Freckles are a common occurrence and are simply a little spot on the skin where the pigmentation is darker than the other areas. Most people typically have freckles from genetic factors and those with fair skin tend to have freckles far more often than those with darker complexions. Freckles are similar to age spots, although freckles are usually present for life while age spots come about after repeated exposure to sun over the course of a lifetime.

Moles, on the other hand, are often raised but can be flat, and are also dark spots on the skin. Moles are often larger and can continue to grow while freckles usually stay the same size. Since both moles and freckles are affected by sunlight, you could simply avoid sunlight exposure, since natural skin brighteners would require that as well. Moles and freckles are both caused by an excess of melanin cells and since melatonin production is stimulated in response to sunlight, this is an easy way to help existing moles or freckles to fade while preventing more from occurring.

Interestingly enough, long before beauty products lightened skin, there were already many natural skin brighteners available to you. Buttermilk is one of the oldest and best methods to lighten dark spots on the skin, and some of today’s skin brightener products do feature lactic acid as a brightener.

Lemons are another of the best natural skin brighteners, and it can help treat acne and exfoliate the skin as well. Rub a raw lemon over the skin once or twice a week and leave it on for about ten minutes. Rinse well and you will immediately see a difference in your skin tone and complexion and it might help remove your moles or freckles as well.

While there are many really good brightening products on the market, you can also get help from your very own kitchen or garden, since there are many natural botanicals that are thought to help whiten or soften the complexion of freckles – among them elder flower water and cowslip water. If you don’t have the means to remove your freckles yourself, you can use an over the counter product or you can visit your dermatologist to see what options are available to you.

Remember, if you want to keep from getting more moles or freckles, stay out of the sun and use a strong sunblock when you will be exposed to sunlight.