Even out your skin tone using some of these tips.

They're known as age spots, liver spots, sunspots or solar lentigines. Whatever you call them, dark spots are a surefire giveaway of age.

For the uninitiated, age spots are basically collections of pigment, also known as melanin, that often appear after exposure to ultra-violet light - which is why they're so likely to pop up on your face and hands. With this in mind, the best way to truly reduce the appearance of brown spots and prevent new ones is to slap on the sunscreen.

If you aren't using a sunscreen 365 days a year, even when you're inside, dark spots and uneven skin tone won't budge.

Alongside being mindful of UV rays, there are lots of vitamins and botanicals that work to fade spots by interrupting melanin production.

"Vitamin C, vitamin B3, soy, licorice, arbutin, and kojic acid are all good," says top skincare expert Arielle Kauvar.

"But they work in slightly different ways, so fit as many into your daily regimen as possible."

In the morning, Arielle advises wearing brighteners that are also antioxidants, such as vitamin C, licorice and soy. At night, she recommends using these same pigment-reducing ingredients together with an alpha hydroxy acid or retinoid to correct skin tone and help fade dark spots.

"Any kind of irritation, including rashes or acne, accelerates the production of pigment," Arielle told Allure.

"If your skin flares up, go back to a basic creamy cleanser and a moisturiser with ceramides until it recovers.

"You can fade spots with over-the-counter treatments and should see gradual results after six to eight weeks. So don't quit a lightening regimen just because spots don't disappear overnight."

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