table of contents:
- a guide on how to cover sun spots: what are sun spots?
- a guide on how to cover sun spots: what causes sun spots?
- a guide on how to cover sun spots: can you prevent sun spots?
- a guide on how to cover sun spots: can skincare help with sun spots?
- a guide on how to cover sun spots: an easy tutorial using cream concealer
- wondering how to cover sun spots? grab a subtl beauty stak
how to cover sun spots: the best guide
are you trying to figure out how to cover sunspots with makeup? you’re not alone! because many of us enjoy spending time in the sun, it’s a common beauty woe that a lot of people find themselves curious about. here at subtl (the home of stackable, on the go makeup), we believe that knowledge is power, especially when it comes to the health and appearance of your skin.
keep reading to find out how to cover sunspots, the gist of what they are, and their causes/preventions, along with an easy-to-follow tutorial using cream concealer for sunspots:
a guide on how to cover sun spots: what are sun spots?
before we guide you on how to cover sunspots with your on the go makeup kit’s cream concealer, let’s chat about what sunspots are. also called “solar lentigines,” sunspots are flat, brown, or dark patches that appear on your skin after being in the sun for long periods (think sunbathing while on a beach vacation, or walking all day in a sweaty, exposed amusement park).
sunspots can be found on the areas of your body that get the most sun, like your:
- hands
- arms
- shoulders
- back
it’s important to note that sunspots don’t fade with time and are not cancerous.
a guide on how to cover sun spots: what causes sun spots?
while you’ve likely already grabbed your concealer for sunspots and are ready to work some makeup magic, we have one more important piece of info to cover first: the root causes of sunspots. as you’ve probably guessed, sunspots are caused by none other than sun exposure. when you’re in the sun, its uv rays trigger your body’s production of melanin for protection.
as this process keeps happening, you may see sunspots begin to pop up. this is especially a problem if you aren’t diligent about sun protection (spf is crucial all year-round, subtl beauties). aging also plays a role in the lasting appearance of sunspots because your skin’s ability to repair itself diminishes as you get older. genetics can make you more susceptible to them, too.
to help you remember how to cover sunspots, save this list of potential causes:
- uv exposure
- aging
- family history and genetics
- artificial uv rays (i.e. tanning beds)
- hormonal changes (especially during pregnancy and menopause)
a guide on how to cover sun spots: can you prevent sun spots?
when it comes to how to cover sunspots, start with prevention. to stay sunspot-free, find an spf of at least 30 that your skin jives with. make sure to apply it daily, even when it’s cloudy outside or you’re in a rainy travel locale. to give your skin even more of a sun-defense boost, wear protective clothing when you go outside, like a wide-brimmed hat or sunglasses.
here are some cute (yet effective) sun-protecting gear that we never leave the house (or hotel) without:
- leagera mini purse umbrella
- supergoop! play spf 30 antioxidant body mist
- hawaiian tropic mineral powder sunscreen brush spf 30
- lreuip polarized mini folding sunglasses
- aleaf upf 50+ cropped cover-up cardigan
- camptrace upf 50+ foldable sun visor
- subtl beauty cream concealer for sunspots (a tutorial on this below)
a guide on how to cover sun spots: can skincare help with sun spots?
skincare matters, especially since the skin is your largest organ. using skincare products with nourishing ingredients like vitamin c – an antioxidant that brightens – can fade the look of sunspots. retinoids, another skin-loving ingredient derived from vitamin a, also live up to the skincare hype by accelerating cell turnover and encouraging the shedding of pigmented cells.
for the niacinamide-loving queens out there, we have good news: it’s also a skincare superstar worth keeping in (or adding to) your routine; niacinamide can reduce your skin’s transfer of melanin, potentially lightening the look of sunspots. for quicker results, you can ask your dermatologist about treatments like chemical peels, laser therapy, and microdermabrasion.
for addressing how to cover sunspots with skincare, look for these key ingredients:
- vitamin c
- retinoids
- niacinamide
- hydroquinone
- alpha hydroxy acids (ahas)
- kojic acid
- licorice extract
- arbutin
- glycolic acid
- azelaic acid
before throwing on your concealer for sunspots, try using these skincare products:
- e.l.f. suntouchable spf 35 primer
- mox skincare hydrating mint face cleanser
- blunt skincare rolling stone gua sha
- truskin vitamin c serum
- e.l.f. holy hydration! face cream spf 30
a guide on how to cover sun spots: an easy tutorial using cream concealer
now is the time you’ve all been waiting for: let’s go over how to cover sunspots with makeup:
- prep your skin: as we mentioned above, skincare is vital. apply your favorite moisturizer to ensure your skin is hydrated and ready to go. but don’t skip cleansing and lymphatic drainage exercises paired with a vitamin c serum. you can follow up with a primer designed to blur; this will create an extra smooth canvas for your makeup to last.
- choose your concealer for sunspots: to cover up sunspots, we recommend using multiple concealer shades (if you’re not sure which ones to grab, take our beauty quiz and/or undertone quiz). dab the lightest cream concealer shade directly onto any sunspot you’re trying to cover. next, blend with a darker one that matches your skin.
- use the right techniques and tools: with your fingers or the subtl beauty stak brush bff, dab on your cream concealer to build coverage – never swiping. for the beginners out there, this is why: swiping your makeup can lift any concealer off the sunspot. once the spot is fully covered to your liking, use translucent powder to set it and prevent fading.
wondering how to cover sun spots? grab a subtl beauty stak
want to join over 500+ happy subtl beauties by grabbing a travel-friendly, stress-lessening stak? click here to choose your cream concealer shade, so that if you opt for a premade stak, we know how to perfectly curate it. or you can customize your own stak to meet your unique aesthetic and vibe. you can also take our beauty quiz if you’re unsure what shades to try.
if you’re interested in snagging a one-of-a-kind makeup travel kit – also known as the best-selling, ultra-viral the starter stak – to help you cover up sunspots, click here; it features everything you need for healthy skin and a full look: cream concealer, bronzer, lip & cheek in terracotta tour guide or mauve in the maldives, powder highlighter makeup, and translucent shine control powder.
check out these five-star subtl beauty reviews on our makeup travel kit:
- “wow! i absolutely love the starter stak. i appreciated being able to choose the lip & cheek color in addition to the cream concealer. the colors are perfect and the quality of the products is fantastic. i have fairly sensitive skin and my pores get blocked easily. i had zero issues with breakouts or sensitivity issues when using these products. this starter stak is now my go to makeup product. it's completely changed my makeup routine for the better. thank you!” - amy
- “i’m so happy with the product. just the right amount of glamour for daytime. i use it over tinted sunscreen and add a little mascara. i’m out the door in minutes and feeling like the most beautiful version of myself. i will recommend it and wear it every chance i get!” - renata w.
- “i’m a flight attendant so i’m always on the go. this has simplified my routine and made me feel like i can touch up anytime! the products are amazing. i feel the concealer was an almost perfect match and the blush is stunning! very, very happy with my purchase. currently doing my makeup on a beach in hawaii before i work my next flight.” - lauren
did this guide on how to cover sunspots help you feel more confident? if you’re in need of more tips, take a look at this blog on foundation that may help you when using concealer for sunspots.