The passage of time is something that can’t really be fought, and we all start to age sooner or later. As you’ve become older, you may have noticed dark spots developing on the skin of your face. And despite dark spots on skin won’t affect your overall health they make you look older and you may be wondering where they’re coming from and what you should do.

Often these dark spots are caused by the sun. When you expose your skin too much to the sun rays, your body is stimulated into secreting higher amounts of melanin. So the dark patches result from an overproduction of melanin from pigment cells called melanocytes. Melanin accumulates on certain parts of the skin, specifically on your face.

Since there are many different types of dark spots caused by a number of different factors it is important to know the causes so you can choose the treatment that is most appropriate for you and how to remove dark spots on face naturally:

There are three different types of hyperpigmentation:

Senile or solar lentigines. Are benign small pigmented spot on the skin caused by exposure to UV rays from the sun. 90 percent of people over the age of 60 have them, but many much younger men and women have sun-related dark spots as well.

Melasma. This type of dark spots are caused by hormonal fluctuations. Melasma is particularly common in women, especially during pregnancy or menopause and those who are taking oral or patch contraceptives or hormone replacement therapy (HRT) medications. Melasma can also occur as a result of thyroid dysfunction.

Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). These are dark spots that occur as a result of trauma to the skin, which can be caused by psoriasis, burns, acne, and certain skin care treatments that are hard on the skin.

Why It’s Better to Do it the Natural Way?

You may be tempted to use skin-bleaching treatments or creams that will lighten the dark spots such as products with the chemical hydroquinone. The problem with hydroquinone is that it is actually potentially toxic, in addition to possibly being linked to skin cancer. “Safe” is kind of a relative term, but it’s better to be safe than sorry when dealing with substances that you’re slathering onto your face.

Best Ways to Lighten Dark Spots

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Now you may be wondering how to remove dark spots on face, since obviously bleaching agents may not be safe. Here are some alternatives to the noxious chemicals that you may find in whitening products:

• Aloe Vera

Not only can aloe vera help soothe dry skin, but it can also serve as an exfoliant that can over time scrub off that dead layer of outer skin. As the skin grows and renews, there may be lighter-colored cells underneath, returning dark patches to their original colors. Apply fresh aloe vera gel from its leaves on your skin twice a day.

• Lemon juice

Used for ages as a home-remedy bleaching agent, if you’re wondering how to remove dark spots on face, lemon juice can actually lighten your skin and give it some of its youthful glow back. Contains citric acid that has the capacity to remove the outer layer of the skin due to its acidity. Vitamin C, also plays an important role in producing collagen and inhibiting melanocytes which are the cells that produce melanin. You can apply it in a few different ways, either by directly rubbing a sliced lemon on your problem area, or by diluting it with some water and applying this mixture to your dark spots.

• Bearberry Extract

Bearberry leaves have a chemical, known as arbutin, that has been used in cosmetics for years to lighten freckles. Arbutin has proven to be even more powerful than the hydroquinone.

• Kojic Acid

Used in Japan as a natural alternative to hydroquinine Kojic acid can block the actions of a protein tyrosinase, that is essential in the production of melanin, which is what causes dark spots.

• Licorice Extract

Is an anti-inflammatory agent that can be used to treat acne scars and post inflammatory hyper-pigmentation. Licorice contains glabridin which absorbs UVA and UVB rays and acts as an effective skin-whitening agent because inhibits the production of melanin. You can mix it with any cream you use at night.

• Pearl powder

It’s not entirely clear how pearl powder works to lighten the skin, but it is likely due to its ability to inhibit the effects of melanin. Besides this, it’s also a powerful exfoliant that can help new, younger skin cells to come to the surface. Make a face mask with pearl powder and some water drops to make a paste. Apply this paste on your face and let it dry for at least 20 minutes and gently rinse off with water.

• Buttermilk

Takra (Buttermilk) has been used in Ayurvedic medicine to exfoliate and clear skin due to its acidic nature (contains lactic acid). It can be applied with cotton pads on the spots. Let it dry for at least 20 minutes and gently rinse off with water.

• Papaya

Not only tasty, papaya contains skin whitening enzymes, including papain, that can help to block melanin production, keeping your skin naturally white. The abundance of vitamin A in papaya acts as a powerful antioxidant. Papain also helps to remove dead skin cells.To apply just rubb the peeled fruit on the needed area.

• Vitamin E oil

Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant and can help your body repair damaged cells. Make sure you buy pure vitamin E oil and not mixed with other oils. Vitamin E is photosensitive so better use it at night.

• Tamanu oil

Tamanu oil has properties that help with skin regrowth to fade those dark spots naturally. Apply Tamanu oil twice daily on the affected area. Make sure you buy pure Tamanu oil certified organic.

• Rosehip seed oil

Is one of the best oils to fade dark spots. This oil has anti-aging properties and regenerates skin. Apply rosehip oil on dark spots daily as a night treatment. Make sure you buy pure rosehip oil certified organic.

• Phyllanthus Emblica (Amla)

Also known as the Indian Gooseberry, not only does this plant have antiseptic qualities and can work as an antioxidant, but it also has an ability to lighten the skin on par with hydroquinone.

• Salycilic acid

Acts as an exfoliating agent removing the outer layer of the skin, in order to expose the brighter skin underneath. Press the aspirin with a spoon until the aspirin is evenly crushed into a powder. Add some water drops to make a paste. Apply on skin and wait 5 minutes. Gently rinse off with water.

As you can see, there are a lot of choices when it comes to how to remove dark spots on your face. There’s no reason to spread noxious chemicals on yourself, when there are so many natural options.