Sun spots and hyperpigmentation often seem to appear out of nowhere. And without warning, they overwhelmingly dominate your face and prove to be difficult to get rid of, which may cause you to cake on layers of makeup in hopes of concealing your imperfections. But luckily, with these five tips, you can clear your problematic areas and wear your skin proudly, au naturel.

1. Sunscreen
Protecting your skin from future wrinkles, fine lines and spots is just as important as treating the ones that already exist. This is why you need to add SPF to your daily skincare routine! Whether it’s found in your tinted moisturizer, foundation or facial cream, SPF is imperative to healing your skin and achieving an even tone.

2. Exfoliating scrub
Gently exfoliating your skin once a week with a facial scrub can work wonders for sunspots and hyperpigmentation because it breaks up pigmented cells. This ultimately forces them to fade, ridding your skin of discoloration.

3. Vitamin C serum
Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that produces collagen and protects the skin from damaging free radicals. Using a Vitamin C serum will brighten spots, creating a radiant glow.

4. Retinol
Using a retinol will produce collagen and build elastin, which strengthens and firms your skin. Applying a pea size amount a few nights a week can slough away dead skin cells to reveal a youthful, spot-free complexion.

5. Chemical peels/ Laser treatments
Severe spots and hyperpigmentation will require a more abrasive treatment, which usually involves chemical peels or lasers. It’s best to ask your dermatologist which is better for your particular skin type or problem area. Both treatments erase pigments by peeling the skin.