‘Age spots’ on the skin (also colloquially called brown spots or liver spots) are associated with aging, exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation, inflammation, skin injuries and a number of other potential causes discussed below. Age spots are characterized as hyperpigmentation of the skin. Hyperpigmentation is the darkening of an area of skin or nails caused by increased melanin.(1)
PHYTO5, the maker of Ageless La Cure skincare, utilizes the essential oil of the alpine flower edelweiss, wakame, a Japanese brown algae, and natural phytic acid in Perfection Cream to effectively lighten brown spots:
Edelweiss essential oil offers a high antioxidant content more potent than vitamin C to attenuate dark spots. It is clinically proven to reduce brown spots and decrease melanin. You will also find edelweiss essential oil in PHYTO5’s Swiss line product, Face Gel.
Wakame is Japanese brown algae and is proven to lighten skin and smooth out age spots as it simultaneously inhibits the formation of new spots. Wakame is also a unique ingredient in the Swiss line Face Exfoliation, a mineralizing, stimulating and skin brightening product.
Natural phytic acid is extracted from wheat and prevents brown spots by decreasing the synthesis of melanin. Phytic acid contributes to wakame’s potency.
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Age spots tend to develop in people with fair complexions, but people with darker skin can also get them. Many people who develop brown spots on the skin are hereditarily predisposed to them.
Hyperpigmented skin spots are generally associated with aging because from approximately age 40 onward our skin tends to be less able to regenerate itself as a result of exposure to the sun. The spots range in color from light brown to red or black and pop up in areas most often exposed to the sun, particularly the hands, face, neck, arms, and bald scalp.
Age spots were once believed to be caused by liver problems, but in actuality, they are most frequently unrelated to the liver. In addition to excessive sun exposure, possible causes also include:
poor diet
lack of exercise
smoking
poor liver function
consumption of oxidized oils
alcohol consumption
hormonal changes
metabolic disorders.
People who live in sunny climates are especially prone to age spots.
Brown spots are the result of a buildup of wastes called lipofuscin accumulation, a byproduct of free radical damage in skin cells. The presence of these spots is a sign that free radical intoxication of the body is occurring. Lipofuscin accumulation is caused by a deficiency of several key nutrients:
vitamin E
selenium
glutathione
chromium and
dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE).
Using poor quality or old cold creams, cleansing creams or solid moisturizing creams can also lead to the formation of brown spots on the skin because they contain hardened saturated fats that become rancid very rapidly thus creating free radicals.
Not only do these free radicals cause brown spots, they can cause premature wrinkles. This is why it is important to be very selective about the types of skincare creams you use. The Ageless La Cure all Swiss-made line of products takes the guesswork out of it for you since they are organic certified, natural and manufactured under exacting Swiss practices and regulations.
The use of plants to treat skin conditions such as age spots is as old as humankind. Alphahydroxy acids found in certain fruits, for example, increase cell turnover and their enzymes lighten the skin. Alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) from fresh peeled banana, mango and Amazonian mombin plum in PHYTO Peel are naturally derived fruit acids also known for their ability to firm and tighten the skin as well as reduce the appearance of facial lines.The antioxidants in these fruits help to ward off ultraviolet rays to prevent new spots from forming.
Perfection Cream mentioned at the outset of this article also contains the following natural ingredients with wonderful skin enhancing properties:
Shea butter from West Africa: Very moisturizing with healing and anti-inflammatory properties, it softens and smoothes skin and stimulates the synthesis of collagen. Shea butter is recommended for the prevention of wrinkles and aging of the skin while protecting it from harsh weather conditions.
Verbena flower water: Verbena flower cools, softens, firms, heals and soothes the skin. (It is recommended for cases of psoriasis of nervous origin.)
Damask rose essential oil: The prized damask rose soothes irritation and redness and offers toning and regeneration to skin. Enjoy soothing damask rose essential oil and extract in many Ageless La Cure products.
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Endnotes:
(1) Melanin is a class of pigment responsible for producing color in the body in places such as the eyes, skin, and hair.
Balch, Phyllis A. Prescription for Nutritional Healing: a Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements. Penguin, 2011.