Dark spots, also known as age spots, liver spots or sun spots tend to appear on our skin as we age. The reason is simple. The older we get, the more melanin (skin pigment) is produced in our bodies. The appearance of these spots on your skin is essentially a condition medically referred to hyperpigmentation. Over exposure to the sun is the most common contributing factor to this condition. The good news is that hyperpigmentation may be reversed over time with the user of the right natural ingredients. Zax's Original Darkspot Cream contains many such ingredients which both reduce the melanin production and help absorb UV rays responsible for darkening the skin. Unfortunately, there are also a lot of other products on the market that contain ingredients that can do much more harm than good. Hydroquinone is one of the more popular agents, widely know as one of the most effective at lightening the skin. But this over-the-counter agent has the potential to cause cancer and is banned in Europe and Japan. Here is a list of natural ingredients that can be just as effective, especially when they are combined.

Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract - Clinically proven to block the production of melanin and lighten the skin.

Licorice Extract - Also known to inhibit the melanin production. Licorice Extract can also absorb the UV rays responsible for darkening the skin.

Aloe - Aloe can absorb UV light and can also help lighten the skin. It has the side benefit of being an excellent moisturizer.

Niacinamide - Niacinamide is a natural ingredient that lightens the skin and also helps treat dry skin.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E is a well know anti-oxidant and can help skin from appearing aged.

Sara Novak is a Contributing Writer for Zax's Originals. Follow her on Twitter at @sarafnovak.