10 Home Remedies To Help Reduce And Lighten Age Spots

Age spots refer to hyperpigmented areas that appear on the face and hands. Also known as liver spots, they generally develop due to natural aging or sun damage.

While various medical treatments such as chemical peels and lasers can be used to remove age spots, you can also follow some home remedies.

This article discusses different at-home interventions that can help manage and prevent the development of age spots.

You can try the following home remedies to help reduce and lighten age spots to a certain extent. However, keep in mind that while some remedies may work for an individual, some may not.

# Apply aloe vera gel

Aloe vera gel contains aloin that can help lighten the skin.

- Apply aloin-based skin whitening creams directly on the age spots.
- Extract fresh aloe vera gel and apply it to the affected areas. You can also add lemon juice to the gel. Wash your face after 20 minutes of application.

# Use topical vitamin C

Vitamin C acts as an antioxidant that can inhibit melanin production by curbing the action of the enzyme tyrosinase. It is said to help reduce age spots by various users.

- Apply vitamin C serums on your age spots.
- Dilute 1 tbsp of lemon juice with water, and apply the solution to the affected areas. Rinse after 15 minutes and apply a moisturizer. You can also add vitamin E for a higher efficacy.

# Try oils

Various oils, such as almond, rose hip, vitamin E, sandalwood, and castor oil, can help inhibit melanin production, thus proving useful in the treatment of age spots. Rose hip oil contains quercetin, which is useful in depigmentation.

How to use: Dab any of the oils on the age spots using a cotton ball.

# Use natural sources of alpha hydroxy acids

Alpha hydroxy acids, including lactic, malic, and glycolic acids, work by inhibiting the activity of tyrosine, thereby inhibiting melanin production and giving a skin whitening effect.

While glycolic acid is commonly used for clinical chemical peels, lactic acid is more common in households.

Lactic acid can be commonly found in yogurt, milk, milk cream, and antioxidant berries such as Indian gooseberry.

How to use: Mix any of these natural ingredients with 1 tbsp of rose water or lemon juice, and apply the mixture to the age spots.

# Dab pomegranate juice

Pomegranate juice has been shown to decrease the number of melanin-producing cells by blocking the activity of tyrosinase. It can therefore help lighten age spots.

How to use: Simply apply it to your age spots and let it dry before rinsing it off.

# Apply rose extracts

Rose extracts have been known to block tyrosinase, thus helping lighten skin.

- Soak a few rose petals in milk for 1 hour and grind the mixture. Add honey to the paste and apply it to the age spots for 15 minutes.
- Use commercially available alcohol-based extracts as they are more effective. Avoid making alcohol-based extracts at home.

# Use honey

Honey contains several polyphenols that act against tyrosinase. Various kinds of honey, such as manuka, Thai, and Sardinian honey, are observed to have skin-lightening effects.

How to use: Apply raw honey to the age spots or mix lemon juice, milk, or yogurt to prepare a face mask.

# Apply a turmeric mask

Turmeric is observed to inhibit tyrosinase activity to a large extent.

How to use: Mix 2 tsp of turmeric with milk and lemon juice to form a paste. Apply the mask to the affected areas and wash it off after 20 minutes.

# Rub a tomato

Tomato juice is a popular and safe anecdotal remedy, but its direct effect on age spots has not been studied in any research. Tomato contains lycopene that can help manage radiation damage.

How to use: Rub a slice of tomato on the affected areas for 10 minutes and allow it to dry before rinsing. Extract fresh tomato juice and use it to prepare a mask with turmeric, honey, milk, or yogurt.

# Use OTC creams

You can apply nonprescription creams and lotions for skin lightening. Apply a cream containing vitamin E, glycolic acid, ionic acid, niacinamide, or licorice extracts.

These products need to be applied for months before the desired effect is achieved.