Our face is the first external impression we give to the world, so it is no wonder why dark spots on the skin can be a source of great frustration. Dark spots or discolouration of the skin can be caused by a variety of different processes, so it is important to identify first what the underlying issue may be. Once you identify the underlying issue you can start to treat the root of the problem. Most discolouration of the skin is caused by sun-damage, hyperpigmentation, hormonal changes, and the natural process of aging. More serious skin discolouration can be caused by major medical conditions such as skin cancer, (caused by major sun damage) or liver disease. No matter what type of skin discolouration you are suffering from, it is important to schedule an appointment with your dermatologist to get an accurate diagnosis before treatment.

If you are certain that you are suffering from minor skin discolouration due to common elemental factors such as minor sun damage, aging or hormonal issues, below are five powerful creams that can help treat these minor common skin problems on the face.

Natural vs. chemical

You can choose to treat your skin discolouration naturally or by using products that contain synthetic chemicals. Creams that contain ingredients listed such as: alpha hydroxy acids, methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl parabens should be avoided. These ingredients are added to either preserve the shelf life of creams, or to induce synthetic smells or consistencies. If you are interested in investing in pre-packaged face creams, consult your dermatologist first and express your concerns about using synthetic ingredients. If you want to go all natural, that is great. Most anti-aging and colour-fighting ingredients occur naturally in foods we eat every day. See below for recipes.

Coconut mask

Coconut oil contains some of the highest antioxidant properties of any oil on the market. It fights against free radicals on the skin, and helps to regenerate skin growth. When you combine coconut oil with other substances such as almond oil, beeswax and shea butter, you have created a powerhouse cream that will fight off aging and discolouration of the skin. The recipe is easy to make. Here’s how:

Ingredients

• 50ml of almond oil
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of beeswax
• 1 tablespoon of shea butter
• 1 drop of lavender oil
• 1 large glass jar
• 1 small glass jar
• saucepan

Bring a saucepan to with 4 to 5 inches of water to a boil, then bring down to simmer. Combine all of the above ingredients into a jar. Place the jar into the simmering water and let sit until all ingredients have melted. Once all the ingredients have melted, pour into small jar. Refrigerate overnight until hardened. Apply in the morning evenly and generously onto the face.

Essential oils

Rose hip seed oil

Many natural oils contain nutrients that help smooth and lighten discolouration of the face. Rose hip seed oil is a rich emollient for the skin and can help to correct dark spots on the skin. Rose hip seed oil is a powerful skin tissue hydrator and penetrates deep within the skin to smooth out wrinkles and fine lines. Using rose hip seed oil is easy. Simply combine it with one of your favourite moisturisers and applying on a daily basis. Within just a few weeks you should notice a difference on your skin.

Sea buckthorn seed oil

It may have a funny name, but Sea buckthorn seed oil works wonders on the skin and has been used through centuries in Europe and Asia. It is a natural oil extracted from an ocean shrub which thrives in the mountains that surround the coastal areas of Asia and Europe. This powerful little oil is packed with over 190 nutrients and contains loads of vitamins, proteins, and fibre. Sea buckthorn seed oil can help reduce hyperpigmentation and is considered one of the most powerful oils when it comes to removing dark spots on the skin. Sea buckthorn seed oil is rich in Vitamin C, which helps to moisturise and revitalise the skin from the inside out. If applied generously on a daily basis, sea buckthorn oil can promote skin elasticity, hydration and cure dark pigmentation of the skin.