How to reduce brown spots?

From the age of 30, brown spots can appear on the skin. This hyperpigmentation, of various origins, can sometimes be embarrassing, especially when it affects the face. With the right gestures and products, however, it’s easy to camouflage them. Follow our advice.

Correcting small flaws with make-up
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Where do brown spots come from?

Several situations can lead to brown spots of various intensities: 

  • Pregnancy mask (or melasma). This hyperpigmentation of the forehead, chin, upper lip or cheeks can appear as early as the end of the first trimester. It is caused by a combination of sun exposure and pregnancy hormones. This causes an increase in the synthesis of melanin. This hyperpigmentation can also appear on the upper lip, even if you’re not expecting a child.
  • Acne. The combination of sun + inflammation can indeed lead to the hyperpigmentation of acne lesions. 
  • Lentigo (also known as age spots). Again, the sun's rays combined with the skin's natural ageing process can trigger this overproduction of melanin. 

I get brown spots on my face near my freckles when I expose myself too much. But they are not as pretty, especially the one on the upper lip

Concealing brown spots: the winning quartet

Whatever your situation, there are four simple things you can do to help conceal dark spots. It’s a question of both preventing them and covering them up: 

  • First step: Protect yourself from the sun
  • Second step: Correct and neutralise hyperpigmentation
  • Third step: Even out the complexion for a natural look
  • Fourth step: Set your make-up to enhance your complexion
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Protect yourself from the sun

This is probably the simplest solution to prevent the appearance of dark spots: protect yourself from UV rays. At any age, dark spots can appear or grow under the effect of the sun.

A day cream with sun protection 

Because UV rays are not only aggressive in the summer, you need to protect yourself all year round. Your skin has specific needs and it's not always easy to apply sunscreen 365 days a year. The ideal thing? Use a day cream with built-in sun protection. 

Maximum protection in case of prolonged exposure 

On the terrace, at the beach... If you are exposed to the sun, apply maximum protection (SPF 50+) and repeat the process regularly. It will also help you to fight against the formation of free radicals, responsible for premature ageing of the skin. A little tip: an SPF 50+ sunscreen stick in your bag at all times will help protect against dark spots during the day. 

 

Against dark spots: even out your skin tone

  • To even out your skin tone, choosing the right foundation is essential. Let's start with the form. If your hyperpigmentation is slight, turn to a fluid foundation corrector. If it is more pronounced, choose a compact foundation. 
  • After applying the coral corrector stick, pick up your foundation (preferably with a sponge) and apply it in small dabs, patting it on. Why "pat" and not "rub"? Simply so you don’t displace the corrector applied beforehand with the stick. Finish by blending from the centre of the face outwards without forgetting the neck.

How to choose the right foundation

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FRIENDLY (AND EXPERT) ADVICE

Which powder to choose to finish your make-up?

Once you've applied your complexion products, to make sure they don't move, use a complexion powder. There are several choices: 

  • The Brightening Mosaic Powder. Applied all over the face with a large brush, it will allow you to set your make-up and illuminate your complexion. And if you have some shine on the centre of your face, choose the Translucent Mosaic Powder for its mattifying effect.
  • Healthy Glow or Sun Mosaic Powder in a targeted way to sculpt. A little tip: if you have melasma on your cheekbones, apply it to the top of the cheekbone and to the temples. 

Good to know: to prolong make-up hold, finish with a fine spray of Avène thermal spring water. 

The right gestures to neutralise brown spots

The first thing you should do to correct hyperpigmentation and neutralise brown spots is to use a coral corrector. A corrector stick in this shade will help you hide hyperpigmentation. Apply by patting with your fingertips. To avoid accentuating the fuzz on the upper lip, apply with a brush from the bottom to the top. After setting the corrector with the powder, remove any excess from the fine hair above the lip by moving the brush upwards.

Our solutions to correct and neutralise small blemishes

Couvrance products designed to reduce dark spots