Aussie women rate uneven skin tone as their biggest skincare challenge - over lines and wrinkles.*

It's not hard to spot the difference between a beach babe and a bookworm, especially when they're heading towards their late 30s. Lifestyle choices like sun exposure tend to surface - literally. No, we're not going to bang on about the dangers of the sun, because it's only one of many factors that can cause pigmentation. Stress, hormones, blemishes and even harsh cleansers can all cause a case of the brown spots.
There are three main groups of dark spots on the skin. Sydney dermatologist Dr Tanya Gilmour says, "The most common types of pigmentation are melasma [dark facial discolouration], sun-damaged skin and solar lentigos [sun and age-related spots]."

Spot check
Which spots are you sporting?

Melasma
Patches of discolouration most commonly found on the cheekbones, upper lip and forehead in women over 20 years. Dr Gilmour says melasma is often triggered by hormonal changes during pregnancy, or by taking the pill.

Hyperpigmentation (Aka solar lentigos or sunspots)
Largish brown spots that mostly form after exposure to the sun or a tanning bed. Founder of Ultraceuticals skincare, Dr Geoffrey Heber, explains: "Repetitive UV exposure stimulates specialised skin cells to produce increased pigment in the skin, which acts as a shield against damage from further UV exposure."

Freckles
These can be hereditary and start appearing from around the age of three, increasing through puberty and then stabilizing, or even lightening around 30. Clinique's executive director of research and development, Dr Tom Mammone, explains that hereditary freckles are more common in people with fair skin, red hair, blonde hair or blue eyes, "But their relationship to UV rays is still unknown."

White out
Want to lighten your pigmentation load? Check out these six spot erasers

1 Estée Lauder CyberWhite Ex Extra Concentrated Brightening Essence, $136, has a long name - and a long list of potent ingredients that address pigmentation problems, including intercepting melanin production, shedding darkened dead skin cells and the dispersion of groups of pigment.

2 Shiseido White Lucent Concentrated Brightening Serum, $149, uses a plant extract called gambir to target spots, and vitamin C to wipe pigmentation and brighten the skin.

3 La Prairie Cellular Anti-Spot Brightening Serum, $280, is for label lovers who want to keeps dark spots in check. The potent mix of vitamin C, mulberry and licorice tea extract all help deter the production of melanin.

4 Ultraceuticals Even Skintone Serum, $86, has bearberry extract - said to be the natural form of hydroquinone - willow bark and a whack of alpha and beta hydroxy acids to exfoliate and brighten.

5 Priori Even Tones, $190, has the famous power-packed antioxidant protection of idebenone, blended with methyl gentisate to lighten .

6 Clinique Even Better Skin Tone Corrector 30ml, $68, banishes brown spots by keeping irritation in check with antioxidants, and lightens spots with a blend of yeast extracts and exfoliants.

Lightening strike
For a more potent prescription, hit the doctor's office

Dr Gabrielle Caswell, dermatologist and public relations officer for the Cosmetic Physicians Society of Australasia, recommends mixing ingredients. "I would suggest a combination of retins (vitamin A derivatives) or pro-retinols in face creams, and intermittent use of hydroquinone at a concentrate of four per cent for effectiveness." Dr Caswell also recommends a good vitamin C formula with an active pH of 2.5.
FYI - Hydroquinone is currently one of the most efficient lightening ingredients around, but it can be an irritant and comes with some controversy about its toxicity, so choose carefully.

by Juliette Richardson

*Clinique Global Truth in Beauty Survey