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How Do I Hide Age Spots on the Face?

Madeleine A.
Madeleine A.

Effective ways to hide age spots on the face include using foundation makeup, concealer products, and opaque powders to the facial and forehead areas. Facial age spots are a common manifestation of aging and can also be attributed to sun exposure. In addition, age spots can appear as brown, black, or gray flat areas of pigment made of melanin. This substance is what gives the skin it's color, or pigment.

One way to get rid of age spots on the face instead of simply concealing them is to have them bleached by a medical professional. Although this process is somewhat effective in fading sun spots and age spots, it doesn't always work. For this reason, dermatologists often recommend simply concealing the blemishes with makeup and other concealers, which is simple and cost effective.

Makeup and other concealers can hide age spots on the face.
Makeup and other concealers can hide age spots on the face.

Age spots, which are also known as liver spots, can develop on all parts of the body. They appear most frequently on the hands and face, which makes them so visible. People are sometimes self-conscious about these spots, feeling like the marks make the person look old.

Blending two colors of cosmetic concealer, such as green and beige, can help neutralize various colors of age spots on the face. A skin-toned concealer stick may also conceal them. The concealer should be dabbed onto the age spot and not rubbed into the skin. If more coverage is needed, a light coating of face powder can be used over the concealer and the process can be repeated.

People may develop spots, possibly attributable to sun exposure, on their face as they get older.
People may develop spots, possibly attributable to sun exposure, on their face as they get older.

It is important to note that hiding age spots on the face may require multiple shades of concealers, depending upon the color of the marks. For example, if they have a red or pink cast to them, a green- or yellow-based concealer may be effective in concealing the marks. When applying concealer, however, the person should try not to cake the product onto the spot, as this may call further attention to the area and may cause the concealer to crease or even change color.

Over-exposure to the sun's damaging rays can ultimately lead to age spots, particularly among fair-skinned people.
Over-exposure to the sun's damaging rays can ultimately lead to age spots, particularly among fair-skinned people.

Mineral makeup is often very effective in concealing age spots and other facial imperfections. These concealers are effective in covering under-eye circles, broken facial capillaries, scars, and even freckles. In addition, mineral makeup also contains sun protection to help protect against future age spots. It is available in liquid form, pressed powder form, and as a loose powder.

Discussion Comments

LisaLou

I have one small age spot on my face and one on my hand. The one on my face bothers me more than the one on my hand and I try to cover it up with makeup followed by pressed powder.

The aging process is certainly something that I don't enjoy, but figure there are some things that are going to happen no matter what.

I can deal with a couple of spots as long as I am healthy and can still do everything I want to do.

Mykol

I was really upset when I noticed my first age spot on my cheek. For a long time I used concealer and my regular makeup to try and hide it as best I could.

I read somewhere that Frankincense essential oil would help diminish age spots, so bought a bottle of that. I have applied it faithfully for a few months now.

The spot is much lighter than it used to be, but it has not completely gone away. I don't know if I am just used to it or what, but it doesn't bother me as much as it used to.

StarJo

I tried out my young cousin’s special makeup that she bought to cover her severe acne. It’s like wearing a thin mask. It totally covered my age spots, but it had disadvantages.

Because it is so thick, it makes it hard for your skin to breathe. I think it is a mistake to market this as an acne-coverup, because it actually produces more acne by trapping oils against your skin. I noticed a few bumps appearing on my face after a full day of wearing it, and I hardly ever get breakouts anymore.

Perhaps if you have dry skin and age spots, this could be a good product for you to use. I could tell that it locked in moisture, and it made my skin appear to be all one shade.

kylee07drg

I have used at-home bleaching creams to take some of the brown out of my age spots. It works a little bit, but it doesn’t remove them entirely. I think I’m stuck with the darker ones for life.

I have always worn sunscreen, but at a certain age, spots just happen regardless of how well protected you have been. I have a friend who is 74, and she has pale skin flecked with age spots. She rarely ever stepped out of her house all her life, and when she did, she avoided the sun.

She does wear a powdery foundation to help hide them, but they show through it. I’m sure it smooths her face out some, but it’s hard to fully mask age spots.

Oceana

When I was a child, I would see green concealer in the store and wonder if it was for aliens. It was years before I came to know that it was for hiding red blemishes.

I did not know that it should be combined with a beige concealer, though. I have been simply putting the green on and then covering it with foundation. The green usually shows through a bit, but it’s better than a glaring red spot.

I’m going to start using beige on top of it and see what happens. Hopefully, it will make the areas less noticeable.

wavy58

I use a mineral makeup. My foundation is a loose powder, and I apply it with a brush that resembles one often used for applying blush. It smooths out my appearance and makes age spots less noticeable.

The container has loose powder underneath a cap filled with holes. When you shake the container up and down, a small amount of powder comes up through the holes, and you can dip your brush in it.

When my brush is lightly covered, I move it around my skin in a circular motion. I cover my entire face at least twice. I stop when I have a smooth look and my age spots seem to blend in with the rest of my face.

serenesurface

@simrin-- I know foundation works well, but I don't like wearing it all the time and everyday. I want my skin to be able to breathe from time to time and using foundation everyday clogs my pores.

I discovered a tinted moisturizer though that does wonders for age spots. It's formulated to help even out skin tone and pigmentation. It's also tinted so it provides some coverage. Granted, it doesn't look like you have foundation on your face, but I consider it a treatment for age spots in addition to hiding them, so it's worth it.

suntan12

@Cupcake15 - At some point we do have to accept that there are limitations to what can be done and we should accept the aging process gracefully. I realize that everyone wants to improve their appearance, but sometimes the things that we see as flaws actually give us more character.

I notice signs of aging with myself and I do try to improve my appearance, but I am not going to be a slave to the aging process.

SteamLouis

Foundation is the best way to cover age spots. I use one that is like mousse and it also has SPF protection. I like the mousse kind best for covering age spots because these have a creamy and easier to apply texture. It goes on really evenly and looks very smooth.

Oil-free liquid foundations and stick foundations don't cover age spots well. It just looks cakey I feel like it makes my blemishes and age spots even more apparent.

An oil based or mousse formula in the right shade does the best job. I also always use a foundation brush to apply it, it goes on very evenly that way.

cupcake15

I think that concealer is the key, but you have to have the right shade. There are many orange concealors that work well with a lot of skin tones that can really minimize the age spots.

Using a lighter cream shade in the inner corner below the eye really makes you look a little younger as well and will take the focus away from the age spots. The other thing I have to say is to make sure that you get the right shade of foundation.

If the foundation is too light or too dark it can make you look older. If you are really self conscious about your age spots you should probably see a dermatologist and they can probably do a microdermabrasion and a chemical peel to freshen up your skin.

burcinc

The first thing I always pay attention to is to use creams and moisturizers with SPF and UV protection before I go outside. I know that age spots and sun spots are not the same but I think that the sun can make age spots darker and larger.

The other products I always use are skin corrector primer and concealer. There are skin corrector primers in different colors like green and purple like the article mentioned. These even out skin tone. I only apply this on areas where I have age spots, followed by concealer. I have two shades of concealer I use. One is a darker shade for areas where I don't have age spots and the other is lighter for age spots and dark areas on my face. I might use a powder after using concealer.

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    • Makeup and other concealers can hide age spots on the face.
      By: Artanika
      Makeup and other concealers can hide age spots on the face.
    • People may develop spots, possibly attributable to sun exposure, on their face as they get older.
      By: dundanim
      People may develop spots, possibly attributable to sun exposure, on their face as they get older.
    • Over-exposure to the sun's damaging rays can ultimately lead to age spots, particularly among fair-skinned people.
      By: Antonioguillem
      Over-exposure to the sun's damaging rays can ultimately lead to age spots, particularly among fair-skinned people.
    • A corrective concealer with yellowish undertones is best for hiding dark circles.
      By: roblan
      A corrective concealer with yellowish undertones is best for hiding dark circles.
    • Facial pancake makeup provides matte coverage and can help hide age spots.
      By: armina
      Facial pancake makeup provides matte coverage and can help hide age spots.