Which deficiency causes dark spots on the face?

Author: Letitia Ritchie  |  Last update: Saturday, July 26, 2025

The hyperpigmentation related to vitamin B12 deficiency is more common in darker-skinned patients. Few other cases of skin hyperpigmentation due to vitamin B12 deficiency have been reported in the literature. The mechanism of hyperpigmentation is due to increased melanin synthesis rather than a defect in melanin.

What vitamin deficiency causes dark spots on face?

Melasma may also be caused by nutritional deficiencies like those of iron or vitamin B12. Melasma causes dark patches on the skin, and the condition worsens due to sun exposure.

What vitamins help dark spots on face?

Several vitamins have long been recognized as being useful for treating hyperpigmentation in daily life and are present in many cosmetics. These include vitamin E, also called tocopherol, and vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid. These two vitamins are powerful antioxidant molecules.

What are the facial signs of B12 deficiency?

The deficiency of vitamin B12 can cause specific skin manifestations, such as hyperpigmentation, vitiligo, angular stomatitis, and hair and nail changes [1].

What is the main cause of dark spots on face?

Dark spots commonly occur as people age. They are often the result of past sun exposure. But they can also be due to some skin conditions, medications, and certain medical conditions. Often your healthcare provider or dermatologist can diagnose dark spots by looking at them.

The #1 Deficiency behind Aging Spots

Does apple cider vinegar really get rid of age spots?

There's also evidence that it may help manage dry skin, acne, and age spots, among other conditions. ACV is generally safe to use, but it does come with a risk of irritation or worsening skin symptoms, especially for people with sensitive skin or skin conditions.

Why do I suddenly have dark brown spots on my face?

Brown spots can appear suddenly due to increased melanin pigment, often triggered by factors like sun exposure, changes in hormones, age, or skin conditions.

What organ is affected by B12 deficiency?

If vitamin B12 deficiency is left untreated, it can cause lasting side effects that affect the nervous system and brain. More severe side effects of vitamin B12 deficiency include: Peripheral neuropathy. Degeneration of the spinal cord.

What are the symptoms of low zinc?

What are the symptoms of zinc deficiency?
  • hair loss.
  • skin and hair changes.
  • eye problems.
  • more infections than usual.
  • wounds that take a long time to heal.
  • loss of taste and smell.
  • diarrhoea.

What vitamin are you lacking if you have brown spots?

Vitamin B12 and skin

If you have a very low level of B12, you may be subject to hyperpigmentation (dark spots) on your skin, as well as to vitiligo (light patches on your skin), mouth ulcers, eczema, and acne.

What pills get rid of dark spots on face?

NIACINAMIDE. Niacinamide, also known as Vitamin B3, effectively reduces the appearance of dark marks and hyperpigmentation by inhibiting melanin production and promoting a more even skin tone. Its anti-inflammatory properties also help to soothe and brighten the skin, leading to a clearer, more radiant complexion.

Which fruit is rich in vitamin B12?

There are ten major sources of vitamin B12 fruits. These are apples, bananas, oranges, mangoes, strawberries, guava, avocado, pomegranate, kiwi, and blueberries. Apples- Apples rank first in the vitamin B12 fruits list.

What mineral deficiency causes age spots?

age pigment or lipofuscin, was proposed to be such a material. It is a brown pigment that generally increases with age, and its formation is increased by consumption of unsaturated fats, by vitamin E deficiency, by stress, and by exposure to excess estrogen."

What vitamin gets rid of dark spots?

Vitamins can be used to lighten your skin and lighten dark spots. Three of the best vitamins for lightening dark spots are vitamin C, vitamin B12, and vitamin E. Vitamin C helps your skin produce more collagen while inhibiting the formation of melanin.

What drug makes your skin darker?

The incidence of this change varies, and depends on the type of medication involved. Some of the most common drugs involved are NSAIDs, antimalarials, psychotropic drugs, Amiodarone, cytotoxic drugs, tetracyclines, and heavy metals such as silver and gold (which must be ingested, not just worn).

Which is better, vitamin E or collagen?

Collagen provides the skin with elasticity and strength. Vitamin E also helps to protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation from the sun. Studies have shown that vitamin E can help to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.

What are the symptoms of magnesium deficiency?

Health problems linked to magnesium deficiency are rare, but they can occur if you have low levels of magnesium in your body for a long time. Symptoms of magnesium deficiency include low appetite, nausea or vomiting, muscle spasms or tremors and abnormal heart rhythms.

What food is highest in zinc?

What are the best sources of zinc? The best source of zinc is oysters, but it's also plentiful in red meat and poultry. Other good sources of zinc include other kinds of seafood, nuts whole grains, breakfast cereals, and dairy products.

What are the symptoms of a biotin deficiency?

It's rare to be deficient in biotin. Symptoms include hair loss, dry scaly skin, cracking in the corners of the mouth (called cheilitis), swollen and painful tongue that is magenta in color (glossitis), dry eyes, loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia, and depression.

What cancers are linked to B12 deficiency?

Particularly, individuals with lung, stomach, colon, oesophageal, and pancreatic cancers are more prone to experiencing a deficiency in vitamin B12. This article will discuss different types of cancers causing vitamin B12 deficiency, associated symptoms, and available treatment options.

What does B12 acne look like?

High-dose vitamins B6 and B12 have also been linked to rosacea fulminans, a condition that looks like acne. Rosacea is marked by large red bumps and pustules that typically appear on the nose, chin, and/or cheeks.

What blocks B12 absorption?

Conditions affecting the stomach

Some stomach conditions or stomach operations can prevent the absorption of enough vitamin B12. For example, a gastrectomy, a surgical procedure where part of your stomach is removed, increases your risk of developing a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Why is my face getting darker spots?

Sun damage is the number one cause of patches of hyperpigmentation, and you can do a lot to prevent sun damage by applying SPF and staying out of direct sunlight. To treat darker skin pigmentation, using products that contain ingredients such as retinol or Niacinamide can help.

Which serum removes dark spots on the face?

Check each product page for other buying options.
  • AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 50ml / 1.69 fl. ...
  • 4beauty Therapy Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 50Ml / 1.69 Fl. ...
  • Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum 50ml / 1.69 fl.

Can you reverse brown spots on face?

Applying prescription bleaching creams (hydroquinone) alone or with retinoids (tretinoin) and a mild steroid might gradually fade the spots over several months. The treatments might cause temporary itching, redness, burning or dryness. Laser and intense pulsed light.

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