Clear and radiant skin is a dream come true for many of us. But sometimes, our daily lifestyle impacts our skincare in more ways than we know. Age spots, black spots, or sun spots; these patches on the skin are some telltale signs of impending skin damage. While harmless, uneven skin texture calls for an immediate change in your skincare routine. Here’s all you need to know about what may cause dark spots on your face. 

Many things can make your skin tone uneven – like freckles, aging signs, or acne scars. But in most cases, dark spots often underscore that there’s something wrong with our skincare regimen. For example, we might be spending too much time outside without wearing a good quality SPF, or the ingredients in our skincare products do not match our skin type. It might also be due to a sedentary lifestyle or inadequate sleep cycles.

So without any further delay, let’s walk you through the many dark spots causes:-

What causes dark spots on the face?

1. Prolonged exposure to the Sun’s harmful UV rays

Excess melanin production is the major cause of dark spots on the legs, arms, and face. Sun rays impact how much melanin is directly produced in the skin’s layers beneath. As the exposure increases, so does the number of dark spots on the skin. Other than that, dirt, pollutants, and impurities may also affect the melanin content in the skin. 

Also called hyperpigmentation, dark spots can be hard to deal with. But one of the most convenient ways to prevent dark spots in the first place is to wear sunscreen and reapply every few hours. In addition, you can try our Ultra Light Indian Sunscreen with SPF 50 PA+++ for added protection against UVA and UVB damage. It primarily features Carrot Seed and Turmeric that help provide long-lasting protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays. Being powered by SPF 50 makes it all the better. 

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Did you know? Regardless of what causes dark spots on your face, it is important to learn what meets your skin’s needs. It will help you curate your skincare regimen accordingly. 

2. Acne

Having acne-prone skin means being at a constant risk of getting black spots on the face. Although such marks may fade with time, you should still abstain from picking acne or else they may turn into scars. 

Salicylic acid and Tea tree oil usually work the best when it comes to acne-sensitive skin. The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of these two ingredients help ward off bacterial growth and prevent grime from accumulating in the pores. In addition, you should wash your face with salicylic acid-enriched face wash to get clearer skin. It would be best to follow it up with a safe and gentle anti-acne cream. 

Tip: You can also apply an anti-acne night cream to help fade wrinkles and dark spots. You should also avoid touching your face frequently, which may allow the bacteria to spread. 

3. Signs of premature aging

Everyone has a different timeline when it comes to aging. Most of it depends on our eating habits, lifestyle, and genes. But when it comes to skin aging, you may also experience fine lines, wrinkles, and blemishes on the face in your mid-twenties. It mostly happens in people with extremely dry skin as it is easily prone to damage. 

Try to build your skincare routine around it to combat signs of aging. The skin loses its elasticity and collagen, which help make it look younger. Dark spots that appear due to aging are called lentigines. An anti-aging face moisturizer is recommended if you see signs of aging on your skin, including dark spots or hyperpigmentation.

4. Hormonal imbalance

When hormone levels in the body zigzag up and down, you may see your skin texture and look changing. Most commonly, it happens during pregnancy, hormonal therapies, or when you take birth control pills. Pregnant women often develop pigmentation marks on the nose, jawline, forehead, chin, and cheeks, often called the ’mask of pregnancy.‘

Fortunately, this hyperpigmentation lasts until pregnancy or hormones return to an average level. But prolonged exposure to the sun’s UV rays and not following an adequate skin care regimen can worsen the condition. You can use a safe and gentle face gel to lighten dark patches if you suffer from pregnancy-related hyperpigmentation. 

5. Inflammation

Sometimes dark spots can cause inflammation after a skin injury or allergic reaction. It mostly occurs in people with eczema, psoriasis, allergic reactions, or other skin conditions. This type of skin discoloration can also occur after your skin becomes inflamed, and in the healing process, the cells produce excess melanin resulting in skin darkening. 

Also called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, it leaves dark spots behind, which can look pink, red, brown, or black. The worse the inflammation, the larger and darker the spot can be.

6. Removing facial hair

Not everyone faces side effects from removing facial hair. However, it can be troublesome for many skin types. Threading, tweezing, and waxing can cause the pores to become inflamed, leading to black or dark spots on the face, especially if you have a sensitive skin type. To eliminate facial hair, look for safer methods that irritate your skin. 

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What can you do to lighten dark spots?

We will discuss chemical and natural ways to eliminate dark patches on the skin. 

1. Through the use of chemicals-

Retinoid solutions

Ingredients like retinoids or retinol can have an amazing effect on the skin, which is aging. Vitamin A also increases skin cell formation, speeds up exfoliation, and promotes new and healthy cells. Retinol also stimulates collagen production, which helps reduce dark spots. 

It helps reduce age spots and works well on sagging skin too. You will see the effects on your skin once you include retinol products in your AM or PM routine. However, retinol can make your skin sensitive to the sun’s rays. So if you opt for this ingredient, allow it to settle on your skin first up. Also, don’t slack off using SPF once you start using retinol. 

Chemical exfoliators

Some beneficial chemicals that go easy on the skin can help break dead skin cells or the topmost layer of the skin. It helps them to shed dead skin easily, revealing healthier and even-toned skin. However, use only mild face scrubs to prevent skin irritation if you have sensitive skin. Ask your dermatologist if you can use AHA, BHA, glycolic acid, lactic acid, and salicylic acid. 

Skincare experts advise using chemical exfoliators carefully on the skin since they take time to perform. In addition, using too many skincare products can result in inflammation and irritation. If you have sensitive skin or experience side effects, discontinue using the product. Also, certain chemicals should never be mixed along, such as vitamin C and Retinol. 

2. Through the use of natural ingredients

Potato juice

Potatoes have an enzyme called catecholase that acts like a natural bleaching agent. It helps treat black spots, sun tan, annoying freckles, and melasma scars. You should mix potato juice with lemon juice and make your skin-brightening face mask. Let it stay for around 12-15 minutes, and wash it off with cold water. Then, use it for around one month to see visible results on your skin. 

Raw milk

Milk has a natural lactic acid that calms skin and lightens dark spots. Using raw milk on the skin also helps reverse signs of sun darkening and is good for blackheads and acne. You can use raw milk and a drop or two of honey if you have dry skin. Use a cotton pad to apply the mixture on your facial spots, preferably every night. Wash normally the next morning. 

Aloe vera

Aloe vera is very effective at treating dark spots. Enriched with vitamins like A, B, C, and E, it naturally helps enhance skin texture and discoloration. The anti-aging properties of aloe vera face gel also help to fade dark spots and acne marks. Besides, it is equally effective for acne-prone skin as it prevents bacterial growth. Finally, you can use it in your nighttime skincare routine to get glowing skin. 

Honey

Honey can help you with a wide variety of skin conditions. Its moisturizing properties prevent skin essential oils from stripping off. You can use it to shed dead skin cells and unveil a brighter tone. To use honey, add a pinch of turmeric and apply the mixture to the affected area. Keep it for 5-10 minutes and wash it off. 

Turmeric 

Turmeric is an absolute yes if you wish to lighten dark spots. Its skin-brightening properties give an amazing glow. You can mix turmeric with other ingredients from the kitchen to get fast results. Raw milk, honey, turmeric powder, and gram are the best remedies for hyperpigmentation. Use this face mask as Ubtan to get an instant glow. 

Our Bestsellers- Skincare products to lighten dark spots

If you wish to get away with skin discoloration on certain areas of your face, we recommend you try our skincare range. Hyperpigmentation can be an aesthetic cause concerning many of us out there. What can help is curating a skincare regimen that revolves around anti-aging ingredients. So let’s talk about our Bye Bye Blemishes Face Cream that helps reduce signs of aging such as blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and scars. 

1. Bye Bye Blemishes Face Cream

Saturated with the goodness of nourishing ingredients like Vitamin C, Licorice Extract, Daisy Flower Extract, and Mulberry Extract, this cream aims to solve all your skin worries. This spot corrector cream is a non-greasy formula and restricts melanin deposits. It reduces spots & acne marks on the skin. Here is what goes into the making of our dark spot reduction cream-

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Vitamin C: It is a natural antioxidant that prevents ultraviolet-induced skin pigmentation. Vitamin C is helpful for the skin experiencing discoloration due to free radical damage or sun exposure. It can significantly reduce blemishes, fine lines, and uneven skin tone, giving your skin a nice texture. It also helps to brighten skin and prevent skin sagging. 

Licorice Extract: This ingredient inhibits tyrosinase, the first step in melanin production. So it helps prevent dark spots from appearing on the skin. Additionally, licorice extract is an abundant source of flavonoid, a plant polyphenol with antioxidative properties to protect the skin from premature discoloration.

Mulberry Extract: Also an antioxidant, this ingredient helps nourish your skin and remove dark spots. It works amazingly toward signs of premature skin aging and enhances tone. 

Besides, it also has anti-inflammatory properties that help prevent rashes or irritation and aims to give you smooth and soft skin effortlessly. 

Daisy Flower Extract: A common ingredient in various skincare products dedicated to skin brightening. It contains a substance called L-arbutin that helps you get an even skin tone. L-arbutin also suppresses melanin synthesis in the skin, helping diminish unwanted pigment from UV exposure. 

2. Bye Bye Dark Circles Eye Cream

Dark circles around the eyes can be equally overwhelming. Stress, a sedentary lifestyle, and work-life balance can impact your skin’s health. In addition, under the eye is the most sensitive area that easily gets affected by changes in your sleeping habits. So you should get your hands on our Bye Bye Dark Circles Eye Cream to depuff eyes and lighten the under-eye area. 

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Formulated with nourishing ingredients like Hawkweed Extract, Peptides & Daisy Flower Extract, it helps reduce melanin deposition in the skin to a great extent. This ultimately reduces the appearance of dark circles. Additionally, it is dermatologically tested and is free of toxins like Parabens and Mineral Oil. 

Postscript

There could be many causes of dark spots on the skin. Sometimes hyperpigmentation can take a little longer to get away with but trust that you can manage it well. Cultivating your skincare routine can pave the path for smooth and clearer skin. In addition, your night care routine plays a role because that’s when your skin goes into repair mode. 

To incorporate less harmful chemicals in your skincare routine, start with our Vitamin C Face Toner. Enriched with Vitamin C, it can help boost skin cell turnover and affect melanin production. It is an ideal ingredient to use if you wish to combat signs of aging, including discoloration on the skin. 

Additionally, you can always switch to a non-toxic range if you have a sensitive skin type. We also suggest you see your dermatologist if your skin appears darker for no apparent reason. Also, remember to take your daily dose of hydration, exercise well, and eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables. All these steps will lead you to healthier and glowing skin. 

FAQ

  1. What causes dark spots under the eyes?

    Dark circles or dark spots under the eyes are usually caused when you are constantly under stress or haven’t slept well for days. Sometimes, what appears to be dark spots may be shadows cast by puffy eyelids or hollows under your eyes that develop as a normal part of aging. It is not a medical condition and can be treated well with an under-eye cream. 

  2. What causes dark spots on feet and ankles?

    Areas of dark skin color on feet and ankles usually sign exposure to the sun or some medical condition. Check with your doctor to know the actual cause of the problem. 

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