How To Cover Age Spots On The Face With These Pro Tricks

Have you ever wondered how to remove or cover the age spots on your face completely? Whether it’s large areas of hyperpigmentation or just a small patch of discolouration, it’s no secret that age spots on the face can be challenging to cover up. We spoke to celebrity makeup artist Lan Nguyen-Grealis, to find out her top tips on how to disguise them once and for all – whether it’s for a special occasion or everyday life. Plus, we give you the lowdown on what age spots are, what causes them, and how to remove age spots.

What are age spots?

Age spots appear on areas exposed to the sun, such as the face, hands, shoulders, and arms. People may call them sunspots, liver spots, and solar lentigines. Although they can appear at any stage of life, age spots are most common in middle-aged or older fair-skinned people, especially those who spend a lot of time in the sun.   

What causes age spots? 

The overproduction of melanin causes age spots, which can happen after too much sun exposure and the use of tanning beds, amongst other factors. You can also be genetically predisposed to age spots, so you are more likely to develop them if your family has them. 

What do age spots look like? 

Age spots are flat dark areas on the skin that come in a variety of sizes. They can be brown, grey or black and may get darker after sunlight exposure.

What’s the difference between freckles and age spots? 

Although they look similar, freckles and age spots do have some differences. Freckles are usually found in cluster shapes across larger skin areas, like across the cheeks, nose bridge or forehead. Age spots typically pop up as a single spot by themselves or close to one or two others. 

An easy way to tell the difference? Freckles are likely to become more prominent in the summer and fade in the winter, whereas age spots do not fade. 

Are age spots dangerous?  

Age spots are harmless. However, Healthline recommends that if you notice the size, shape, or appearance of your age spots has changed over time, you should consult your doctor or dermatologist. Look out for spots that: 

● have a very dark pigmentation

● get bigger, quickly 

● develop an unusual combination of colours 

● bleed, itch, or feel tender 

● have irregular edges or borders 

How to remove age spots ? 

Although they pose no health threats, some people want to say goodbye to their age spots for good due to their appearance. Here are your options for removing or reducing unwanted age spots. 

You can buy skincare products that target and prevent the development of age spots and discolouration – such as Bright Plus Dark Spot Targeting Treatment Essence or Bright Plus Advanced Brightening Dark Spot-Targeting Serum. 

How to cover age spots on the face  

Now that you know about age spots and why you get them, you can cover them up with the proper skincare routine and makeup.

Step 1: Prep your skin 

“Preparation of the skin is essential when concealing age spots,” says Nguyen-Grealis. 

“Using a natural, gentle face mask, skin peel or exfoliating product before makeup application can help to elevate the skin and provide the best canvas possible for your makeup,” she continues. 

Step 2: Use a primer 

Lan recommends using a primer before applying your base products. “A silicone or mattifying primer is great for smoothing the skin’s surface before makeup application and will also help it to stay put for longer,” she explains. “A brightening primer or liquid highlighting primer is also good for evening out any skin discoloration, reducing redness and adding hydration.”  

Step 3: Apply colour corrector and concealer 

“Use a colour corrector on any discoloured areas,” Lan advises. For fair to light skin tones, opt for a peach-toned corrector. For medium skin tones, reach for a bisque tone, and stick with an orange shade for deeper skin tones. “Layer the colour corrector onto your skin using a concealer brush, and apply your usual concealer afterwards with your finger, gently tapping it into the skin to blend and being careful not to remove any product.” For smaller sun spots, conceal them with a tapered brush. For larger sun spots, apply using a fatter brush.

Quick tip: A peach primer will help diffuse age spots on fairer tones, while orange or more red-based primers help darker skin hues. You can use colour primer, like Clarins SOS Primer in step 2 and then just use a concealer in this step to cover age spots on the face. 

Step 4: Apply your foundation 

“Before applying your main foundation, use a tinted moisturiser or CC cream to create an even base and to cover minor blemishes,” Lan adds. “Then, add another layer of your chosen foundation, giving more coverage if needed. The best foundation formulas for covering age spots on the face are products with thicker consistencies, as these tend not to wear off as quickly as liquid formulas.” 

Tips: If you are having trouble finding your foundation shades, you can use Clarins Foundation Finder.

Step 5: Set with a powder 

“To set everything in place, use a pressed or a loose powder to maintain the coverage. If you need more coverage, apply a thin layer of powder on age spots and another layer of your concealer before setting everything in place again. This will add more staying power,” says Lan. 

Try: Clarins Ever Matte Compact Powder. 

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