Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (2024)

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (1)

Women's Health may earn commission from the links on this page, but we only feature products we believe in. Why Trust Us?

Any dermatologist will tell you that sun protection is the key to long-term skin health. Even with that in mind, though, it's all-too-easy to forget about smearing on that tinted sunscreen, leaving it tucked away, untouched, in your bathroom cabinet. As a result of not wearing the right amount of sunscreen, you risk accumulating skin damage, which could then lead to age spots. Called lentigines (or lentigos), these spots start off as damaged skin that evolves into discoloration or hyperpigmentation, says board-certified dermatologist Corey Hartman, MD. And you're at risk no matter your skin tone, he says.

If you see these dark spots begin to pop up on your complexion, there is a solution: an age spot remover.

Best Age Spot Removers

These products can effectively reduce their appearance of hyperpigmentation as long as you're being consistent and patient. "You're looking for a product that's going to reduce the stimulation of melanin-forming cells," says board-certified dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD. "You also want to make sure that you're not allowing them to reappear by wearing the best sunscreen possible." Here's how to select the best age spot remover for your skin.

What to consider

While there are loads of age spot removers on the market, there are a few things to keep in mind to help you make the most informed and personalized purchase. Here's what experts want you to know.

Key ingredients

Looking for the ingredients that will help you get the best result possible. Some of the most effective ones include:

  • Niacinamide: This B vitamin blocks the transfer of melanin from melanin-forming cells to epidermal cells, says Dr. Henry. Translation: It stops age spots before they even form.
  • Retinol: Retinol helps speed up your cell turnover rate to reveal more even and brighter complexion. That said, if retinol is too strong for your skin, Dr. Hartman suggests opting for a glycolic acid.
  • SPF: Ideally, you want a broad-spectrum formula with a strength of 30 or higher to protect against further damage. Dr. Henry notes that physical sunscreen can also protect against blue light, which can make spots more noticeable in some people.

For ingredients that focus more on brightening rather than hyperpigmentation and dark sports specifically, consider reaching for something with kojic acid or vitamin C.

Product type

The kind of product you get is ultimately influenced by what your skin type is and how visible your spots are. Those who have sensitive skin should use a diluted formula like a toner or essence, says Dr. Henry. On the other hand, spots that are very dark will be harder to reduce in appearance—this is where a serum comes in handy.

"If you have really resistant pigment and you have skin that can tolerate more concentrated active ingredients, then [a serum is] going to be a really great approach for you," she says." But if you're somewhere in the middle of the pack, a cream or lotion may be best. Additionally, people who don't have hypersensitivities can combine a few products, especially if in-office procedures are off the table (more on that in a bit).

How we chose

Women’s Health editors, including editorial assistant Sabrina Talbert, consulted two dermatologists for their recommendations for the best age spot removers. Then, several editors put them to the test on their own skin to narrow down the best options for a variety of needs and preferences.

Now, here are the best age spot removers according to dermatologists and tested by Women's Health editors.

Best Overall

Origins Mega-Mushroom Dark Spot Corrector Serum

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (9)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (10)It treats various forms of hyperpigmentation with mostly natural ingredients
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (11)Lightweight and won't clog pores
Cons
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (12)Not for those who are super-sensitive to fragrance

Those who prefer to shop vegan will appreciate this mushroom-based formula from Origins. The serum takes our top spot for a few reasons, the first being that it treats several kinds of spots, like post-acne marks, brown patches, and dark spots. It also contains a combination of reishi and chaga mushrooms (extracts that are rich in kojic acid and that research shows can combat hyperpigmentation) and licorice, an ingredient that one research review found improves discoloration by dispersing existing melanin in skin and preventing new melanin from reaching skin's surface. You'll also find tried-and-true age spot fighters like vitamin C. All in all, it's a well-rounded, gentle formula that gets the job done.

No surprises here then, that this product was a major hit with WH managing editor Laura McLaughlin. "This light serum absorbs well and doesn't feel sticky," she says. "There's an aromatherapy aspect to using it for sure, and it's nice to have that bright, lemony, ginger scent around me." Speaking of scents, it's worth noting that this product is listed as fragrance-free, which isn't actually the case, so if you have sensitive skin that is reactive to fragrance, you may want to consider another treatment.

Read more: The Best Dark Spot Correctors

Key ingredientsVitamin C, Licorice Root Extract, Mushroom Extract
Product typeSerum

Best For Darker Skin Tones

Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Serum

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (13)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (14)Lightweight and absorbs quickly
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (15)Doesn't take long to see results
Cons
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (16)May not be the best for oily skin

This serum is a recommendation of Dr. Henry's for its key ingredients like vitamin C and salicylic acid. It was formulated to treat and prevent dark spots, hyperpigmentation, and post-acne scars, and it was tested across 47 different skin tones to prove its versatility. Not to mention it's incredibly lightweight, which is something our testers love. They also noticed improvement in their spots in just two weeks.

On the flip side, some agree that it may not be the best for oily or acne-prone skin types, as it can be slightly comedogenic on those who are already at risk for having clogged pores. Others say the formula is a bit too strong for their sensitive skin, likely due to the salicylic acid, which can be irritating for this particular skin type.

Key ingredientsVitamin C, Salicylic Acid
Product typeSerum

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best Sunscreen

L’Oréal Paris Bright Reveal Broad Spectrum Daily SPF 50 Face Sunscreen

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (17)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (18)Liquid texture absorbs quickly with no white cast
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (19)Contains sun protection and spot-fighting ingredients
Cons
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (20)May not be suitable for very severe hyperpigmentation

As our experts have said: Any age spot regiment that doesn't include adequate sun protection is an exercise in futility—your hyperpigmentation will just resurface if you're not shielding skin from damage. The Bright Reveal Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 comes recommended by Dr. Henry because it not only has an SPF of 50, it also contains proven spot erasers like vitamins C and E. Our testers also appreciate that this is over the minimum suggestion of SPF 30.

"This is one of my favorite sunscreens," says Women's Health beauty director Brian Underwood. "I love how lightweight it is, I love how it leaves no white cast, and I really love how much brighter my skin looks after using it consistently. It's very liquid-y, so it might not be the best fit for someone with very dry skin, but my combination skin drinks this formula right up."

Major bonus: the lotion primes well with makeup! The only caveat is that some of our testers didn't like the runny feel of the sunscreen and the semi-greasy finish, so those with oily skin might want to skip this one if that's a concern.

Key ingredients Vitamin C, Vitamin E, SPF
Product typeSunscreen Lotion

Best Budget

La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Gel Cleanser

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (21)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (22)Great for age spot prevention
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (23)Smell isn't overwhelming and gives a good cleansing experience
Cons
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (24)Results might vary depending on the spot

Dr. Hartman is a big fan of the MelaB3 formula from La Roche-Posay. "It encourages the breakdown of the metabolites of the spots so that they never really form," he says. "It's over the counter, relatively inexpensive, not considered a prestige product, and evens skin tone." If you want something stronger, he suggests trying the matching serum and using it twice a day.

Our testers with acne-prone skin love that this micro-peeling cleanser is noncomedogenic (meaning it won't clog your pores). They also like the smell, which they say is subtle and fresh. It's also a really easy way to work a spot-fighting product into your skincare regimen—you're washing your face everyday already, right? Still, some say using the cleanser without the serum didn't provide the results they were hoping for.

Key ingredientsNiacinamide
Product typeCleanser

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Best For Stubborn Spots

SkinMedica Even & Correct Dark Spot Cream

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (25)

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (26)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (27)Retinol is gentle enough for sensitive skin
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (28)Prevents new age spots from forming
Cons
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (29)Some users say the smell is too strong

This dark spot cream from SkinMedica is another pick from Dr. Hartman. It contains an LTN Complex, a highly-concentrated lotus sprout extract, that can be a huge help for people with age spots. "Instead of just stopping the pigment from forming, it helps to break down the pigment in those little encapsulated cells, which historically has been difficult to treat," he says.

It also has tranexamic acid, which is a larger molecule that's harder for the skin to absorb. However, Dr. Hartman notes that when mixed with other ingredients, it can be very effective. Our testers agree, with many of them loving the way it works in combination with the low and gentle levels of retinol (0.25 percent), kojic acid, and vitamin C.

Key ingredientsRetinol, Kojic Acid, Vitamin C
Product typeCream

Best For Acne-Prone Skin

SkinCeuticals Discoloration Defense

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (30)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (31)Formula is oil-free and lightweight
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (32)Will treat and prevent age spots
Cons
  • Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (33)Kojic acid causes formula to turn brown

You may think that once you've gotten old enough to deal with age spots, you'd be putting your breakout days behind you. You'd be wrong. Hormones can affect your skin at any age, which is why some people can be dealing with acne and age spots simultaneously. That's where this ingenious serum comes in. While it's the most expensive pick on our list, it gets Dr. Henry's seal of approval because it was formulated with those who have oily skin in mind. It's an oil-free, lightweight serum that contains key ingredients like tranexamic acid, kojic acid, and niacinamide. Our testers agree that this formula does a great job at treating and preventing age spots and uneven skin tone.

"I'm a big fan of SkinCeuticals serums all around, and this one is no different," says Underwood. "But unlike some of the brand's other products, this one goes on without even the slightest hint of greasiness. That's huge for someone who has an oily T-zone, like me. Last summer, I got some spots around my head from a trip to Portugal, so I tried this serum. It made such a huge difference after about a month of using. Definitely keeping this one on the bench for when I deal with hyperpigmentation again."

On the flipside, a few users note that despite using the whole bottle, they didn't see much change and feel that the price isn't worth it for the amount of product you get.

Key ingredientsKojic acid, niacinamide
Product typeSerum

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (34)

Meet Our Experts

  • Corey Hartman, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the University of Alabama.
  • Michelle Henry, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (35)

Can age spots really be removed?

In short, yes. If you plan on treating them topically, you have to be patient, stay consistent with your products, and prioritize sun protection, say our experts. With topicals, you should see results in roughly three to four months. In-office procedures may require multiple sessions over the course of a few weeks, but some age spots will only require a one-time treatment, depending on how dark they are.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (36)

What’s the most effective age spot remover?

The most effective age spot removers are laser-based procedures that are performed by a dermatologist. Dr. Hartman explains that Fraxel and PicoSure laser treatments are some of the most popular options. Other highly effective methods include microneedling and chemical peels (the latter of which is safer on darker skin).

That said, your doctor will most likely ask you to use topicals in addition to getting a treatment. "Things like chemical peels or lasers are like getting a car—you're not going to buy a car and not buy insurance," says Dr. Hartman. "A topical regimen is like buying insurance."

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (37)

Read More

Best Dark Spot Correctors | Best Eye Creams For Dark Circles | Best Wrinkle Creams | Best Melasma Treatments | Best Dark Spot Patches

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (38)

Sabrina Talbert

Editorial Assistant

Sabrina is an editorial assistant for Women’s Health. When she’s not writing, you can find her running, training in mixed martial arts, or reading.

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (39)

Reviewed byBrian Underwood

Beauty Director

Brian Underwood is the beauty director at Women’s Health. He is an award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering beauty and lifestyle for several national media outlets and previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily. His work has appeared in Woman’s Day, Life & Style Weekly, Good Housekeeping, and many more. He also serves as a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and lives in New York City with his daughter.

Dermatologists Say This Product Will Remove Age Spots And Reverse Summer Sun Damage (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Stevie Stamm

Last Updated:

Views: 5559

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Stevie Stamm

Birthday: 1996-06-22

Address: Apt. 419 4200 Sipes Estate, East Delmerview, WY 05617

Phone: +342332224300

Job: Future Advertising Analyst

Hobby: Leather crafting, Puzzles, Leather crafting, scrapbook, Urban exploration, Cabaret, Skateboarding

Introduction: My name is Stevie Stamm, I am a colorful, sparkling, splendid, vast, open, hilarious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.