Easy Non-procedural Ways to Get Rid of Age Spots

Age spots are usually harmless but are often unsightly and difficult to cover up. Rather than stressing about them, you may want to try the following methods for removing them. Some of these require a doctor’s guidance, while others you can manage on your own, but the main thing is consistency and patience.

Remember, your remedies will only work if you apply them regularly! Doing them just once or twice a week may not yield the results you’re hoping for.

Topical creams, lotions, and gels are favorable treatments for lightening age spots and other skin discolorations. The most popular options contain retinol, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, vitamin C, lactic acid, and niacinamide. One or more of these ingredients help minimize liver spots and even your skin tone.

Though often sold over the counter at most pharmacies, some topical remedies require a prescription. They also may require consistent daily applications for weeks or months for the best results.

Aging and sun exposure reduce how quickly our skin cells regenerate, allowing those dark marks to flourish. To speed up the process and give our bodies a healthy glow, you may want to try exfoliating. Doing so removes dead, discolored skin cells, letting the brighter surface below shine through.

A fantastic way to exfoliate is using a scrub made of healthy ingredients. Oatmeal, honey, and orange peels are all excellent exfoliants for age spots, containing antioxidants, vitamins, or anti-inflammatory qualities. You can combine these with your chosen carrier oil or purchase a pre-made scrub with your favorite options.

The sun provides your daily vitamin D requirement, but those ultraviolet rays aren’t safe for your skin. They are the leading cause of dark spots, often appearing during the hot summer months. We tend to expose our faces, necks, backs, shoulders, and arms, risking hyperpigmentation. The threat of skin cancer also increases which some of those marks could indicate.

Experts believe the best way to protect your skin from those harsh rays is to use SPF30 skin cream daily. Wearing protective clothing and sitting in the shade also reduces age spots.

Healthy lifestyle choices ensure better-looking skin free of dark spots, blemishes, and other problems. Whole grains, fruits, veggies, and lean meats contain the nutrients needed to clear your skin. Harsh soaps and hot water strip your skin of protective oils, so avoid these whenever possible. Use moisturizer to keep your skin supple and soft.

Eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as berries, nuts, and leafy greens, can help maintain healthy skin and possibly reduce the appearance of age spots. Drinking plenty of water helps keep your skin hydrated and healthy, which can help prevent age spots from worsening.

Stress triggers skin issues, so reducing it is vital. Try meditation, yoga, or other relaxation techniques to calm your mind and body. Smoking damages your skin by reducing circulation, collagen, and elastin, causing wrinkles and other issues. Quitting benefits your skin, ensuring fewer age spots.

To reduce the appearance of age spots without complex procedures, focus on consistent skincare. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily to prevent further darkening, and incorporate products with ingredients like vitamin C, retinoids, or alpha hydroxy acids, which help brighten the skin and promote cell turnover. Regular exfoliation can also help fade spots over time. Additionally, natural remedies like applying fresh lemon juice or aloe vera gel may help lighten spots gradually. However, patience is key, as these methods require time and consistency to see noticeable results.

Resources:

1. AARP, October 23, 2023, Lois Joy Johnson, 10 Ways to Get Rid of Pesky Age Spots
   https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/info-2021/how-to-get-rid-of-age-spots.html
2. UC Davis Health, June 24, 2024, Want to get rid of age spots? Tips to prevent and reduce dark spots
   https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/want-to-get-rid-of-age-spots-tips-to-prevent-and-reduce-dark-spots/2024/06
3. AARP, Feb. 28, 2018, Cheryl Bond-Nelms, Get the Upper Hand on Age Spots
   https://www.aarp.org/entertainment/style-trends/info-2018/natural-remedies-age-spots-fd.html
4. NCBI, March 1, 2018, Molecular and histological characterization of age spots
   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5342934/
5. PubMed, Feb. 15, 2018, Protection against summer solar lentigo over-pigmentation with a SPF30 daily cream
   https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29446160/
6. Mayo Clinic, Skin care: 5 tips for healthy skin
   https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/skin-care/art-20048237