The association between youth and beauty is well accepted in modern-day society. In fact, it’s what fuels the cosmetic and surgical industries. After all, studies show people who have a more youthful appearance are consistently rated as more attractive than older-appearing folks. And vice versa, as people perceived as more attractive tend to be thought of as younger than their actual age. Not surprisingly, studies show we are drawn to people with younger-looking skin because we perceive them to be healthier and more attractive.

Wouldn’t it be nice if there were something you could do to fade the appearance of sun spots—those dark spots on your face and skin that lead to a dull complexion and uneven skin tone, ultimately making you look noticeably older than you really are?

What Are Sun Spots?

Sun spots (also called solar lentigines and lentigo senilis) are light-brown to black pigmented lesions of various sizes that typically develop in chronically sun-exposed skin. In simple terms, sun spots are those flat brown, gray, or black spots that have unscrupulously appeared over the years, particularly on sun-exposed areas of the skin—which just so happen to be the most noticeable areas of your body.

They are called “sun spots” because they are strongly related to sun exposure, and because of their color, they are often called dark spots. They are also frequently called age spots or liver spots.

Sun spots on the face and skin are associated with photodamage, which is basically science-speak for changes in the skin that result from excessive exposure to UV radiation. One of the results of photodamage is photoaging, which more specifically refers to the appearance of premature aging of the skin caused by repeated exposure to UV radiation.

Practically speaking, there are many signs of photoaging, including deep wrinkles; rough, leathery skin; dry, lax skin; and perhaps most notably, loss of skin tone and mottled pigmentation (hypo- or hyperpigmentation). We’re talking about:

• Dull complexion
• Uneven skin tone
• Appearance of age spots on the skin
• Appearance of dark spots on the face

And get this: In a recent study, a group of European researchers studying skin texture revealed that the effects of skin color distribution can account for up to 20 years of perceived age. In other words, uneven skin tone (including sun spots on the skin and dark spots on the face) can make others think you’re up to 20 years older—and less healthy—than you actually are!

Practically speaking, whether you’re 17 or 70, the contrast of skin tone plays a significant role in the way your age, beauty, and health are perceived.

While photoaging is the most obvious and most talked about, there are many other factors that contribute to premature skin aging:

• Not consistently eating as clean as you should
• An imbalance of gut bacteria
• Not routinely getting as much sleep as you should
• Periodic stress
• Age-related hormone changes
• And more

What Causes Dark Spots on the Skin & Face?

The major determinant of the color in the skin is a compound called melanin, which is also produced by the body as a defense mechanism against UV radiation. And while healthy melanin production and processing is the secret behind a lovely suntan, the build-up of melanin is the major culprit behind the appearance of dark spots on the skin and sun spots on the face.

In other words, like most things in the body, balance is important when it comes to melanin. Melanogenesis refers to the process of the body making melanin, and it is a defense mechanism of the skin against UV irradiation. Melanin also acts as an antioxidant (detoxifying reactive oxygen species), and it’s involved in the synthesis of vitamin D. The point is that melanin is natural, normal, and essential.

However, excessive melanin production and its accumulation in the skin leads to:

• Hyperpigmentation
• Sun spots on the face
• Dark spots on the skin
• Freckles
• Melasma (brown or gray-brown patches of skin, often on the face)
• Uneven skin tone
• Other signs of photoaging

The KEY to giving the skin a brighter, more even look, reducing the appearance of age spots on the skin, and fading the appearance of dark spots on the face, and supporting an even skin tone lies in healthy melanin metabolism.

Now, before we go any further, let’s peel back the layers of the process, which involves multiple stages. While it’s quite complex, here’s an overview of what it entails…

• You expose your skin to sunlight (i.e., UV radiation), which triggers the process of melanogenesis via generation of free radical reactive oxygen species (ROS) and activation of melanin-stimulating hormone.
• Melanin production is initiated by a number of signaling systems and transcription factors (chemical messengers) including KIT, SCF, MITF, and MC1R. For example, MITF is considered a “master regulator” of melanin synthesis. You don’t need to remember the alphabet soup. Just keep in mind that there are chemical messengers on the “lookout” that set the cascade in motion.
• The body converts the amino acid L-tyrosine (the starting material for melanin production) to L-DOPA via the enzyme tyrosinase. This is the rate-limiting step in melanin production, and this occurs within the melanocytes (the cells that produce melanin).
  Basically, tyrosine is the “starter” compound that ultimately yields melanin. [FUN FACT: tyrosinase is the enzyme that is also responsible for the undesired browning reactions in damaged fruits during post-harvest handling and processing.]
• More specifically, this step occurs inside melanosomes, which are like little suitcases where melanin pigments are synthesized and stored.
• Melanin is transferred (via those melanosome suitcases) to keratinocytes (the cells located directly above the melanocytes in the skin). And the number of melanosomes in keratinocytes is ultimately what contributes to what we see on the surface (i.e., pigmentation, skin tone, dark spots on the skin, sun spots on the face, etc.)

Don’t worry, there’s no quiz covering all this science-speak. What you do need to appreciate is that melanogenesis is a complex, multi-stage process. And along those lines, a number of “steps” can be targeted along the way to help support healthy melanin metabolism.

For example, the most common way to promote a reduction in the melanin-production process (and reduce the appearance of age spots on the skin, fade the appearance of dark spots on the face, and ultimately, reveal a brighter, more even, younger-looking complexion) is to use tyrosinase inhibitors and antioxidants, which protect the skin from UV radiation and help reduce melanogenesis. Remember, the generation of ROS triggers the UV-induced melanin-production process.

What Makes Ageless Bright the Best Dark Spot Serum on the Market?

Considering 80 – 90% of adults show detectable signs of photoaging (such as dark spots on the face and skin), it’s no wonder the quest to reduce the appearance of sun spots on the skin and give skin a more even look is endless nor why so many people are reaching for dark spot serums and other safe, natural ways to help:

• Make skin brighter and healthier
• Reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin
• Give the skin a more even, younger-looking appearance

The problem is not all dark spot serums are created equal. That’s why we’re so excited about Ageless Bright, which was thoughtfully formulated with seven powerful, naturally-derived ingredients to help make skin appear brighter and more radiant; fade the appearance of dark spots on the face and skin; and support a smoother, more even look by providing support for the issues at the roots.

Let’s take a look at the cutting-edge ingredients in this breakthrough skin serum and how they can help reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin and face and, ultimately, help make skin appear brighter and more even:

• Bellis perennis (Daisy) flower helps give skin a more even look by interfering with multiple pathways involved in the formation of melanin. Research has shown that application of Bellis extract results in reductions in the appearance of age spots on the skin in as little as four weeks.^{Footnote †}
• DermalRx SRC is a natural exfoliating oligopeptide that helps gently loosen coarse, keratinized cells at the surface, stimulating skin renewal with younger cells. As a result, it helps give skin a younger, more radiant, more refined look.^{Footnote †}
• Niacinamide (vitamin B3) is a cornerstone in a dark spot serum, as it can help provide support for UV exposure, reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, make skin appear more elastic and balanced, and support a refined skin appearance.^{Footnote †}
• Brightenyl, also known as diglucosyl gallic acid (found in sumac trees), is a next-generation addition to this skin serum. It helps give skin a more even look by supporting a reduction in the production of melanin and reducing the appearance of dark spots on the face and skin.^{Footnote †}
• B-White is a patented combination of naturally-derived ingredients, including a unique protein called oligopeptide-68, shown to reduce the appearance of age spots on the hands and neck after 2 weeks and help skin appear brighter and more uniform after 4 weeks.^{Footnote †}
• SymWhite, also known as phenylethyl resorcinol (an antioxidant naturally-found in pine bark), is a powerful player in this dark spot serum that has been shown to help support the appearance of a brighter, more even-looking complexion in as little as 28 days.
• Gwennis is an extract of the algae Dictyopteris Polypodioides that helps support healthy melanin metabolism. Research has shown that Gwennis reduces the appearance of age spots on the skin after three months of daily use.

Simply put, this dark spot serum has been carefully and thoughtfully formulated to provide key, naturally-derived, research-supported ingredients that have been shown to provide powerful, radiant support to give skin a younger, healthier look. Yet what’s not in Ageless Bright is just as important as what is.

Along those lines, Ageless Bright is free from:

• Parabens, which are cheap, artificial preservatives that have been called endocrine disruptors (because they can negatively affect your hormones), “obesogens” (meaning they can influence fat metabolism, including how the body stores fat), and potentially affect mitochondria, the “energy factories” of your cells, which can impact many aspects of health.
• Phthalates, which are chemical additives (frequently hidden in fragrances) that have been shown to affect thyroid and reproductive hormones as well as have obesogenic properties.
• Sulfates, which are commonly added preservatives that may have side effects in the form of headaches, allergies, and more.
• Synthetic fragrances and dyes.
• Hydroquinone and other synthetic ingredients with potentially dangerous side effects.

What’s more, Ageless Bright is a non-GMO, hypoallergenic dark spot serum that’s safe for all skin types. Guys, that means Ageless Bright works for men also!

How to Add Ageless Bright to Your Daily Regimen

Adding Ageless Bright skin serum to your skincare routine is easy. For best results:

• After cleansing, apply a pea-size amount to dark spots or unevenly pigmented areas of your skin.
• Allow to absorb fully before applying moisturizer, sunscreen, makeup, etc.
• Use daily, morning and night, as part of your skincare regimen.

To further help fade the appearance of dark spots on the skin and support a more youthful, more radiant, more even look, we recommend that Ageless Bright be used with the following BioTRUST products:

• Ageless Glow®, a skin-rejuvenating serum that features breakthrough, research-supported ingredients that help reduce the appearance of visible signs of aging.
• Ageless Body®, which features five powerful, research-backed ingredients that provide support for a healthy antioxidant status.
• Ageless Multi-Collagen®, which provides 5 essential types of collagen—the very building blocks of your skin—to powerfully support healthier, younger-looking skin.
• IC-5™, a one-of-a-kind formula that helps support proper carbohydrate metabolism, which is also important for helping reduce the appearance of dark spots on the skin.

TIP: If you’re using both Ageless Glow and Ageless Bright—which we recommend—apply Ageless Glow first, let it dry, and then apply Ageless Bright.