Fine lines and dark spots are an inevitable side-effect of aging regardless of your skin color or ethnicity. At some point, all of us will fall victim to aging, and the first sign to appear are the annoying dark spots which are often caused by prolonged sun exposure – so if you’re still in your 20’s or early 30’s, it’s not too late to start protecting your skin against sun damage by using broad-spectrum 50+ SPF sunscreen and always keeping your body hydrated and moisturized.
Age spots often show up on hands, feet, neck and face, which are often more exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays. This is because sun exposure triggers the production of melanocytes, the melanin cells under the skin, which give us that sun-kissed bronzed complexion after tanning.
While age spots are almost inevitable, there are some clever ways to reduce them. But before you try any of these home remedies to reverse signs of aging, consult with your doctor to ensure that the spots you are treating are only benign, not cancerous (unlike some of the other serious skin conditions like melanoma which look similar to age spots but can become life-threatening).
Here some of the best and easiest home remedies for reducing the appearance of age spots to give you a flawlessly youthful skin even in old age!
Lemon Juice
When it comes to skincare, citric acid is your best friend. Lemon is by far the most abundant source of citric acid which helps in lightening your complexion naturally and exfoliating your skin to remove the layer of dead skin cells.
To naturally reduce the appearance of age spots and skin discoloration, simply apply lemon juice to the affected area twice a day until you see improvements. Always choose fresh lemon juice over the bottled variety because the pre-packaged stuff often contains chemicals that may be harmful to your skin.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider is another great bleaching agent with similar properties as lemon juice. The hydroxy acids in this vinegar can help in reducing the appearance of dark spots and brighten your overall complexion by removing the dead skin layer.
Since the cider can be pretty drying on its own, we recommend adding a few drops of olive oil to it before applying to skin. For best results, apply the mixture to affected areas once a day and leave it for 20 minutes. For those with sensitive skin, the acid can be diluted with water before being applied to minimize redness or irritation.
Onion Juice
This might sound gross but applying onion juice to your age spots can gradually minimize their appearance with time. This is because onions are a great source of sulfur compounds (hence the tears whenever you chop ‘em) known for their antiseptic properties.
While lemon juice and vinegar are often more effective in reducing age spots, these methods don’t suit every skin type. Those who are more sensitive to natural acids can replace lemon juice with onion juice which doesn’t irritate the skin. Either rub fresh onion slices on the affected areas of the skin twice or even thrice a day or mix pure onion juice with equal parts of honey and apply this mask once every day, leaving the mixture on your skin for at least 15 minutes.
Horseradish
Horseradish is a great source of vitamin C which helps in reducing the melanin production and getting rid of skin pigmentation that causes age spots. This root vegetable is also rich in antioxidants like glucosinolates which improve blood circulation and eliminate harmful toxins from your body. For best use, make a paste out of horseradish and apply it to affected areas of the skin, leaving it on for 20 minutes. This method works best when repeated a few times a week.
Aloe Vera
You must have heard of aloe vera, a versatile ingredient popularly used in skincare products. This gel-like compound is very effective in reducing skin ailments like dark spots. Simply take fresh aloe vera straight from the plant and apply it directly to the skin once a day. Since aloe vera is very gentle, you can it on for as long as you want, or until it starts to feel sticky on the skin.