Have you ever wondered about those tiny brown spots on your face? They are called FRECKLES. They are not flaws but rather unique features that make a person's face a canvas of individuality. Freckles are mostly caused by genetic predisposition.
    In this blog, we will take a closer look at freckles - how are they caused and how can we manage them to make them appear less. 


Causes of Freckles:
There are normally two causes of freckles: Genetic Predisposition and Sun Exposure. 

Genetic Predisposition:
Skin has two layers: the epidermis (upper layer) and dermis (lower layer). On the basal area of the epidermis, there are melanocytes. These are the types of cells which make pigment and then these pigment travel across the skin cells which is the Keratinocytes and then give the skin it's color. So, it has been found in people with freckles that the number of melanocytes is normal, but they are very responsive to making this pigment. It has seen that people who genetically tend to develop these freckles on sun exposure.

Sun Exposure
On exposure to sun, these cells tend to make more melanin and the freckles tend to be more prominent. It has also been noticed that the freckles tend to look more prominent in summer and tends to lighten on its own in winters. So, the combination of genetic predisposition and sun exposure gives you freckles. 

How to manage freckles:
We can't get rid of freckles completely, but we can reduce the appearance of freckles. So, our goal should be to reduce the appearance and not to completely get rid of the freckles otherwise you are going to be very frustrated with the treatment because nothing you apply will completely get rid of the freckles and give you a skin that is devoid of freckles. 
  There are some tips which you should follow if you want to reduce the freckles on your face:

1) Proper Sun Protection 
One should keep in mind the following steps to protect your skin from the harsh rays of sun:
  • If you are somebody who has a lot of sun exposure which is around 15-20 minutes, then you should use a sunscreen of at least SPF 50. Otherwise, if you mostly stay indoors then you can use a sunscreen of SPF 30.
  • Use a sunscreen of right amount which is almost two finger length on the whole face.
  • Re-application of sunscreen in every two hours is very important in order to get proper protection from sunrays. One time application is not enough even if you are sitting indoors near to a large window surface where sun light can reflect. 
  • Along with using sunscreen, you should also keep in mind some sun protective measures such as carrying an umbrella and wearing wide rim glasses. 
2) Creams to Use to Lighten Freckles
If you have freckles on your face then it is suggested to use creams or serums that contain ingredients such as Vitamin C, Green tea, Antioxidants and Resveratrol. These ingredients have antioxidant properties. So if you want to faint your freckles, you can use these serums twice a day. Using an antioxidant serum in the morning because that will help in protecting the skin against UV damage. 
     In the morning when you cleanse your face, apply a layer of an antioxidant serum and then you can go on with a moisturizer and sunscreen. This will form a protective layer against the harsh rays of UV and also helps to faint freckles.
    Apart from the benefit of reducing the freckles, it also slows down the process of aging , has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces collagen breakdown and makes your skin appear brighter and youthful. 

3) Creams/Serums to Use If You Have Dark Freckles
If you have dark colored freckles on your face, then you should use creams and serums that contain Kojic Acid or Alpha Arbutin. These block the enzyme tyrosinase, so inhibits the formation of melanin. This can also help to reduce dark spots and can be used for a long time without any side effects. But if you are using creams or serums that contain Alpha Arbutin, then you should take a break after 3 to 4 months and then restart using it.
     Creams or serums that contain Kojic Acid or Alpha Arbutin can help in reducing dark spots and dark colored freckles from your face. This can be used once or twice a day depending on the rest of your routine. 
   Another agent that you can include is a Retinol which also helps in fighting dark spots. It causes redistribution of melanosomes and helps in reducing freckles and dark spots. Retinol has also many other benefits such as collagen formation, reducing the appearance of fine lines and making the skin appear more youthful for a longer period of time.

Skincare Routine for Freckles


In the morning once you cleanse your face, you can use an antioxidant serum and follow it up with a sunscreen. Make sure that you reapply sunscreen every two hours. At night, you can use a Retinol and if your freckles are very dark and prominent, then you use Kojic Acid and Alpha Arbutin at night. Remember to choose a routine that can be followed for a long period of time. 

Freckles Are Beautiful
In many parts of the world, freckles are considered beautiful. People even use makeup to give the illusion of freckles or going to the extent of during tattoo or permanent makeup on their face in order to get freckles. You don't have to completely get rid of them, you can just do certain things to manage it not to make it look very prominent. 
   We really hope this blog was proven to be helpful for you. Share this blog to others too who might need these tips.