Dark spots on your face: causes, and when to worry

By Omorfia. Last updated 7 November 2026. 3 min read.

Most dark spots on the face come from sun exposure, hormones or an old blemish. Any spot that's new, changing, or looks different from the others needs checking by a doctor, especially in New Zealand, where skin cancer rates are among the world's highest. Daily sun protection is what matters most. Cosmetics can only help with how skin looks, and slowly at best.

First, get anything unusual checked

SunSmart says skin cancer is New Zealand's most common cancer, and that New Zealand and Australia have the world's highest rates. Environmental Health Intelligence New Zealand reports that our melanoma rates remain among the world's highest.

DermNet warns that a harmless sun spot can look like something more serious, and that a melanoma can be missed because of the similar appearance. So don't self-diagnose. See your GP if a spot is new, growing, changing in shape or colour, bleeding, or just looks different from your others, and do that before you try to cover it or use anything on it.

The common types

Sun spots

DermNet describes solar lentigo as a common, harmless, flat pigmented spot on sun-exposed skin, also called a liver spot or age spot. Unlike freckles, they don't fade in winter. Strict sun protection reduces new ones.

Melasma

According to DermNet, melasma involves sun and light exposure, a family link, and hormones such as those in pregnancy and the pill. Perfumed soaps, toiletries and cosmetics may trigger it. It responds slowly and can return with summer sun, and it needs protection all year: a broad-brimmed hat and a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen containing iron oxides. DermNet warns that peels and lasers can make it worse, so get advice before booking anything.

Marks after spots

This is temporary pigmentation that follows an injury or inflammation. It's more common and more intense in darker skin, and can last longer there. DermNet says daily SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen is important on exposed areas.

What about skincare?

Ingredients such as niacinamide, kojic acid and arbutin are used in products aimed at the look of uneven tone, and most of the research is on leave-on products over weeks and months. All three are in our Hyaluronic Acid jar, and our shop page says they help tone look more even. We want to be straight about this:

• A mask worn for 15 to 20 minutes, one to three times a week, isn't a way to fade pigmentation, and we don't claim it will.
• Sun protection will do more for you than any mask.
• We're not selling lighter skin. We don't think lighter is better, and no skin tone needs fixing.

If you'd still like to try a mask for how your skin looks, our page on uneven-looking tone explains what to expect.

What's most likely to help over time

1. Daily sunscreen and a hat. See sunscreen in New Zealand.
2. Patience. Pigment changes slowly.
3. Gentle skincare. Stacking strong products to chase a mark can leave skin inflamed.
4. A doctor's opinion if it's bothering you. The right diagnosis comes first.

Questions

How do I know if a dark spot is serious?

You can't reliably tell by yourself. See your GP about any spot that's new, growing, changing in shape or colour, bleeding, or different from your other spots.

Can a face mask get rid of dark spots?

No, not in any way we'd promise. A short mask can help skin feel and look fresher, but it isn't a way to fade pigmentation. Daily sun protection and a doctor's advice will do far more.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you're worried about your skin, see your GP or a skin specialist.

Sources

1. Ultraviolet radiation, skin cancer and sun protection facts (2025), SunSmart New Zealand
2. New Zealand continues to have one of the world's highest rates of melanoma, Environmental Health Intelligence New Zealand
3. Solar lentigo, DermNet
4. Melasma, DermNet
5. Postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, DermNet