Dark spots on face: Causes, Prevention and Home Remedies

Do you have stubborn spots on your face that don't seem to fade away and you constantly look for home remedies to treat these skin pigmentation marks or find yourself concealing them with makeup every time you go out? If yes, it's time to get rid of these pesky spots.

Dark spots usually occur due to hyperpigmentation and have become a common skincare concern. Call them liver spots, age spots, sun spots, or acne scars - no matter what name they go by, these obnoxious patches may be the common signs of skin damage.

As per the American Academy of Dermatology, dark spots can occur on any skin tone. Unwanted spots and scars are seriously frustrating to deal with as they don’t go away on their own. First step to follow is to use the dark spot remover face wash as these contain natural fruit AHA's which helps in fading the dark spots.

Now let us address all your queries related to these unwanted spots that pop up on the face and refuse to leave

• What are dark spots?
• What causes dark spots on the face?
• How to prevent dark spots?
• Home remedies for dark spots on the face

What are dark spots?

When your body produces excessive melanin on a specific area, it results in the formation of brown patches known as dark spots on the skin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for giving colour to your eyes, hair, and skin, More melanin means darker skin. To know more about melanin pigment,click here!

What causes dark spots on face?

Sometimes the environmental aggressors or hormonal changes can lead to the generation of dark spots on the skin. For example-

(a) Sun Exposure

Direct exposure to the harmful ultraviolet radiation of the sun can trigger hyperpigmentation in your skin. This results in unpleasant spots on your face. Skin hyperpigmentation, sunburn and UV damage are the reasons behind using sunscreen everyday.

(b) Melasma

Certain skin conditions like melasma can also trigger those obnoxious spots on the face. This is more common in women and is usually witnessed during hormonal imbalances, menopause, pregnancy, or birth control pills.

Struggling with melasma? Know home remedies to fight melasma.

(c) Medication

Some culprit medications such as psychotropic drugs and non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can cause spots on the face.

(d) Post-inflammatory Hyperpigmentation

Sometimes, dark spots may be left behind on your face after acne heals. This skin discolouration that occurs after an inflammatory wound can be even more aggravating and distressing compared to acne itself. So we need to manage acne scars with little tricks and tips.

(e) Irritation due to certain products

Some skin and hair care products may irritate and form an awful patch on your face.

How to prevent dark spots?

The effort to conceal your face spots with makeup can be tedious. Just keep the following preventive measures in your mind to avoid formation of dark spots from your face!

(a) Sunscreen

One of the primary causes of face spots is direct exposure to the sun. It can trigger the melanin production in your skin cells. So, one of the best ways to get sun protection is wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with high SPF every day. To defend your skin from harmful UV rays, choose a good sunscreen according to your skin type.

Wearing sunscreen with the right SPF will help to prevent hyperpigmentation and age spots on your skin. Thus, you should know which SPF sunscreen should you choose for your skin?

(b) Use Vitamin C serum

You can also apply vitamin C serum on your face as it contains vitamin C antioxidant that aids to fight age spots, dark spots, sun spots and hyperpigmentation. It also balances your skin tone, and increases collagen synthesis thus giving you a glowing skin. With excellent antioxidant properties, this serum rejuvenates your dull and lifeless skin.

(c) Cover yourself with a hat or umbrella on peak hours

Dodging the sun is a great way to prevent the appearance of dark spots. So, if you are adventurous and love staying out in the sun, then you should carry a hat, stole, or an umbrella. Shield your skin from direct UV exposure using these accessories.

(d) Quit smoking

We all know that smoking affects your lungs. But, do you know that smoking can also affect your skin? Research indicates that smoking cigarettes may have a direct correlation to ugly breakouts on your face. So, avoid smoking to keep your skin and body healthy.

(e) Eat healthily

A balanced diet is key to a healthy living, It also promotes the health of your skin and prevents the appearance of spots on your face. Relish your glowing skin by eating plenty of colourful fruits and leafy vegetables rich in vitamins and minerals.

How to remove dark spots

Home remedies to remove dark spots

If dark spots are fading your facial beauty, don't worry! Fortunately, various home remedies can come to your rescue to fade away those spots. Choose a suitable remedy based on your skin type. To know your skin type, click here!

• Papaya

Papaya is well-known for its skin-lightening properties. Enriched with antioxidants, it hinders the formation of free radicals, the biggest foe of healthy skin, thus, protecting your skin from spots.

Take papaya paste and mix it with honey and lemon juice. Apply it for 20 minutes and then rinse with cold water Consuming papaya, along with regular topical applications, will give your skin the natural boost it requires and thus help in fading dark spots.

• Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has incredible skincare benefits, you can give your skin the goodness of aloin (an active compound of aloe vera) to remove spots from your face. Apply pure aloe vera gel to pigmented areas before bedtime. Rinse using lukewarm water the next morning.

• Turmeric

Turmeric (Haldi) is indeed a golden solution for your skincare problems, this dark spot fighter contains tetrahydrocurcumin that can reduce the appearance of dark spots on your face.

Make a paste by mixing one teaspoon of turmeric powder with one-two teaspoons of milk and one teaspoon of lemon juice. Leave this on your face for 20 minutes and then wash with lukewarm water. 

• Lemons

Loaded with vitamin C, lemons raise collagen production in your body and are effective in lightening sunspots on your face. So, drizzle lemon over your salad, or have a glass of fresh lemon juice. 

You can also try Vitamin C serum as it contains the perfect concentration of Vitamin C that your skin requires. Moreover, it also wrinkles, works on uneven skin tone, thus, giving you a glowing and youthful skin.

• Yoghurt

Yoghurt can do wonders to offer you a beautiful skin. It contains lactic acid that aids to lighten those obnoxious spots. The combination of yoghurt and lemon is an excellent face mask. 

• Orange peel

Rich in hesperidin, orange peel helps to diminish the appearance of spots on the face. Try an orange peel face mask by mixing dry orange peel powder with water. This will be of great help! If your skin becomes dry after using this facepack, apply ultra-hydrating moisturizer to hydrate your skin. 

• Berries

Berries are the powerhouse of vitamin C, vitamin K, folic acids. These antioxidants suppress the formation of the free radicals and thus prevent the appearance of such obstinate patches. The immune-boosting properties of berries increase collagen production in your skin and help you to battle dark spots. So, eat a lot of berries.

Collagen revitalizes your skin. So you can also include collagen-rich foods to avail the benefits of collagen for beautiful skin.

• Tomato

Rich in lycopene and carotene, this juicy fruit is a steller for home remedies that can lighten your dark spots and skin complexion. Add tomatoes to your  soups, salads, and juices. You can also apply the freshly made tomato pulp to your face and leave it on for 20 minutes. Then, rinse it off with cold water.

Dark spots are annoying and can make you feel a little self-conscious. But, with easy natural home remedies and preventive tips, fight dark spots and get back the flawless skin that you always desired! You can also minimize your obstinate spots using dark spot removal cream. For the first time in India, it is backed with the Chrono beauty that will balance your skin's circadian rhythm.

Follow a healthy lifestyle, quit smoking and don't forget to add sunscreen in your arsenal to battle dark spots. Get ready to say hello to luminous and beautiful skin. Also read, How to get glowing skin?

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes dark spots on the face?

Dark spots or brown spots are caused by the overproduction of melanin in your skin cells.

How to treat dark spots?

Hydroquinone, retinoids, AHA, glycolic acid, azelaic acid, kojic acid, salicylic acid, vitamin C, chemical peels, cryotherapy, laser treatments,  microneedling can help to treat the stubborn spots on your face.

What to eat to remove dark spots on the face?

Eating tomatoes, berries, potatoes, papaya, and other fruits and vegetables will aid to fade away dark spots from your face.