The other day, I noticed a few brownish age spots on my upper cheeks. I freaked out. After all, I am only 43 this year and  I think this age is still too early to be getting age spots!

As a strong proponent of using all things natural (and cheap), I  did a search today to find out how I can get rid of the age spots naturally.

After reading a few articles, I settled with using lemon juice, extra virgin coconut oil and essential oils.

My method worked like a charm and those brown spots were removed almost completely on the first try!

My method (successful!):
1. First dab fresh lemon juice all over my skin with dark spots, which were on my cheeks and neck.
2. Let the juice soak through my skin for a few hours. I waited for 5 hours.
3. After my shower, I poured a mixture of extra virgin coconut oil, melaleuca oil, peppermint oil and lavender oil in a bowl.  Then dipped facial cotton squares into the mixed essential oils.
4. Using the facial cotton squares soaked with essential oils, I rubbed  the affected parts of my skin.  Brown stains were immediately seen on the cotton squares!  The more I rubbed my skin with the cotton, the more brown stains were seen on the cotton.  After rubbing my cheeks and neck with a handful of cotton squares, the affected areas are now sparkling clean and fair again!  I could not believe how effective this method is!!

What Are Age Spots?

Age spots, also known as liver spots and sun spots, typically appear on the face, hands, shoulders, forearms and other areas of skin regularly exposed to the sun.  According to the Mayo Clinic, age spots appear most frequently in adults over the age of 40, though they can also affect younger people. Despite their name, age spots are not caused by aging alone, but occur from long-term exposure to the sun or other sources of UV light. Considered harmless, age spots require no medical treatment. Bleaching with over-the-counter products or natural remedies may reduce their appearance.

But I am not keen on using over-the-counter products, which may contain harsh chemicals.

If you’re a pro of using all things natural just like myself, you’ll be delighted to know that age spots can be removed naturally and inexpensively!

1 .  Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has been considered to be useful not just for your health but it is also a beauty oil too.  It is one of those oils which has tremendous benefits for your skin as well as hair. The world over it is regarded as one of the most popular oils for beauty care.

Coconut oil comes packed with various antioxidants which help in fighting against these age spots.

If you want to use coconut oil for getting rid of age spots, it’s best to use virgin coconut oil since it is rich in antioxidants.

How to use coconut oil?

Clean your face and then pat dry with a soft towel. Now take a few drops of coconut oil and apply it on the age spots. Gently massage the spots with this oil. It is supposedly more effective it you go for upward strokes on the face. Coconut oil should be applied for age spots not just on face but on other parts of your body as well.

In order to prevent age spots from occurring it is best if you apply coconut oil immediately after you have come back from outside and have been exposed to sun rays. Continue applying coconut till the age spots disappear completely from your skin

2. Lemon Juice

Lemon is a natural bleaching agent and can go a long way in reducing age spots. Owing to its bleaching properties lemon juice is considered to be a dark spot corrector too.  Apply the juice from a fresh lemon to age spots at least twice a day to naturally reduce their appearance.  Allow the juice to remain for 10 minutes before rinsing with warm water. Lemon juice contains mild acidic agents that may slough away dead cells from the skin’s outer layer and lighten dark spots on the skin.

3. Yoghurt

Yoghurt is known to whiten your skin naturally. Just apply some plain and unsweetened yoghurt on your brown spots and massage gently. This will not just fade away the spots but also make your skin brighter and even out the skin tone too.

4.  Pineapple

Rub a piece of fresh pineapple over age spots to gently lighten their appearance.    Pineapple contains an enzyme called bromelain, which is a mild bleaching agent suitable for reducing age spots.  Do this at least once a day for best results.

5. Papaya

In order to naturally get rid of age spots, you can apply papaya too. This is so because papaya contains an enzyme called  ‘Papain’ which helps in evening out the skin tone, removes freckles, age spots as well as dark spots caused by acne. Just rub the papaya peel on your spots regularly.

6.  Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil)

Tea tree oil helps to get rid of dark spots from acne but also reduces age spots too. Apply tea tree oil with a cotton pad on the spots daily.

7. Onion Juice

If you do not mind the pungent odor of onion juice, you can squeeze the juice of onion and apply it on the affected spots. Do this at least 2-3 times a day.

8.  Aloe Vera

Apply aloe vera gel directly on age spots to help reduce their appearance. The Reader’s Digest book, “1,801 Home Remedies: Trustworthy Treatments for Everyday Health Problems,”  recommends using gel fresh from the living plant, if possible. Aloe vera contains chemicals that gently remove dead skin cells and encourage the growth of new, healthy cells. Apply once or twice per day until you achieve the desired results.

9.  Buttermilk

Apply plain buttermilk, an old folk remedy for age spots, directly to the spots several times in a day to get rid of age spots. Buttermilk contains lactic acid, which gently exfoliates pigmented and sun-damaged skin while mildly bleaching.

10.  Witch Hazel

Use witch hazel to reduce age spots naturally. This is also effective in treating skin discoloration. Apply it in the same way as you would with tea tree oil.

Tips

While getting rid of age spots naturally is possible, it takes commitment, patience and time to see results.  Many natural remedies work slowly, over time, so stick with it patiently and you should notice improvement over time, depending on the severity of the condition.

Avoid excess sunlight and always use sunscreen to prevent age spots from becoming dark again. Bleaching them with natural materials won’t last permanently if you expose your skin to the elements that caused the damage in the first place.

You may also try applying vitamin E oil to the skin after spending time in the sun to prevent the formation of age spots.