Dark spots are caused when the skin produces excess of melanin. Resultantly, this forms spots on the skin (on different body parts), that are specifically darker around the encompassing part. This skin condition is also called hyperpigmentation. These dark spots generally show up on arms, legs, face, and some other body parts. In some cases, they are caused due to over the top exposure to sunlight. Normally, they are innocuous, however, they might be forecasting an incoming and hidden skin condition.
Dark spots, such as age spots or scarring. They can make your skin tone look uneven, which isn’t good for makeup too! Such conditions often prompt many people into trying some dark spot removing remidies/products. However, we collected some of the best home remedies and market products that you can use to remove the dark spots. In this article, we’ve summarized what causes these dark spots, their different types and remedies!
Causes of Dark Spots
Mainly, dark spots are caused because of the excess formation of melanin in specific parts of your skin. Melanin is a shade, that your body delivers, to provide shading to the hair, eyes and skin. Additionally, there are many other factors that may pave the way for you to get dark spots. They are listed below.
- Sitting in the direct sunlight for too long can cause the presence of dark spots on our face. This is because it helps expand the generation of melanin on the outside of your skin. To avoid this, you need to follow these tips for moisturizing after a sunburn.
- Hormonal lopsided characteristics can also cause hyperpigmentation, which in result, prompts the presence of dark spots on several parts of your skin.
- One of the underrated causes of dark spots include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, tetracycline, and psychotropic medications, which can significantly prompt the melanin creation.
Types of Dark Spots
- Lentigines – They are caused when you’re overly exposed to the sunlight. However, they are also considered as progressively normal in individuals of more than 60 years of age. Nonetheless, have a look at some tips for keeping your ageing skin moisturized.
- Melesma – These type of dark spots are caused due to hormonal vacillations, and are clearly noticeable during menopause or pregnancy.
- Post-provocative Hyperpigmentation – It is mainly caused by skin conditions, like skin break outs and consumes. Sometimes, dark spots caused by skin break outs are generally shaped when sebum gets oxidized and don’t harm the skin in any way.
How to Remove Dark Spots?
Whenever a pimple marks its presence on your beautiful face, it is meant to cause a spot even after it’s gone. This is baffling, yet normal. There is no need to panic, as there are a number of home remedies that you can try to get rid of these dark spots, or even ageing spots. They are listed below.
Some Home Remedies to Treat Dark Spots
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
It contains acetic acid, which is medically proven to lighten the pigmentation on your skin. All you need to do is combine apple cider vinegar with water in a container, and apply it to the affected parts. Let it stay for 2 to 3 minutes and then rinse using lukewarm water.
2. Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera contains a natural depigmenting compound, called aloin that affectively lightens your skin as a nontoxic hyperpigmentation treatment. You need to apply the gel to pigmented areas before sleep and rinse using warm water in the morning.
3. Red Onion
The extract of red onion is a crucial ingredient in many scar lightening products. According to the medical research, dried skin of red onions can affectively help lighten the scar spots. You need to look for creams for hyperpigmentation that contain Allium Cepa and use as directed.
4. Milk
Milk, sour milk, and even butter milk have been proven to affectively lighten the skin pigmentation. Lactic acid is the main ingredient that is responsible for this effect. Soak a cotton ball in any type of milk and rub it over the skin patches with dark spots twice a day.
5. Licorice Extract
Licorice extract contains many essential ingredients that help lighten the pigmented areas of your skin and specifically treat the hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure and melisma. Many topical creams containing licorice extract are easily available in the market.
Top 5 Best Dark Spot Correctors/Removers in the Market
Some people are not a fan of home remedies and prefer buying the commercially available dark spot removing creams or correctors, to treat their hyperpigmentation. With an increasing number of skin problems among masses, people tend to act impulsively and henceforth, end up buying products that may damage their skin in the future. To help you select the best dark spot corrector or remover available, we’ve made a list. Have a look at our top 5 picks.
Name | How to Apply | Important Features |
Apply the Latorice Dark Spot Corrector on affected areas and slowly back rub with ring and middle finger and tap the skin lightly for some time. Repeat the process twice in a day. | It is a lightening serum that is equipped with Kojic acid, Salicylic acid, Lactic acid, 4-Butylresorcinol, and Morinda Citrifolia extract. The acids help slowly peel off the dark spots and show brighter skin. It is free from alcohol, gluten and any kind of fragrance. | |
EnaSkin Dark Spot Corrector Remover | In the morning and evening, apply a few drops of EnaSkin Dark Spot corrector after softening and strengthening. Dispense serum onto your palm and apply it directly over your face. | EnaSkin Dark Spot Corrector is one of the most bought spot removers on Amazon. Being formulated with advanced Ingredient 4-Butylresorcinol, Lactic acid, Kojic acid, and Salicylic acid, it affectively lightens up many parts of the body. |
Pond's Clarant B3 Dark Spot Correcting Cream, 1.75 Oz | You simply need to apply the cream once or twice a day on the face or neck and gently massage with your fingers. Make sure to cleanse the skin before applying. However, it is for an external use only. | It comes with vitamins B3 and C and evens the skin tone in 2 weeks. It affectively reduces the dark spots in span of 4 weeks and is Dermatologist tested. Pond’s Clarant B3 Dar Spot Correcting Cream is hypoallergenic and won’t clog the pores. |
AOBBIY Dark Spot Corrector | Apply the AOBBIY Dark Spot Corrector on your pigmented areas once or twice in a day. | AOBBIY Dark Spot Corrector is equipped with highly affective antioxidant ingredient, called Gluthione, which lightens the dark spots, removes blemishes, and enhances anti-ageing and skin elasticity. It has the dual functions of ‘inhibition’ and ‘anti-oxidation’, to combat melanin more affectively. It can also directly be absorbed by cells across the skin barrier and interfere with melanin synthesis in those cells. |
CITYGOO Dark Spot Remover | It can be applied during the day and night time. However, during the night time, CITYGOO Dark Spot Remover works naturally with your skin’s rhythm and significantly reduces the dark spots, sun spots, dullness and post acne marks. Therefore, make sure to cleanse your face and then gently apply this product over your skin. | It is formulated with intensive skin tone correcting technology, including the unique combination of vitamin E, SOD, licorice root extract, α-arbutin, and nicotinamide. It can effectively inhibit the activity of tyrosinase in skin, and blocks the formation of melanin. It removes chloasma, pigment, and facial freckles. |
Treat Your Dark Spots – Don’t Overlook Them
Dark Spots may not be one of those life threatening diseases but they do put a dent in your confidence and personality. If they’ve appeared because of some drastic weather/environment changes, they’d be gone with some over the shelf home remedies or the above mentioned top notch dark spot removing products. However, if they are still not gone, you might need to consult a dermatologist. Sometimes, they may need a long time to vanish, and at times, they may be an indication of an underlying harmful skin condition. Therefore, keep your skin moisturized in hot and dry environments and don’t ignore these little monsters!!