The skin is our body’s largest organ that mirrors our overall health and beauty so; it deserves the highest level of care and attention. Getting a flawless skin with no pigmentations or spots has been a distant experience for a lot of people because not everyone is blessed with flawless skin. Our skin naturally produces a pigment called melanin. Melanin is what gives our skin its color but, external factors like heat, bacteria etc. can contribute to melanin production causing your skin to get a tan. To lighten your dark spots and tans without a harsh side effect that can be experienced when using chemical whitening products in a safe and cost effective way, look no further than your kitchen shelves because in there lies most of the ingredients to improve your skin texture and tone and revive your glow.
I think you should know that there is really no magic elixir or potion to lighten your skin completely so, keep your expectations realistic and most importantly, remember that no matter your skin color, you can keep it healthy and glowing so your skin is just beautiful the way it is. It is okay to use safe items to lighten blemishes and enhance skin glow but don’t seek to totally change your skin color instead, embrace your beauty and don’t let anyone or society pressure you into changing it. Take a moment and imagine the risk you might have to expose your body to just by buying into false beauty standards. When it comes to having a beautiful and healthy skin, amidst topical application of beauty products, the most important thing is to eat healthy, stay hydrated and cover up from the sun to keep a vibrant and healthy skin.
Below are a few skin lightening home remedies you can infuse into your regular skin care routine.
LEMON JUICE
Lemon has been used for years as a natural skin lightener. It contains acid that naturally lightens, bleaches and exfoliate the top layer of the skin. It brightens skin, reduces the appearance of black spots, treat freckles and oily skin. Using pure lemon juice on skin can be irritating so you can either:
Mix lemon juice with water and spread solution on affected areas with a cotton pad. Let it sit for 15 minutes before washing off with warm water.
Mix lemon juice with milk and honey evenly, apply mixture on affected area. Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing off with warm water.
Mix in lemon juice and milk to a bath tub and soak in the bath for 20 minutes, rinse off with clean water.
Limit your application of lemon juice mixtures to at most 3 times a week because applying it often can dry out your skin. Phytophotodermatitis can be caused by a reaction of UV rays and photosynthesizing chemicals found in citrus so, you need to thoroughly wash your face after application of lemon mixtures before going out into the sun.
POTATO JUICE
Potatoes are rich in vitamin C and loaded with mild antioxidants as well as bleaching properties that can remove dead cells from your skin. To apply on affected areas;
Peel potato and cut into small pieces. Rub the pieces on affected areas and leave it on for 20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water
Alternatively, you can grate the potato, squeeze out the juice and apply juice on affected areas with a cotton pad.
You can store the juice in your refrigerator for up to 4 days. You can also use this recipe at night and leave on overnight for effective results.
MILK
Milk nourishes, soothes and moisturizes the skin. It contains lactic acid an enzymes that gently lighten the skin. The vitamin A in milk also helps with dryness and flaky skin.
Apply on skin with cotton pad and let it sit for some time before rinsing off.
You can try on a milk soak once in a week for a soothing relief.
YOGHURT
Apart from making delicious desserts and smoothies, yoghurt contains skin whitening ingredients. It is rich in lactic acid just like milk and it helps to lighten skin tone, improve signs of ageing as well as lighten dark spots. Yoghurt also contains vitamin B complex that brightens skin and makes it more radiant.
Mix in plain yoghurt with honey into a smooth paste and apply on affected area and let it sit for 15 minutes and then rinse out with cool or warm water.
Make sure to use plain, unsweetened yoghurt as sugary or flavored yoghurt will be too sticky and messy.
Also, in place of honey you can try mashing up avocado or aloe as both ingredients have a great moisturizing effect.
HONEY
Apart from being used to sweeten foods and beverages, honey is very vital to skin health. It is a natural humectant which means it draws moisture into the skin from air. It moisturizes deeply, lighten scars, brighten skin etc.
Mix freshly squeezed tomato juice with honey. Apply mixture on affected area. Let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing off with cool water.
PAPAYA
Papaya contains enzymes like alpha hydroxyl acids and papain that helps get rid of impurities, removes dead skin cells and fade acne scars and blemishes. Papain which is the skin lightening agent is highly concentrated in the peel. So, next time you want to dispose of the peel, you know how useful it could be on your skin.
Mix into a smooth paste honey and mashed up papaya. Apply and leave on for 20 minutes and wash off with warm water and follow up with a cold water rinse.
There are a whole lot of other effective home remedies like turmeric and aloe which are also very great lightening agents.
Cultivating habits for brighter skin
Exfoliate your skin often to rid buildup of dead skin cells on surface of skin
Keep your skin moisturized as this will prevent dead skin cells from building up
Limit your exposure to the sun. It might be hard to stay out of the sun every day but exposure darkens skin. You can prep your skin with sunscreen, wear a hat and sun glasses and cover up your skin by wearing dresses that covers.
Things to avoid
Avoid over exposure of your skin in the sun
Avoid chemicals that have been believed to lighten skin like bleach or ammonia. These chemicals can be harmful to skin and cause long term damage to your skin.
Avoid smoking as tobacco destroys skin elasticity.
I hope these tips are helpful. You can share your home remedies as well in the comment section. Thank you.