Best skincare routine to reduce age/sun spots on face

[darkangel07760]

Hello everyone!
I am at a complete loss and need help. Looking to completely change up my skincare routine as I have notice darkening spots on my face and wish to lighten them.
Looking for the whole routine, face wash, serum, cream, whatever you folks have experience with I would love some suggestions!
Also a better sunscreen that is lightweight that I can reapply throughout the day if necessary.
I am approaching 50, have oily skin, but I don’t mind using a heavier cream. I have been faithfully using skincare for most of my years so I am told I look a little bit younger than I actually am, but I need to switch it up in order to lighten these spots.
Any help would be appreciated, thank you so much!

 

[Love Of My Life]

La Roche Posay sunscreen gets positive reviews & various formulations for all skin types
& coverage (tinted) & there are cushion compacts that can be reapplied throughout the day
Wish I could offer more help, but have dry skin so my recommendations would not work for you
Would consider asking or going to a derm for a prescription to lighten up the dark spots
as over the counter products can take time to show results.
Allies Skin gets good reviews for your skin concerns, might want to take a look.
Others will likely chime in with their thoughts
Good luck finding a routine that will give you results you are looking for

 

[Swanky]

Are you using retinol? I use retinol but don't have sun spots by the grace of God, so I just add retinol in the winter.
If I did have spots, my esthetician recommends her combo of "skin crack" lol. It's combo of dexamethasone (so you don’t get as red and irritated), hydroquinone (best lightening agent in the world) and Retin A (the collagen building agent).
ALWAYS sunscreen.

 

[Misha333]

I use ZO skin products, including their brightening serums. I don't have a lot of spots, but it definitely helped with whatever few I had and even out the skin tone. And +1 to always sunscreen!

 

[RachelVerinder]

Hi, for dark spots, my dermatologist recommends vit C mornings, with a SPF 50 sunscreen on the top, and retinol at night. The retinol has to be very mild in the beginning (0.3 for example) because there’s an adaptation time. And it’s wiser to introduce the new products (active products, not SPF), gradually.
I love Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen (Korean brand) and also La Roche Posay Anthelios age correct sunscreen (it is supposed to prevent dark spot).
One thing is for sure : make dark spots fade is a long run… It can take some time, one has to be very patient and regular with the routine but it is possible!

 

[darkangel07760]

La Roche Posay sunscreen gets positive reviews & various formulations for all skin types
& coverage (tinted) & there are cushion compacts that can be reapplied throughout the day
Wish I could offer more help, but have dry skin so my recommendations would not work for you
Would consider asking or going to a derm for a prescription to lighten up the dark spots
as over the counter products can take time to show results.
Allies Skin gets good reviews for your skin concerns, might want to take a look.
Others will likely chime in with their thoughts
Good luck finding a routine that will give you results you are looking for

Thank you!

Are you using retinol? I use retinol but don't have sun spots by the grace of God, so I just add retinol in the winter.
If I did have spots, my esthetician recommends her combo of "skin crack" lol. It's combo of dexamethasone (so you don’t get as red and irritated), hydroquinone (best lightening agent in the world) and Retin A (the collagen building agent).
ALWAYS sunscreen.

Thank you! I will look into those ingredients!

Hi, for dark spots, my dermatologist recommends vit C mornings, with a SPF 50 sunscreen on the top, and retinol at night. The retinol has to be very mild in the beginning (0.3 for example) because there’s an adaptation time. And it’s wiser to introduce the new products (active products, not SPF), gradually.
I love Beauty of Joseon’s sunscreen (Korean brand) and also La Roche Posay Anthelios age correct sunscreen (it is supposed to prevent dark spot).
One thing is for sure : make dark spots fade is a long run… It can take some time, one has to be very patient and regular with the routine but it is possible!

Thank you! I appreciate your tips!

I use ZO skin products, including their brightening serums. I don't have a lot of spots, but it definitely helped with whatever few I had and even out the skin tone. And +1 to always sunscreen!

I will go look that up, thank you!

 

[880]

Lightening agents don’t work as well if you have difficulty placing product solely on the dark area (if placed on the light area surrounding, they will lighten that as well. My cosmetic derm uses a variety of lasers* for dark skin (I have medium olive Asian skin). I think the most used laser is pico sure either clear and brilliant overall. I use a prescription retinol; beauty of Joseon sunscreen and very little product (I have semi permanent make up — ombré nano brows and lips). Some skinceutical triple lipid restore 242. DH, super pale Caucasian skin had a different laser treatment for lots of dark spots on the top of his head due to sun. And, he does avoid the sun when he can; uses sunscreen and wears hats regularly. But, the cosmetic derm recommended a combo of skincare for him , See pic below .

With laser or any lightening product, you must avoid sun exposure. *it’s expensive, time intensive, and painful, but worth it.

 

[Swanky]

I agree with vitamin c and sunscreen every morning
It’s been repeated by every person touching my skin lol
I use Natura Bisse vitamin c cream every morning and apply sunscreen over it before leaving the house.

 

[Misha333]

I will go look that up, thank you!

Zo Skin Health is a "medical grade" skincare brand founded by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi. The brand focuses on using advanced formulations with active ingredients such as retinol, antioxidants, and peptides. It is often recommended by dermatologists and in the past was only available through authorized clinics and retailers, now it's available online too.

I put "medical grade" in quotation marks because it's a vague term that's often used in marketing to make skincare seem more professional than what it is. But I am a big fan of Dr. Obagi and I definitely see the difference with these products compared to other luxury (and much more expensive) skincare products that I used.

 

[darkangel07760]

Lightening agents don’t work as well if you have difficulty placing product solely on the dark area (if placed on the light area surrounding, they will lighten that as well. My cosmetic derm uses a variety of lasers* for dark skin (I have medium olive Asian skin). I think the most used laser is pico sure either clear and brilliant overall. I use a prescription retinol; beauty of Joseon sunscreen and very little product (I have semi permanent make up — ombré nano brows and lips). Some skinceutical triple lipid restore 242. DH, super pale Caucasian skin had a different laser treatment for lots of dark spots on the top of his head due to sun. And, he does avoid the sun when he can; uses sunscreen and wears hats regularly. But, the cosmetic derm recommended a combo of skincare for him , See pic below .

With laser or any lightening product, you must avoid sun exposure. *it’s expensive, time intensive, and painful, but worth it.

View attachment 6100993

Thank you so much for all this information!

I agree with vitamin c and sunscreen every morning
It’s been repeated by every person touching my skin lol
I use Natura Bisse vitamin c cream every morning and apply sunscreen over it before leaving the house.

I will look these up as well, thank you so much!

Zo Skin Health is a "medical grade" skincare brand founded by dermatologist Dr. Zein Obagi. The brand focuses on using advanced formulations with active ingredients such as retinol, antioxidants, and peptides. It is often recommended by dermatologists and in the past was only available through authorized clinics and retailers, now it's available online too.

I put "medical grade" in quotation marks because it's a vague term that's often used in marketing to make skincare seem more professional than what it is. But I am a big fan of Dr. Obagi and I definitely see the difference with these products compared to other luxury (and much more expensive) skincare products that I used.

I have heard of Obagi and I appreciate this so much, thank you!

 

[Pevi]

Maybe you could ask your derm about oral tranexamic acid? I had like a dark map etched on my forehead and tranexamic acid pills twice a day plus cellskin phyto spot erased it in a month. Now I take tranexamic acid for a few weeks after the summer to erase any dark spots. They’re OTC in my country.

 

[darkangel07760]

Maybe you could ask your derm about oral tranexamic acid? I had like a dark map etched on my forehead and tranexamic acid pills twice a day plus cellskin phyto spot erased it in a month. Now I take tranexamic acid for a few weeks after the summer to erase any dark spots. They’re OTC in my country.

I will look into this, thank you!

 

[darkangel07760]

I am also considering investing in a monthly professional facial. I know that overall it would probably be a good idea, but would that also help with sun spots if I voice my concerns with an esthetician?

 

[Swanky]

I am also considering investing in a monthly professional facial. I know that overall it would probably be a good idea, but would that also help with sun spots if I voice my concerns with an esthetician?

Yes, a GOOD one that does medical grade facials. I like both lol
I like my skin girl at my medspa that does medical grade facials, and my luxury facials that are just SOO relaxing.
My medical girl warns you the first time "this is not a luxurious facial, if you want results, I'm your girl, if you want a yummy luxurious experience it's not me."
Understood! I want results!
Her facials are still "nice", but not spa facials with layers of serums and moisturizers, bamboo wind chimes, oil humidifiers, etc...

 

[Love Of My Life]

I am also considering investing in a monthly professional facial. I know that overall it would probably be a good idea, but would that also help with sun spots if I voice my concerns with an esthetician?

At this time of the year, it's always a good idea to get a top notch medical facial.
Don't know where you are located , but here in NYC there are many that are really good
& will keep your skin & treat what concerns you. Many will use machines of various sorts
This is actually a good time to address dark spots with various treatments to keep the spots
under control & sun screen is a must over face, ears & hands