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Sunspots are those stubborn little dark marks that tend to pop up on your cheeks, forehead, or hands as the years go by. While they’re often linked to aging, the real culprit is sun exposure and a few everyday habits that are making sunspots worse without you even realizing it.
Understanding what causes sunspots isn’t just about beach days or skipping SPF. It’s also about the way you care for your skin, the products you use, and how often you protect yourself, even when you’re indoors.
The good news is that a few small changes can help prevent new spots from forming and gradually fade the ones you already have. Let’s take a look at some of the most common habits that could be getting in your way and what to do instead.
What Causes Sunspots and Why Are They so Common?
Sunspots happen when your skin produces too much melanin (the pigment that gives skin its color) in response to UV exposure. Over time, that exposure adds up and can lead to flat, dark patches on areas like your face, chest, shoulders, and hands.
The biggest cause of sunspots is sunlight, especially without consistent SPF protection. However, they can also be triggered by things like hormonal changes, skin inflammation, and even certain medications that make your skin more sensitive to light.
They’re common because most of us spend years in the sun without realizing how much it’s affecting our skin. Even small, daily doses of UV, like driving, sitting near windows, or walking the dog, can contribute to pigment changes over time. In fact, research shows that about 90% of skin aging results from everyday sun exposure, not just intense, occasional UV exposure.
Knowing what causes sunspots is the first step in learning how to prevent them and manage the ones you already have. So, let’s review the top five habits that are making sunspots worse.
1. Inconsistent or Incorrect Sunscreen Use
Sunscreen is the single most important step in preventing and managing sunspots, but only if you’re using it correctly. The truth is, many people either skip it altogether on cloudy days or only apply it once in the morning and call it good.
To protect your skin from UV damage, you need to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours, especially if you’re sweating or outside.
SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%. That might not sound like a big difference, but over time, it can add up, especially if you’re prone to hyperpigmentation.
Another common mistake is not using enough sunscreen. Most people apply less than half the amount needed for full protection. A nickel-sized amount for the face alone is a good rule of thumb, and don’t forget often-missed areas like your neck, chest, and hands.
If you’re already seeing sunspots, being consistent with sunscreen is one of the easiest ways to prevent them from getting darker and to stop new ones from forming in the first place.
2. Using Harsh or Sensitizing Skincare Ingredients
When it comes to fading sunspots, more isn’t always better. It’s tempting to reach for strong acids, high-strength retinoids, or intense exfoliants in hopes of speeding up results, but using too many actives (or using them too often) can make pigmentation worse.
Over-exfoliating or layering incompatible ingredients can weaken your skin barrier, which leads to inflammation. And when the skin is inflamed or irritated, it becomes more vulnerable to sun damage, only to make sunspots darker and more stubborn over time.
Common culprits include frequent use of glycolic acid, scrubs, and retinol without proper guidance or hydration. These ingredients can be powerful tools in your skincare routine, but they need to be used carefully and often introduced slowly. And then there are harmful skincare ingredients you should avoid altogether.
Instead, opt for a balanced skincare routine that includes barrier-repairing ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide, and gentle hydration. A skincare consultation can help you figure out which ingredients work best for your skin and how to use them without doing more harm than good.
3. Not Protecting Skin During Everyday Activities
Most people think of sun protection as something you only need for beach days or hiking trips. Or worse, men ignore the need for sun protection. But UV exposure adds up during everyday moments, like driving to work, walking the dog, or sitting near a sunny window.
UVA rays, in particular, penetrate glass and go deeper into the skin. They’re the ones responsible for aging and pigmentation, including sunspots. That’s why people often notice more sun damage on the left side of their face from years of driving.
The fix is to make sun protection a part of your daily routine, no matter where you are. Apply broad-spectrum SPF first thing in the morning, and consider adding tinted sunscreen, mineral powders, or SPF setting sprays for easy touch-ups throughout the day.
You can also take it a step further with physical protection — think wide-brim hats, sunglasses, and clothing with built-in UPF (ultraviolet protection factor). Little habits like these go a long way in keeping your skin even-toned and protected.
4. Skipping Antioxidants in Your Routine
Sunscreen does the heavy lifting when it comes to sun protection, but antioxidants are the support system your skin needs to defend itself. If you’re skipping this step, you might be missing out on one of the easiest ways to prevent and fade sunspots.
Antioxidants like Vitamin C, niacinamide, and green tea extract help neutralize free radicals, which are unstable molecules caused by UV exposure and pollution that contribute to pigmentation, collagen breakdown, and premature aging. Without antioxidant protection, your skin has fewer defenses against the damage that causes sunspots to deepen and multiply.
Adding a daily antioxidant serum to your morning routine can support the effectiveness of your SPF, improve overall skin health, and brighten uneven tone over time. Look for stabilized forms of Vitamin C or multi-antioxidant blends for best results.
5. Treating Sunspots too Aggressively, too Often
When sunspots won’t budge, it’s easy to fall into the trap of doing more and more peels, more lasers, and more high-strength serums. However, overdoing it can easily backfire. Inflammation, irritation, and over-treatment can all trigger something called post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which makes dark spots worse instead of better.
This is especially true for those with medium to deep skin tones or anyone using strong ingredients without professional guidance. Even DIY remedies or over-the-counter lightening products can be too harsh if used incorrectly or too often.
Instead of chasing instant results, think long term. Best summer treatments, like light chemical peels, microneedling, and custom skincare regimens, work best when spaced appropriately and paired with proper aftercare, including SPF and barrier support.
If you’re unsure what your skin needs, a consultation can help you build a targeted, skin-safe plan that works without making your sunspots more stubborn in the process.
Smarter Habits Lead to Brighter Skin
You don’t need to overhaul your entire routine to see a difference. A few mindful changes can go a long way in managing and preventing sunspots. It starts with daily SPF, gentle skincare, and a consistent routine that supports your skin rather than overwhelms it.
The key is finding the right balance. When you understand what causes sunspots and how your habits play a role, you can make smarter choices that support lasting clarity and glow.
Not sure where to start? Book a personalized skincare consultation with our team and let us help you build a routine that protects, repairs, and restores your skin one habit at a time.