Best Makeup for Melasma – My Top 34 Makeup Picks for a Flawless Face

Let’s face it. Most makeup users rely on foundation and/or concealers at some stages of their lives. We all seem to find imperfections in our skin. The things that we like to cover and camouflage on our faces. One of those things we fear the most may be the dreaded melasma. Those freckly, pesky and patchy markings that appear out of nowhere. If you’re like me, you want it gone! But what is melasma? And how can you treat it? And most importantly, what are the best makeup products to use to cover your melasma?

Read on and find out the answers to all of these questions, and more! We have you covered. Literally!

What Is Melasma?

Melasma is a common skin condition. It reveals itself in the form of grey/brownish markings and patches. And it tends to appear on the face.

In particular on the forehead, nose, and cheeks.

Melasma tends to appear in the areas that get the most exposure to the sun. In following this principle, it can also occur on the upper arms, chest, and neck.

Women are far more likely to experience melasma than men.

Hormones can be a trigger for melasma. And it often occurs during pregnancy.

Hyper-pigmentation vs. Melasma

Hyper-pigmentation and melasma show themselves in a very similar fashion. And it’s easy to get the two terms confused.

While melasma is related to hormonal fluctuations and events in the body, hyper-pigmentation is a broader term.

It categorizes any skin condition in which the targeted surface of the skin appears darker in patches than the surrounding skin area.

Therefore, melasma can be considered as a form of hyper-pigmentation.

Different types of hyperpigmentation can be triggered by various things such as medications, acne and acne scarring, skin inflammations and irritations, and of course, sun damage.

My Checklist for Choosing the Best Makeup to Cover Melasma

• SPF – your melasma covering makeup must contain SPF. Otherwise, it defeats the purpose, right?
• Color-range – be sure the makeup you find is available in a color that matches your skin tone.
• Long-lasting – it is beneficial to find long-lasting makep. That way you can apply it in the morning, and then feel confident in knowing it will keep your skin flawless and melasma-free all day!
• Paraben-free – this is a big one. Parabens are known to mimic the female hormone estrogen in the body. And they can also disrupt the regular production of this hormone. As we know, melasma is related to hormone behavior. This is vital. Plus, parabens are all-around skincare baddies.
• Consistency – this is more of a case of personal preference. Go with what you know. And go with what you like. If you’re a foundation balm worshipper, stick with it. Or if you prefer to wear a liquid foundation, then that’s great too.
• Your own skin tone – it’s important to know your skin tone so you can choose the correct color/s to cover your melasma.
• Where is the product going to be used – is it strictly for your face or face and neck? Perhaps your shoulders and arms showcase your melasma? Where it occurs on your body will dictate which products you should be looking at
• Brand preferences – do you like a drugstore foundation or a high-end makeup? Whatever floats your boat, this will help you choose your preferred melasma covering makeup.
• Acne as well as melasma? – if you experience both, this is an important factor. You may want to entertain oil-free foundations to help in treating acne and melasma all in one.
• Ingredients – we’ve already mentioned that the absence of parabens is a must. But there are certain ingredients that you should look for in melasma covering makeup. That way, you can help treat it at the same time as covering it. More on that later in the post.

Tried and True Methods for Covering Melasma with Makeup (and how to prep your face to perfection)

1. Cleanse your face. It’s important to gently cleanse your face prior to applying makeup. This will rid your skin of dirt, grime, old makeup, or sunscreen, and have it fresh and ready for your moisturizer.
2. Rinse off your cleanser, thoroughly.
3. Apply your favorite moisturizer. This will hydrate your skin and give your face and the skin’s barrier all the protection it will need for the day.
4. Allow your moisturizer time to absorb and evaporate. Your makeup will go on much more easily if you allow your moisturizer the time to take effect. And there’s no rushing beauty, right?
5. Apply your best-chosen makeup for melasma. Whether you’re using a concealer or a foundation (or both). It’s important to try and follow the rolling motion. This is best done with your sponge, beauty blender, finger, or brush.
6. Lightly powder. Once you have your makeup applied and are happy with the coverage, a light powdering will ensure your makeup stays in place.

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This post may contain affiliate links. This means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

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Types of Foundations

Foundations are available in various different types and consistencies. And it’s all down to a matter of personal preference. And what may work for you, may not work for the next person. So try, try again, and eventually, you will find your happy place.

Foundations can be creams, liquid, powder, powder to cream, balms, mousse. You name it. Take a look at our list of foundations that we have picked to be the best makeup for melasma.

When looking for a makeup to cover melasma, you should keep your eyes peeled for at least a medium to high coverage product.

And you should also have a good understanding of the condition of your own skin. If this is something you feel totally lost on, a skincare professional will be able to identify your skin type.

For example, if you have dry skin, it might be best to avoid foundation balms. If you have oily skin, they may be a good starting point to cover your melasma.

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Best Foundations for Melasma

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Glo Skin Beauty Liquid Foundation

• SPF 18
• contains Vitamins A, C, E
• available in 10 shades
• sheer to medium coverage
• dewy finish
• talc-free
• paraben-free
• cruelty-free
• perfect for all skin types except oily
• mineral foundation

Find Glo Skin Foundation HERE!

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Revlon Colorstay Liquid Foundation for Combination/Oily Skin

• SPF 15
• waterproof
• matte finish
• oil-free
• medium-full buildable coverage
• available in 43 colors
• super affordable

Find Revlon’s Colorstay HERE!

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Estee Lauder Double Wear Maximum Cover Foundation

• SPF 15
• for face and body
• long-lasting 24hr staying power
• paraben-free
• matte finish
• full coverage
• waterproof
• will cover spider veins, tattoos,
• available in 16 different colors and tones

Find Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Foundation HERE!

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Colorescience Even Up Clinical Pigment Protector

I am a big fan of Colorescience. They seem to fall under the radar of the mass consumer market. But this doesn’t mean their products are sub-par. Quite the contrary, actually.

Colorescience has a number of skincare products specifically targeted at hyperpigmentation and melasma. Products that do double duty as makeup as well. Colorescience makeup and skincare products are definitely worth exploring if you’re interested.

• SPF 50
• diminishes the appearance of dark spots and discoloration
• protects against blue light and sun damage
• non-comedogenic
• water-resistant for up to 40 minutes
• vegan
• paraben-free
• gluten-free
• synthetic fragrance-free

Find Colorescience Even Up Clinical Protector here.

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Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation

I’m a big MUFE fan. There’s no denying it. From their lip pencils to lipsticks and powders. Their gorgeous makeup brush line. And their Ultra HD Foundation line is here to stay. With an impressive 40 shades in the range, this has a large appeal and honestly, in time I would love to see that number expand furthermore.

These foundations are buildable and have fantastic coverage.

• medium coverage
• long-lasting for up to 24hrs
• contains Hyaluronic acid
• available in 40 shades

Find the Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation here.

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Dermablend Leg and Body Makeup

Here is another fantastic, buildable foundation that isn’t talked about enough. Dermablend’s Leg and Body Makeup is a brilliant makeup. It works with great effect as a face makeup as well. Just try it!

• buildable and blendable formulation
• SPF 25
• body makeup product can be used on the face as well
• dermatologist tested
• allergy tested
• non-comedogenic
• designed to cover body scars, markings pigmentations

Find Dermablend HERE!

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Black Opal True Colo Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation

Black Opal (BLK/OPL) is another solid makeup brand that I can assure you every professional has at least one of their products floating around in their kit from. I love these creams. Affordable and effective.

• maximum coverage
• described as part concealer, part foundation
• fragrance-free
• available in 21 shades

Find the Black Opal Skin Perfecting Stick Foundation here.

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Maybelline Dream Urban Cover Foundation

• SPF 50
• protects skin against environmental aggressors
• available in 18 shades
• full coverage

Find Maybelline’s Dream Urban Cover Foundation HERE!

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NYX Professional Stay Matte But Not Flat Foundation

• oil-free
• water-based formulation
• Paraben-free
• affordable
• available in 16 tones

Find NYX Stay Matte Not Flat HERE!

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Dermacol Makeup Cover Waterproof Hypo-allergenic Foundation

• available in 19 shades
• waterproof
• hypoallergenic
• SPF 30
• preservative-free (Paraben-free)
• 50% pigment
• full coverage

Find Dermacol Makeup Cover Foundation HERE!

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Dermablend Smooth Liquid Camo Foundation Makeup with SPF 25

Dermablends Smooth Liquid Camo Foundations checks all the boxes when it comes to the best makeup for melasma. What a dream!

• SPF 25
• sensitive-skin tested
• hypoallergenic
• paraben-free
• tricolsan-free
• pthalate-free
• sodium lauryl sulfate-free
• non-comedogenic
• vegan
• conceals redness, rosacea, hyper-pigmentation, acne, scars, and birthmarks
• available in 15 colors

Find Dermablend Liquid Camo Foundation HERE!!!

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Covergirl Outlast Extreme Wear 3 in 1 Foundation

• SPF 20
• cruelty-free
• matte finish
• available in 21 shades (lighter skin tones favored)

Find Covergirl’s Outlast All Day Stay Fabulous Foundation HERE!

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L’Oreal Paris True Match Super Blendable Foundation Makeup

I remember when True Match launched just over 15 years ago. It was such a big deal in the consumer beauty world. Well, it’s still going strong. And L’Oreal still holds firm with this classic.

I think it was the first foundation that I bought for myself!

• available in 45 shades
• available in SPF and non-SPF
• hydrating
• blendable and buildable coverage
• oil-free
• contains Vitamin E, Pro-Vitamin B5
• non-clogging
• SUPER affordable!

Find L’Oreal True Match Super Blendable Foundation HERE!!!

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Revlon Colorstay Full Cover Matte Foundation

• full cream coverage
• lightweight feeling
• long-lasting – 12hrs
• SPF 35
• available in 15 shades
• paraben-free

Find Revlon Colorstay Full Cover Matte Foundation HERE!!!

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Mirabella Skin Tint Creme Full Coverage Liquid Mineral Foundation

• paraben-free
• gluten-free
• cruelty-free
• oil-free
• medium coverage
• available in 8 shades

Find Mirabella Skin Tint Creme Full Coverage Foundation HERE!!!

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L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation

• 24hrs of coverage
• lightweight
• formulated for high coverage of scars, blemishes, hyperpigmentation, and dark spots
• oil-free formula
• transfer resistant

Find L’Oreal Paris Infallible Pro Matte Liquid Longwear Foundation HERE!!

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Laura Mercier Silk Cream Oil-Free Photo Edition Foundation

• high pigment
• matte finish
• oil-free
• long-lasting
• non-comedogenic
• available in 16 shades

Find Laura Mercier’s Silk Cream Oil-Free Photo Edition Foundation HERE!

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Revlon Photo Ready Insta-Fix Stick Foundation

• medium, buildable coverage
• available in 12 shades
• can be used as a spot cover or full-face foundation

Find Revlon Photo Ready Insta-Fix Foundation HERE!

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Kryolan Dermacolour Camouflage Creme Mini Palette

The solid and reliable as always palette from Kryolan. Another staple of many a professional makeup artist’s kit.

In 2013, I supervised the background makeup and hair artists on the Angelina Jolie film Unbroken. I would cover the many tattooed background performer’s own tattoos with one of these. Those beauties would all stay covered all day in the Australian summer sun.

Highly recommended, if I do say so myself!

• highly pigmented
• for skin discoloration and tattoo cover
• 16 color palette range
• water and sweat-resistant
• ECARF tested

Find Kryolan’s Dermacolour Camouflage Creme Mini Palette HERE! You know you need it!!

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Types of Concealers

Again, personal preference comes into play when choosing your concealer.

And although SPF is important, it will be a little trickier to find concealers with SPF.

And you have to think about if you require a lighter, more dewy finish to tackle your delicate under-eye area, or whether you want to go straight to the heavy-duty stuff that will cover all of your melasma in one go, no questions asked.

Here’s my pick of the best concealers for melasma. And there are all types here.

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La Mer The Concealer

• paraben-free
• available in 4 shades – for lighter skin tones
• lightweight
• medium to full coverage

Find La Mer The Concealer HERE!!!

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E.L.F. 16hr Camo Concealer

• blendable
• full coverage
• highly pigmented
• quick-drying
• available in 18 shades

Find E.L.F. 16hr Camo Concealer HERE!

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Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer

Another of my favorite go-to’s. I have used these as foundations more than once or twice on the right candidate. A little goes such a long way. And this gorgeous concealer really does cover everything! It can also be worked and buffed into a lovely sheer finish as well.

• available in 16 shades
• waterproof
• formulated for all skin types
• high pigment concentration formula
• non-cakey

Find the delectable Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer HERE!

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NYX HD Studio Photogenic Concealer Wand

• available in 22 shades
• medium to heavy coverage
• non-comedogenic
• lightweight formula
• cruelty-free

Find NYX HD Photogenic Concealer Wand HERE!

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Dermablend Cover Care Concealer

• available in green, yellow, red, and orange
• cream-to-powder formulation
• designed to cover discoloration and hyperpigmentation instantly
• 16 hr working time
• quick drying
• paraben-free
• pthalate, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate-free
• vegan formulation

Find Dermablend Cover Care Concealer HERE!

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Revlon Photo Ready Concealer

• available in 6 shades, for lighter skin tones
• paraben free
• lipstick-like tip for precision
• reflects and blurs, while covering dark spots and discoloration

Find Revlon Photo Ready Concealer HERE!

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Tarte Shape Tape Concealer

What are the statistics with Shape Tape? One is sold every 15 seconds? This has to be one of the most popular beauty products today.

Shape Tape is a fantastic heavy-duty concealer. I have the entire color range in my kit at work.

Trusty, reliable Tarte Shape Tape.

And it rhymes!

• available in 35 shades
• works for 16 hours
• non-comedogenic
• paraben, pthalate, mineral oil, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, gluten-free
• waterproof
• vegan
• dermatologist tested

Find Tarte Shape Tape HERE!

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The Ordinary Concealer

If you’ve been following along, you’ll already know about my recent blog post on The Ordinary Concealer. I was literally counting down the days to try their new color product. And honestly, it fits right in for my list of best make up for melasma.

Another hard-working makeup product with more coverage than the Academy Awards red carpet special!

But seriously, I think this concealer has a long path ahead. It’s very powerful. And much like Kevyn Aucoin’s SS Enhancer, a little really does go an awfully long way.

• available in 36 shades
• very high coverage
• oil-free
• vegan
• gluten-free
• cruelty-free
• alcohol-free
• nut-free

Find The Ordinary Concealer at Ulta here.

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NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

• medium, buildable coverage
• non-comedogenic
• works for 16 hours
• humidity proof
• transfer and water resistant
• all skin types
• alcohol, fragrance, and paraben-free
• dermatologist tested
• opthalmologist tested
• radiant finish
• crease-resistant

Find NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer HERE!

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Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer

• available in 18 shades
• specially designed for dark circles
• sponge applicator
• softens fine lines and brightens

Find Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer HERE!

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Pixi Correction Concentrate by Petra

• not tested on animals
• paraben-free
• available in peach and apricot to neutralize dark spot discoloration
• high pigment

Find Pixi Correction Concentrate by Petra right HERE!

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Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Concealer

• available in 22 colors
• 24 hr wear
• oil-free
• fragrance-free
• non-acnegenic
• opthalmologist-tested
• dermatologist-tested
• paraben-free
• transfer-free
• water resistant
• medium buildable coverage

Find Estee Lauder’s Double Wear Stay in Place Concealer HERE!

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Bobbi Brown New Concealer Kit

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Love these. Want them all. Don’t have them all….yet!

• available in 15 shades
• cream and powder kit for all concealing needs in one
• paraben-free
• pthalate-free
• sulfate-free
• no animal-derived ingredients

Find Bobbi Brown’s New Concealer Kit HERE!

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MAC Studio Finish SPF Concealer

You have to commend MAC for putting the SPF into their concealer. It may well be one of the only concealers I have chosen that does independently contain SPF. And that’s worth celebrating, right?

I think this is a really high-quality range, a broad and concise range of colors that are high-pigment and hard-working. This is a great product for covering dark spots and pigmentation on the face.

It can be easy to overlook or take a heavy-hitter brand like MAC for granted. But here’s an instance where we should just remind ourselves that MAC is still here and these products are still going strong for a reason.

• SPF 35
• available in 20 colors
• highly concentrated pigment
• opaque coverage and natural finish
• 12 hour work time
• water resistant
• fragrance-free
• paraben-free

Find MAC Studio Finish SPF 35 Concealer HERE!

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Benefit Boi ing Brightening Concealer

I do enjoy that these concealers from Benefit really hone in and target that orange/tan tone generally required to correct under-eye circles. Boi-ing doubles perfectly to correct melasma and provide the perfect amount of natural coverage prior to applying your foundation.

• full coverage
• creamy, buildable formula
• available in 3 shades
• radiant finish

Find Benefit’s Boi-ing HERE!!

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Maqpro Fard Concealer

And last, but definitely not least, another of my absolute favorite makeup products ever. The much coveted by me, Maqpro Fard Concealers.

For those not in the know, Maqpro is a French cosmetic company. They present so many versions of these palettes that I promise you, you will find something that matches your own skin tone. You can buy palettes with 6 colors or palettes with 36 colors.

And you can mix and match to your heart’s content!

And what I love is that these palettes will keep you covered year-round as your skin changes with the seasons.

I love mixing these creams in with my foundations sometimes. I use them to correct beard stubble on men ALL the time. And to cover melasma and hyperpigmentation ALL the time. Age spots and any other discolorations on the skin have nothing on these very good concealers.

These creams are the makeup product you didn’t know you needed until you did.

• over 300 shades!
• waterproof after powdering
• beeswax based

Find Maqpro Fard Cream Concealer here.

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Best Makeup For Melasma FAQ’s

What’s the best foundation to cover hyper-pigmentation?

The best foundation to cover your melasma is the one that works for YOU.

To recap, it should contain an SPF, be paraben-free, oil-free, and brightening. The consistency, choice of shade, and brand are up to you.

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Who is More Likely to Experience Melasma?

As a general rule of thumb, women are far more likely to experience melasma than men. As are pregnant women. Hence melasma was coined the “pregnancy mask”. If you take hormones or are on contraceptives, there will be a higher likelihood of you experiencing melasma.

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How to Manage Melasma?

Always use SPF. Wear a wide-brimmed hat if outdoors and cover-up. If your melasma persists, your dermatologist should always be your first port of call.

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What happens in my skin to cause melasma?

The outermost layer of your skin (the epidermis) contains a dark skin pigment called melanin. When light, heat, radiation or hormonal changes occur, your melanocytes (the cells that contain melanin) up their production of melanin, and the result appears as melasma on the surface of your skin.

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How is Melasma diagnosed?

Of course, your dermatologist will be able to diagnose your suspicions. Firstly from observation but also through the Woods Lamp. This will allow the professional to view your skin in what looks like a black to identify the skin condition.

Further exploratory diagnozing may be required through a small biopsy of an area of your skin suffering form the pigmentation.

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How is Melasma treated?

Hydroquinone is generally the first and most common type of treatment. It’s available as a gel, cream, liquid or lotion. And it can be applied to the affected area. Hydroquinine is often available over the counter and without prescription.

Corticosteroids and Trentinoin can be prescribed by your dermatologist. Sometime they may be prescribed to work hand in hand with a hydroquinone product as well.

Azelaic and kojic acids can be used to help lighten the melasma on your skin.

Beauty products available specifically to target melasma include The Ordinary Vitamin C Spot Treater and Biossance Vitamin C and Dark Spot Serum.

More extensive treatments can be in the forms of: microdermabrasion, light treatments, laser treaments, and chemical peel treatments on the targetted area.

As is the case with this medical condition, please consult your dermatologist before exploring any more drastic options. Most of all to be properly diagnosed. This post is to help you choose a makeup to help work with your melasma, not to provide medical advice or opinion.

Thanks for reading, and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen. Every. Single. Day!

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Resources:

American Academy of Dermatology Association

EWG

Columbia Skin Clinic

Skinsafe

Featured Image by Chermiti Mohamed (is a beautiful photo of a young lady with gorgeous freckles, to clarify) I just thought the image was fitting.