Age spot/hyper-pigmentation - how to improve?

[Beforetoday]

I have olive skin (mixed heritage) and freckles, which I like, but also have what looks like a "joined up" freckle that is much larger on one cheek - possibly an age spot (it's been around for about two years now). I tan really easily and my skin is significantly better with some sun (plumper, glowy, more even tone). I also seem to have developed some hyper pigmentation on my upper lip - which means that despite the fact that i regularly bleach my moustache I still end up with a skin moustache! I suspect the Jolen bleach has caused this. I would like to even out/fade these darker bits - but not sure what to use. I see Eucarin anti-pigment creams recommended - do they work? Worried about how they work though - as in they might cause more problems? Any suggestions most welcome before I set out for Boots. And yes I do use a sunscreen!

[ElspethFlashman]

There isn't a vast amount you can do that's effective outside of a dermatologist.

Hydroquinone is meant to be good but ove the counter you're talking low concentrations. You'll get various things in the Ordinary line and The Inkey List.

But I eventually got sick of my big cheek freckle and went to a derm. 10 years of treating it with everything in Boots and she just blasted it with liquid nitrogen from a can. Should have just done that years ago.

[Ponks]

I'm currently trying Skinceuticals advanced pigment corrector, have read good things about its effect on pigmentation.

[bleughhh]

It is always caused/exacerbated by sun so you'll need to stop getting tanned... you can use hydroquinone and tretinoin (both prescribed by a dermatologist) but they won't work at all if you don't block out the sun. Sorry. (Years if dealing with melasma - developed and got worse with each pregnancy.) You need SPF 50 every day and to avoid strong sunlight/wear big hat in the summer.

[Fluffycloudland77]

Sunblock everyday single day & mix the ordinary vitamin c powder into your moisturiser. It lightens without bleaching.

[IcedPurple]

I think genuine 'liver' (ugh) spots are one of those things that can't be dealt with by cosmetic treatments. Hydroquinone might work though you'd have to go outside of the EU to buy it, at least without a prescription. I have several dark spots on my hand and face which I attribute to years spent in a very hot country - I did wear sun screen but inevitably some rays will get through - and I've tried the lot, hydroquinone, Clinique, niciamide, arbutin etc. Nothing has worked. I think if you can afford it, laser treatments are the way to go, though obviously they are very pricey.

[Beforetoday]

Thanks for this all - I was thinking the creams seemed to good to be true, but there are so many recommendations for the Eucarin and Clarins ones. Will keep on with the sunscreen, I guess. A bit scared of the dermatologist route!

[MustardScreams]

Niacinamide serum and vitamin c. My skin is honestly near-perfect after using them. I had redness, discolouration, age spots and scarring. Worked bloody wonders!

[Mamia15]

What do you do with the vitamin C? Swallow or apply to face?

[Fluffycloudland77]

Apply it to the skin. I use the powder as it’s cost effective.

People think dh is my dad, there’s 12 years between us.

[Expressedways]

I had this after DD was born. I used Ambi Fade cream and it has completely gone. Hydroquinone is the magic ingredient. It might not be available in the U.K. though but if you know anyone going to the US they could buy it for you.

[EdWinchester]

I had 2, and Dermalogica powerbright trx treatment has got rid of them.

[bleughhh]

It is available in U.K., it just needs to be prescribed (which is probably sensible). Vitamin C, niacianmide, some form of vitamin A (tretinoin or 'retin-a' are prescription here, or retinol is less potent and over the counter) are all proven anti-ageing ingredients - liver spots/age spots can be helped with them. If it is melasma or serious pigmentation, throwing hudroquinone into the mix is the only way to really address it. Some sort of laser can work but you need to be careful as some skin gets more pigmented (it can be just through the heat, not even the wavelength). But none of this will make any difference - or it might make it work - if you are not consistent with high factor spf (uva and b), which you really should apply in the day too as well as the morning. It's a nightmare....

[bleughhh]

'Worse' not 'working

[bleughhh]

WORK. Blinking autocorrect!