11 Effective Natural Remedies To Treat Age Spots

Age spots can often occur as we age, regardless of our skin tone or ethnic background. They are generally caused by overexposure to the sun which causes the melanin in your skin to become darker. Thankfully, age spots are harmless, benign, and not cancerous, however, they can look like melanomas so it’s always best to get them checked by your doctor in your regular check-up.

While they can be dark and affect your confidence, there are ways that you can help lighten them. These home remedies will make them less noticeable.

# Lemon Juice

Lemons contain high levels of citric acid which is a natural bleaching agent. It also helps to exfoliate the skin. This means that lemons are a great way to reduce the appearance of your age spots. Just apply a little lemon juice to your age spots twice a day and within two months you should start to notice a difference. The juice should be left on your skin for about thirty minutes but you can also leave it on overnight if you want.

The juice can make your skin extra sensitive to sunlight, however, so don’t use it just before going outside and make sure you rinse your skin thoroughly before going back out into the sun. Fresh lemon juice is your best bet as some bottled lemon juices can have a lower concentration of citric acid.

# Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has a natural content of alpha hydroxy acids. These are acids which help to lighten to the skin are reduce the appearance of age spots. Mix the vinegar with a little olive oil to prevent the acids drying out your skin. If your skin is sensitive and you feel it is reacting badly to the vinegar, try diluting it with some water.

# Onion Juice

Onions contain sulfur compounds which have antiseptic properties. They’re also naturally rich in exfoliating acids. Whilst they’re a little smellier than lemons, they can sometimes be a little gentler on your skin. Try slicing up an onion and rub the slice over your age spot. Do this three times a day to see your age spots lighten.

# Horseradish

The rich Vitamin C content in horseradish helps to slow down the production of melanin. Melanin is the pigment in the skin which gives age spots their dark color. To apply directly to your age spots, make a paste using some horseradish. You can then apply this to your skin and leave it for fifteen to twenty minutes. Repeat this a few times each week to see an improvement in your age spots.

# Aloe Vera

Aloe vera can be used to treat a range of skin problems, age spots are just one of them. Apply a small amount of aloe gel to your age spot and let it soak into your skin. If it starts to feel sticky you can rinse it off.

# Papaya

Papaya contains certain enzymes and acids which make it a great natural exfoliant. This makes it great for reducing the appearance of age spots. While your papaya is still green, cut a thin slice of its skin and place it flesh side down over your age spot for fifteen to twenty minutes. You can also peel and mush the papaya into a pulp and apply this pulp to your age spot. Leave the pulp on for about fifteen minutes before washing it off.

# Yogurt

Lactic acid occurs naturally in many yogurts and is great for gently removing dead skin cells. Applying a little to your age spots causes the old, discolored skin to slide off and reveals the fresher, healthy skin underneath.

# Castor Oil

Castor oil is well-known for its ability to heal the skin. It has also shown proven effects against age spots. Apply a little castor oil to your age spit and massage it into the skin. Let the oil absorb into your skin and leave it. Repeat this process every morning and evening. Mixing the castor oil with some coconut oil will also prevent your skin from drying out.

# Buttermilk

Buttermilk is another great home remedy for age spots. This is because, like yogurt, it contains lactic acid. Apply some buttermilk to a cotton pad and wipe this over your age spot. Wash the buttermilk off after fifteen or twenty minutes. It can make oily skin even oilier though, so try mixing it with a little lime juice to counteract this if you have naturally oily skin.

# Sandalwood

Sandalwood is often thought to have anti-aging effects. This is largely due to its ability to reduce the appearance of age spots. Massage some sandalwood oil into your age spots and over time you should start to notice a difference. You could also add powdered sandalwood to some rose water and lemon juice to form a paste. Let this paste soak into your age spot for twenty minutes and then rinse with some warm water.

# Use Sunscreen

Protecting your skin against the sun is one of the earliest defenses against age spots. Because age spots and most often caused by an over-exposure to the sun, protecting your skin is hugely important in reducing age spots.