What Are Dark Spots on Face?
Dark spots, or hyperpigmentation, occur due to excess melanin production.
What Are the Causes of Dark Spots on Face?
Sun exposure, hormonal changes (e.g., pregnancy, contraceptives), inflammation or injury, Medications or cosmetic irritation
What Are the Types of Dark Spots on Face?
Sunspots, melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, and freckles
How to Reduce Dark Spots on Face?
- Use SPF 30+ sunscreen daily
- Apply actives like vitamin C, glycolic acid, niacinamide, retinol
- Gently exfoliate 2–3 times a week
- Stay hydrated and avoid picking pimples
What are Dark Spots on Face?
Before delving into the preventive measures, it is essential to know what are dark spots and most importantly, what causes dark spots. So, what exactly are dark spots on the face?
In simple terms, dark spots or hyperpigmentation are areas of skin that have darkened compared to the rest of your skin tone. Dark spots occur due to over-production of melanin – the pigment that gives color to our eyes, skin, and hair.
These dark patches can vary in sizes, shapes, and shades, ranging from light brown to nearly black from person to person. You may notice dark spots on areas of your body that get excessive sun exposure, like your face, neck, hands, and arms.
What Causes Dark Spots?
Before learning how to reduce dark spots on face, you must know what triggers them. Listed below are some of the potential
Your skin produces melanin to protect against the harmful UV rays. Melanin absorbs UV rays and shields against sun damage. Over time, this can result in localized patches of increased pigmentation, leading to dark spots on the face, like sunspots or age spots.
Inflammation or injury, from acne, eczema, psoriasis, or even bug bites, causes dark spots on face.
What are the causes of dark spots on face, you ask? Hormonal imbalance, especially during pregnancy can spike up melanin production, causing dark spots.
- Side Effects of Medicines
Some medications like anti-inflammatories, chemotherapy drugs, antimalarials, etc. can increase sun sensitivity or directly trigger melanin production, leading to the development of dark spots.
Some cosmetic products may irritate your skin, resulting in dark spots.
Knowing what are dark spots and their causes is half the battle won. Now, let’s learn more about the types of dark spots on face to address them in the right way!
What Are the Different Types of Dark Spots?
Understanding the different types of dark spots on your face is key to picking the right treatment.
- Sunspots/Liver Spots/Age Spots
Sunspots, liver spots, or age spots refer to small, flat, dark patches that appear on areas (face, hands, and arms) that receive excessive sun exposure.
Read our guide on to know more about this skin woe and how to address it like a pro.
It’s a type of hyperpigmentation that reveals as brown to gray-brown patches on the face. Melasma is typically noticeable on the cheeks, forehead, and upper lip. This type of dark spot on the face is often triggered by hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy or in women taking oral contraceptives.
- Post inflammatory Hyperpigmentation (PIH)
Post inflammatory hyperpigmentation occurs due to overproduction and irregular deposition of melanin in the epidermis or dermis. Various skin injuries, like acne, eczema, trauma, or dermatologic procedures, usually trigger this. You can identify this pigment disorder by the color of the patches that ranges from tan, brown, dark brown, or even blue-gray patches and spots on your skin.
Freckles are another type of dark spots on face, caused by sun exposure. These small, flat spots appear on the arms and chest as well.
How to Reduce Dark Spots on Face?
Minimizing the appearance of dark spots on face is no cakewalk. With patience, consistency, and the right mix of skincare, healthy habits, you can notice visible changes. Here are some expert-approved tips to tackle those stubborn marks.
1. Sunscreen is a Must
In your journey towards getting clear skin, make sunscreen your BFF. Pick a broad-spectrum SPF 30+ or higher and apply it every day, even if you are indoors or it’s cloudy outside. Don’t forget to reapply every two hours, especially if you are outside and immediately after swimming or sweating.
Pro tip: For added sun protection, wear a wide-brimmed hat or scarf and try to avoid peak sun hours.
2. Choose Targeted Skincare Ingredients
Wondering how to reduce dark spots on face? Build an anti-dark spots skin care routine with the powerful ingredient for dark spots and hyperpigmentation
- Glycolic Acid: When used in skincare, glycolic acid benefits by exfoliating dead skin and reducing melanin build-up.
- Vitamin C: Thwarts melanin production and brightens skin.
- Niacinamide: Prevents melanosome transfer, reducing pigmentation.
- Retinol: Boosts cell turnover, fading dark spots over time.
- MelasylTM: Products with MelasylTM targets dark spots, discoloration, and UV-induced hyperpigmentation like a pro.
3. Gently Exfoliate Your Skin
Remove dead skin cells and reveal bright skin underneath with regular exfoliation. For best results, choose chemical exfoliants like AHA (glycolic acid) to notice improved results for dark spots.
4. Use Targeted Serums
Pick an anti-dark spots brightening serum and apply it twice a day on cleansed skin. If you use serum with actives like glycolic acid in the morning, don’t forget to wear sunscreen.
5. Stay Hydrated and Moisturized
A healthy skin barrier is crucial to prevent irritation, which can make dark spots worse. Look for moisturizers that contain ceramides, hyaluronic acid, etc.
6. Don’t Pick Pimples
Here’s a great tip on how to reduce dark spots on face - don’t pick or squeeze pimples as it can lead to inflammation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Control this common urge to pop pimples and pave the way for a spot-free, bright complexion.
For more tips, read our guide on How to Reduce Dark Spots and Hyperpigmentation.
Read this guide carefully to get answers for queries - ‘what are dark spots on face’, what are the causes and types of dark spots on face’, ‘how to reduce dark spots on face’, and more! Remember, dark spots don’t vanish overnight. It may take some time to see visible changes, so be patient and consistent with the routine.
Need help with your skincare routine? Navigate through the L'Oréal Paris Skin Genius tool to get personalized skincare routine and product recommendations in no time. Browse through the L'Oréal Paris skin care products range and skin care blogs to achieve healthy and spotless skin. Your journey to radiant, even-toned skin starts now!
