Age spots are characterized by unsightly marks on the skin. These age spots are also referred to as liver spots or solar lentigines. The spots are characterized by the appearance of flat spots that are usually either black or brown. Some of the most common places where these spots appear include the face, the arms, the shoulders and the back.

Those beyond 40 are likely to get these spots, hence the inclusion of the term ‘aged’ spots. It is important to note, however, that even young people are predisposed to the development of these spots if they are continually exposed to the sun’s UV rays without sunscreen protection.

old man smiling

The appearance of the age spots is often a point of concern for many individuals because it mirrors the appearance of cancerous growths on the skin. The truth of the matter however, is the fact that age spots are relatively harmless, and do not usually require any medical intervention.

Their appearance however, is often a source of distress especially in young people. For those who so desire, age spots can be eliminated using cosmetic products which are readily available in the market. This option is often costly, and may be out of reach for those who may need the products. There are natural remedies that you can use instead. The benefits of the latter option include affordability, ease of access as well as minimal side effects. Since age spots are found on the skin, most of the remedies provided below are similar to those used for taking care of your skin.

1. Organic Apple Cider Vinegar + Onion Juice:

Time Required: 45 Min
What You Need: Red onion, strainer, a cup of apple organic (raw) apple cider vinegar, water to dilute, cotton wool, and a teaspoon of sugar (optional).
Difficulty: Easy

 

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is preferred as a home remedy in the treatment of age spots because it contains beneficial enzymes that help get rid of the cells underneath the age spot. This allows for the regeneration of fresh skin cells that reveal a healthier glow over a considerable period of time. The presence of alpha hydroxy acids in the ACV also compliments the elimination of dead skin cells.

The repugnant smell of onions may cause you to step away from this vegetable, but its benefits on the skin make for an excellent remedy. Onion juice is laden with antioxidants that help fight off radicals found on the skin. Exposure to the sun always creates a perfect environment for the accumulation of free radicals. Using a combination of the two guarantees results provided consistency is applied.

Note that the raw apple cider vinegar used in this remedy is made from the fermentation of apple juice to allow for the conversion of the natural sugars to vinegar. This constitutes raw organic ACV, which is sometimes referred to as unfiltered ACV. Avoid the use of refined ACV for your skin care routine, and especially if you would like to get rid of age spots.

Directions:

  1. Remove the papery layers of the onion and wash it before chopping it into small pieces.
  2. Place the onion pieces in the strainer and squeeze to get the onion juice. You could choose to add some sugar to ease the process. The sugar causes a region of high osmotic pressure to effortlessly draw the juice from the onions.
  3. Use one part of the raw ACV and an equivalent amount of the onion juice and mix in a container.
  4. Pinch some of the cotton wool and dab it into the ACV + onion juice mixture before applying the mixture on the part of the skin that has the age spots.
  5. Allow the mixture to stay on the skin for about half an hour before rinsing off. If you have some more time on your hands, you could always let the mixture stay on the affected skin area for an hour. Use this remedy twice daily, for a period of two months.

Ideally with this remedy, you ought to start seeing gradual changes around the 6th week following consistent week. In some cases, the age spots start fading after the 6 weeks; do not despair at this point. simply keep up with this remedy until you are satisfied with the results. If you are not too keen on the facial use of ACV, you can always drink the remedy for that youthful glow. Simply put 3 tablespoons of the ACV into a glass of drinking water, and consume twice everyday. If the taste of ACV is overbearing, you can always settle for natural sweeteners such as stevia or honey.

 

2. Aloe Vera:

Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need:  Freshly cut aloe vera leaf, and a ball of cotton wool.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Aloe Vera has got to be one of the most versatile home remedies, and especially for use on the skin. The active ingredients in this inexpensive home remedy contain phytochemicals that help ensure the skin remains soft and supple. The mode of action of aloe vera has also been shown to get rid of dead cells on the skin, allowing for the generation of new skin cells, a crucial aspect of dealing with age spots. In addition, the gel obtained from the freshly cut aloe plant has been shown to have soothing and calming properties on the skin. For constant supply of aloe’s goodness, you could consider planting this succulent species in your backyard.

Directions:

  1. Cut the leaf at the base, and make sure to squeeze the gel onto your palms.
  2. Dab the cotton wool on the gel and apply it to your skin on the regions where the age spots are present.
  3. Let the gel stay on the skin for about 5 minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Apply this remedy twice daily, over a period of 6 weeks or until you start to notice the age spots diminishing.
    If, for whatever reason, you cannot access real aloe gel, you can always opt to use organic aloe vera gel obtained from the store. Check that this gel has minimal additives to ensure that you get a product as close to the raw aloe gel as possible.

 

3. Horseradish, Lemon Juice, And Rosemary Essential Oil:

Time Required: 30 Min to prepare, 2 weeks to refrigerate, 10 minutes for skin application.
What You Need: Horseradish root, freshly squeezed lemon juice, 2 drops of rosemary essential oil, vinegar, ball of cotton wool, and a jar with a lid.
Difficulty: Moderate

 

This remedy contains 3 of the most helpful skin care ingredients: horseradish root, lemon juice and rosemary oil, all of which contribute to the elimination of age spots. Horseradish is not only a popular culinary condiment but also one of the most integral skin care remedies. Before the root is cut, it does not produce any characteristic aroma. When you grate it, however, the plant cells are disrupted to release the pungent oil.

To retain its activity, whether when cooking or when using the root as a skin care remedy, it is important to preserve the root in vinegar. The skin lightening properties of the root make it an excellent and natural way to get rid of age spots. The addition of lemon juice is done to improve the natural glow of the skin, while effectively clearing the age spots.Additional benefits of using lemon juice include its antibacterial properties that help clean the skin.

Rosemary essential oil is packed with antioxidants that enhance the skin’s health, and make it less likely to get age spots. Rosemary oil is also packed with nutrients, and has a hydrating effect on the skin. By allowing for the regeneration of skin cells which replace the dead skin, rosemary essential oil makes for an excellent way to decrease the number of age spots on your skin.

Directions:

  1. Peel the horseradish root carefully, taking care to avoid any contact with your eyes as this can easily cause irritation of the eye membranes.
  2. Wash the root before grating it to small fine pieces.
  3. Transfer the grated horseradish to a small bowl, and add a quarter cup of the vinegar for preservation purposes.
  4. Add three drops of the essential Rosemary oil to the horseradish+vinegar mixture. Swirl it gently so that the ingredients are mixed well.
  5. Place the mixture in a jar that can be covered tightly with a lid, and let the mixture sit in the fridge for a fortnight.
  6. Shake the jar everyday to prevent settling of the ingredients.
  7. After two weeks, pass the mixture through a strainer.
  8. Dip the ball of cotton wool into the cold mixture and apply on the parts of the skin which exhibit age spots. Use this remedy twice daily, and look out for the improvement of your skin condition.

 

4. Castor Oil:

Time Required: 2o Min
What You Need: Castor oil, cotton wool, and warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy

 

Castor oil has strong healing properties that compliment its role as a home remedy used in the treatment of age spots. This oil is able to penetrate into the skin’s cells where it enhances the production of collagen, one of the key proteins in the skin. This improves the skin’s hydration, and gradually gets rid of age spots. The presence of different fatty acids also gets rid of bacteria found in the skin, overall making it a key home remedy for anyone who wants to get rid of age spots. Note however, that for this home remedy to be effective, it must be used consistently.

Directions:

  1. Soak a ball of cotton wool in the castor oil, and dab it on the age spots.
  2. Massage the oil in gentle circles for about 10 minutes to stimulate the penetration of the oil into the skin’s deep layers.
  3. Let it stay on the skin for about 15 minutes before rinsing it using warm water.
  4. Apply moisturizing lotion to the skin to retain hydration. Repeat this procedure twice daily, preferably in the morning and evening. Over a period of about 10 weeks, you are sure to notice a decrease in the number and bold appearance of the age spots.

 

5. Buttermilk:

Time Required: For the preparation, 10 minutes. Application of the remedy, 10 minutes.
What You Need: A cup of fresh milk, a tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice (which you could substitute with white vinegar), a ball of cotton wool, and warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Moderate

 

Buttermilk, one of the most common dairy products that you can make from home, also doubles up as an integral skin care remedy. The presence of lactic acid in buttermilk acts as a natural way to exfoliate. By getting rid of the dead cells on the skin, lactic acid reduces the appearance of the age spots while stimulating the production of collagen which helps tone the skin. The healthy fats in the buttermilk ensure that after exfoliation, your skin remains hydrated.

In the preparation of buttermilk, the authentic recipe for this remedy involves the preparation of butter so that the whitish substance left constitutes the remedy. Since this may not be feasible, alternative methods of preparation are used. Buttermilk is a little sour to taste, and has pieces of curd that remain after its preparation. Below is the recipe for preparing buttermilk, as well as directions for its application.

Directions:

  1. Add a tablespoon of the lemon juice to the cup of milk, and allow the mixture to stand for about five minutes.
  2. Place the cotton wool in the buttermilk you just made, before applying on the skin where the age spots have appeared.
  3. Let this buttermilk sit on the skin for 5 minutes, and rinse off with warm water. Repeat this procedure twice daily, making sure you use the buttermilk regularly for best results.

 

Other home remedies that you can use to get rid of age spots include cucumber slices whose skin whitening properties make it an excellent remedy, cumin seeds, thanks to their essential oils and coconut oil. Note that for these home remedies to be effective, they must be used consistently over a period of time in order to gradually get rid of the age spots. See to it that you combine these remedies with a strict skin routine that’s suited for your skin type.

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