Is hyperpigmentation permanent? Will sun damage ever go away completely?
In the UK, many millennials and baby boomers are paying a pigmentation price for years of sunbed use and sun damage, but it's not too late to fix this.
If you want to reverse pigmentation but don’t know where to start, we can help. Here we reveal how to spot the signs of sun damage and share tips for reducing pigmentation on the face.
How does the sun affect the skin?
Sun exposure and sunbed use can leave their mark on our skin in several ways. Common signs of facial sun damage include:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Age spots (hyperpigmentation)
- An uneven skin tone
- Skin cancer
Always consult a medical professional if you are concerned about the health of your skin.
A form of photoaging, sun damage builds up over many years, slowly revealing itself in your 30s, 40s and beyond.
Our hands and faces are most exposed to sunlight, so it's little surprise that the first signs of UV skin damage emerge here.
If you have frequently exposed your skin to the sun, you may notice freckle-like sunspots during your thirties. Also known as age spots, these enlarge throughout your 40s, becoming more evident in your 50s and 60s.
Why then? Well, that’s when your skin starts to thin. It's also when your skin rejuvenation processes start to slow down.
While we can’t undo past sun care mistakes, we can take steps to look after our skin better today. More about reversing pigmentation problems later.
What causes sun damage on the face?
The main cause of permanent signs of ageing and pigmentation is exposure to sunlight. UVA and UVB rays cause clumps of melanin to form in the skin (age spots) and set off the processes that lead to fine lines and wrinkles.
Whilst we notice the damage that UVB rays are doing more quickly, in the form of tanning or burning, UVA rays do not cause burning and can pass through clouds and glass.
This is why wearing a minimum of SPF15 all year round is so important. Make sunscreen the last step of your daily skin care routine, and remember to reapply regularly, to reduce further sun damage to your skin.
How do I choose an SPF for sun-damaged skin?
Sun cream use was scant in the 60s and 70s, but today, we know that wearing a high-factor SPF daily is one of the most effective ways to prevent age spots.
And it’s never too late to start. The sun is strongest in the UK between April and October, so all skin types and skin colours should use SPF daily. Here are our top-pick sunscreens for sun-damaged skin.
Age Defy+ Daily SPF30 Moisturiser
A natural and organic SPF moisturiser created for those aged 30+, this UVA and UVB sun shield is the best choice for those who want to target wrinkles as it protects their skin from sunburn and pigmentation sun damage.
Fortified with high-factor SPF30 and potent plant antioxidants, Everlasting Youth Tree strengthens the skin’s epidermal structure to smooth fine lines and boosts hydration by 30%!
Age Defy+ Daily SPF30 Moisturiser 30ml
Hydrate, renew and protect with this 2-in-1 SPF30 moisturiser
£45.00
Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser
If you prefer a tinted SPF to conceal your pigmentation problems, our Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturisers are the perfect solution.
Effective at concealing pigmentation, redness and rosacea, SPF15 protects while Sea Fennel supports collagen as earth minerals give flawless mineral make-up coverage.
Age Defy+ Tinted DD Moisturiser SPF 15 – Light 30ml
Hydrate, glow, protect with our ‘light’ tinted moisturiser with SPF
£43.00
3 natural ways to reverse sun pigmentation damage
In addition to protecting against further sun damage by applying SPF, you can help to fade pigmentation problems by incorporating the following steps into your anti-ageing beauty routine.
STEP 1: REFINE
Exfoliating 1-2 times a week eases pigmentation problems by releasing dead skin cells and supporting your cell turnover rate.
If retinol is too potent for your sensitive skin and you need a natural and gentle way to smooth your skin tone, you can’t go wrong with the Age Defy+ Soft Buff Exfoliator.
This smooths the skin and, thanks to a combination of protective Hibiscus and exfoliating Pineapple Enzymes, also delivers a lightening effect. Perfect for those prone to hyperpigmentation!
Age Defy+ Soft Buff Skin Exfoliator 30ml
Reveal velvet-soft skin with a natural skin buff with 2-way exfoliation
£28.00
STEP 2: BRIGHTEN
Another way to ease pigmentation is with brightening beauty actives. Vitamin C is known to help with hyperpigmentation and is a key ingredient in our Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum.
Discover the difference collagen-boosting Vitamin C makes to your skin
£45.00
Age Defy+ Collagen Boost Vitamin C Serum 30ml
Apply it before smoothing on our Brightening Moisturiser which uses Pineapple enzymes to gently ease excess pigment as Cucumber, Mulberry Bark Extract and Hibiscus Flower Extract promote a smooth and even skin tone. Make clearer that is proven
Age Defy+ Brightening Moisturiser 30ml
Target age spots, fine lines and wrinkles with this hydrating face cream
STEP 3: PROTECT
Protect pigmentation-prone skin from darkening by making SPF the last step of your routine. Make sure that your SPF provides both UVA and UVB defence, like our Age Defy+ Daily SPF30 Moisturiser.
Hydrate, renew and protect with this 2-in-1 SPF30 moisturiser
£45.00
Age Defy+ Daily SPF30 Moisturiser 30ml
We hope that you have found this guide to looking after sun-damaged skin helpful.
Build your best routine for hyperpigmentation-prone skin with our routine finder, or for more help choosing the perfect products for you, call our UK customer care team on 01403 740350 or drop us a note at @GreenPeopleUK.
Reviewed by:
This blog post has been reviewed by Charlotte Vøhtz, founder of Green People, who has 25+ years of experience in the natural and organic beauty industry. A recognised leader in the field of organic beauty, Charlotte helped inform the UK's first organic beauty standards and was voted the People’s Choice in the 2023 and 2024 list of Who’s Who in Natural Beauty. A published author, she wrote the organic beauty bible ‘Naturally Gorgeous’. Previously, she qualified as a nurse and spent over 10 years working in pharmaceuticals.
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Disclaimer:
The contents of this blog post should be treated as information only. Please consult a medical professional if you have any health-related concerns or symptoms.
