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Sunspots on skin are tricky to treat.
Why? Because they often fall under different guises:
Age spotsLiver spotsSolar lentigoPigmentationSun damaged skin
Sunspots appear as round, brown, flat patches, where the top layer of skin expands with pigment.
Whilst some people have a hereditary pre-disposition to sun spots, most appear as a result of to much exposure to UV rays.
The important thing to note is that sunspots are extremely difficult to treat, especially when your up against controversial ingredients like Hydroquinone.
The all important tyrosinase inhibitor
Before I begin, it is important to explain what the term tyrosinase inhibitor means.
It is the key in the regulation of skin pigmentation is melanotropin, often referred to as Alpha-MSH.
Melanotropin controls tyrosinase activity, along with melanin synthesis.
Tyrosinase is the key enzyme in melanin, skin pigment production, many of the extracts listed below contain molecules that antagonise alpha-MSH and inhibit tyrosinase.
Reducing this activity, helps to lighten pigmentation and improve skin tone.
This article, does a really good job of making sense of tyrosinase inhibitors.
Naturally treating sunspots on skin
Alpha-Arbutin
This ingredient comes from yeast extractIt promotes skin lightening, by blocking melaninIt is considered one of the safest ingredients, for removing pigmentation
Bearberry Leaf Extract/Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi
A popular skin brightenerIt is also considered an anti-bacterial and antioxidant
Antioxidants
These ingredients, address the connection between inflammation and pigmentation formationThey also help to slow down oxidation, that is involved in the formation of melanin
Biowhite
Contains four plant extracts, Saxifrage, Grape, Mulberry, Skullcap ExtractIt inhibits the production of tyrosinase, the essential enzyme in the formation of melaninPlant extracts exfoliate dark surface cells, promoting healthy cell renewalBiowhite also offers protection from UV radiation
Daisy Flower Extract/Bellis Perennis
A potent skin lightener and antioxidantBellis Perennis, influences the pathways involved in the formation of melanin
Diacetyl Boldine Extract/Lumiskin
This extract comes from Chilean barkIt inhibits pigmentation, induced by cellular stress, lightening and brightening sunspots on skin
Gigawhite
Developed from alpine plantsGigawhite has strong antioxidant propertiesIt is considered a potent anti-inflammatory and skin lightening extractIt naturally inhibits tyrosinase
Kojic Acid
This extract is sourced from mushroomsIt prevents melanin production, by inhibiting tyrosinaseIt is important to note, it can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people
Hydroxy Acids
Hydroxy acids un-bond corneocyte cells, that contain melanin. The cells responsible for skin colour5% concentration of lactic acid, can help to inhibit the formation of the tyrosinase enzyme, slowing the process of melanin synthesis
Mulberry Bark Extract/Morus Alba
A natural tyrosinase inhibitorMorus Alba, has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Niacinamide
This is the equivalent of a non-hydroquinone treatment, for hyper-pigmentationPerfect for overall brightening and fading of sunspots on skin
N-Acetyl Glucosamine
Another great skin whitening agentIt works in synergy with niacinamide
Poria Cocos Polysaccharide/Gladback
Increases skin thicknessImproves luminosity and micro circulationDecreases the appearance of wrinkles caused by ageing
Rumex Occidentalis Extract/Tyrostat
This botanical extract comes from a plant native to Northern CanadaRegarded as one of the best all natural skin whitening bio-activesIt has a strong inhibitory effect, on the tyrosinase enzyme
Undecylenoyl phenylalanine/Sepiwhite
A potent sun spot faderMade from natural amino acidsHailed as a breakthrough in reducing pigmentationIt works as an MSH antagonist, preventing the production of melanin synthesisN-acetyl glucosamine, niacinamide and sepiwhite, are proving to be very effective in reducing melanin production, without damaging skin cultures
Not so naturally
Oligopeptide-34
This is a good example of a peptide that can be used to control pigmentation; it is a synthesised peptide, that can help to inhibit tyrosinase activity within the skin.
It visibly brightens sun induced hyper-pigmentation, in half the time of many other popular skin lightening ingredients; It is considered, one of the most effective and safe ways to treat hyper-pigmentation.
Melanostatin-5/Aqua-Dextran-Nonapeptide-1
This peptide, works by antagonising the alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone.
It prevents the hormone telling the melanocyte to produce melanin, thus helping to lighten areas of hyper-pigmentation on the skin.