The Truth About Hand Aging and Sunspots
Cayla MandeanWhy sunspots appear and how to prevent and improve them naturally.
When we talk about skincare, we almost always mean facial skincare. Cleansers, serums, SPF, toners, moisturisers, essences; all carefully chosen and layered with intention. Meanwhile, everything below the neck often gets whatever is left on our palms… if anything at all.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already intentional about natural skincare and building habits that stand the test of time. But here’s a question I recently came to ask myself, and one I invite you to consider too:
Are you giving your hands the same care you give your face?
This is a key question to consider as your hands are one of the first places to show visible signs of photoaging, sun damage, environmental stress and pigmentation.
And I’ve seen this firsthand.
A Personal Lesson in Sun Exposure
A very special woman in my life — my mom — is living proof of this.
She was a professional netball player from school through to varsity, spending countless hours outdoors on the court. Back then, sun protection wasn’t really part of the conversation. Sunscreen was optional, reapplication wasn’t a thing, and hands were rarely protected.
Years later, she began noticing dark spots developing on her hands. After consulting a skin professional, she learned these were sunspots, also known as solar lentigines.
They are a direct result of cumulative UV exposure over time.
Prevention, as they say, is better than cure. But the good news is: both matter. And over the past few months, my mom has been using a simple, targeted lotion that I made for her that has actually made a visible difference to her hands. We’ll get into how I made it later in the article, but first, let’s understand why sunspots appear in the first place.
Why Hands Show Sun Damage First
Your skin isn’t just one uniform layer. It’s a complex, multi-layered organ made up of three primary layers :
- Epidermis: the outermost layer, responsible for barrier function and pigment production
- Dermis: where collagen, elastin, and blood vessels live
-
Hypodermis: deeper fat and connective tissue for insulation and protection
The epidermis contains specialised cells called melanocytes, which produce melanin. Melanin is the pigment responsible for skin colour.
When your skin is exposed to UV radiation, aka the sun, melanocytes increase melanin production as a protective response. This is your skin’s way of trying to shield deeper layers from DNA damage.
Over time, with repeated and unprotected sun exposure, this process becomes uneven.
What Are Sunspots (Solar Lentigines)?
Sunspots are flat, brown or darkened patches that appear on areas frequently exposed to the sun. They are most commonly found on:
- Hands
- Forearms
- Face
- Chest
They develop due to localised overproduction of melanin triggered by cumulative UV damage. Unlike freckles, sunspots do not fade significantly when sun exposure decreases.
Scientifically speaking, UV radiation damages DNA in skin cells, triggers oxidative stress through free radicals, and increases tyrosinase activity (the enzyme that ramps up melanin production).
Over time, this leads to persistent pigment clusters. Otherwise seen as sunspots.
Hands are especially vulnerable because the skin is thinner, has fewer oil glands, is constantly exposed to sunlight, and SPF is rarely reapplied/applied at all.
How to Prevent Sunspots on Hands
We always hear that “prevention is better than cure.” So let’s start with prevention, because it’s always the most powerful step.
1. Daily SPF — Yes, on Your Hands
Broad-spectrum SPF of at least 30+ should be applied to the hands every single morning, just like your face. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are especially well tolerated and provide physical UV protection.
If you drive often, work outdoors, wash your hands frequently, and enjoy playing sports or doing activities out in the sun, reapplication is essential.
2. Antioxidants Matter
Antioxidants help neutralise free radicals generated by UV exposure. Ingredients that work to help are:
- Green tea extract
- Liquorice root extract
- Vitamin C ( ascorbic acid or derivatives )
- Vitamin E helps reduce oxidative stress and support skin resilience.
- Bakuchiol
Now that we’ve explored ways to prevent it, let’s move on to treatment options.
Treatment: Can Sunspots Fade Naturally?
While deeply established sunspots won’t disappear overnight, their appearance can absolutely be softened and improved with consistent care and natural solutions.
What My Mom Has Been Doing for Sunspots (and Loving)
Over the last few months, my mom has followed a simple, consistent hand-care routine: She applied her SPF to her hands in the morning and throughout the day. She used the DIY Hyaluronic Acid & Collagen Botanical Essence recipe that I developed ahead of applying my Hand Brightening lotion.
No harsh treatments. No aggressive peels. Just intentional, supportive skincare.
The result? Her hands feel softer, more comfortable, and the sunspots have visibly softened in contrast. Most importantly, she feels confident in her skin.
