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October 11, 2021 4 min read
Although you may simply refer to them all as annoying, the different types of spots, bumps, blotches and colors on your face all have different names. Two of the ones we see most commonly, especially as we age, are melasma and sun spots.
If you’re curious about these unwelcome visitors (and how to get rid of them), keep reading. We’re sharing all of the details below.
Melasma sounds like a trendy name for the next celebrity offspring, but the reality is less glamorous. In truth, it’s a (very common!) skin issue that manifests as dark patches on your skin.
Primarily present in women, melasma can occur anytime, including when you’re pregnant. If you do develop melasma while you’re pregnant, it’s referred to as chloasma, or sometimes, “the mask of pregnancy.”
And like any good mask, melasma is symmetrical, meaning it (usually) looks the same on both sides of your face. It’s common to get it on your chin, forehead, cheeks, or even your nose. You might also find some melasma on your neck and arms.
If you recently woke up looking like Zorro, you may be wondering what gives. You can (and should) check with your dermatologist about what might have caused your splotches, but they may not be able to give you a solid answer.
That’s right: we’ve put a man on the moon, but we still don’t know exactly what causes melasma. Science has some good guesses though. For one thing, sun exposure and skin are never a good mix; we know that UV light can contribute to melasma.
If you’re really stressed out, there’s some evidence that that can contribute to melasma, and so too can thyroid issues. If you’re on birth control or another form of hormone therapy, that can be a factor. And like we’ve mentioned, it’s common when you’re pregnant.
It’s also known that people with darker skin tend to have more issues with melasma than people with lighter skin.
Even if you’re pretty sure what you’re dealing with is a classic case of melasma, we still recommend checking with your doctor. They can rule out any dangerous skin conditions and help you move forward with a treatment plan.
Sun spots are a type of hyperpigmentation--darkened patches of skin--caused by the sun. When your pretty face is exposed to the sun without adequate protection, the sun takes the opportunity to dial up your production of melanin: the pigment that gives your skin color.
Your skin produces melanin in response to the sun because melanin can act as a natural “sunscreen.” Of course, it’s not a substitute for real sunscreen, and when you get too much sun, the melanin goes into overdrive, leading to hyperpigmentation.
Most of the time, hyperpigmentation is irritating, but not dangerous. However, it’s always a good idea to get it checked by your doctor so they can rule out anything more serious.
Melasma and sun spots can be hard to differentiate. Both manifest as dark patches of skin and may lead to expletives when looking in the mirror. Both are also caused or aggravated by sun exposure.
However, melasma tends to be symmetrical in its appearance while sun spots aren’t necessarily. Moreover, melasma seems to have a biological cause (namely hormones), while sun spots show up to the party any time there’s a little too much sun.
Both are relatively harmless but deserve a quick check from your derm just in case.
Although melasma and sun spots are different, they can often be treated in some of the same ways:
First and foremost, wear sunscreen! Doing so will not only prevent future spots and splotches, but help stop the existing ones from getting worse.
If you do end up with some melasma or sun spots (which most of us will, don’t beat yourself up!), there are ways to reduce their appearance. Like most skincare issues, the solutions for sun spots and melasma run the gamut from simple home solutions to more intense and invasive in-office procedures.
Because melasma and sun spots are typically not dangerous (and therefore don’t warrant immediate removal), we recommend trying at home remedies before moving on to more extreme and costly procedures with your dermatologist.
For targeting melasma and sun spots at home, nothing beats vitamin C. This miracle vitamin not only gives you a luminous glow, but it actually reduces the amount of pigmentation in your skin, helping to fade those pesky dark spots.
But vitamin C doesn’t stop there. It also combats damage from free radicals, which can help prevent you from getting hyperpigmentation in the first place. And it’s anti-inflammatory, which means you can knock out any residual acne while you’re targeting those dark spots.
However, it’s important to choose the correct vitamin C serum. Many C serums use a cheap form of Vitamin C called ascorbic acid, which isn’t the most effective at fading sun spots and melasma.
At Wild Ice Botanicals, we use a form of pure, lipid-soluble vitamin C called Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate in our Cryo-C serum. This type of vitamin C penetrates deeper than ascorbic acid, so it can fade your dark marks more effectively. It’s also safer for sensitive skin.
We combine that with protective date seed extract and antioxidant-rich sea buckthorn to help you get fewer dark marks in the first place. And as a (big) bonus, it helps your skinglow.
And just like all of Wild Ice’s products, Cryo-C is made with cold-kept ingredients. It’s refrigerated until it ships to you, maintaining the potency of the ingredients so you get the best results for your skin.
So if you’re experiencing some melasma or sun spots on your skin, know this: you’re beautiful no matter what! But if you’d like to fade those marks, vitamin C is one of the best ways to do it.
Mila (pronounced 'mee-luh') is mother of three, wife, and founder of Wild Ice, an all-natural cold-preserved skincare line dedicated to bringing the best of care to women everywhere.
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I can’t say enough about all the Wild Ice products! The toner is light and refreshing and is the perfect addition to my skin routine. I highly recommend all her products if you are craving beautiful skin!
My face feels so hydrated and smooth. Love how it looks too
Started this 4 step set 2 weeks ago and was hooked after the 1st day. Can't wait to post my 6 week progress photo. With each use I keep changing my mind to which one is my favorite. I look forward every morning and evening to the fresh feel of washing and moisturizing my face. Thank you Mila for this beautiful product.
LOVVVEEEE IT! I feel immediately lifted as soon as I finish using it, and it is a wonderful face massage. I feel like I have treated myself, every time I use it.
I’m hooked on Cryo-C. This hydrates and makes my skin look youthful!
I love this body oil! It goes on smoothly and my skin feels amazing. I lobe using this when I get out of the shower. It smells amazing too!
I love this product. Not greasy or oily. Leaves my skin smooth and I love the smell. Since using this product, I constantly get told my skin looks beautiful and has a nice glow.
I have used several cleansers over the years and since trying the B-Meltee, I always come back to this product. It is a clean fragrance as well as a clean feeling without drying out my skin. I would recommend this product to all ages and all skin types. It will not disappoint, I promise.
I began using the cryo- C about six weeks ago and my skin has never looked better! The first thing you notice is how wonderful it smells, the second thing you notice is how it glides on and gives you an instant glow, and the next thing you notice overtime is that it provides a permanent dewy glow with diminished discoloration‘s and lines! I love love love this product! I’m 58❤️
This is truly the best system I’ve ever used. My skin is healthier - I’ve always had dry skin and finally it feels hydrated and the difference is visible. It even stayed hydrated feeling and looking on a 5 day ski trip, which always especially drys out my face. I’ve also had redness on my cheeks and that is slowly but noticeably decreasing. I gave wild ice to my daughters and best friend for Christmas as well and they are so happy with it and agree it’s a game changer for our skin. Thank you!
This class was such a great experience. Mila explains how the muscles in your face work and how to use her products to enhance your face and glow. I had so much fun as this class and I would definitely go to another one!
Love these products! My wrinkles are minimised with continual use and it’s an easy regimen. Try it!
This cleanser is light and refreshing, but does the heavy lifting of cleaning my face daily! I love how refreshed my face feels afterward- not dry or tight; just soft and clean! I have used Mila’s 4 step program for a year now and my skin has never looked better! I’m absolutely obsessed with each step and the benefits my skin has gotten from them. Clear, glowing, soft skin!
The entire Wild Ice line of products are what my skin responds to over any other product I've ever used. I do not hesitate to put any new Wild Ice product on my skin knowing I can trust the ingredients to do the job well. Just smelling the freshness of the products is a daily pleasure. And look no further than Mila's gorgeous skin for inspiration :)
So glad I found Mila again after her rebranding to Wild Ice. Her skin care line is the best I’ve found for my skin (and I’m sensitive to so many products) It’s a luxury I can’t do without