Face discoloration may be caused by hormonal changes, aging or sun exposure.
The actual cause in all cases is a pigment called melanin.
Melanin is what causes our faces, eyes and hair to have color.
Albinos with their creamy pale skin, pink eyes and white hair do not lack melanin-producing cells; they lack an enzyme necessary for the body to create melanin.
People with darker complexions have a higher concentration of melanin in their skin than people with fair complexions.
Melanin provides natural protection against UV rays from the sun, which is one of the reasons some say that tanning is healthy.
A tan might indicate good health.
A tanned person might spend a lot of time outdoors, being very active.
Generally speaking, active people are healthier people.
But researchers believe that over-exposure to the sun, especially burning at a young age, increases the lifetime risk of skin cancer.
It is known that sun damage is one of the causes of wrinkles and age spots, a form of face discoloration that is not actually caused by the aging process, but by continued sun exposure, excessive melanin production and free radical damage.
Free radicals are molecules naturally present in the skin's cells.
They are a major cause of the visible signs of aging, but only because they are highly reactive.
When the skin is exposed to pollutants like cigarette smoke or to UV rays from the sun, free radical numbers multiply.
They start stealing electrons from cellular membranes and DNA strands.
Eventually, they can cause mutations of cellular DNA, which is what occurs when a cancer cell forms.
Changes in melanin-producing cells brought on by free radicals are the likely causes of age spots.
Antioxidant-rich creams can help to repair the damage, but the issue of melanin production must be addressed, too.
Until recently, most of the products for reversing face discoloration contained hazardous compounds like mercury or hydroquinone.
Bleaching agents or exfoliants like the alpha hydroxy acids are still commonly recommended.
The only safe ingredient proven to inhibit melanin production is an extract from a medicinal plant called cyperus rotundus or nut grass.
The ingredient is an anti-irritant.
So, it can be used safely even by people with sensitive skin.
Most plants have some antioxidant activity, but that is not the benefit provided by nut grass.
The better manufacturers combine it with COQ10, vitamin E and other antioxidants to reverse face discoloration quickly and safely.