You look in the mirror and suddenly you see it: a brown spot on your cheek, forehead, or upper lip. No pimple, no wound, and you don’t recall any irritation. So… where did this come from?

Sunspots, also known as age spots, are pigment spots that form after years of sun exposure. They aren’t caused by damage from a single day in the sun, but by UV light that slowly accumulates in the skin over time.
And believe me, you don’t need sunbeds or beach vacations to get them. Especially in melanin rich skin, which naturally produces more pigment as protection.

I see them all the time in the clinic. And almost always, clients ask, “But I wasn’t even in the sun?”
That’s when I know: it’s time to dig deeper.

Let’s talk pigment.

Sunspots vs. age spots – what’s the difference?

Sunspots and age spots are often seen as two different things, but in reality they’re usually the same: a pigment spot caused by repeated UV exposure. The difference is mostly in the wording. And honestly, “age spot” is a bit misleading.

Why? Because these spots aren’t necessarily caused by age — but by accumulated sun damage over time. Someone who has spent years in the sun without protection can develop sunspots at a young age. In melanin rich skin, I sometimes see them in clients as young as their early twenties.
So it’s not about “getting older,” but about your skin’s history.

The term “age spot” makes it sound inevitable. But it isn’t. There is a lot you can do to prevent or reduce this type of pigmentation — and we’ll get into that shortly.

Why do sunspots appear more easily in melanin rich skin?

In melanin rich skin, the melanocytes (the cells that produce pigment) are more active and more sensitive. They naturally produce more melanin, which is part of what gives our skin its beautiful color and protection. Melanin acts as a natural sunscreen — it absorbs UV radiation and protects the deeper layers of the skin.

But… here’s the challenge. The more active your melanocytes are, the faster they respond to triggers like sunlight. Think of it as an alarm set to high sensitivity. A few minutes of unprotected sun exposure? For many people, no issue. But for melanin rich skin, the melanocytes may instantly switch into defense mode: they send melanin to the surface to protect the skin.
Only, they do it so intensely and so precisely that the result becomes a visible spot.

And this doesn’t always appear immediately. Your skin can build a “memory” of sun damage. Melanin accumulates slowly, often in the same spots, and years later — triggered by hormones, stress or sun exposure — it rises to the surface as a clear, defined spot.

So no, your skin isn’t “reacting wrong.” It’s trying to protect you. But without the right guidance (SPF, calming ingredients, avoiding triggers), that good intention can turn into pigmentation that’s hard to erase.

How do you recognize a sunspot?

A sunspot is usually flat, uniform in color and ranges from light to dark brown depending on your skin tone and how much melanin has accumulated. You’ll often find them in areas that catch the most sun: your forehead, cheekbones, temples, or upper lip.

Unlike post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which appears after inflammation, or melasma, which sits deeper and has a more patchy or blurry pattern, a sunspot is sharply defined.
Think of it as a round or oval stamp on your skin — with no pimple or irritation leading up to it.

What many people don’t know: sunspots develop slowly. They build up through years of sun exposure and can suddenly become visible after a holiday or hormonal changes. That’s what makes them tricky: they develop silently but remain stubbornly visible.

What can you do about sunspots?

I hear it often in the clinic, and I see it in DMs: “I think it’s too late for me.”
And honestly? I get it. Sunspots seem to appear out of nowhere and then just sit there — as if they’ve anchored themselves into your skin. They don’t respond quickly to products, and it feels like the damage is already done.

But let me reassure you: you’re not powerless. Sunspots are stubborn, yes. But mostly because they’ve developed over years. Your skin builds a memory of sun damage — and erasing that memory requires patience, consistency and the right approach.

So, what can you do?

☀️ Apply, reapply, and apply again.
Daily SPF isn’t optional. It’s essential.
Use a broad spectrum SPF 30 every morning. And this is the key: reapply when you’re in the sun. Set reminders. Keep a mini with you. Think of it as your daily skin insurance.
→ Our day cream, for example, contains shea butter to strengthen your barrier before SPF even goes on.

🌿 Work with ingredients that build and calm.
– Vitamin C (stable forms) – brightens and protects
– Curcumin (from turmeric) – regulates pigment and reduces inflammation
– Aloe vera – soothes, softens and supports healing

These aren’t quick fixes, but they help your skin stop producing extra pigment. And that alone is a win.

🧽 Exfoliate smart, not hard.
You can’t scrub sunspots away. But exfoliation improves texture and helps your products penetrate better.
→ Use a gentle scrub up to twice a week
→ Our Natural Scrub contains finely ground olive seeds: effective yet skin friendly
→ Let it sit as a mask for an extra boost

😴 Don’t forget your inner world.
Your skin reflects what’s happening inside. Stress and exhaustion matter.
→ Stress can activate hormonal pathways that indirectly stimulate pigment
→ Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep and build in moments of rest each day

📆 And the biggest one: patience.
Real improvement with sunspots takes time. Give yourself 6 to 8 weeks of consistent care before evaluating. Your skin needs time to renew — and the calmer you treat it, the better it responds.

Common misconceptions about sunspots

🔸 “Sunspots are just a sign of aging.”
Nope. They often show up later in life, but they form much earlier due to UV exposure. Your skin remembers every moment in the sun — age only reveals what was already there.

🔸 “If the sun isn’t strong, I don’t need SPF.”
One of the biggest misunderstandings. UVA rays (the deeper, long term damaging ones) are present year round — even on cloudy days. No sun doesn’t mean no pigment response.

🔸 “Once you have sunspots, you can’t get rid of them.”
They’re slow to improve, yes. But with consistency, the right ingredients and protection, they can fade significantly. They may not disappear 100%, but your skin can look much calmer, more even and healthier.

🔸 “Scrubbing will lighten them faster.”
Only if done properly. Harsh scrubs can irritate the skin and worsen pigment. Use gentle exfoliants, like our olive seed scrub, and hydrate and protect afterward.

Sunspots don’t form in a day, and they don’t fade in a week. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. By understanding what they are and why they appear, you can make informed choices to support your skin. Prevention, gentleness and knowledge are your strongest tools.

Next week, we’ll explore another often overlooked form of hyperpigmentation: pigmentation caused by products you put on your skin. Think perfumes, essential oils or harsh acids that end up doing the opposite of what they promise.

Until then, remember:

Keep learning, keep glowing — until the next Melanin Moment! 💛
With love,
Angela