What Causes Dark Spots on The Face?
Our Best Products for Dark Spots on The Face?
How Can You Prevent Dark Spots on The Face?
What Causes Dark Spots on The Face?
Dark spots appear on the face when the skin suffers an injury of some kind. This could be from damage caused by UV exposure, a pimple, ageing, or even hormonal imbalances caused by pregnancy.
Dark spots or hyperpigmentation are how dermatologists describe uneven patches of skin. Appearing darker than the rest of your complexion, they are non-uniform and give an overall uneven appearance to the skin. If this is a concern you’ve noticed on your own skin, rest assured that they’re not harmful but can be both treated and prevented if they bother you.
UV Damage
In the case of UV exposure, the skin becomes darker as a means of protecting itself. It sends a signal to cells called Melanocytes that sit on the basal layer of the epidermis. The role of these cells is to protect the skin by creating extra melanin – a substance that creates the colour of our skin and eyes. So, when your skin goes darker (or tanned) in the sun, it’s a sign that it’s been over exposed to UV radiation. Dark spots can then be left behind once your skin returns to its natural colour.
Hormone Imbalances
A type of dark spot called melasma can appear during pregnancy or when a woman is on certain types of contraception or hormone treatment. This change of hormones causes Melanocytes to malfunction and create extra melanin when it’s not needed. Thankfully, this often resolves itself when a woman’s hormones return to normal, such as after pregnancy, and therefore the Melanocytes receive the right amount of nutrients to function normally.
Ageing
Another major cause of dark spots is the natural ageing process. Oxidative stress affects the skin as we age causing collagen levels to deplete and blood vessels to be weakened. This, in turn, creates oxidative stress which activates excess melanin in the skin.
Our Best Products for Dark Spots on The Face?
The best way of improving the appearance of dark spots is with a dedicated skincare routine that gently exfoliates and brightens the skin. Not sure where to begin? Take a look at our recommended three-step routine.
In the day:
Step 1: Use A Gently Exfoliating Toner
Refine skin texture with Vichy’s Mattifying 3-in-1 toner that combines salicylic and glycolic acids. Another of its key ingredients is vitamin C, an antioxidant that brightens and smooths the complexion while simultaneously reducing dark patches. For best results, apply it with a cotton pad after cleansing.
Normaderm Purifying Astringent Toning Lotion
Step 2: Brighten the Complexion with a Targeted Serum
Liftactiv Specialist Dark Spots & Pigmentation Serum 30ml is a powerful serum from Vichy’s Liftactiv Specialist range, formulated to help target dark spots and wrinkles. It contains derm-active ingredients comprising 4% Niacinamide, Vitamin CG, Glycolic acid, and Tranexamic acid to help brighten and smooth the complexion while leaving a more even appearance. Apply a few drops to the face and neck each morning and evening after cleansing.
Liftactiv Specialist B3 5% Niacinamide & AHA Complex Dark Spots & Pigmentation Serum 30ml
Step 3: Use an Anti-Dark Spots Day Cream
Once you’ve targeted dark spots with products that exfoliate and smooth the surface of the skin, moisturising will help to enhance your results and strengthen the skin. Liftactiv B3 Anti-Dark Spots Cream SPF50 is specially formulated to help correct and reduce all types of pigmentation and wrinkles. It contains Niacinamide (vitamin B3) alongside Vitamin E and Hyaluronic acid, to help improve the overall appearance of the skin, and LHA, a peeling active that promotes skin-surfacing. The formula helps to reduce the appearance of existing dark spots combined with ultra high broad-spectrum SPF50 to help prevent pigmentation induced by UV-damage.
Step 4: Capital Soleil UV-Age Daily SPF50+
Always remember to protect skin with SPF, to protect from further UV damage and dark spots. Capitol Soleil UV-Age Daily SPF50 is a very high broad-spectrum UVA and UVB sunscreen, enriched with peptides, niacinamide, vitamin E, and our multi-patented Netlock technology. This formula protects the skin and helps to correct UV-induced wrinkles and dark spots, while strengthening the skin’s defence barrier function.
Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF50+ Facial Sunscreen
At night:
Step 1: Liftactiv Retinol Serum
Retinol is one of the most effective ways of improving the appearance of dark spots. Vichy’s Liftactiv Retinol Serum helps to improve the overall tone and radiance of the complexion with 0.2% Pure Retinol and 1% Probiotic derived fractions, a cultured bacterial lysate. This potent combination helps to promote skin renewal and improves overall suppleness and firmness. Apply it in the evening after cleansing, starting two to three times a week initially. You can then increase your usage as your skin becomes more tolerant. Don’t forget to follow it with broad-spectrum sunscreen the following morning.
Liftactiv 0.2% Pure Retinol Specialist Deep Wrinkles Serum 30ml
Step 2: Target Signs of Ageing with A Targeted Night Cream
At night, we recommend Vichy Liftactiv B3 Tone Correcting Night Cream with pure retinol, for a more even skin tone and radiant skin. Combat pigmentation caused by day-to-day exposure with our powerful blend of niacinamide (vitamin B3) and 0.15% pure retinol. Liftactiv B3 tone correcting night cream promotes skin surface cell renewal and helps even out skin tone during the night.
Vichy Liftactiv B3 tone correcting Night Cream, Pure Retinol
How Can You Prevent Dark Spots on The Face?
UV damage is a major cause of dark spots as it causes the skin to produce more protective melanin. This is why the skin tans in the sun. So, by applying broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin, you can prevent them from appearing in the future but also stop existing darker patches from becoming darker.
You should also re-apply sunscreen to your face and body every two hours to ensure your skin remains protected throughout the day. Don’t forget that UVA penetrates the deep layers of the dermis and is present all year round – even when its cloudy. So, by making suncream a daily part of your skincare routine, you’ll not only be protecting your skin from premature ageing and serious health concerns, but dark spots, too.
If your dark spots are caused by another skin concern such as psoriasis or pimples, you’ll need to treat the root cause before treating the dark spots. It may be best to speak to a dermatologist or other skin expert about how best to tackle both areas.
A Brighter-Faced Future
Now that you know more about the causes and treatments of dark spots, you should feel more confident in caring for your skin in the future. It’s important to remember that dark spots aren’t harmful to your skin, but if you do wish to improve their appearance, there are many targeted products that can help make a significant difference.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen is always a good idea and should be applied as the last step in your morning routine. You can then add in key products that are suited to your skin type and are full of efficacious ingredients known to target dark spots.
After a personalised skincare routine recommendation? Try SKIN CONSULT AI, our online skin analysis and routine finder developed with dermatologists.
Featured Products
Normaderm Purifying Astringent Toning Lotion
Vichy Liftactiv B3 tone correcting Night Cream, Pure Retinol
Liftactiv 0.2% Pure Retinol Specialist Deep Wrinkles Serum 30ml
Capital Soleil UV Age Daily SPF50+ Facial Sunscreen
