With the pollution and harsh rays of the sun having their way with your skin, most people are riddled with age spots, dark arms and legs and an uneven skin tones. The primary reason for this, is the hyperpigmentation or the increase of the melanin content in the skin. While melanin is actually the pigment which determines the color of our skin, the uneven distribution of it can result in the dark spots or age spots. There are a host of facial skin care products, like skin bleaching agents, that you can use for skin whitening. While these commercial skin bleaching products do help in the production of fairer skin by reducing the melanin production, their harsh ingredients such as hydrogen peroxide and hydroquinone may cause damage to the skin. To counter the side effects of these severe products, natural skin lighteners seem the only solution. Less drastic than the skin bleaching products, these can be used effectively to even out a skin tone, remove a tan, or simply to lighten the skin color. What's more, these natural skin care products are simple and cheap, and use the ingredients that you can get from your kitchen shelf itself.
Natural Skin Lighteners
Almond and Honey: While almond is one of the best skin whitening agents, honey is a skin softener which is often used as an emollient and humectant, in numerous skin care products. Use tablespoon of almond powder, along with 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 tsp of lemon for the mixture. Leave the pack on for 15 minutes, after which, rinse it off with water. This facial pack is a great way to remove a tan and obtain a shiny, glowing complexion.
Almond and Milk: Grind a few almonds and mix them with fresh milk. Apply the mixture on your face and leave it on for 15 minutes. You can then wash off your face with cold water. The regular use of this recipe guarantees a good complexion.
Lemon Juice and Rose Water: Lemon juice is one of the best skin lighteners for dark skin, that helps to recover a flawless complexion. Use it with rose water to get beautiful skin and fair complexion. And the best part is that there is no need to lie down and keep waiting for your face mask to dry away. You can just apply and resume your daily routine.
Using Sandalwood powder: The application of sandalwood powder which has been mixed with tomato juice, lemon juice and cucumber juice, ensures a lighter, brighter and even skin tone. Alternately, you can use a sandalwood and rosewater face mask, by blending 3 tsp of sandalwood powder with 3 tsp of rose water, and wearing this facial mask for at least 20 minute.
Oatmeal and tomato: Oatmeal is an excellent exfoliating agent and is wonderful for sloughing off your dried skin. So for removing that horrible skin tan, apply a mixture of oatmeal, tomato juice and curd, leaving it on for 20 minutes before washing off in cold water.
Using Yogurt: Mixing yogurt with papaya or strawberries, along with 1 tsp honey, 1 tsp olive oil and 2 tsp of oatmeal, and applying the mixture for 20 minutes before rinsing it off, ensures that your skin is moisturized and free of ugly blemishes.
Using Gram flour: Mix two tablespoons gram flour and a pinch of turmeric in a small mixing bowl and add two teaspoons of milk to it. Apply the mixture and leave it on for fifteen minutes, before washing off with cold water.
Although these homemade skin lighteners are not necessarily be the fastest options available, with regular use, there is definitely a marked difference in your skin tone and complexion. And all this, without having to worry about the harsh bleaching agents ruining your skin.
