Finding a hand lotion to lighten age spots can be frustrating. Most of the products on the market are not meant to be used as moisturizers, but only to inhibit melanin production. That means that you must apply it only to the spot. Otherwise, you will ?bleach? the natural color of your skin. Unless you are looking to lighten a tan, you don't need or want to inhibit melanin production.

Melanin protects the deeper layers of the skin from UV damage that can cause cancer. That's why your body produces it. It is not working against you, but for you. Sometimes, clumps of melanin-rich cells form a heavily pigmented area that is very similar to a freckle, only larger. This happens most often in fair skinned people and is usually caused by a sun burn.

Repairing damage done is possible, but you don't really need a specific hand lotion to lighten age spots. Inhibiting melanin production should be a last resort.

Start by looking for a good body lotion that contains anti-aging ingredients, such as jojoba, olive oil, grape seed oil and coenzyme Q10. Jojoba has been shown to reduce wrinkles and stretch marks. It lightens and helps heal scars. It may be beneficial for lightening age spots, without lightening the surrounding skin.

Olive and grape seed oil provides vitamin E and essential fatty acids, very similar to those that are found in sebum, the skin's natural moisturizer. Numerous studies have shown that creams containing coenzyme Q10 have a dramatic effect on the skin's health and appearance. It is beneficial for repairing all sorts of sun damage. That's why you may not need a specific hand lotion to lighten age spots. You just may need a lotion that is better than what you are currently using.

Most body lotions on the market are composed primarily of mineral oil, petrolatum or liquid paraffin. These are cheap ingredients and most manufacturers feel that people will not pay more for body lotions. Personally, I am willing to pay for value and effectiveness. I believe that most people are.

But, the major companies could not provide effective ingredients at a cost that anyone could afford. Their advertising budget takes too much of a bite out of their profit margin. Effective ingredients are costly and they would price themselves right out of the market if they chose to include them. That wouldn't make their shareholders happy.

If you try a lotion that includes the good ingredients mentioned above and find that you still want a hand lotion to lighten age spots, you might try a nighttime face cream containing Shea butter. Shea butter is well known for its ability to lighten brown spots, freckles and other heavily pigmented areas.

If you decide to choose the last resort of melanin inhibition, look for an ingredient called EXTRAPONE nut-grass. It has proven safety and effectiveness. Do not buy creams containing hydroquinone. They are expensive, cause allergic reactions and may increase your risk of skin cancer. The ingredient has even been banned in some countries.

Now you know about alternatives for a hand lotion to lighten age spots. You'll be grateful, in a very short time.