The Ongoing Debate over Women’s Skin
“Start using skincare in your teens to prevent early aging,” they say.
“Sunspots make you look old.”
“You need preventative Botox.”
Anti-aging messaging begins as early as the teen years, and it never stops.
But here’s the thing: Aging is just the byproduct of existing. It’s being part of a world that breaks and wears down over time. You can’t avoid it.
We’ve got to stop teaching women that simply existing is a blow to their self-worth.
Instead of criticizing our sunspots, let’s use them as a reminder to celebrate the rich moments we’ve lived through.
What Are Sunspots (AKA Age Spots)?
Sunspots go by a few different names. Age spots, liver spots, and hyperpigmentation are commonly known ones. These all refer to dark and flat circular areas on the skin that don’t blend in with your natural skin tone.
Usually, these spots are caused by the sun. They are your skin’s natural way of forming melanin protection when exposed to UV rays so that future sun exposure will cause less damage.
Is the Sun Bad for Your Skin?
Since the sun can cause age spots, sunburns, and other side effects, it’s a common belief that sun exposure is bad for you. Skincare and makeup companies reinforce this belief by including high-SPF sunscreen in their face products.
Sure, we overdid it with tanning beds in the early 2000s, but careful sunshine from a morning walk or an afternoon picnic can incredibly benefit our overall health. It isn’t the enemy of youthful and healthy-looking skin, either.
Here are just a few things healthy sun exposure can do for you:
- Provide much-needed Vitamin D
- Build strong bones and muscles
- Help prevent chronic illness and depression
- Strengthen your immune system
Debunking Common Remedies for Sunspots
If you feel self-conscious about your skin, you’ve probably googled “how to cure sunspots” one too many times. Common remedies like laser therapy, skin-lightening creams, and chemical peels may have marketed themselves as the right answer.
These recommendations contain dangerous chemicals that can cause damage to your epidermis and alter the microbiome.
Laser Therapy
Laser therapy is relatively new in the medical world. Its purpose is to damage the outer layer of skin, increasing collagen production and revitalizing the second layer of skin. Can this extreme damage really be so safe? It depends. It’s important to do your own research about laser therapy and find holistic medical providers, who consider the whole body.
But before choosing laser therapy, try boosting your collagen production with nutrient-rich foods (like bone broth) and gentle exfoliation from homemade sugar scrub or AHA fruit acids.
Skin Lightening Creams
Creams that brighten or “bleach” your skin are popular for women fighting hyperpigmentation. But as with most skincare products, they contain a cocktail of nasty chemicals. For example, mercury suppresses melanin production and has been found at toxic levels in multiple skin-lightening products.
Chemical Peels
Trichloroacetic acid (TCA) is one of many concerning chemicals (a carcinogen) found in drugstore chemical peels. A chemical peel is an extreme method that removes multiple layers of skin, typically to reduce hyperpigmentation and acne scars.
This method can disrupt the skin barrier and microbiome, though. It views your skin as the problem, rather than the solution. Instead of a chemical peel, we recommend light exfoliation with a dry brush, sugar scrub, or AHA fruit acids. You can also nourish and restore the top layer of skin with an oil cleanser (castor oil is great for this) or an anti-aging serum.
Six Easy Remedies to Revitalize Your Skin and Reverse Sun Damage
What are the best treatments for sunspots on your face? You may be surprised to find these natural remedies can be just as effective as those at your local med spa.
Heal the Body from the Inside Out — Nourishing Foods
Okay, everyone talks about how food is the answer. And it’s kind of getting old. But regularly eating healthy fruits, vegetables, collagen-rich foods, and antioxidants can have a huge impact on your skin health.
Apply Antioxidant-Rich Skincare to Increase Cell Regeneration
In addition to consuming antioxidants, you can also apply them directly to your face. Natural oils like carrot seed, pomegranate seed, castor oil, and helichrysum are effective ingredients that can help with cell health and regeneration.
Boost Collagen and Elasticity with Supplements
Collagen is a protein in your body that is found in connective tissues. If you have working tendons, healthy skin, and strong bones, you can thank your collagen. When a wound is formed, collagen is sent to help the skin restructure itself, and it can be a main component in your overall skin health.
If you’re not producing enough collagen, you may see an increase in age spots. Send aid to your skin by adding a clean collagen protein powder to your morning coffee.
Exfoliate Regularly
An all-natural form of microdermabrasion, this remedy can be made with simple ingredients right from your kitchen. Mix olive oil with sugar or salt to create a sugar scrub. Add lemon juice to lighten sunspots and scars.
A Turmeric and Raw Honey Mask
Turmeric contains amazing anti-inflammatory properties, and raw honey has been used for centuries to brighten skin. Mix equal parts of each ingredient together and add a little squeeze of lemon juice to naturally lighten dark spots. This mask is very safe to use — even edible! Apply once a week or more.
Green Tea
You should add decent portions of berries and greens to your diet. But for the days when that’s not possible, there’s tea! Sipping green tea is a great way to brighten your skin and increase your overall health without tons of extra effort.
Changing the Conversation about Aging
At the end of the day, you’ll never wish you could have spent less time outside just to rid your body of small signs of aging. Who knows — freckles are back in style, and maybe sunspots are next.
Don’t let clever marketing and the media’s conversations determine how you view yourself. Get out and enjoy life — age spots and all.
Prevent Future Sun Damage with Toups and Co
As a nontoxic skincare brand, we’re committed to offering the highest quality sun protection that helps prevent sunspots without exposing you to harmful chemicals. Our organic sun balm is made with non-nano zinc oxide, olive oil, and our signature grass-fed tallow skincare — All with your skin’s health and protection in mind.