As you age, certain changes to your skin are almost inevitable, such as wrinkles and age spots. Although you cannot completely avoid the natural aging process, there are certain actions you can take to prevent and mitigate the problem.

Ultraviolet (UV) light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its color. On skin with years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations. The use of commercial tanning lamps and beds also can cause age spots.

By recognizing what causes age spots, you can reduce your risk and find the right product to reduce the appearance of dark spots on your skin.

What are Age Spots?

Age spots are small to medium brown spots that appear on the skin, primarily the face and hands, as you age.

They are often referred to as liver spots. They are caused by UV damage to the melanin production of the skin cells, which causes certain skin cells to appear darker than others.

Age spots can range in size between miniscule to more than a 1/2 an inch, and will appear as tan, brown or black in color. They can also group together, which creates a more significant appearance.

They are typically harmless and benign, making them mostly a cosmetic problem. However, if an age spot grows or changes rapidly, then you should get it checked out by a dermatologist to ensure it is not cancerous.

Here are some examples of what age spots can look like: https://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/ss/slideshow-age-related-growths

The Difference Between Freckles and Age Spots

The main difference between freckles and age spots is the age of the person and the size and location of the spots. Freckles are small, can appear anywhere, and are directly attributed to sun exposure in those susceptible; they are also inherited.

Freckles can appear on anyone of any age, especially children.

Age spots are not hereditary, can occur to anyone of any skin type, tend to develop on the hands and face, can also be larger in size, and begins to be noticed in middle age.

Freckles are small brown spots on your skin, often in areas that get sun exposure. In most cases, freckles are harmless. They form as a result of overproduction of melanin, which is responsible for skin and hair color (pigmentation). Overall, freckles come from ultraviolet (UV) radiation stimulation.

There are two categories of freckles: ephelides and solar lentigines. Ephelides are the common type most people think of as freckles. Solar lentigines are dark patches of skin that develop during adulthood. This includes freckles, aging spots, and sunspots. The two types of freckles can look similar but differ in other ways such as their development.

Read: What's the Difference Between Freckles and Age Spots?

How Do Age Spots Develop?

Age spots develop due to excess UV exposure, either from the sun or tanning beds. They appear in the areas that have been most exposed to the sun, including the face, hands, and shoulders.

Melanin is the pigment in skin cells that provides it with its color. UV light accelerates the production of melanin, which is what leads to tanning.

However, the UV rays also damage the skin cells. Over time, this damage alters the production of melanin in the skin cell, causing a high concentration of melanin in a particular area, which creates age spots.

Age spots are more common in those with pale skin, but those with a darker skin pigment can also develop age spots, as well.

How to Treat Age Spots?

Once you do begin to develop some unsightly age spots, you can start treatment to reduce their appearance.

The best way to treat age spots is prevention, which includes wearing sunscreen whenever you are in the sun, avoiding tanning beds, and other excess exposure to UV rays. If you already have developed age spots, then you can treat them with a skin-lightening cream.

Avoid dangerous and potentially toxic ingredients such as kojic acid and hydroquinone when choosing skin-lightening creams. Instead, choose all-natural ingredients, such as licorice root extract and vitamin C, which will lighten the skin and keep it healthy. 

These creams lighten the skin gradually and take time. 

If the age spots do not respond to treatment, then you can discuss more invasive procedures, such as laser therapy or dermabrasion, with your doctor.

The dermatologist may suggest one of the following procedures:

• Cryotherapy, which involves removing the spot with a cold substance, such as liquid nitrogen.
• Laser surgery or intense pulsed light therapy, which involves using high-intensity beams.
• Microdermabrasion, a non-invasive treatment that involves exfoliating the skin.
• Chemical peel, which involves brushing a chemical solution onto the skin to exfoliate it, then peeling away the dead cells.

These procedures all carry risks and can scar the skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), a specially trained dermatologist should perform them.

These removal techniques can also make the skin extra sensitive to sunlight. Anyone who has undergone one of these procedures should take extra precautions in the sun and follow their doctor’s advice.

Topical creams can also reduce the appearance of age spots. Research suggests that creams containing one or more of the following ingredients may help:

• azelaic acid
• vitamin E
• vitamin C
• alpha-hydroxy acid
• copper chlorophyllin

 Just remember, that it takes time for the skin to heal and return to normal once you have begun treatment.

When to see a doctor

Age spots don't require medical care. Have your doctor look at spots that are black or have changed in appearance. These changes can be signs of melanoma, a serious form of skin cancer.

It's best to have any new skin changes evaluated by a doctor, especially if a spot:

• Is black
• Is increasing in size
• Has an irregular border
• Has an unusual combination of colors
• Is bleeding

How To Prevent Age Spots

You can take precautions when you are young to avoid getting age spots as you age. 

1. Avoid direct sunlight. Depending on where you live, the sun is at its worst at certain times.

2. Use sunscreen while in the sun, which has broad-spectrum protection, water resistance, and SPF 30 or higher. If out in the sun for longer periods, reapply sunscreen every 2 hours according to 

3. Cover, cover, cover - wear hats and clothes protecting your skin from the sun, and baseball caps and sun visors don't count. They don't cover enough of your skin.

Consider wearing clothing designed to provide sun protection. Look for clothes labeled with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 40 to 50 to get the best protection.

Are Age Spots Linked With Cancer?

Age spots are not cancerous. They can sometimes resemble skin cancer types, so it is important to be aware of the differences.

Age spots can look like actinic keratosis (AK) growths, which are precancerous. However, age spots are flat, while AK growths usually feel rough.

If a person suspects they have AK growths, they should visit a doctor for an examination.

Have a question about your scar or dark spot? Leave a comment and we’ll be happy to answer!

Try InviCible Primer & Corrector today! 

Ref.: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/prevent/sun-protection

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323287#home-remedies

https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-freckles#freckles-vs-moles

Getting your daily recommended 30 minutes of activity every day is no simple task. For many, workouts are scheduled before morning commutes, during lunch breaks, or later in the evening.

Balancing a jam-packed professional and personal life with a quest for health and fitness is no easy feat, and sometimes, it requires cutting corners.

Here are some great tips for making the most of your time.

Before Exercising:

1. Exercise with or without makeup

It is not necessary to remove your makeup before you work out. Most facial skincare products contain more natural ingredients which are lighter by nature.

If you wear a heavy moisturizer or makeup, that is a barrier on the skin that prevents the evaporation of water (sweat). 

If you don’t have time to remove your makeup before your workout, or you’re uncomfortable going bare-faced, try to wear a tinted moisturizer and waterproof mascara rather than your full makeup routine.

2. Apply Dry Shampoo Before You Workout

If you like using dry shampoo, apply it before your workout so it will absorb oils and grease. Dry shampoo cannot soak up all the dampness caused by sweat. And many shampoos have a very high alcohol content which will dry out your hair.

Spray a generous amount of dry shampoo onto the areas that get wet the fastest, such as the hairline and the base of your neck.

Dry shampoo will add volume and texture to your hair, so you won’t have to worry about styling it after an intense workout.

Make sure you pick a dry shampoo that works well with your hair type and will last all day.

During Exercising:

3. Keep Hands Off Your Face

Do not touch your face during your workout because your hands are dirty, and you might get a bacterial infection. So deliberately keep your hands off your face while working out.

4. Use Soft Towel During Exercise

Don’t wipe or rub your face against your clothes, as it can lead to rashes and itchiness. Instead, use a soft towel and pat it on the skin to get the sweat off. 

5. Drink Water

It seems obvious to drink water during a workout. This hydrates your body and helps you have beautiful skin to hydrate. As the saying goes: "Beauty is from within" and is never truer.

After Exercising:

5. Clean Your Face After Each Workout

One of the major skin concerns people have when it comes to working out is breakouts. 

Have you ever forgotten to wash your face after a run and allowed the sweat to dry? Notice how hours later, if you go to wipe your cheek, you’ll see how perspiration cakes onto your skin. This can cause breakouts and irritation.

As you exercise, sweat, oil, and dirt can build up and eventually clog your pores. This can lead to acne, unwanted skin irritation, and, in severe cases, facial scarring. To prevent this from happening, wash your face gently after workouts.

Washing your face can help stop breakouts before they happen.

Don't rinse your face with hot water. Hot water will open your pores and make your face redder. Think cool, so cold water will cool you off as well as get rid of the redness of your face after exercising.

6. Use a toner to get rid of redness.

During a workout, your face might turn red from the exertion. Spray a hydrating and cooling toner on your skin to calm it down. The benefit of a skin toner is it acts as a moisturizer for your skin.

 Or, wash your face with cold water. Very refreshing.

7. Use Deodorant Wipes

If you don’t have time to shower immediately and need to be somewhere in about a short time. 

Bringing a pack of deodorant wipes or cleansing wipes with you when you're on the go for workouts can help you feel refreshed after sweating. A quick wipe-down will help you quickly remove the odor from your body and leave you feeling fresh. You can swap your gym towel for a cleansing wipe and pat down your face, chest, and neck.

8. Change Up Your Hairstyle On Gym Days

Avoid breakage and creases in your hair by pulling your hair back in a loose ponytail or low braid, especially when wet. Try to avoid tight elastic hair ties. These can cause hair to break, hair to fall out, and cause headaches. Use hair ties that are gentle, such as spiral hair ties or scrunchies.

9. Keep The Glow

 Exfoliate your skin gently, apply serum, and at the end, apply moisturizer on your skin with a cooling gel can also be effective.

Or if you use InviCible Primer, all you need to do is spray a cooling toner, add some facial oils (if that is your routine) and then apply InviCible Primer as your Vitamin C and moisturizer.

We also recommend immediately following up with a medical facial primer such as InviCible, which helps smooth imperfections and dark spots.

10. Keep That H2O Flowing

 Again, this might be overkill. But once we get busy with our day, we could forget to drink more water to keep hydrating our skin and our body. So keep that water flowing past your lips.

Your night skincare routine is very important. You must be careful about what you put on your skin before bed because your skin absorbs the nutrients in your products the most at night.

While you sleep, your skin can breathe and cleanse itself from blue light, solar radiation, and other environmental factors that affect it during the day.

Preparing your skin for bed can help reduce hyperpigmentation, acne marks, and dark spots if done correctly.

Here are steps to add to your nightly skincare routine to ensure you are taking the best care of your skin:

Step 1. Makeup Remover

The number one rule in skin care is never, ever, ever go to bed with makeup. Instead of reaching for a makeup wipe, use a cleansing oil or water that won’t irritate your skin or cause breakouts.

What is the difference between oil and water-based remover?

Oil-based makeup remover helps to remove eyeliner, liquid lipstick, and mascara.

 Oil can lift oil-free, oil-based, and waterproof formulas off your skin and lashes.

Water-based makeup remover 

Micellar water is a multipurpose skin care product that has become a favorite among beauty gurus and dermatologists alike.

It’s made using purified water, moisturizers like glycerin, and mild surfactants, which are compounds used for cleansing.

The molecules of these mild surfactants join to form micelles, a type of spherical chemical structure that helps pull dirt and oil from the skin.

Micellar water is not only gentle but also highly effective at removing dirt, makeup, and oil to help clear out your pores while toning the skin.

Plus, it’s free of alcohol and may help promote skin hydration while reducing irritation and inflammation, keeping your skin soft, supple, and smooth.

How to use a makeup remover:

1. Apply makeup remover and let it sit, and sit some more.
2. Give it a couple of minutes, say, while you brush and floss. This will soften mascara, liner, and shadow, so it slips off easily and thoroughly once you finally wipe.
3. Flat cotton pads are better than cotton balls. Cotton balls can leave behind residue or break down during usage and leave fibers on your lashes or skin

Step 2. Cleanser

Remember your mom nagging you to wash your face regularly? Well, she was right. Washing your face is key to removing dead cells that build up on the skin and contribute to dullness — slough these off, and you expose healthier, more radiant skin.

For your skin care products to absorb properly, you must start with a clean slate.

There are so many products on the market, but here are some ideas on what to look for:

1. Know your skin type and choose a cleanser that’s a good match. If you have dry skin, you’ll want to avoid cleansers with high alcohol content. People with oily skin need a cleanser with a lower PH level. For sensitive skin, you’ll want a basic cleanser free from heavy fragrance and additives.
2. The delivery type of the cleanser matters. Cream-based cleansers are great for dry skin, while gel or foamy cleansers are better for oily skin types.
3. If you wear a lot of makeup, you’ll want a cleanser targeted toward removal.
4. If you tend to sweat a lot from working outlook for a product targeting clogged pores.
5. If you have concerns with allergies, look for “natural” cleansers free of synthetic ingredients.
6. Most cleansers marketed as “gentle” are great at removing dirt without overdrying and irritating the skin.
7. Selecting a cleanser with a balanced PH will help maintain your skin's natural balance.

Best way to use a cleanser:

1. Gently wash your face with circular movements with the tips of your fingers with cold water. This is a great opportunity to practice self-care by giving yourself a light facial massage.
2. Over washing and over scrubbing may leave you with a squeaky-clean feeling, but this actually is damaging.
3. Do not wash your face with hot water because it can suck the moisture out of your skin, leaving it dry and possibly irritated.
4. Wash your face twice per day, in the morning and before bedtime. Cleansing your face in the evening is more important to remove everything that has accumulated during the day. 
5. Gently pat your skin dry.
6. And resist the urge to dry your face with the family hand towel that's been hanging over the rack for several days. Bacteria can breed on the towel and be transferred to your clean, dewy face. Use a soft, clean cloth that you use only on your face.

Step 3: Toner

It is very important to pick the best toner for your skin type. Look for ingredients such as rose, hyaluronic acid, and chamomile extract. Using a toner with these ingredients ensures you hydrate and nourish your skin.

Skipping a toner in your skin routine is a mistake: it’s a crucial component of a serious skincare routine. You apply it to freshly cleansed skin before any other products. It works to restore balance to your skin before the rest of your routine, whether that’s out-of-whack pH or imbalanced oil production (skin that’s too oily or too dry.) A good toner helps oily skin dry out; it helps dry skin get more hydrated. A good toner also “resets” the skin to a healthy pH level (roughly 5.5 out of 14.)

Then, on your balanced and neutral skin, your other products are able to work that much more effectively. Using a toner is like putting down a coat of primer before painting your walls—you won’t see it in the end, but you’ve gotta do it if you want to do a good job.

What ingredients are in a toner?

• Rosewater for hydration
• Chamomile for soothing
• Tea Tree Oil to fight oil and bacteria
• Aloe Vera to calm inflammation and redness
• Vitamin E for hydration
• Plant stem cells for antioxidants and anti-aging properties

Best way to use a toner:

1. Soak a cotton pad with toner, then swipe it over your entire face, neck, and chest.
2. You should use a toner after washing your face and before using serum or moisturizer. If you want to go green and skip the cotton pad, you can also put a few drops of toner into the palms of your hands and then press them into your face.
3. Use a toner morning and night.
4. But if your skin gets dry or irritated easily, try once a day or every other day. Remember, these toners contain potent ingredients. And for more astringent formulas (designed for oily or acne-prone skin), use it every two days before gradually ramping up.

Step 4. Serums

Serums contain the most potent dose of anti-aging ingredients -- a concentration of antioxidants, peptides, and skin brighteners such as kojic acid. 

Skin care serums -- light, fast-absorbing liquids used as an alternative or in addition to creams or lotions. Serums do not have moisturizing ingredients which keep water from evaporating, so using a moisturizer with your serum is a good idea.

What ingredients are in serums?

Vitamin C & E: When choosing your product, look for one that contains vitamin E, which helps deliver vitamin C more effectively.

 In addition, C helps E transform into its more active form, enhancing the duo’s ability to quell free radicals.

When vitamins C and E are combined, they work together to provide very powerful antioxidant protection.

Ferulic acid is also a good addition to your skin-care routine — it helps stabilize vitamin C, which makes it less likely to irritate the skin.

Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that are the building blocks of certain proteins needed by the skin, like collagen and elastin. 

Peptides are strings of amino acids, which are the building blocks that make up proteins in our body, including

Kolic Acid: Kojic acid is sometimes used in health and beauty products to lighten the skin. It may be used to treat skin conditions, such as sun damage, scars, and age spots.

Best way to use a serum:

1. Serums are meant to be applied to your face in small tapping motions with your fingertips or your palms.
2. Do not rub your skin excessively, let the serum absorb into your skin on its own. To apply, take a pea-sized amount (about 3-4 drops) of the serum from the dropper into your palms.
3. Spread it between your palms without rubbing too much.
4. Dab the serum all over your face and neck using small and gentle tapping motions.
5. Wait for a couple of minutes for the serum to completely penetrate your skin before continuing with your skincare regime.

Step 5. Eye Treatment

Eye creams are more targeted moisturizers around the eyes. 

Fine lines and wrinkles come from both sun damage and your skin making less collagen as you age. Collagen helps maintain skin elasticity. Vitamin C, peptides, and retinol have boosted collagen production, studies of skin creams show.

Ceramide and hyaluronic acid also help; these moisturizers help prevent water loss in the skin and improve elasticity.

Look for formulas that have peptides, which boost hydration and help firm the skin to smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

What ingredients are eye treatments?

Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that are the building blocks of certain proteins needed by the skin, like collagen and elastin. 

Peptides are strings of amino acids, which are the building blocks that make up proteins in our body, including

Best way to use eye cream?

1. Use your ring finger because it naturally will have a gentle touch.
2. Use pea size amount of product.
3. Gently tap small dots under the eye, starting at the innermost corner of your eye, and do not get too close to your eyelashes.
4. Pat the eye cream into the skin.
5. Wait for cream to absorb.
6. Apply your other products.

Step 6: Moisturizer

In order to keep your skin healthy and clear, you must apply a moisturizer morning and night.

Since your skin repairs itself at night, you need to use a moisturizer that contains natural ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, lipids, and proteins. This will ensure that your skin is getting the hydration that it needs!

What ingredients should be in moisturizers?

Vitamin A: Topical retinoic acid — a form of vitamin A reduces fine lines and wrinkles in the skin by stimulating the production of collagen

Vitamin C: —also known as ascorbic acid—is a water-soluble nutrient that plays an important role in keeping your skin healthy. Topical vitamin C is clinically proven to have a wide range of clinical applications thanks to its antioxidant, antiaging, antipigmentary properties.

There are plenty of benefits to using vitamin C on your skin. Benefits of Vitamin C in moisturizer include:

1. safe for most skin types
2. hydration
3. brightening
4. reduce redness
5. reduce hyperpigmentation
6. reduces the appearance of under-eye circles
7. promotes collagen production
8. may help prevent sagging
9. may protect against sun damage
10. may soothe sunburns
11. may help wound healing

Vitamin E: The primary role of vitamin E in the skin is to prevent damage induced by free radicals and reactive oxygen species; therefore, the use of vitamin E in the prevention of UV-induced damage has been extensively studied.

When choosing your product, look for one that also contains vitamin E, which helps deliver vitamin C more effectively.

Lipids: For skin care, the most important are oils with high contents of linoleic and α-linolenic acid, which reduce the formation of eczemas or atopic dermatitis. These essential fatty acids incorporate into the cell membranes and regenerate the damaged lipid barrier of the epidermis and restrict water loss. The unsaturated fatty acids show prominent healing effects on skin inflammation and are used in various cosmetic products.

Studies have shown that the most effective topical products for our skin are the ones with a lipid composition almost identical to our skin’s own lipid composition: a 1:2:1 ratio of ceramides, cholesterol, and fatty acids. 

Proteins: A wide range of vegetable proteins is used in cosmetics, such as wheat, gluten rice, oats, sunflower, almonds and peanuts, and soy globulins. 

Proteins are ideal for moisturizing applications for the skin. Some proteins are used for the gelling and emulsifying effects.

Hyaluronic acid: Youthful skin retains its turgor, resilience, and pliability, among others, due to its high water content. Daily external injury, in addition to the normal process of aging, causes loss of moisture. The key molecule involved in skin moisture is hyaluronic acid (HA) which has a unique capacity to retain water.  

Best way to use a moisturizer:

1. Moisturizers should be applied to clean skin after you cleanse your face, as they prevent skin from drying out post-wash.
2. They're also most effective when applied to slightly damp skin, as they seal in moisture.
3. Apply using circular motions of your hands, including the neck. Do not drag your skin downwards.

Step 7: Skin Treatments

Skin treatments are the perfect addition to your nighttime skincare routine. Applying your favorite spot treatment on top of your moisturizer at night will help dry out unwanted zits.

Applying a thin layer of InviCible will help fade any facial marks or dark spots and even your skin tone.

At night, your skin works its hardest to repair itself, so spot treatments will help minimize your facial skin imperfections quickly.

What ingredients are in InviCible Primer?

Best way to use InviCible Primer?

Simplify your skincare and make-up routine with this 2-in-1 velvety sheer lotion. InviCible Primer+ glides on – weightless and silky – to instantly smooth and brighten your complexion. 

InviCible Primer+ can be applied under or over your usual skincare routine.

1. Use after cleansing and toning the skin.

2. Apply to your face twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.

The lightweight, non-greasy cream texture absorbs instantly.

InviCible is a medical-grade primer that can be added to any night skincare routine. Not only does the product work well as a makeup base, but it also works hard to correct facial imperfections while you sleep at night.

8. Face Mask

If you have time, try applying a face mask three times per week. The right face mask can improve the appearance of your pores, even out your skin tone, and hydrate your skin. This is the perfect way to pull out skin impurities and imperfections.

When shopping for a face mask, look for ingredients such as aloe vera (a key skincare ingredient found in InviCible), honey, avocados, and turmeric. These will soothe and soften the skin while fighting acne and blemishes.

REFERENCES: 

Removers:

https://www.healthline.com/health/oil-cleansing-method#benefits

https://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622(17)31391-9/fulltext

Trusted Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3425021/

Cleanser: https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/skin-cleansing-101-why-washing-your-face-is-important/

Toner: https://www.gq.com/story/best-face-toner-skincare

Hyaluronic acid: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.4161/derm.21923

Peptide:  https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/1/73

Lipids: https://biomeddermatol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s41702-020-00062-9

VItamin E: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health/vitamin-E

Vitamin C: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/vitamin-c-serum-benefits#benefits

https://www.verywellhealth.com/vitamin-c-for-skin-5084225

Peptides: https://www.dermstore.com/blog/top_ten/what-peptides-do-for-skin/

Kolic Acid: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319599#how-is-kojic-acid-used

If you have marks on your face, you've probably tried everything to make them go away. While nothing can completely erase a mark—even with surgery or lasers—there are ways to minimize their appearance and keep your confidence.

You don't have to cover up completely or use a makeup foundation that is two shades too light for your skin tone, either!

What Causes Marks

While marks are a natural part of the healing process, they shouldn't be taken lightly. Marks are caused by damage to the skin, such as cuts, burns, or acne. When your body senses that there's been an injury to its tissues, it sends out chemical signals that trigger inflammation at the site of injury. This causes blood vessels in nearby tissues to dilate and clotting factors to activate -- all in order to prevent further damage and control bleeding.

When the inflammation subsides after 48 hours or so (depending on where you're healing), collagen in your skin starts being laid down by your body as part of its repair response -- giving rise to your skin tissue.

Looking after your facial mark with the right cream or oil is essential. It will lessen the marks but you need to consider what type of marks.

How to Heal Facial Marks with Skin Care Products

By following these tips and learning how to take care of marks, you can put your best face forward every day.

1. Use A Moisturizer or Scar Cream

One of the best ways to heal facial marks is using a moisturizer or scar cream. These products contain ingredients that help reduce inflammation, improve skin tone and texture, and prevent new skin tissue from forming. They also contain ingredients that are soothing and anti-inflammatory, which can help reduce redness and swelling in the healing area.

Our InviCible Primer + Dark Spot Corrector is a great option for healing. Our product has many of the ingredients you will need to keep your face moisturized and to reduce the appearance of marks, such as vitamin C and aloe vera.

2. Do Not Pick On Scabs

It’s important not to pick at scabs or pop them too early because this can increase your risk of developing hypertrophic marks (raised red areas). Marks are permanent once they form, so it's important not to damage them further by picking at them or popping them before they have healed completely.

3. Use Gentle Cleanser and Moisturizer

The best way to reduce the appearance of facial marks is by using gentle cleansers and moisturizers. This will help keep your skin healthy, making it appear more evenly toned. Also, it's important to protect your skin from sun damage with sunscreen every day.

Sunscreen not only protects you from damaging UV rays, but it also helps slow down the aging process and reduce wrinkles.

Here are some of our ingredients:

How to embrace  facial marks

Even though it will be difficult at first, the mark on your face can become something that you see as a part of yourself and not an imperfection. Embracing your mark is not just about learning to love the skin you're in, but also learning to love yourself for who you are and what makes you unique. You may never feel completely comfortable with it but if you learn to embrace it, others might too!

Conclusion

There's no need for you to put up with a mark! Using the tips in this guide, you can at least make it less noticeable.

Freckles and age spots both involve brown skin spots, especially on the face. However, they are typically referred to, treated, and thought of differently. Age spots and freckles do have some similarities; however, they are two different types of hyperpigmentation that can be treated similarly.

What Makes the Skin Darken?

The skin darkens due to damage to the skin cells, especially the cells that produce melanin or pigment. Everyone has a regular pigment that his or her skin produces, whether fair or dark skin. When the skin cells' DNA becomes damaged, either due to the sun, trauma, or age, then melanin production can be damaged. This can lead to hyperpigmentation or dark spots.

What are Freckles?

Freckles typically are small and occur on those who have fair skin, especially red-headed people. They typically occur on children and fade as a person ages, although a person with hereditary freckles can have them for his or her whole life. Sun exposure typically causes them; therefore, the more time someone spends in the sun, the more freckles they will get. The freckles may also become darker after spending time in the sun without broad sunscreen protection. Freckles tend to be an inherited trait, especially as they go hand in hand with other hereditary traits, including red hair and fair skin. For those where it is inherited, the appearance of freckles is inevitable, however, consistent use of sunscreen can help to minimize just how many and how dark they will be.

What are Age Spots?

Age spots tend to be bigger than freckles and occur due to aging, as the name implies. They can also be slightly raised. Typically, age spots occur on the hands and face rather than the entire body - unless you've experienced a severe sunburn on your back or shoulders, then dark spots can appear in these areas as well. Although sun exposure plays a significant role in the development of age spots, they tend to occur due to the deterioration of the skin cells that is part of the natural aging process. The more time a person has spent in the sun, the more damage to their cells, which is why age spots are connected to sun damage. The years of sun damage can lead to more melanin production in a certain area, causing an age spot. This is why wearing sun protective clothing, as well as broad-spectrum sunscreen, is vitally important from an early age.

The Difference Between Freckles and Age Spots

The main difference between freckles and age spots is the age of the person and the size and location of the spots. Freckles are small, can appear anywhere, and are directly attributed to sun exposure in those susceptible; they are also inherited. Freckles can appear on anyone of any age, especially children. Age spots are not hereditary, can occur to anyone of any skin type, tend to develop on the hands and face, can also be larger in size, and begins to be noticed in middle age.

Treatment of Dark Spots and Freckles

Whether a dark spot due to sun damage or freckles from the same or genetics, there are only two ways to minimize their appearance. Prevention with the use of sunscreen year round and generously applied every two hours and using a dark spot treatment. Make sure the sunscreen you are using blocks both UVA and UVB rays and that the treatment for dark spots is one that is effective with skin lighteners such as Vitamin C and licorice root extract. Do you have a question about your scar or dark spot? Leave a comment, and we’ll be happy to answer. 

As the cold weather approaches, the days get shorter and the air gets drier you may start to notice your skin losing its moisture. It’s very common to develop dry and itchy skin during the fall and winter months.

Follow these four fall skin care tips to leave your skin looking and feeling its best.

Moisturize

Your skin can take a pretty big hit throughout the fall months. It is important to build up your skin's barrier before the winter arrives. Adding a healthy moisturizer to your daily routine will help your skin maintain needed moisture during the changing seasons. Look for products containing vitamins and minerals to avoid dry skin and irritation.

Don’t Forget Sunscreen

Sun damage can occur even in the cooler months. To avoid sunburns, reduce the risk of getting cancer, and decrease early skin aging by wearing sunscreen daily. After summer is over, most people forget to protect their skin from the sun. Just because our tanning and beach days are over, doesn’t mean you should forego wearing sunscreen. Applying a SPF of 30 or higher under your makeup is ideal for the best sun protection.

Use a Hydrating Facial Primer

As the temperature gets cooler, our skin loses moisture to the dry air around us. It’s important to incorporate skin care products with ingredients such as vitamin C and aloe vera. Incorporating a hydrating facial primer like InviCible, can help protect and repair your skin. All InviCIble’s ingredients are proven to help rejuvenate your skin while fading dark spots and facial blemishes. Add a small amount under your foundation twice a day for healthy and glowing skin.

Protect Your Lips

It’s very common to experience dry and chapped lips as the leaves begin to change. Why? The skin on your lips is very fragile and it is one of the thinnest layers of skin on our body. Your lips have very few oil glands which are needed to keep them hydrated. To prevent chapping, use a petroleum-based ointment or a lip balm. These products can help seal in moisture and form a protective barrier. Apply lip balm before bed in order to repair damage while you sleep.

InviCible is a facial primer that can be safely added to your fall skincare routine. Not only does the product work well as a makeup base, it works hard to correct facial imperfections and balance skin tone while you go about your day! Get yours today!

With the scorching heat and blazing temperatures coming our way, summer can be a very trying time for our skin. Achieving the natural bronzed look that everyone wants is not always a bad thing but you have to be careful. The harsh rays of the sun can cause premature aging and wrinkles if you don’t take the proper precautions.

Follow these 4 skin care tips to ensure your skin remains dewy, hydrated and moisturized all summer long.

SPF, SPF, SPF.

The most important step to your makeup routine is to wear sunscreen. Make sure you apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours to protect your skin. You can even apply sunscreen under your facial makeup to prevent premature aging of the skin. Sunscreen also presents discoloration and dark spots caused by sun damage. This will help you maintain a smooth and even skin tone all year round.

Don’t Forget to Moisturize

With the weather being hot and humid, it’s easy to forget to moisturize. Even if your skin already feels oily and wet due to that extra layer of sweat on your face – you still need to moisturize. Moisturizers help protect from the pollutants and chemicals that can irritate your skin throughout the day. Invest in a lighter moisturizer which won’t clog your pores or feel too heavy on your skin during the summer months.

Invest in a Vitamin C Primer

Incorporating a vitamin C primer into your daily routine is very important in the summer. This helps prevent hyperpigmentation and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. InviCible’s vitamin C primer is proven to regulate collagen synthesis, tighten the skin and protect from sun damage. InviCible contains 17% vitamin C – one of the highest concentrations of stable vitamin C available in any skin care product. Add a few drops to your skin care routine morning and night for the best results.

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is always crucial for the overall health and wellness of our skin, especially in the summer. Shoot for eight glasses of water a day. Staying hydrated can also help your skin recover faster after a sunburn.

InviCible is a safe and effective facial primer that can be safely added to your skincare routine. Not only does the product work well as a makeup base, but it also works hard to correct facial imperfections and balance skin tone while you go about your day! Get yours today!

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After months of cold weather and freezing temperatures, winter has left us with dry and itchy skin. Sunshine, warmer weather, and sun-kissed skin are right around the corner, and we need to make sure our skincare routines are ready. With the arrival of spring, comes higher temperatures and more humidity. This means that we need to increase our sunscreen and anti-aging regimens.

So how should we prepare our skin for the warmer weather ahead? Follow these four tips to ensure your skin remains healthy and hydrated:

Exfoliate

Your skin takes a pretty big hit during the winter months. Despite your best efforts to moisturize and stay hydrated, winter can leave your skin feeling dry and tight. Springtime is the perfect time to start exfoliating and brightening your skin. Some of the best ways to exfoliate include using a gentle exfoliating brush, DIY face masks, or a chemical peel. Be careful not to overdo it, and only apply exfoliators two times per week.

Protect Your Skin With SPF

Incorporating sunscreen into your skincare routine is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin’s appearance and health. Used regularly, sunscreen can prevent aging, sunburns, and even skin cancer. For daily use, choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. However, if you spend most of your time outside, pick sunscreen with an SPF 60 or higher for the best results.

Always Apply A Vitamin C Serum

Vitamin C is one of the best things you can put on your skin. This water-soluble antioxidant helps even out your skin tone and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. All forms of vitamin C layer well with other skincare ingredients, such as retinol, foundation, and exfoliators. Applying a vitamin C serum such as InviCible under your facial makeup will help hydrate and moisturize your skin all day long.

Wear A Lighter Tinted Moisturizer

Wearing a tinted moisturizer will help you look fresh-faced and hydrated throughout the day. With the warmer weather approaching, your heavy foundation will be more likely to melt off on a hot day. Try switching to a gel-based formula that will absorb quickly onto the skin while protecting the skin barrier.

InviCible is a safe and effective facial primer that can be safely added to your skincare routine. Not only does the product work well as a makeup base, but it also works hard to correct facial imperfections and balance skin tone while you go about your day! 

Update May 31, 2022

Introduction

When it comes to makeup, you’re likely doing a bunch of things that actually age your face. In fact, there are specific makeup mistakes you can avoid in order to make your face look younger and more refreshed. But, before we get into the makeup mistakes themselves, I want to start off with some ways to ensure that your overall beauty routine is going to be helping you look younger. In general, the goal is for less-is-more when it comes to applying makeup on your face if you want your complexion to look healthy and youthful.

Try taking a more natural approach to your makeup.

You're a grown woman and you shouldn't feel the need to wear makeup. But, if you are going to wear it, try taking a more natural approach. There's no reason for you to slather on foundation or contour your face in order for it to look younger. Use BB cream instead of foundation and focus more on using light hand when applying your makeup. Also try using less eyeliner so that your eyes pop without looking overdone.

Over applying foundation

When applying foundation, you should always use the smallest amount possible. This ensures that you do not lay down too much product on your face and create a cakey look. If you are applying too much foundation, it can make your skin look unnatural and older than it is.

To test if you have applied enough foundation, look into a mirror at an angle so that all of your face can be seen in one glance. The color of your skin should match the color of your neck with no major differences between the two — if there is any difference at all then it means that either too much or too little product has been used on one side of the face or another.

If this happens to be true for most areas on your face (i.e., both cheeks appear overly pale compared to other spots), then pick up more product with a sponge and start applying in small circles from top-to-bottom rather than side-to-side until everything looks even again!

Packing on the powder products

There are a lot of reasons why powder can add years to your appearance. First, it’s a common misconception that powder should always be applied to the face after applying foundation. Powder is actually intended to set makeup and keep it in place—not create an even skin tone. When you layer on too much powder, however, it can settle into fine lines and creases on the skin and make them look much more pronounced than they actually are; this happens because there’s not enough moisture left in the pores and wrinkles for them to expand naturally when exposed to air. If you want your foundation and concealer blend seamlessly into one another with no visible demarcation between them (which helps minimize any redness or discoloration), consider using a translucent setting lotion instead of high-coverage products like foundation or concealer so that everything blends together smoothly without adding extra layers of coverage!

Moreover—and maybe most importantly—powder products have been shown time after time again through scientific studies conducted by cosmetic companies themselves as well as independent researchers at universities such as Harvard Medical School that these materials cause premature aging among women who apply them daily over long periods of time! You can read more about long-lasting skin care in this blog post.

Using the wrong makeup tools

• Use the right tools for the job. While there are many makeup tools on the market, not all of them are created equal. Makeup brushes and sponges are two popular types of applicators that can be used to apply various types of makeup. While both tools have their pros and cons, knowing which to use for what will help you achieve a flawless look in less time.

• Know your foundation from concealer and powder. Your skin type determines whether you should apply foundation, concealer or powder first—and how much coverage you want out of each product. If you're unsure about which products work best for your complexion, consult a professional before heading out into the world with an incomplete face of makeup!

Too much eyeliner, and wrong application

Your eyeliner can make you look older if it is applied too thickly or in the wrong place. That's because, as we get older, our skin loses elasticity. For this reason, it's important to keep your eye makeup simple and clean-lined.

Instead of applying eyeliner all over the lid and smudging it out (as was popular in the 90s), try using a few dabs of pencil liner along the upper lash line in order to achieve that "windswept" effect without looking like you're wearing a mask of black paint on your face. If you want more drama (but still want to avoid raccoon eyes), apply liner only at the outer corners of eyes for that sultry cat eye look—this will add shape and definition without giving away how old-fashioned this technique really is!

Skipping primer

Primer is a product that smooths out pores, fills them in, and evens out the skin so that makeup can go on more smoothly. It also helps make your foundation last longer and look more natural. Primer can also help keep your makeup looking its best through sweat, oiliness, or humidity—which are things we all deal with sometimes!

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, there are a lot of mistakes that can make you look older than you are. So how do we avoid them? A great way to start is by taking a more natural approach to your makeup. This might mean experimenting with sheer foundation or tinted moisturizer to even out your complexion instead of reaching for full-coverage foundations every time—and it’s also a good reminder that "no makeup" days can be just as beautiful! It might also mean switching from a primer made with silicones (which tend to look cakey) to one made with hydrating ingredients like glycerin or aloe, or using the right tools. That said, the most important tip is always this: enjoy yourself!

5 Tips To Make Your Makeup Last All Day In The Humidity

Update version April, 27, 2022

Use a primer.

A primer is a makeup base that's applied to your skin before foundation. It reduces shine and creates a smooth surface, making it easier to apply both liquid and powder products on top of it. Primers offer other benefits as well, such as:

• helping with the appearance of enlarged pores

• evening out the complexion by blurring imperfections like fine lines

• controlling oil production

• reducing redness

You can apply this base layer after moisturizing—and before applying sunscreen—by dotting it along your forehead, nose, cheeks (including under your eyes), upper lip area (above the Cupid's bow), and chin. Blend it out thoroughly with clean fingertips until it has been evenly distributed across all areas of the face.

Set your face with powder.

One of the most important steps in preventing your makeup from melting off is to set your face with powder. There are two options here—mineral powder or translucent powder.

• Mineral powder not only sets your foundation, but it also helps to mattify and control oil production, making it an important step if you have oily skin (like me). I recommend Youngblood Pressed Mineral Rice Powder Foundation. It's a great mineral foundation that also doubles as a setting powder.

• Translucent powders usually come in a loose form and can be applied over any foundation for shine control and added staying power. I recommend Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder, which not only gives you shine-free skin throughout the day but also creates a smooth canvas for the rest of your makeup application.

And a pro tip: avoid using the puffs that often come with pressed powder compacts or sponges that are meant to be used with loose powders. Both of these applicators can soak up too much product and apply way too much when you don't want it! Instead, use a fluffy makeup brush like MAC 159 Duo Fibre Blush Brush to pick up less product and distribute it more evenly onto the skin.

Invest in a good setting spray.

Setting sprays are liquids that, when applied to your face after makeup application, lock in everything you put on your face. "The act of setting spray itself is a misting action; some people refer to it as a setting powder in liquid form," says celebrity makeup artist and Beautyblender global pro team lead Angie DiDonato. "It helps to not only give the skin an incredible finish but also helps set the makeup so that it adheres to the skin and lasts longer."

To use a setting spray correctly, make sure your entire face of makeup has been applied first. Then hold the bottle about 8-10 inches away from your face and lightly mist all over, careful not to close your eyes or mouth while spraying. Let it dry before applying anything else or touching the sprayed area so that it fully sets. Then you can go about your day knowing that no matter how hot and sticky things get, your makeup will be safe underneath this protective layer.

Use only waterproof mascara and eyeliner.

You can hack the humidity by applying waterproof, smudgeproof mascaras to your lashes. They won't melt off with the heat or sweat and you'll never have raccoon eyes again. If you want to take it a step further, apply a waterproof eyeliner on your upper lids and waterline so that everything stays in place all day long even when you're out in the sun or tearing up from how delicious that gelato is.

If you're worried about not being able to remove it at the end of the day, use an oil-based makeup remover like olive oil as they do wonders for breaking down waterproof makeup. With these tips, you'll be looking fresh no matter what season it is!

Opt for a lip stain instead of lipstick.

Why you should use a lip stain instead of lipstick:

• Liquid lipsticks are too intense for the no-makeup makeup look. They're also too intense for all-day wear when it's humid out, because they easily smudge and run.

• Applying a lip stain means you don't have to worry about reapplying your lipstick every time you eat or drink something. You can just apply the lip stain as many times a day as needed!

• Lip stains are more long-lasting than traditional colored cosmetics like lipstick or gloss, so they won't easily smear or get wiped away by sweat or moisture in the air. Plus, there's no need to constantly reapply them throughout the day.

With these 5 tips, you can get through the summer staying cool and looking fabulous.

• Use a makeup primer. A great primer will give your skin the just-showered shine you're after, while also providing it with the hydration it needs to stay smooth and healthy.

• Apply a setting spray before your foundation. A hydrating setting spray is like a quick flush of water for your skin, but in an easy formula that can be sprayed on and rubbed in at any time of day.

• Opt for an SPF moisturizer if you want to wear makeup all day long. If you want to skip foundation altogether, then choosing an SPF moisturizer that matches your skin tone makes sense—but even if you plan on wearing foundation, this choice can give your face the dewy glow we love while keeping it safe from those harmful UV rays.

Ready to beat the heat and humidity? Grab our primer here.