DIY Dark Spot Solutions
How to address aging skin concerns naturally, at home.
As the years go by, our skin’s natural ability to regenerate slows, bringing with it common concerns like pigmentation, dark spots, and uneven tone.
That youthful glow might feel like a distant memory as dullness, rough texture, dryness & unwanted pigmentation begin to settle in.
But here’s the good news: while we can’t hit pause on time, we can nourish and rejuvenate our skin in ways that bring back vibrancy and softness—all without stepping out of the house.
Whether you’re tackling a lackluster complexion or aiming to restore an even tone, the right strategies and products can make all the difference.
Let’s explore how to revitalize aging skin naturally, keeping it healthy, radiant, and specifically, how to lesson those dark spots.
Understanding The Causes Of Pigmentation
1. Age-Related Pigmentation
There are multiple causes of pigmentation, but for today, we’re focusing on age-related pigmentation, which is primarily due to sun exposure over time. This leads to dark spots and an overall uneven tone, which can make our skin look older than we feel.
2. What actually are dark spots?
Dark spots are discolored patches on the skin that can appear either black, brown, or yellow in color.
The most common causes of dark spots is sun exposure. The sun’s UV rays can damage the skin cells, causing them to produce more melanin. Over time, this creates spots that can be stubborn to fade.
This is also where skin cancer begins, decades before it shows up.
3. Dull Skin and Cell Turnover
Dull skin occurs when skin can no longer reflect light uniformly and leaves skin looking tired and listless.
Cell Regeneration
The shedding of skin cells that used to take a month to turnover now remain glued in place for two to three months longer.
This prolonged adhesion can cause a buildup of scaly flaky skin, melanin build up, and a compromised barrier, leading to dehydration and dullness.
And hey, If bacteria is present, breakouts will also be present, even with mature skin.
So, we want to give our skin a boost in the cell turnover department!
Quicker cell turnover is key, because if renewal takes too long, dark spots can become even darker.
I know that improving pigmentation and dull skin can be a real challenge, especially as we age. But there are steps we can take to mitigate the damage, keeping our skin looking radiant and glowing no matter our age.
And luckily, we can tackle both issues, dark spots and dullness, together.
A side note: INTRINSIC VS EXTRINSIC AGING
First, let's talk about the two types of aging that can impact our skin: intrinsic and extrinsic aging.
Intrinsic aging is the natural process that occurs as we get older. As we age, our skin loses elasticity, becomes thinner, and there's a slowdown of cell renewal, which leads to dull skin, more clogged pores, so less clarity of the skin. Unfortunately, there's not much we can do to prevent intrinsic aging, but we can take steps to minimize its effects.
Extrinsic aging, on the other hand, is largely preventable. This type of aging is caused by external factors, such as sun exposure, smoking, tanning beds, chronic inflammation, and environmental pollution. These factors can damage our skin, leading to uneven pigmentation, those dark spots that show up and we just don't like. Avoid tanning beds!
85 to 90% is said to be extrinsic. We can do so much! So, let's get to work.
Your At Home Protocol
The combination of consistent exfoliation + brightening serums + retinoids + daily sunscreen are the solve for both prevention and current issues.
1. Exfoliation
The first key to preventing hyperpigmentation and dull skin is proper exfoliation. Exfoliation is an essential step in any skincare routine. By removing dead skin cells and impurities, exfoliation helps to reveal fresh, healthy skin and can even out skin tone.
I'm not talking about ye old apricot scrub. A gently physical scrub can be helpful but not nearly as effective as ‘chemical’ exfoliation. (And by the way, if you love a good scrub session, use one that has perfectly spherical, not jagged, jojoba wax beads to gently do the job).
Plus, It's important to exfoliate properly to avoid damaging your skin. Over-exfoliation or using harsh exfoliants can lead to irritation, inflammation, and even more pigmentation issues.
That's why I recommend gentle, yet extremely effective leave-on or chemical exfoliants (fruit acids), because that's what's going to not only remove the surface buildup, but increase cell turnover, leading to a smoother appearance.
This step is crucial if you care about the visible signs of aging. So, what you want are leave-on exfoliants that gently and effectively remove the excess dead skin cell and increase cell turnover. Plus, we're going to use melanin inhibitors to prevent more from coming up.
You could go to a clinic or spa and get a series chemical peels, but even if you do, you still want consistent gentle at home support.
You could also do a series of IPL laser work with a Derm, and you would still want to continue your at home care, or they will come back.
Product Recommendations for Gentle Exfoliation :
Both Radiance Reveal Exfoliant and Clear Skin Serum have retinoids to increase cell turnover, salicylic acid to help clean out the pores and exfoliate, fruit acids (see below) for gentle exfoliation, lactic acid and glycolic acid which are excellent for hydration and exfoliation, and vitamin C which also helps to support inhibiting melanin production, and we also have soothing and hydrating allantoin and sodium hyaluronic acid.
What makes our exfoliants shine is the gentle, yet extremely effective fruit acids used in our products, which include tartaric, malic and citric acids, which belong to the alpha hydroxy acid family (AHAs).
These water-soluble acids are usually derived from foods or plants. They weaken intercellular bonds between, or “cellular glue” that makes dead skin cells stick together.
After acids loosen those bonds, dead cells slough off, creating a smooth surface. Skin is prepped to absorb nutrients and beneficial actives.
Exfoliating fruit acids also promote cell turnover, encourage collagen production, smooth lines and wrinkles, improve sun-damaged skin, suppress hyperpigmentation and help blemish-prone skin.
2. Melanin inhibitors : Add a Brightening Serum, or two
Melanin inhibitors, which naturally suppresses spots, such as Bright On Brightening Serum paired with a stable Super C Stem Serum, on a daily basis is going to not only soften the spots you have, but help to prevent more from showing up. And it’s going to work even better now that you’ve been gently exfoliating away the dead unneeded skin cells, so your product can penetrate. And do its job.
Product Recommendations for Brightening:
Both Bright On Brightening Serum and my stable Vitamin C Serum work in tandem to brighten, boost collagen production, suppress age spots, soften what you currently have. Layer them twice a day or alternate Am and PM if you need to stretch them out. Do what you can.
3. Add A Retinol Creme At Night
Retinol is a powerhouse for brightening skin.
Retinol increases cell turnover, new skin helps push damaged skin away. Quicker cell turnover is key, b/c if renewal takes too long, dark spots can become even darker.
Product Recommendation for Retinol:
My Behave 1% Retinol Moisturizer Cream also contains hyaluronic acid for deep hydration and is of course plant based.
4. Always SUNSCREEN
Every single day, even if you’re inside, wherever your skin is exposed. Because even if you're really, really good at working your dark spot protocol on a regular daily basis and you don't use sunscreen, those spots are going to come back.
So, they need to be working together.
100% Mineral sunscreens are your safest bet.
Product Recommendations:
Check out my top sunscreens on the site.
Bonus? Add a red light device for further skin wins.
What To Expect
It takes 6 to 12 weeks of consistent use to see results as new, healthier cells reach the surface. So, stay patient and stick with it—you’ll be rewarded with a visible difference.
Is it worth it?
Will it take some time? Yes.
Will it go away completely? Probably not. But…it will not only soften the spots and even out your overall skin tone, but your complexion will brighten, smooth out and glow!
But really you need to decide your priorities. If looking and feeling better about your appearance is important, then this self care routine is crucial. It takes just minutes of pampering and self love a day, it’s just a new habit.
I can help set you up with the right protocol for your skin and your lifestyle. You only need reach out via the podcast or here on the site, in fact, I suggest you book a virtual (or in person if you’re in the SF Bay Area) consult with me, as that’s where we can make a fast track difference.
Prefer to listen in while on your walk (also great for boosting your skin)? Check out the episode on Living Visibly Over 50.
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