We are not advocates of fairer skin, nor are we trying to shame those born with rich warmer tones. But the geography of the country is such that our natural skin tone gets tanned very easily. Tans and patches make our skin look dull and lacklustre.
As a result, we tend to look tired and deprived of rest. It’s always better to get rid of the tan and patchiness and regain the baby soft skin we were born with. With regular care, we can also brighten up our skin to a couple of shades lighter.
Here are the best natural home remedies for skin lightening:
1.Yoghurt
What you need:
1 cup homemade yoghurt or curd, juice of half a lemon, a teaspoon of sugar
How to prepare:
In a china bowl add the three to form an even mixture, do not dissolve the sugar grains.
How to apply:
We wouldn’t encourage the use of a brush. We suggest you apply this mixture with the tips of your four fingers on your face in circular motions. Continue massaging in circular motions for five minutes. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash under running water.
Why this works:
Curd is rich in anti-oxidants and lemon juice is rich in vitamin C. They work wonderfully as naturally bleaching the skin.
Things to remember:
Don’t keep for more than 20 minutes, as the citric acid in lemon might cause irritation. Don’t apply lemon of broken skin.
2. Oranges
What you need:
Few cloves of oranges, cotton pads and that’s all
How to prepare:
Squish these orange cloves on a china bowl and try to make a paste out of it.
How to apply:
Put your cotton pad on the orange juice and let it soak up some of this juice. Dab this cotton all over your face, neck and hands. Leave it on for 20 minutes. Wash off with cold water.
Why this works:
Just like lemon, Orange too is rich in Vitamin C, it helps in fighting sun tan and acts as a natural bleach.
Things to remember:
Make sure you are not dabbing the orange juice directly on acne or broken skin.
3. Gram Flour
What you need:
2 Teaspoon of gram flour, 1 table spoon of raw milk
How to prepare:
Mix the two together to form a smooth paste.
How to apply:
Spread throughout face and neck evenly. Leave it for 15 minutes. Rinse off with lukewarm water
Why this works:
Besan or Gram flour works as a great scrub and helps the skin get rid of dead skin.
Things to remember:
You must never talk while this pack is on or it might lead to the formation of wrinkles.
4. Honey
What you need:
2 teaspoon of honey, 2 teaspoon of milk, cotton pads
How to prepare:
Form an even solution with these ingredients
How to apply:
soak the cotton pad in this solution and dab it all over your face, neck, arms and other exposed skin. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse off.
Why this works:
Honey is a rich source of antioxidants. It also helps in the removal of black and white heads that make the skin dull.
Things to remember:
Always wash honey with cold water.
5. Lemons
What you need:
Juice of half a lemon, a teaspoon of honey
Why this work:
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C that acts as a natural bleach.
How to prepare:
Dilute the juice of half a lemon with honey and form a uniform solution
How to apply:
With your fingertips, apply this solution all over your face in circular motions. Wash after 20 minutes.
Things to remember:
Avoid applying undiluted lemon juice directly to skin, it might agitate skin and cause rashes.
6. Aloe Vera Gel
What you need:
One blade of Aloe Vera Leaf, a steel teaspoon and a china bowl.
Why this works:
Aloe Vera contains proteolytic enzymes that smoothens skin and helps in fading of scar or acne marks.
How to prepare:
Scale the Aloe Vera leaf through the middle and with the metal spoon, scoop out the gel from inner sides of the leaf.
How to apply:
Beat the semi-solid transparent gel and break it down to form a paste. With the tips of your finger spread this gel evenly on your face. You will enjoy the cool sensation. Let the slimy paste dry on your skin.
Things to remember:
Aloe has a bitter taste, though it is not at all toxic. We advise to keep it away from your mouth or it will leave your face glowing but your mouth with a bad taste.
7. Papaya
What you need:
Few cubes of ripe papaya, 2 teaspoons of raw milk
Why this works:
Papaya contains papain and alpha-hydroxy acids that act as a powerful exfoliator and rejuvenates skin.
How to prepare:
Mash the ripe papaya cubes in a bowl and mix it with raw milk to make a smooth paste out of it.
How to apply:
With a facial brush apply this paste all over your face and let it dry. Once dry, dampen the mask with lukewarm water and wait till it turns wet. Then rinse off in running water.
It is important to avoid talking as the mask dries and turns harder.
8. Turmeric
What you need:
1 clove of turmeric, 2 teaspoons raw milk
Why this works:
Turmeric is famous for its antiseptic properties and giving Indian skin that much needed glow.
How to prepare:
Beat the turmeric clove in a mortar and add in the raw milk. Mix the two well into a semi solid paste.
How to apply:
Spread the paste evenly on your exposed skin. Let it dry for 20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.
Things to remember:
As turmeric tends to leave a yellowing stain on your skin, it is advisable to use a mild face wash to remove this pack from your face.
9. Cucumber
What you need:
Juice of one cucumber, cotton balls
Why this works:
The antioxidants and silica present in cucumber helps rejuvenate the skin.
How to prepare:
Grate a cucumber to obtain the juice out of it and collect the same in china or glass container.
How to apply:
Soak the clean cotton balls into the juice and dab it on your face, neck and hands. Let the juice get absorbed into the pores of your skin. Wash off with running water.
Things to remember:
It is always better to keep the juice in the fridge for 30 minutes before applying it. You will enjoy the coolness.
10. Oatmeal
What you need:
Oatmeal, honey, and milk.
Why this works:
Oatmeal is a great natural exfoliator that acts mildly on your skin.
How to prepare:
Soak the oatmeal in water for 15 minutes. Once it turns softer, mash it and add milk and honey. Add another teaspoon of water and mix it well.
How to apply:
Slather it on your face. Let it dry for 20 minutes. Pat your face with wet hands. When the pack becomes wet again, massage in circular motion to scrub out dead skin and impurities. Wash with running water.
Things to remember:
Don’t scrub your skin too hard, else the skin will be left broken and irritated.
11. Chamomile Flowers
What you need:
Dry chamomile flowers, plain water.
Why this works:
The antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, and antiseptic properties of chamomile flowers bring powerful changes to the health of your life.
How to prepare:
Soak the dried flowers in water for a couple of hours and crush them in a mixer and form a paste.
How to apply:
Apply the paste on your face with a facial brush and leave it on for half an hour. Wash it under running water.
Things to remember:
Don’t talk while the face pack is on as it might lead to the formation of wrinkles.
12. Milk
What you need:
Raw milk, cotton balls.
Why this works:
Lactic acid helps reduce pigmentation and hydrate the skin.
How to apply:
Milk is a complete skincare. All you need to do is soak some milk in a ball of cotton and dab it across your face or any part of your body that is exposed to sun and has become dull. Keep it on for 15 minutes and wash off with running water.
Things to remember:
Don’t apply raw milk on your face if it is prone to acne.
13. Vitamin C
What you need:
Juice of citrus fruits, cotton balls
Why this works:
Vitamin C works as a natural bleaching agent.
How to prepare:
Squeeze out the juice of any citrus fruits on a ceramic dish
How to apply:
Soak cotton balls in the juice and dab the cotton ball all over your exposed skin. These juices would take not more than 10 minutes to get absorbed into the skin. Wash off to get a glowing skin.
Things to remember:
Stay away from citrus fruits if you have break outs, as you might feel the burn.
14. Charcoal
What you need:
You need charcoal powder, not the one your grandma might have used to light her stove, but the one you get in beauty shops, and toothbrush with extra soft bristles.
Why this works:
Activated charcoal removes poisonous bacteria, chemical, dirt and many other impurities.
How to prepare:
Mix activated charcoal powder with water to form a paste.
How to apply:
Place this paste on your toothbrush and apply on your skin in circular motions. Continue for 2 minutes. Then let the paste dry on your face for 5 minutes. Rinse off with fresh water.
Things to remember:
Don’t be too harsh on your skin while scrubbing, else it will be left irritated with minor cuts.
15. Baking Soda
What you need:
A tea spoon of baking soda, rose water, honey (optional)
Why this works:
Baking soda is an excellent skin whitening agent.
How to prepare:
Mix a teaspoon of baking soda with an equal amount of rose water. You may or may not add honey for a moisturizing effect.
How to apply:
Rub the mixture against your skin in gentle strokes. 2 minutes should be good enough as over exposure to baking soda might dry out the skin. Clean the residue with running water
Things to remember:
We would encourage you to keep the baking soda on your skin for longer than 5 minutes.
16. Sugar
What you need:
2 tea spoon of sugar and equal amount of rose water.
Why this works:
The natural humectants properties makes sugar an amazing exfoliator.
How to prepare:
All you have to do is pour some sugar in your palm and add an equal amount of rosewater.
How to apply:
Place your hands on your face and move them in circular motions till the sugar dissolves on your skin completely. Repeat another time and wash off with regular tap water.
Things to remember:
Sugar is a little too sticky, so make sure you don’t drop it on your clothes.
17. Salt
What you need:
Salt, rose water, Cotton balls
Why this works:
Cleans pores deeply and balances oil production.
How to prepare:
Dilute some salt into water
How to apply:
Dab on your skin with a cotton ball. Wash off after 15 minutes.
Things to remember:
Don’t keep it on your skin for more than 15 minutes as it may lead to irritation.
18. Coffee
What you need:
2 packets of instant coffee pouches and some milk
Why this works:
Coffee reduces puffiness of the eyes and help in reducing redness and inflammation.
How to prepare:
Warm the milk a little and empty the instant coffee packet in it. Make a thick paste.
How to apply:
Allow this paste to cool down. Slather it on your face with a facial brush. Leave it on for 20 minutes, wash under running water.
Things to remember:
Make sure the paste has reached room temperature before you apply it on your skin.
19. Witch Hazel
What you need:
Buy a bottle of witch hazel solution from a beauty store near you.
Why this works:
It works magically on blemishes and bruises or any other mark.
How to prepare:
No efforts at all.
How to apply:
Pour the solution on a clean ball of cotton and dab it on your face. Wash it after it gets soaked inside the skin.
Things to remember:
It’s better to keep it away from the eyes.
20. Rose Water
What you need:
A bottle of rose water and cotton balls
Why this works:
Rosewater is beneficial because of its anti-inflammatory properties, it helps to treat eczema, acne, and dermatitis.
How to prepare:
No efforts at all
How to apply:
You may sprinkle rose water after your regular face wash on your skin and let it get absorbed into it. You don’t have to wash it off. You may also add rose water to you everyday face pack for added advantages.
Things to remember:
Just forget that you have applied Rosewater on your skin, it has no side effects
21. Mint Leaves
What you need:
10 to 12 mint leaves, rosewater or regular water, cotton balls
Why this works:
Its anti-inflammatory properties help in the reduction of swelling or redness.
How to prepare:
Crush the mint leaves in a mortar and add rosewater or regular water to it
How to apply:
Soak it with cotton balls and dab it across your face, neck and hands. Wash it off after 15 minutes.
Things to remember:
Don’t use if you are allergic to mint.
22. Cocoa Butter
What you need:
Unrefined cocoa butter, warm water
Why this works:
Great moisturizing properties
How to prepare:
Add a little warm water to a teaspoon of cocoa butter to soften it. It will eventually turn into a cream.
How to apply:
Using your fingertips apply this cocoa butter across your face in circular motions. Leave it on for 30 minutes, wash off with your regular face wash.
Things to remember:
Don’t use if you have very oily skin.
23. Coconut Oil
What you need:
A teaspoon of soft coconut oil.
Why this works:
Coconut oil is anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, and an excellent moisturizer
How to prepare:
Just buy yourself a quality coconut oil bottle from your nearest beauty store.
How to apply:
You may replace your night cream with coconut oil. You may also add some sugar grains to coconut oil and use it as a perfect scrub. Wash it with a gentle face wash if using as a scrub.
Things to remember:
Make sure you don’t drop oil into your eyes.
24. Tomato Juice
What you need:
Pulp of half a tomato
Why this works:
The concentration of Vitamin C in tomato juice acts as a natural whitening agent.
How to prepare:
Beat a tomato in a mortar for about 5 minutes and you have perfect pulp to be used on your skin.
How to apply:
With a facial brush, spread it evenly on your face and neck. Leave it on for 15 minutes. Welcome bright and happy skin.
Things to remember:
If you have acne or tear on your skin, avoid this beauty measure.
25. Shea Butter
What you need:
2 teaspoons of Shea butter
Why this works:
Shea butter is an outstanding natural moisturizer.
How to prepare:
Take some Shea butter and rub it in between your palms.
How to apply:
Once the butter is soft in palms, apply it on your skin. Keep for 30 minutes or more for deeper miniaturization. Wash with a mild face wash.
Things to remember:
Shea butter is pretty safe for every skin type.
26. Fruit Mask
What you need:
Cubes of your favourite seasonal fruits; papaya, mango, banana, kiwi, watermelon, orange work best. Add a teaspoon of honey.
Why this works:
Fruits have all the vitamins essential for the health and glow of your skin.
How to prepare:
Beat all these fruits to form a smooth paste.
How to apply: Take a generous portion of this paste and mask your face with it. Leave it till your skin is loaded with its juice and the pack is dried. Rinse off with running water.
Things to remember: Don’t take any fruit that you are allergic to.
27. Clay Mask
What you need:
You can get clay mask at any beauty store. Need raw milk and rosewater as well
Why this works:
Clay binds to the bacteria and other toxins and pulls out the impurities from the deep skin pores.
How to prepare:
Mix all the ingredients to form a smooth mask
How to apply:
With a facial brush mask your face with this paste. Let it dry for 20 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water.
Things to remember:
Don’t apply if you have torn skin or rashes.
28. Rice Flour
What you need:
Powdered rice grains, raw milk
Why this works:
Rice is a super-agent to whiten skin naturally, it is also a great exfoliator.
How to prepare:
Add milk to 2 teaspoons of powdered rice to form an even mask.
How to apply:
With a facial brush apply it all over your face Let it dry for 20 minutes. Dab some water on the dried mask and soften it. In circular motions, exfoliate your face for 1 minute. Wash under running water.
Things to remember:
Don’t be too rough while exfoliating.
29. Almond Paste
What you need:
6-7 almonds, raw milk, and a teaspoon of honey
Why this works:
Almonds are rich source of vitamin E, the main vitamin that brings out the glow of your skin. It also protects the skin against harmful UV rays.
How to prepare:
Crush the almonds and make a fine paste out of it. Add honey and raw milk.
How to apply:
You may apply this paste on your sin with your fingertips itself. Keep this mask on for 30 minutes. Wash in lukewarm water.
Things to remember:
Don’t overdo this beauty treatment if you have an oily skin.
30. Potatoes
What you need:
Potatoes and a teaspoon of honey
Why this works:
The presence of mild bleaching properties in potato reduces the melamine production, lowers hyperpigmentation and lightens the skin effectively.
How to prepare:
Grate 1 potato and extract juice and mix 3 tablespoons of potato juice with 2 tablespoon of honey. Stir well.
How to apply:
Apply this mixture over the skin and let it rest for 10 – 15 minutes and then rinse off with water.
Things to remember:
Avoid sprouted potatoes and use freshly extracted potato juice
Apart from these home remedies, there are many cosmetic companies that have come up with skin lightening products. We are listing down a bunch of such time tested products that are easily available at a store near you.
Skin Lightening Soap
The best skin lightening soaps are;
- Shahnaz Husain Shafair Ayurvedic Fairness Soap
- Avon Naturals Fairness Bar
- Oriflame Essentials Fairness Soap
- Lotus Herbals Licorice White Skin Whitening Cleanser
- VLCC Insta Glow Fairness Soap
- Vaadi Herbals Luxurious Saffron Soap
- Emami Naturally Fair Pearls Herbal Fairness Soap.
Skin Lightening Cream
Some of the creams that have left customers with satisfying results are;
- Garnier Natural White Complete Multi Action fairness Cream with SPF 17
- Lakme perfect radiance intense whitening Day Crème
- L’Oreal Paris Skin Perfect Anti-imperfections and Whitening Cream
- Biotique Bio Coconut Whitening & Brightening Cream
- VLCC Snigdha Fairness cream
- Revlon Touch & Glow Advanced Fairness Cream.
Skin Whitening Pills
Some pharmacies have introduced medicines that could be consumed orally to give you a brighter skin tone from within. Some of these are;
- Dr James Glutathione Skin Whitening Pills
- Gluta 2000 Skin Whitening Pills
- Ivory Caps Skin Whitening Lightening Max Glutathione
- GLU TRU Glutathione Capsules – Skin Whitening Pills.
Things To Consider
Before resorting to any chemical treatment, be it soaps, creams or pills, you must take into consideration the natural synthetics of your skin and if you are already under some kind of medication. The pills or creams might require usage for a certain period of time and you must be prepared to commit to the entire duration.
Precautions
Do take note of the ingredients and take an allergy test for chemicals that may raise doubts. We would always recommend a discussion with a doctor before you sign up for oral pills.
There were our 30 wonder treatments for brightening up your skin naturally. But make sure every time you are washing your skin after any of these beauty treatments, you are following up with a healthy moisturizer to retain the natural moistures of the skin. Enjoy your brand new glowing skin!
If you have any question, comment below. And if any of these worked for you tell us below.
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