What Causes Dark Spots?

What are dark spots?

Dark spots are a form of hyperpigmentation, which is the umbrella term for any type of skin darkening or discolouration.

Like the name suggests, dark spots are typically round or oval, though they can vary in size and shape. Dark spots also differ in colour, ranging from brown, black, grey, red, or purple.

What causes dark spots on face and skin?

Dark spots are caused by an overproduction of melanin (the skin’s natural pigment) and excessive stimulation of cells in the epidermis that produce melanin and transport it to the skin's surface¹. However, there are various external and internal triggers that contribute to this additional melanin production.

Read on as we explore these contributing factors.

^{¹https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK459156/}

Sun exposure and UV damage

Sun exposure is an incidental part of life, but years of cumulative UV damage in the Australian sun can trigger a surplus of melanin production. You’ll notice that these types of dark spots appear on sun-exposed areas like the face, hands, chest, back, and shoulders – which is why daily sun protection is paramount.

Blemishes

If severe, recurring breakouts are left unchecked, they can eventually cause dark spots on the face – known as post-blemish marks. These specific dark spots are the skin’s knee-jerk response to what it perceives as an ‘injury’: in this case, your blemishes. These dark spots can appear anywhere your blemishes did, and they’re generally red, pink, grey or brown.

Hormonal changes and melasma

Pregnancy, menopause, birth control, and certain medical treatments can unbalance melanin synthesis, resulting in skin discolouration like melasma, chloasma, or pregnancy mask. UV exposure can often intensify this type of skin discolouration.

Ageing and environmental stressors

Natural ageing is a major contributing factor of what causes dark spots on the face, since decades of sun exposure can trigger excess melanin in the skin.

Environmental stressors like UV rays and pollution also cause oxidative stress in the skin: an imbalance of free radicals and antioxidants. When free radicals outnumber antioxidants, this can accelerate visible signs of ageing like dark spots.

Over-exfoliation and skin moisture barrier damage

Part of what causes dark spots on skin is the way you care for your skin day to day. For example, aggressive skincare habits (such as over-cleansing, frequent scrubbing, or using potent products that are too harsh for your skin) can weaken the skin moisture barrier.

When the skin moisture barrier is compromised, it impairs your skin’s natural defence system, which makes your skin more susceptible to UV damage – and dark spots.

Who is more likely to develop dark spots?

Genetics will also largely dictate if you are likely to develop dark spots from UV exposure, blemish-prone skin, hormonal factors, and other skin stressors². This is because your genes govern how much melanin your skin produces.

Darker skin tones already have higher levels of melanin and may be more susceptible to hyperpigmentation². However, any skin tone can develop dark spots on the skin and face as a result of the above triggers.

^{²https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10304091/}

Can dark spots be prevented?

Yes – most types of dark spots can be prevented with the right skincare and protective habits. Hyperpigmentation can occur long after the initial cell damage, so preventative skincare is essential.

Because UV damage is the biggest culprit of what causes dark spots, daily sunscreen is an absolute must. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF50. This will protect you from both UVB and UVA rays – the latter of which is present all year round.

We recommend that you apply sunscreen at the end of your morning skincare routine and wait 20 minutes before heading outside.

How can skincare help support more even-looking skin?

While sunscreen is going to safeguard your skin from UV damage that causes dark spots on the face, you can turn to other skincare ingredients to help with dark spots and prevent new ones from forming.

Below, we’ll be exploring two hero L’Oréal Paris formulas that can promote a more uniform skin tone and get rid of multiple different types of spots: including dark spots and post-blemish marks, as well as age spots and melasma.

Revitalift Melasyl™ Anti-Ageing Creamy Serum

Rather than relying on a single ingredient for tonal skin concerns, the best serums for hyperpigmentation target dark spots with multiple actives that promote a brighter, more even complexion.

Formulated with brightening ingredients niacinamide and vitamin C, in addition to L’Oréal’s revolutionary anti-hyperpigmentation ingredient MelasyI™, the Revitalift MelasyI™ Anti-Ageing Creamy Serum has been developed to combat the source of what causes dark spots: excess melanin production.

MelasyI™ intercepts melanin precursors at a molecular level to inhibit melanin production in the epidermis – and prevent dark spots from forming.

Revitalift Laser Triple Action Age-Correcting Cream SPF15

When building a skincare routine to tackle dark spots, it’s important to pair your serum with a complementary moisturiser that will offer similar protective benefits. Moisturiser will help reinforce your skin moisture barrier, keeping out harmful aggressors that cause dark spots.

The Revitalift Laser X3 Deep Anti-Ageing Day Cream SPF15 is formulated with a wealth of supportive ingredients: including vitamin C, hyaluronic acid, and pro-retinol. Together with SPF15, these ingredients promote more radiant, even-looking skin.

Skin cell damage can play a significant role in what causes dark spots, but the right anti-ageing skincare routine can help. Next, we take an in-depth look at how your skin changes as you age, and how it’s never too early – or late – to start caring for your skin.