I like to think that age spots are the signs of a life well lived. They typically start to show up around the age of 40 and even more so after 50.

Once thought to be caused by your liver, some people still refer to them as liver spots. The real cause, however, is the sun. If you spend your days out in nature, gardening, or hiking, they’re almost an inevitability. Staying inside and out of the sun is an option, of course, but not a very fun one.

Luckily the spots are harmless for the most part. You should be careful that they aren’t hiding something more serious, like skin cancer. But otherwise it’s just the appearance that bothers some people.

Unfortunately, they can be tough to remove. But if you use one of these natural methods consistently, they should gradually become lighter and they won’t ruin your skin, like other harsher treatments.

Everything You’ll Need:

• Fresh

• Fresh lemon juice

• 1 tsp. grated horseradish root

• ½ tsp. lemon juice

• ½ tsp. white vinegar

• 3 drops

• 5 percent

• Cotton swabs

• Buttermilk

Directions

1. Fresh Aloe Vera Gel

As with most skin conditions, aloe vera gel can help. It contains chemicals that get rid of dead skin cells, allowing new, healthy cells to grow. If you use it regularly then, over time the spot should lighten and eventually disappear. Fresh aloe vera gel is best, but an organic brand can also be used.

2. Fresh Lemon Juice

Dabbing your age spots with lemon juice a couple times a day can also help. The citric acid is just strong enough to get rid of dead skin cells and allows healthier, brighter skin cells to shine through. Darker skin is removed and your age spots become lighter.

3. DIY Removal Formula

In her book “Smart Medicine for Your skin,” Jeanette Jacknin advises using a combination of grated horseradish root, lemon juice, vinegar, and rosemary essential oil once or twice a day.

4. Hydrogen Peroxide

Applying a 3-5% hydrogen peroxide solution to your age spots can help lighten them. You can use a cotton swab to apply it once a day for a few weeks. The downside, however, is that peroxide can dry out your skin, so just be sure to also use a moisturizer afterward. You should also check out these other great uses for hydrogen peroxide.

5. Buttermilk It

You can also use buttermilk to help lighten your age spots. Simply apply it directly to the area for 5 to 10 minutes, and then rinse it of. The lactic acid exfoliates the skin, helping to lighten the spots.

Bonus Tips

If you’re really committed to lightening your age spots, you can use any combination of the above remedies. Afterward, however, you have to be really careful about your sun exposure and be sure to use a homemade sunscreen.

It’s also important to remember that these remedies do take time. Because they are gentle on your skin, results could take several weeks to see. Just be consistent and they will lighten and eventually even disappear.