WHY DO WE GET FRECKLES?

Freckles are brown spots found on skin that is regularly exposed to the sun - they are smooth to touch and, unlike moles, are not raised up from the skin’s surface. The colour of freckles is caused by a pigment called melanin. The more time you spend in the sun, the more melanin is produced, which is why you might notice more skin freckles after being outside on a sunny day.

Genetics also play a big part in who gets freckles. If certain members of the family are prone to freckled skin, it’s likely that others will be too. Nobody is born with freckles (you won’t see a newborn baby with freckles), but they usually start to develop during childhood and sometimes vanish during adulthood as we get older. Don’t be alarmed if your freckles fade in the winter and darken in the summer – this is completely normal.

Anybody can have freckled skin, but the colour of the specks may be lighter or darker depending on your hair and skin colour. People with red-coloured hair and fair skin are more likely to have freckles, but this is just one of many factors that affect whether skin freckles. 

The MRCI gene that controls why some people have freckles is the same one that determines red hair. People with red hair are likely to have and develop freckles as they often also have fairer skin that is more sensitive to the sun.

People usually develop freckles in childhood, or as a teenager, but they can fade as we grow older. 

Skin that freckles easily should be embraced and well cared for. The way to do this is with a thorough skincare routine that gives the skin exactly what it needs. As freckled skin tends to be on the fairer side, it can be prone to damage from UVA and UVB rays.

Suncream should be reapplied often, even on days where it doesn't seem sunny. Don’t forget to reapply after swimming or exercise. Opt for a tinted moisturiser with added SPF on cooler days, which will provide some coverage as well as protection.

Sunburn is your skin’s response to damage and it can have long-lasting effects on your skin and health. Our Sun range offers protection for the whole family and includes sunscreen especially for use on your face, ideal for protecting freckles on face. Try our NIVEA Luminous630 Sun Fluid SPF50 to protect your face from damaging UV rays. As well as protecting the skin from damaging UV light, it also works to prevent and visibly reduce sun spots.

Some people mistake Lentigo for freckles but unlike freckles, lentigines keep their pigmentation all year round. They don’t change colour in sunlight and are not usually found in clusters like freckles generally are. 

Lentigo can affect males and females of all ages and skin colours, although having fair skin, sun exposure or repeated sun damage can cause Lentigo, especially in mature skin.

4 main causes of lentigo are:

1. Sun damage 
2. UV light damage from sunbed use
3. Sunburn
4. Ageing 

• Stay out of the sun, especially during the times the sun is most powerful (11am-4pm), seek the shade and stay indoors when you can.
• Use sun-protective clothing, there are clothes available that protect against UV rays such as long sleeve shirts, trousers and hats.
• If you do need to head out in the sun use an SPF 50 sunscreen to protect from sun overexposure and reapply every couple of hours. Check out our NIVEA Sun range to protect your skin. 

NIVEA UV Face Sun Cream - This face sun cream provides immediate and effective sun protection, leaving your skin feeling light and non greasy. It also absorbs excess oil on the skin, leaving a mattefying effect.This won't remove freckles, but suncream will stop freckles from forming in great numbers. Freckles are an excellent guide to sun exposure - while a little sunlight will bring out a sprinkle of pretty freckles, too many could be a sign of UV damage.

Creams - lotions designed to treat hyperpigmentation can help to even skin tone and improve radiance which will target sun spots and redness, giving the perfect backdrop for your freckles.