Dear Kelly, I have sunspots on my face that I’m not doing a good job of concealing. What are your top three concealers? Also what is the best facial sunscreen? What’s the best way to remove sunspots? Laser? Obagi? Thank you. -Linds

The occurrence of sunspots (or age spots) varies from person to person. For some, a cluster of brown pigmentation may start to appear as they grow older, and for others it can happen much earlier in life. What many of us don’t realize is, the difference between the two depends mostly on whether or not you use sunscreen.

Surely you’ve heard of the old saying: “An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.” Well, it applies to this. If you want to prevent sunspots then you’ll need to make an effort to wear sunscreen. Yes, wearing sunscreen every day can feign off these dark spots, thus making skin more even in color and tone. It seems easy enough, the only problem is: Most of us don’t like having to add that extra step in our morning regimen. It can be tedious, and wearing the wrong formula can feel extra hot and sticky. Lucky for us, new and better formulations have already been developed which allow us to wear sunscreen without actually feeling it’s there.

I’ve tried “invisible” aerosol sprays, wipes and lotions that go on clear, and some are even infused with mint or menthol to deliver a “cool” feeling to its wearer. There are a lot of effective products out there but so far, the best facial sunscreens I’ve tried (they wear well and effectively protect skin from harmful UV rays) are: L’Oreal Paris UV Perfect SPF 50, which really disappears on your skin when you apply it; Celeteque Suncare Facial Moisturizer, which has emollient properties; and VMV Hypoallergenics Armada Face Cover 45, which provides long-lasting sun protection. Aside from applying sunscreen every day, there are many things you can do to help minimize the appearance of dark spots. Below is a list of effective solutions you can try.

Look out for these concealers. As you mentioned, you have tried concealing your sunspots with makeup. This may not work if you are using a foundation or concealer with sheer coverage. You’ll need to use makeup that doesn’t necessarily go on thick, but has the ability to cover dark spots. I suggest you stick to your everyday foundation and carefully dot and blend concealer over the affected area. You’ll need a cream concealer that really does its job to hide scars, birthmarks and age spots (these are usually packaged in a pot or stick). I’ve found that MAC and Bobbi Brown works well for me as it provides great coverage.

Try a brightening regimen. Wearing sunscreen during the day and applying a skin brightening range at night will effectively minimize the appearance of sunspots. These products usually come in potent serums that don’t necessarily bleach the color of your skin but work on giving it a smooth and even tone. There are many skin-care lines that work specifically on targeting these spots. The best ones out there are: Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector, Nars Skin Optimal Brightening Concentrate and New Peptin SOS Spot SPF 15.

Zap those spots away. When you want the spots gone fast and are willing to spend money for it, ask your dermatologist for the latest available treatments. Radio frequency has been proven to lighten dark spots. Also laser treatments and skin peeling can be great options. But again, every person requires a different solution so it’s better to consult with a trusted skin specialist first.