-damage", title: "Barrier damage", n: "06", href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/barrier-damage/" }, { id: "sun-spots", title: "Sun spots", n: "07", href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/sun-spots/" }, ]; const QUICK_FACTS = { defn: { h: "What 'uneven tone' actually means", body: "Uneven tone refers to cosmetic variation in skin pigmentation: patches that are darker or lighter than the surrounding skin. It's driven by melanin — the pigment produced in response to UV exposure, friction, inflammation, or hormonal changes. It's a cosmetic description, not a diagnosis. The approaches that address it target melanin production, surface turnover, or both.", }, myths: [ { m: "Brightening ingredients work like bleach.", t: "They don't. Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and azelaic acid slow the overproduction of melanin — they don't remove existing pigment instantly. Expect gradual fading over weeks, not overnight changes." }, { m: "You only need SPF when it's sunny.", t: "UVA — the wavelength that drives pigmentation — doesn't correlate with visible brightness. It penetrates cloud cover and glass. Daily SPF is non-negotiable if you want brightening ingredients to do their job." }, { m: "Exfoliating harder will fade marks faster.", t: "Inflammation and friction are causes of uneven tone. Over-exfoliating creates both. Gentle, consistent exfoliation is far more effective than aggressive treatment." }, ], }; const BEGINNER_PATH = { h: "Start here, if uneven tone is the concern.", deck: "Five pieces, in order. Around twenty-two minutes of reading. A realistic picture before you build a routine.", steps: [ { n: "01", t: "What causes uneven tone — the melanin picture", time: "4 min", note: "Sun, friction, inflammation. The three main drivers. How they differ in treatment." }, { n: "02", t: "Niacinamide — what it does for pigmentation", time: "4 min", note: "How it interrupts melanin transfer. Realistic expectations. Concentration question." }, { n: "03", t: "Tranexamic acid and azelaic acid — how they compare", time: "5 min", note: "Different mechanisms, similar goals. Which one to start with." }, { n: "04", t: "SPF and pigmentation — why it's the foundation", time: "4 min", note: "Brightening ingredients work in inverse proportion to sun exposure." }, { n: "05", t: "A realistic timeline for tone improvement", time: "4 min", note: "Months, not weeks. What to track. When to reassess." }, ], }; const TRENDING = [ { rank: "01", t: "Niacinamide for uneven tone — what a consistent 8 weeks looks like", time: "5 min", auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 25", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1571875257727-256c39da42af?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "12,773" }, { rank: "02", t: "Tranexamic acid vs azelaic acid — which to choose first", time: "5 min", auth: "Iris", date: "Apr 21", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598440947619-2c35fc9aa908?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "10,340" }, { rank: "03", t: "SPF and pigmentation — the argument you've heard but not followed", time: "4 min", auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 16", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228578-8c89e6adf883?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "8,509" }, { rank: "04", t: "Vitamin C and niacinamide — the compatibility question, settled", time: "4 min", auth: "Iris", date: "Apr 09", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228852-80b6e5eeff06?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "7,218" }, { rank: "05", t: "Post-friction marks — what they are and how long they take", time: "3 min", auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 02", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1601049541289-9b1b7bbbfe19?w=1100&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", reads: "5,882" }, ]; const FORMAT_GUIDE = { h: "Approach, by use case", deck: "The main ingredient classes for uneven tone. What each one does and where it fits in a routine.", formats: [ { name: "Niacinamide", when: "AM or PM, 2–10%, after toner", avoid: "Very high concentration on reactive skin initially", note: "Interrupts melanin transfer to surface cells. Gentle, layerable, broadly tolerated.", verdict: "★ Start here" }, { name: "Tranexamic Acid", when: "AM or PM, 2–5%, can combine with niacinamide", avoid: "On broken or heavily inflamed skin", note: "Different mechanism to niacinamide — works on melanin synthesis. Good pairing.", verdict: "Pair with niac" }, { name: "Azelaic Acid", when: "PM preferred, 10–20%, on clean skin", avoid: "With multiple other actives in same step", note: "Also exfoliates gently. Well-tolerated on sensitive skin. Can sting initially.", verdict: "Versatile" }, { name: "Vitamin C", when: "AM, on dry skin, before SPF", avoid: "Unstable forms (LAA) in warm, humid climates", note: "Antioxidant + brightening. Works best when fresh and well-formulated.", verdict: "AM layer" }, { name: "Chemical Exfoliant", when: "2–3× per week, PM only", avoid: "Same night as azelaic or retinoids at full strength", note: "Speeds surface turnover so brightening ingredients reach fresher cells.", verdict: "Support step" }, { name: "SPF 50", when: "Every morning, every day, rain or shine", avoid: "Never", note: "Without this, all other steps are fighting uphill. It is not optional.", verdict: "Non-negotiable" }, ], }; const HOWTOS = [ { t: "Niacinamide for uneven tone — 8 weeks in", time: 5, tech: "Serums", auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 25", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1571875257727-256c39da42af?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Ingredients", pick: true }, { t: "Tranexamic acid vs azelaic acid — how to choose", time: 5, tech: "Serums", auth: "Iris", date: "Apr 21", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598440947619-2c35fc9aa908?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Ingredients", pick: true }, { t: "SPF and pigmentation — the foundation argument", time: 4, tech: "SPF", auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 16", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228578-8c89e6adf883?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "SPF", pick: true }, { t: "Vitamin C and niacinamide — the compatibility question", time: 4, tech: "Layering", auth: "Iris", date: "Apr 09", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228852-80b6e5eeff06?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Layering", pick: false }, { t: "Post-friction marks — how long they take, what helps", time: 3, tech: "Essay", auth: "Nelly", date: "Apr 02", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1601049541289-9b1b7bbbfe19?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Essay", pick: false }, { t: "The realistic timeline for fading uneven tone", time: 4, tech: "Essay", auth: "Nelly", date: "Mar 27", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512290923902-8a9f81dc236c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Essay", pick: true }, { t: "AHA exfoliants in a brightening routine — where they fit", time: 5, tech: "Serums", auth: "Iris", date: "Mar 22", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1570194065650-d99fb4bedf0a?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Ingredients", pick: false }, { t: "Azelaic acid — introduction, concentration, and expectations", time: 5, tech: "Serums", auth: "Nelly", date: "Mar 17", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1571875257727-256c39da42af?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Ingredients", pick: false }, { t: "Why SPF has to come before brightening ingredients, not after", time: 3, tech: "SPF", auth: "Iris", date: "Mar 12", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228578-8c89e6adf883?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "SPF", pick: false }, { t: "Layering a tone-correcting routine in 5 steps", time: 4, tech: "Layering", auth: "Nelly", date: "Mar 07", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228720-195a672e8a03?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Layering", pick: true }, { t: "Cleansing and hyperpigmentation — the removal question", time: 3, tech: "Cleansing", auth: "Nelly", date: "Mar 01", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1607006344380-b6775a0824a4?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Cleansing", pick: false }, { t: "Sun-driven vs inflammation-driven tone — different approaches", time: 5, tech: "Essay", auth: "Iris", date: "Feb 24", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1601049541289-9b1b7bbbfe19?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Essay", pick: false }, { t: "How long to give a brightening ingredient before stopping", time: 4, tech: "Troubleshoot", auth: "Nelly", date: "Feb 18", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1598440947619-2c35fc9aa908?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Troubleshoot", pick: false }, { t: "Reapplying SPF without disturbing actives", time: 4, tech: "SPF", auth: "Iris", date: "Feb 12", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228852-80b6e5eeff06?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "SPF", pick: false }, { t: "A minimal tone-correcting routine — four products", time: 3, tech: "Routine", auth: "Nelly", date: "Feb 06", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512290923902-8a9f81dc236c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Routine", pick: false }, { t: "What happens when you stop using brightening ingredients", time: 3, tech: "Essay", auth: "Iris", date: "Jan 30", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1571875257727-256c39da42af?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Essay", pick: false }, { t: "Vitamin C instability — how to keep LAA stable", time: 4, tech: "Serums", auth: "Nelly", date: "Jan 23", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228578-8c89e6adf883?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Ingredients", pick: false }, { t: "Tone and skin texture together — the combined routine", time: 5, tech: "Routine", auth: "Iris", date: "Jan 16", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1620916566398-39f1143ab7be?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Routine", pick: false }, { t: "Why actives fail on unmoisturised skin", time: 3, tech: "Troubleshoot", auth: "Nelly", date: "Jan 10", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1601049541289-9b1b7bbbfe19?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Troubleshoot", pick: false }, { t: "Niacinamide concentration — does more mean better?", time: 4, tech: "Serums", auth: "Iris", date: "Jan 04", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1571875257727-256c39da42af?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Ingredients", pick: false }, { t: "Tone on darker skin tones — what's the same, what differs", time: 6, tech: "Essay", auth: "Nelly", date: "Dec 27", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228720-195a672e8a03?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Essay", pick: false }, { t: "Patience as a skincare strategy — the uneven tone edition", time: 4, tech: "Essay", auth: "Nelly", date: "Dec 18", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1512290923902-8a9f81dc236c?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Essay", pick: false }, { t: "Gua sha and tone — separating fact from trend", time: 3, tech: "Technique", auth: "Iris", date: "Dec 10", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1620916566398-39f1143ab7be?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "Technique", pick: false }, { t: "Year-round SPF — making the habit stick", time: 3, tech: "SPF", auth: "Nelly", date: "Dec 02", img: "https://images.unsplash.com/photo-1556228578-8c89e6adf883?w=900&q=80&auto=format&fit=crop", kick: "SPF", pick: false }, ]; const TECH_FILTERS = ["All", "Cleansing", "Moisturising", "Serums", "Layering", "SPF", "Routine", "Essay", "Troubleshoot"]; // Crosslinks to 4 adjacent concerns const TYPE_CROSSLINKS = [ { id: "sun-spots", title: "Sun spots", deck: "Cosmetic photo-spots. SPF first, brighteners second.", count: 143, href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/sun-spots/" }, { id: "dullness", title: "Dullness", deck: "Light reflection, turnover, and the glow question.", count: 201, href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/dullness/" }, { id: "texture", title: "Texture", deck: "Surface bumps and the patience required.", count: 174, href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/texture/" }, { id: "congestion", title: "Congestion", deck: "Open pores and sebum oxidation, handled properly.", count: 155, href: "/en/skin/skin-concern/congestion/" }, ]; Object.assign(window, { OILY, TYPE_SIBLINGS, QUICK_FACTS, BEGINNER_PATH, TRENDING, FORMAT_GUIDE, HOWTOS, TECH_FILTERS, TYPE_CROSSLINKS, });