Do you struggle with sunspots? Many of us deal with sunspots at some point of our life. Even though Vitamin D is good for your skin and health, too much of it can be a bad thing. Hyperpigmentation due to sun damage is inevitable. Although wearing a good sunscreen helps prevent sun damage, nothing is guaranteed 100%, and many of us did not wear sunscreen during our youth. As a result, those pesky sunspots creep up later in our adult years.
The greatest skin Sin-Not applying your sunscreen. I cannot stress this enough but if you don’t apply sunscreen daily, then all your skincare products are just a waste of money. What is the point of treating your scars and hyper-pigmentation issues, if you’re not protecting your skin from the sun? Trust me, I never wore sunscreen before aesthetics school, and boy did I see a huge occurrence of sun spots in my mid-twenties. For more about the dangers of not wearing sunscreen, click HERE. For other recomendations for my favorite sunscreens and dark spot lightenters click HERE.
So today I am going to discuss the best ways to help prevent sun spots from forming.
APPLY SUNSCREEN RAIN OR SHINE
You should apply sunscreen every two hours when you are going to be in the sun for hours at a time. Some products such as moisturizer or foundation contain sunscreen, however, it is not potent enough as sunscreen. While it can be beneficial to wear products that contain sunscreen, it is best to layer on sunscreen after especially if you are going to have direct exposure to the sun.
APPLY RETINOL
If I had to choose one type of product that treats many skin issues such as acne, hyper-pigmentation, and fine lines/wrinkles, then it would have to be products that contain RETINOL. Vitamin A or Retinol is an ingredient used in many skin care products as it supports the overall health of the skin. Applying retinol at least 2-3x a week can help shed dead skin cells on the surface of the skin to reveal brighter looking skin.
For more info about retinol and products that contain this handy ingredient, read my article about retinol HERE.
APPLY A BRIGHTENING SERUM
Applying a skin lightener daily can help prevent free radical damage to the skin that contributes to sunspots. There are many natural ingredients that work as a better substitute to hydroquinone such as kojic acid, niacinamide, licorice root, and vitamin c. Vitamin C is my favorite vegan skin lightening ingredient. Vitamin C is an essential ingredient in many skincare products because it is rich in antioxidants and helps speed up cell turnover rate to reveal a smoother and brighter complexion.
EXFOLIATE 2-3X PER WEEK
Exfoliation is one of the most important skincare tips. It helps shed dead skin cells and is a great way to prep your skin for face products. Like I mentioned in a previous article, did you know that as we age, our cell turnover rate decreases? This means exfoliation is crucial at least 2-3x times a week to help brighten those annoying dark spots.
WEAR SUNSCREEN AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Besides the obvious fact that you should wear sunscreen, it’s also important to make sure you are protecting all parts of your face and body from UV rays. One way to help minimize sunspots is to wear sunglasses and a hat when you are going to be outside. Sun damage can occur around the eyes as well as the neck and chest. Be sure to apply sunscreen liberally on all exposed areas of the body.
My Favorite Sunscreens
1) Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen SPF 40
I have to say, up until my mid 20’s I used to go out daily without sunscreen. In fact, I lived overseas for four years as a teenager and used to LIVE in the sun without applying sunscreen. I was young and didn’t realize the effect the sun would have on my skin as I reached my 20’s. Did you know most sun damage occurs before your 18, but doesn’t appear on the skin until your 20’s or later? After I saw the sun spots appearing on my skin, I knew it was time to take action and prevent further spots.
This is an amazing matte sunscreen and not a greasy residue like most sunscreens out there. It also doesn’t cause flashback either. I recommend you to re-apply this sunscreen every 2-3 hours when your outside in order to reap the full effects. Now you are minimizing negative effects of the sun like hyper-pigmentation.
To learn more about the importance of sunscreens, visit my article HERE.
2) ELTA MD Broad Spectrum Sunscreen with SPF 46
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 sunscreen is also oil-free and helps calm and sooth sensitive skin types prone to acne, rosacea and discoloration. I recommend this sunscreen for acne-prone, rosacea, and clients with hyperpigmentation.
Try: ElltaMD UV Sunscreen SPF 46
AVOID SUN DURING PEAK HOURS
Did you know UVA and UVB rays are strongest between the hours of 10 AM-3 PM? Besides getting a painful sunburn, you can minimize your risk of skin cancer by protecting yourself during these peak hours. If you have to be outside during these hours, purchase a sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum” meaning that it protects against two types of harmful rays: UVA and UVB. This concept includes staying away from tanning booths entirely.
CONSUME ANTIOXIDANT RICH FOODS
According to marieclaire.com, “Antioxidants neutralize free radicals to protect your skin from damage.” Foods rich in antioxidants include fish, spinach, berries, and green tea. When you eat healthy, the result is glowing and brighter skin. Antioxidants include vitamins A, C, and E and help minimize environmental effects (such as pollution) to the skin.
Here is a handy chart to pin and share I created!
To find a list of my favorite brightening serums for glowing skin, learn more HERE.
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