Age Spots vs Freckles: What to Look For

Age spots vs freckles can be hard to tell apart at a glance, because both are flat, brown and found on skin that sees the sun. They behave differently, though, and knowing the difference helps you to care for your skin and to notice when a spot is neither.

What freckles are

Freckles, known medically as ephelides, are small flat spots, usually 1 to 3 mm across, in shades of light brown, tan or red. They are largely inherited and are most common in people with fair skin and red or light hair. They first appear in childhood, become darker and more numerous in summer, and fade in winter.

What age spots are

Age spots are also called sun spots, liver spots or solar lentigines. They are flat, clearly outlined patches from light tan to dark brown, often 5 mm or more across. They are caused by years of sun exposure, not by the liver or by age alone. They usually appear after the age of 40 on the face, backs of the hands, forearms, shoulders and chest, and they stay the same color all year.

Side-by-side comparison

Other brown marks that look similar

• Melasma: larger, blotchy patches on the cheeks, forehead or upper lip, often linked to hormones and sun.
• Marks after acne or injury: flat dark marks where the skin was inflamed. See Acne Scars vs Dark Spots: How to Tell the Difference.
• Moles: usually present from youth, may be raised.
• Seborrhoeic keratoses: harmless, slightly raised, waxy or rough growths that look "stuck on".

Are they harmful?

Freckles and true age spots are harmless. They do show that the skin has had a good deal of sun, which is a reason to be careful with protection and to check your skin regularly.

Warning signs to act on

Skin cancers can look like a new freckle or age spot. See a doctor promptly if a spot:

• Is new and different from your other spots.
• Changes in size, shape or color.
• Has an irregular edge or several colors.
• Itches, bleeds, crusts or does not heal.
• Is growing.

A simple guide is the ABCDE list: Asymmetry, irregular Border, uneven Color, Diameter over 6 mm, and Evolving. A dermatologist can examine a spot quickly, and early checks matter.

Caring for skin with freckles or age spots

1. Use sunscreen daily. Broad spectrum, SPF 30 or higher. It prevents new spots and stops existing ones from darkening. See Sunscreen Guide: What SPF, UVA, and UVB Mean.
2. Cover up. Hats, clothing and shade work alongside sunscreen. See Sun Protection Tips Beyond Sunscreen.
3. Protect your hands. They collect spots from everyday exposure, such as driving. See Sunscreen for Hands: How to Add It to Your Routine.

Can they be lightened?

There is no need to treat harmless spots. If you want to fade age spots:

• Skincare ingredients such as retinoids, vitamin C, niacinamide and azelaic acid can lighten them a little over several months.
• A dermatologist can offer faster options, such as prescription creams, freezing, chemical peels or laser treatment, after confirming that the spot is harmless.

Any lightening treatment fails without daily sun protection, because the spots return. Be wary of unregulated "whitening" creams, some of which have been found to contain harmful ingredients.

For general care of older skin, see Skincare Routine for Mature Skin.

Related on ArniSun

• Acne Scars vs Dark Spots: How to Tell the Difference
• Sun Protection Tips Beyond Sunscreen
• Sunscreen Guide: What SPF, UVA, and UVB Mean
• Skincare Routine for Mature Skin
• Sunscreen for Hands: How to Add It to Your Routine

Sources and further reading

• DermNet: Solar lentigo
• DermNet: Ephelis (freckle)
• NHS: Moles
• American Academy of Dermatology: Sun damage and your skin