Natural cosmetics for dark spots on the face

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For this, various substances are used which generally act on the cells which produce these pigments (melanocytes). On the other hand, by accelerating skin cell renewal, the manufactured melanin has a hard time pigmenting the new cells. Thus, the skin tends to lighten with any exfoliating treatment (creams, peels, abrasions, scrubs, etc.) that will “refresh” the complexion.

Lightening products against stains

Hydroquinone and corticosteroids are reserved for certain medical uses. Their misuse can cause serious skin problems. The other products are quite numerous. None are really miraculous but, used with regularity and perseverance, they can bring good results.Here are the most used:

Plant products and extracts

Arbutin (deoxyarbutin): close to hydroquinone but without its risks (some say “phytohydroquinone”). It is found in certain fruits (pears, blackberries, strawberry tree, bearberry, etc.). In Indian cosmetics these fruits can be applied to the skin (in strips or mashed).

Kojic acid : produced naturally by certain fungi or by fermentation, it is quite effective in treating age spots.

phytic acid : is also an antioxidant that is mainly found in cereals.

aloesin : is found in aloe vera. It is skin lightening, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. The inside of aloe leaves is used in cosmetic care by direct application of fresh gel or incorporated into creams.

 Brightening essential oilsSome essential oils have depigmenting properties. However, they must be used with caution because any irritation of the skin could (with the sun or UV) cause new pigment spots.These are essential oils of:

– celery (to be used in the evening only because of the risk of photosensitization)– carrot– citrus– geranium– ylang ylang.

Other depigmenting active ingredients

Niacinamide is the active form of vitamin B3 (niacin).

Rucinol and flavonoid plants (such as artichoke or skullcap): have no undesirable side effects.

Azelaic acid : also widely used against acne and rosacea, it has an exfoliating effect and can be slightly irritating. It is not known to have a general toxic effect.

Alpha-hydroxy acids

It can be fruit acids (glycolic, malic, lactic, tartaric, citric acid…), or even retinoic, ascorbic (Vitamin C), linoleic, glycyrrhizic (from licorice) acid.

They are not really depigmenting agents but they promote cell renewal in the skin. These are exfoliants that increase the action of the depigmenting products with which they are often associated.

How to do it in practice

Products dedicated to the treatment of brown spots generally combine several active ingredients. It is possible to apply them all over the face and décolleté.

It may also be more interesting, with certain products, to apply them only on the stains using specific tips or cotton swabs. The idea is to reduce color differences on the skin so that the spots stand out less rather than to lighten the complexion overall

Vegetable oils to use for blemished skin:

The application of a vegetable oil, in the evening, is a good moisturizing and nourishing treatment for the skin. Spotted skin can use coconut, lily or castor oils.

Ayurveda recommends saffron oil against pigmentations, supplemented with applications of liquorice extracts and aloe vera gel.

It is possible to prepare a vegetable oil to which essential oils such as, for example, carrot and geranium (about 1 to 3% of each) are added. It will be applied in the evening.

You can also apply with a cotton swab, in the evening, an organic essential oil (pay attention to its quality!) on the spots. Do not insist (one contact is enough) because the essential oils penetrate very well into the skin.

Complexion brightening masks

Cucumber mask that contains enzymes against the formation of melanin. You can also use lemon juice. The aloe vera gel mask can be enriched with essential oils.

10% liquorice macerate is also useful in this type of treatment.

Depigmenting creams

It is generally more effective to combine a depigmenting treatment with an exfoliating treatment. There are also ready-made creams that combine the two.

Exfoliating masks can be done in addition once a week or every 15 days.It is difficult to say that a depigmenting active principle is largely above the others. All have proven effects. In practice, it seems that combinations of depigmenting active ingredients give more consistent results.

It is clear that it will be necessary to find out about the chemical additives and excipients added because many creams contain paraben and other more or less toxic products.

If you opt for the natural, it is possible to prepare lightening creams without toxic excipients. In a neutral cream base, you can incorporate natural active ingredients (plant extracts, essential oils, vitamin C, etc.) or depigmenting synthetic products (azelaic acid, kojic acid, etc.), etc.

Aloe vera gel is an excellent treatment, especially for oily skin. One can perfectly use the gel of the leaves of the aloe, taken directly from a plant that one has at home. The antioxidant properties of aloe are then maximum and the cost price is almost nil. Be careful, however, to have the right variety of aloe vera with a transparent gel.

In all cases, the treatment of pigment spots is gradual and should be followed for several months.

Medical care for dark spots

If it is only a single or a few localized spots, it is more convenient and quick to use pulsed light or laser.

Nevertheless, in order to avoid the reappearance of spots, it is strongly advised to use depigmenting care afterwards.

In the context of skin aging, it should be understood that in addition to isolated spots, multiple small irregular deposits of pigments appear everywhere on the areas exposed to light. Also, it is often necessary to treat all of these areas.

Of course, we will remember that the first thing to do is to protect your skin from the sun. Inevitably, sun exposure will cause pigment spots to return, more or less quickly. Similarly, stained areas of skin can be the site of keratoses due to UV. These keratoses can themselves degenerate into epitheliomas (skin cancers). Any suspicious lesions should therefore be shown to a doctor.