Skip to content
Sun Spots on Face in Australia: Fade Them, Stop New Ones
Nobody remembers the afternoon that caused them. The long lunch at Bondi, the school sports carnival, the weekend on the Murray with a hat left in the car.
Sun spots, sometimes called age spots or liver spots, are the skin's slow memory of ultraviolet light. Medical News Today describes them as brown, tan or black spots from sun exposure, usually on the face and hands. They are more common with age, but anyone who has spent years outdoors in Australia can have them.
How a summer becomes a spot
UV light triggers melanocytes to produce extra melanin as a defence. Over years, that pigment can gather in patches that stay even after a tan fades. Harvard Health and Cleveland Clinic both identify sun exposure as a leading cause of hyperpigmentation. The takeaway is simple: the spot is cosmetic, but the sun damage behind it is a signal to protect your skin properly from now on.
The protection that works
Cancer Council Australia recommends combining five measures: slip on clothing, slop on SPF 50 or SPF50+ broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen, slap on a broad-brimmed hat, seek shade and slide on sunglasses that meet Australian Standards. Sunscreen should go on about 20 minutes before heading out and be reapplied every two hours outdoors, with about one teaspoon for the face, neck and ears. Daily use is advised whenever the UV Index is forecast at 3 or above. Cancer Council says sunscreen is not a suit of armour; it works alongside the rest.
It also explains that SPF 50+ is the highest label allowed in Australia, meaning an SPF of 60 or more, and that SPF 50 filters about 98% of UVB compared with about 95% for SPF 20. Cleveland Clinic suggests mineral blockers such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are good options. Browse our sunscreen collection to compare textures, and remember the best sunscreen is the one you will actually wear every day.
Fading what is already there
Topical ingredients such as vitamin C, niacinamide, azelaic acid and glycolic acid appear in Cleveland Clinic's list of options, and professional treatments such as peels and lasers exist too. Medical News Today warns lasers and peels can worsen pigmentation if the skin's outer layer is damaged, which is why a dermatologist should guide them. At home, keep it gentle and consistent. Our article on what vitamin C does and doesn't do is a good start, and if your patches are larger and symmetrical, read melasma versus sun spots.
Where Eastern Curlew fits
Our own-label Radiant Glow Vitamin C Serum combines 10% encapsulated vitamin C with Kakadu plum, and the ClearGlo 20% Vitamin C Boost Cream uses L-ascorbic acid with Kakadu plum and green tea. They are cosmetic products designed to help skin look brighter and more even, with the antioxidant benefit of vitamin C. They do not replace sunscreen, and neither treats sun damage or skin disease.
Around Australia
- Queensland and the Northern Territory: UV stays high all year; make sunscreen a daily habit.
- New South Wales and Victoria: peak summer UV is intense, even with cloud.
- Western Australia and South Australia: clear skies and dry heat; carry a hat.
- Tasmania and the ACT: cool air hides strong spring and summer UV; check the forecast.
A skin-check note
Not every brown spot is a sun spot. Cancer Council says to see a doctor about a spot that looks or feels different, has changed in size, shape, colour or texture, or a sore that does not heal. It states 2 in 3 Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer in their lifetime and notes high-risk people may need a full skin examination every 6 to 12 months. Cancer Council does not offer checks; see a GP or skin cancer clinic.
Frequently asked questions
Do sun spots fade by themselves?
They usually stay unless treated, and new ones can appear without sun protection.
Can sunscreen remove sun spots?
No. It helps prevent new spots and stops existing ones deepening.
Which SPF should I use in Australia?
Cancer Council recommends SPF 50 or SPF50+, broad-spectrum and water-resistant.
Are sun spots dangerous?
They are usually harmless, but any new or changing spot should be checked.
Can I use vitamin C with sunscreen?
Yes, many people apply vitamin C in the morning followed by sunscreen.
Sources
Cancer Council Australia (sunscreen basics, how to apply sunscreen, checking for skin cancer); Medical News Today, Hyperpigmentation; Cleveland Clinic, Hyperpigmentation; Harvard Health, Demystifying hyperpigmentation. General information, not medical advice.