Dark spots are brown, black, or grey coloured marks on your skin that make it look uneven and discoloured. Even though these spots do not cause pain, itching, or discomfort, they can still be a matter of concern for cosmetic reasons. 1
Likewise, whether it is dark spots caused by pimples or pigmentation on the face, these little facial flaws can make you feel underconfident and uncomfortable in your skin.
That is why we have brought you five excellent natural remedies and five best OTC solutions to reduce dark spots on the face. These solutions will not only help to remove pigmentation from the face but can also give you healthier, more glowing skin.
Do you know:
- Melasma, a pigmentary disorder that causes greyish-brown coloured dark spots on the face, affects almost 90% of women and 10% of men across all races and ethnicities. 2
- Periorbital hyperpigmentation, more commonly called dark circles, has the highest prevalence among Asians. At least 50% of Indian women have dark circles on their upper eyelids.
- 70% of people under the age of 35 years, including both men and women in India, have post-acne pigmentation. This is nothing but the presence of discolouration and dark spots on the skin.
While the reasons for pigmentation on the face and other body parts can vary from person to person, it can sometimes also result from internal issues related to your blood. To identify these issues, you can book a blood test at home.
Once you know what the actual cause of your dark spots is, choosing the best method to remove dark spots caused by pimples and reduce pigmentation on the face becomes easy.
What Are Dark Spots and How Are They Caused?
A pigment called melanin gives your skin its colour. When there is an overproduction of melanin, it results in hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmentation is skin discolouration that makes some areas of your skin look comparatively darker in colour than other areas. As a result, dark spots appear.
The common causes of dark spots include—
- Sun exposure
- Hormonal imbalances
- Side effects of some medicines
- Acne
- Inflammation due to diseases like psoriasis and eczema
- Skin injuries 3
5 Natural Remedies to Remove Dark Spots on The Face
There are several home remedies that can help you to remove dark spots from the face naturally. These involve the use of—
1. Aloe Vera Gel
Why Does It Work?
Aloe vera contains chemicals that destroy the existing melanin cells and stop the formation of more melanin to remove dark spots caused by pimples and reduce pigmentation on the face.
It also has skin-lightening properties that—
- Minimise the effects of hyperpigmentation
- Protect your skin against sun damage 4
How To Use?
- Apply a thin layer of aloe vera gel to the pigmented area and leave it on there
- Repeat this step a few times throughout the day
- Another way is to apply the gel overnight on the dark spots and wash it off the next morning using warm water 5
2. Turmeric
Why Does It Work?
Offering a wide variety of cosmetic benefits ranging from skin lightening to acne healing, turmeric has been used for centuries by our ancestors to get that natural glow. 6
But how does it help to remove dark spots on the face? Turmeric has a pigment called curcumin that possesses anti-carcinogenic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Therefore, research has shown that, when applied topically, turmeric has a high potential to reduce pigmentation on the face and remove dark spots caused by pimples. 7
How To Use?
You can make a turmeric mask using—
- Greek yoghurt
- Honey
- Turmeric
Apply the mask for fifteen minutes and rinse off with water to remove dark spots on the face.
Remember that turmeric can leave a yellow stain on your skin and might not be suitable for everyone. Always do a patch test on a small part of your skin to see if it causes an allergic reaction.
3. Milk
Why Does It Work?
Milk contains lactic acid. Lactic acid has been well known to lighten the skin and remove pigmentation from the face.
How To Use?
To reduce dark spots on the face—
- Dip a cotton ball into the milk of your choice and rub it on your dark spots and pigmented skin.
- Repeat this process at least two times a day.
4. Yogurt
Why Does It Work?
Yoghurt contains natural probiotics (healthy bacteria). As per research conducted in 2015, these natural probiotics help remove dark spots on the face and give you an even skin tone. Thus, applying a yoghurt mask is an excellent home remedy to reduce pigmentation on the face easily at home. 8
How To Use?
- Take 1 cup of yoghurt and mix a little quantity (7-8 drops) of lemon juice in it
- Apply this mask after washing your face
- Keep it on for at least 15 minutes
- After 15 minutes, wash it off
5. Apple Cider Vinegar
Why Does It Work?
The presence of acetic acid in apple cider vinegar makes it a great ingredient to remove dark spots caused by pimples. Since apple cider vinegar is antibacterial in nature, it can be readily used as a dark spot correction home treatment to remove pigmentation from the face. 9
How To Use?
- Add equal quantities of water and apple cider vinegar in a bowl and mix them
- Apply this mixture directly to your dark spots and let it stay there for at least 2-3 minutes
- Wash it off using lukewarm water
- Repeat these steps at least two times a day to achieve quick results
OTC Creams to Remove Pigmentation and Dark Spots: 5 Effective Options
OTC is the short form for over-the-counter. OTC creams are non-prescription creams that are easily available at a local store or a medical shop.
When your attempts to remove dark spots caused by pimples fail and no natural remedies seem to be working properly, OTC creams can help you remove black spots from the face in a more targeted way.
However, it is important to note that even though OTC creams can indeed help to remove pigmentation from the face, their suitability varies from person to person. That is why it is essential to consider a medical expert as soon as you notice any side effects, like irritation, from using them.
Below, we have detailed five effective OTC treatment options that you can consider to remove dark spots from the face—
1. Topical Retinoids
Topical retinoids are among the most common OTC treatments recommended to remove dark spots caused by pimples and to reduce pigmentation on the face.
How Does It Work?
Topical Retinoids work efficiently well to—
- Control the oil production on your face
- Fight against acne-causing bacteria
- Reduce inflammation
- Reverse the effects of sun damage
- Treat Psoriasis
Commonly available forms of OTC retinoids that you can use to remove dark spots on the face include—
2. Hydroquinone Creams
Hydroquinone is an ingredient that possesses skin-lightening properties. It helps to remove pigmentation from the face by bleaching the facial skin. Hydroquinone creams are safe and effective and are well recognised by The United States Food and Drug Administration (US FDA) Department.11
How Does It Work?
- The primary cause of hyperpigmentation is the excessive production of melanin (a pigment that gives colour to your skin).
- Due to its bleaching nature, hydroquinone destroys melanin-producing cells to control its production.
- As a result, it is able to remove dark spots caused by pimples easily and effectively, giving you more even-toned skin.
OTC hydroquinone creams usually start showing results within 1-3 months of use. However, if you don't see any positive effects within the first 3 months, you must contact your dermatologist to get a stronger solution.
3. Kojic Acid Containing Products
While looking for OTC creams to reduce dark spots on the face, kojic acid is one ingredient that you should not miss out on.
How Does It Work?
The mechanism of action of kojic acid is very similar to that of hydroquinone. Like hydroquinone, it also works to reduce dark spots on the face by—
- Bleaching the skin: Because it has skin whitening and lightening properties
- Reducing melanin production: By destroying Melanocytes, the cells that release melanin
Hence, whether it is for hyperpigmentation or to remove black spots from the face, kojic acid creams can help you get rid of it all. 12
4. Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a well-known brightening agent that works excellently well to remove pigmentation from the face.
How Does It Work?
Vitamin C has a multitude of benefits. It is one of the safest OTC ways to remove dark spots caused by pimples that gives you healthy and glowing skin by—
Minimising redness and hyperpigmentation on your face
- Lightening your dark circles (especially the ones present under your eyes)
- Increasing collagen production
- Hydrating your skin
- Protecting your skin against sunburns
That is why adding vitamin C serums and creams to your daily skincare routine is a great way to remove dark spots on the face.
The best part is that vitamin C is safe for most skin types, and you can easily use it along with other anti-hyperpigmentation agents like retinol and sunscreen 13
5. Chemical Exfoliants
The market has a huge variety of chemical exfoliants that are specially designed to improve skin appearance and texture. You can easily find them online or buy them from a local pharmacy.
To remove dark spots caused by pimples and to reduce pigmentation on the face, the two best options are AHAs and BHAs.
5.1. AHA (Alpha-Hydroxy Acid)
To remove dark spots caused by pimples, there are two good options of AHAs—
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
AHAs reduce dark spots on the face and also help with problems like—
- Hyperpigmentation
- Age spots
- Active Acne
- Acne scars
- Melasma
- Rough skin
- Sun damage
5.2. BHA (Beta-Hydroxy Acid)
Salicylic acid is the most popular BHA type. It is antibacterial and is readily found in many OTC products, ranging from—
- Face washes
- Serums
- Gels
- Creams
- Lotions 14
BHAs are less aggressive than AHAs and, therefore, offer lesser chances of allergic reactions. Both of these acids help to reduce pigmentation on the face by offering mild to moderate exfoliation. Consistent use can also help to remove dark spots caused by pimples.
Combining Natural Remedies with OTC Creams to Reduce Pigmentation on The Face
While home remedies work best for mild to moderate dark spots, OTC creams, when used consistently, can help you remove black spots from the face, especially the ones that are too stubborn. However, when the individual use of any of these methods does not work well for you, combining both can help you achieve better results.
Here are some ways to combine OTC solutions with home remedies to remove dark spots caused by pimples faster—
- Lemon Juice & Vitamin C Serum: Lemon juice has plenty of Vitamin C. Hence, you can use a lemon juice face mask twice a week and add a vitamin C brightening serum to your daily skin care regimen.
- Natural Aloe Vera Face Mask & Aloe Vera Cleanser: You can use a naturally made aloe vera face mask once a week and replace your face wash with one containing aloe vera. You can also use a moisturiser that has aloe vera as the main ingredient daily. 15
Preventive Measures and Maintenance
The best way to remove dark spots on the face and prevent their occurrence is to adopt healthy habits for skin protection.
Here are some ways in which you can do this—
- Wear sunscreen: Protect your skin against UVA and UVB damage (sun damage) by wearing sunscreen with a high SPF. SPF means sun protection factor. Choose a sunscreen with broad-spectrum, that has SPF 30 or greater.
- Avoid staying outdoors in peak sunlight hours: The UV radiations of the sun are at their peak between 10 am and 2 pm. So, ensure that you don't stay under direct sun during these hours. 16
- Have a balanced diet: Your skin needs internal care along with external maintenance. Hence, consuming foods high in antioxidants, zinc, calcium, and vitamins A, B, E, and C can help to maintain your skin health.
All in all, there are many ways to remove dark spots on the face, ranging from home remedies like the aloe vera gel application and apple cider vinegar to OTC solutions like topical retinoids and chemical exfoliants.
However, dark spots can sometimes also be a result of a serious underlying skin condition. To find out if you are at risk of any of these, you can take a complete body checkup package.
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