What to wear if you want to avoid dark spots

Why Do Dark Spots Form?

Sun exposure can lead to excess melanin production, which can result in brown spots forming on your face, hands, and neck. Another cause of dark spots is skin trauma which can form through picking at your skin and acne scars. Dark spots and hyperpigmentation can also form through hormonal changes such as pregnancy and menopause.

In your skin there is a substance called melanocyte which produces melanin. If melanocyte becomes overstimulated it can produce too much melanin.

The sun is the number one cause of excess pigmentation. Pigmentation doesn’t just manifest on the face but can also form on chest, neck and hands. The simplest way to avoid dark spots is diligently wearing SPF and limiting sun exposure.

When you squeeze a pimple you can cause skin trauma so avoid picking or squeezing blemishes. Dark skin can be particularly sensitive and is more likely to become pigmented than fair skin.

Hyperpigmention can be categorized in several groups.

Lentigo/Lentigenes: This is one freckle versus freckles plural.

Solar Lentigenes: These are freckles or can also be referred to as age or liver spots and caused by sun exposure.

Melasma: This type of hyperpigmentation is also known as “pregnancy mask” and is a result of hormone fluctuations during pregnancy or in conjunction with birth control. Melasma appear as dark splotches on the face except for the eye area.

SPF should be your best friend when it comes to skin care and preventing dark spots from forming. When it comes to avoiding dark spots it is “most important is to have a broad spectrum SPF protection (from both UVA and UVB rays) to minimize and prevent new spots,” says Nannan Chen, Associate Principal Scientist, Garnier Scientific Affairs. “Using a product that stimulates surface skin cell turnover and exfoliation also helps speeds up the rate at which you can correct existing visible spots (for example, glycolic acid).”

You can either choose to wear SPF as a separate product or use a moisturizer or BB cream with SPF. Garnier SkinActive’s Clearly Brighter Anti-Sun Damage Daily Moisturizer works two ways: it can help brighten the appearance of existing dark spots with continued usage over time and also protect your skin from sun damage. This product is formulated with an antioxidant complex of Vitamin C and E, as well as gentle exfoliating lipo-hydroxyl acid (LHA). It’s fast absorbing and helps reduce the look of visible sun-damage, revealing radiant, more even-toned, younger-looking skin.

If you’re looking for coverage of blemishes, a BB cream might be the right product for you. BB creams often have formulas with antioxidants such Vitamin A, C and E which can help skin elasticity and brightness. Some contain hyaluronic acid which helps moisturize skin. BB creams also typically contain an SPF which is the best protection against skin aging. With its concealing properties BB cream can even out skin tone and perfect skin unevenness.

Try Garnier’s SkinActive 5-in-1 Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream. It comes in a variety of shades and designs for various skin types from dry to oily skin. It also has broad spectrum SPF 15 which protects your skin from the sun.

If you have dark spots that have formed for reasons other than the sun, an overnight peel can help reduce their appearance. Try Garnier SkinActive’s Clearly Brighter Overnight Leave-On Peel formulated with glycolic alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) and Vitamin C to help even skin tone and reduces the look of dark spots while you sleep.

Wide-brimmed hats offer protection from the sun particularly on days where you will be exposed for long periods of time such as beach days or sitting at a sporting event in the summer. Always wear a hat to prevent excessive sun exposure and prevent dark spots from forming on your face, neck and chest area.

Another thing to wear when you’re in the sun is sunglasses. Your eye area is extremely delicate. Protect this area to slow down the appearance of skin aging.