10 Natural Ways to Lighten Your Skin

I love the different complexions I see around me every day. As women we are always looking for ways to maintain a glowing and youthful complexion. Over the years the effects of the sun, change in body size, scars, stretch marks and acne tend to darken our complexion and leave us with an uneven skin tone. Using chemical to bleach our skins in the form of chemical peels, mercury and bleaching cream can lead to long term damage to your skin and in some cases death. Therefore I looked into natural ways to lighten your skin, regain your skins elasticity, reduce the appearance of scar and treat acne. The following are the top 10 natural ways to lighten your skin.

Turmeric By Simon A. Eugster  Wikimedia Commons

1.      Turmeric

This is a famous Indian skin care regime with antiseptic properties that relieve sun burns. Turmeric is an exfoliating agent effective in reducing the appearance of wrinkles, fine lines and acne. Turmeric will lighten your skin tone and fades away scars as well as stretch marks, giving you an even complexion. Turmeric also inhibits melanin production preventing your skin from tanning.

Mix the turmeric powder with lukewarm water until you get a paste. After a bath you can apply the mixture all over your clean skin or just your face then leave the mixture to sit for 20 minutes on your skin then rinse off and add a moisturizer over your skin. Turmeric will stain your skin yellow which will fade away quickly; perhaps the best time to do this is over the weekend or when you are not moving about also avoid applying the same on your eye brows or hair as it will remove your hair.

photo courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

 2.      Lemons

      Lemons contain citric acid or vitamin C which is also a natural bleaching agent. Lemons are effective in reducing the appearance of acne, wrinkles and blotches on your skin. Lemons clear out dead skin cells giving you an even skin complexion.

  

      Squeeze a large lemon into a bowl and mix with lukewarm water. After your bath, using a cotton ball apply the solution all over your face then leave on for 20 minutes and rinse off. Use more lemon if you plan to apply to your whole body. You may experience some tingling sensation which is normal but if you are really irritated rinse off with water. After you rinse off  moisturize your skin. Try to avoid sunlight as your skin will be sensitive at this time.

   Also See Fighting Cancer With Lemons

Potatoes By © Ralf Roletschek - Fahrradtechnik und Fotografie  via Wikimedia Commons

  

      3.      Potatoes

     Potatoes are rich in vitamin C (a natural bleaching agent) and can be used to treat rashes, sun burns, itchy sensations and insect bites. As a skin cleanser potatoes are a natural way to lighten your skin and are effective in removing dark circles around your eyes, reducing the appearance of wrinkles, moisturize your skin leaving your skin soft with an even skin complexion.

     Peel off a potato and wash it clean then grate the potato into fine pieces. Using a blender, blend the shredded potato with half a cup of water until smooth. After your bath apply onto your face or whole body then leave on for 20 minutes then rinse off with water and moisturize. Some people prefer cutting off a clean slice from the potato and then rubbing the same all over their skin then allowing the juices to sit for 20 minutes then rinse off with water and moisturize. Use whichever method is convenient to you also try to avoid sunlight as your skin will be sensitive at this time.

Tomatoes by fir002 / flagstaffotos.com.au

      4.     Tomatoes

    Tomatoes contains lycopene which is an antioxidant, effective in treating sun damaged skin, cures large pores, heals rashes as well as acne and eliminates excessive oily skin. The acid and enzymes in tomatoes are bleaching agents, similar to lemons, which also brightens up your skin.

  

     Some people may use tomato paste from a can but I prefer using fresh ingredients. Finely chop up two tomatoes and blend with half a cup of water. After your bath apply the mixture all over your face or body and leave on for 20 minutes then rinse off with water and moisturize. Tomatoes could stain your skin but this will quickly fade away also try to avoid sunlight as your skin will be sensitive at this time.

honey photo by Agriculture Research Services Wikipedia

  

      5.      Honey

  

     Honey has antibacterial properties and moisturizing effects on your skin. Honey clears off large layers of dead skin which allows your skin to look lighter and fresher. Honey is effective in reducing wrinkles, removing blackheads, opening up your pores and reduces acne on your skin, giving you a glowing and even complexion.

     Dissolve three tablespoons of honey in half a cup of warm water and then allow the mixture to cool down. After your bath apply the mixture all over your body or just your face and leave on for 20 minutes then rinse off with water and moisturize. To remove blackheads, scoop up thick honey with your finger and dab it on the blackheads for 20 minutes and make sure your skin is clean when doing this, then rinse off and moisturize.

Yogurt photo courtesy Wikipedia commons

      6.      Yogurt

  

    Organic non-sweetened yogurt is rich in zinc (anti-inflammatory agent) that reduces puffiness and redness of the skin, Calcium (antioxidant agent) that rejuvenates your skin and lactic acid that acts as a natural bleaching agent. Yogurt is effective in reducing large pores and sun damage to your skin. In addition, Yogurt is a natural way to lighten blemishes, stretch marks and freckles.

  

     Yogurt can be applied directly all over your body or just your face, after your bath, then leave on for 20 minutes and rinse off with water and moisturize. Yogurt can be mixed with honey, tomatoes, turmeric, lemon juice or any other ingredient mentioned here instead of using water for a better effect.

Also read more on Probiotics in yogurt

Oranges photo by Challiyan via Wikipedia Commons

     7.      Oranges

  

     Like lemons oranges contain vitamin C, a bleaching agent. Oranges are great in rejuvenating the skin reducing the appearance of wrinkles, blotches and acne. Oranges also evens out your skin tone giving you a glowing complexion.

     Squeeze a large orange into a bowl and mix with lukewarm water. After your bath, use a cotton ball to apply the solution all over your face or body then leave on for 20 minutes then rinse off and apply moisturizer.

Aloe Vera Leaves by fir002 / flagstaffotos.com.au

      8.    Aloe Vera

    Aloe Vera is considered to be ‘the fountain of youth’ because of its ability to rejuvenate your skin. Aloe Vera is a natural way to moisturize and lighten your skin as it contains vitamin C (a natural bleaching agent) as well as other antioxidants. Aloe Vera is effective in healing wounds, skin ulcers, acne, soothing burns and reducing flaky dry skin. In addition Aloe Vera fades off scars and stretch marks as well as improving the natural firmness of your skin.

     After your bath break of a piece of Aloe Vera leaf and rub the clear gel against your skin. You can choose to leave it on but if it feels too sticky then rinse off with water after 20 minutes and moisturize.   

Papaya photo by Riviera Rouge via wikipedia commons

      9.      Papaya

    

     Papaya is also rich in vitamin A, vitamin C (a natural bleaching agent) and flavonoids. Alpha Hydroxy Acid(AHA) in papaya moisturizes your skin and removes dead skin cells giving you a lighter glowing complexion. Papaya is effective in moisturizing your skin, reducing acne and blemishes. In addition papaya softens your skin leaving you with an even skin complexion as well as treats ringworm, sores and cracked heels.

      Blend up pieces of papaya (after peeling off the skin and removing the seeds) with water into a thick juice. After your bath apply the mixture onto your skin or your whole body for 20 minutes then rinse off and apply moisturizer. Try to avoid sunlight as your skin will be sensitive at this time also avoid applying the same on your eye brows or hair as it will remove your hair

Coconut oil photo via Wikipedia Commons

   

      10.   Coconut Oil

    Coconut contains vitamin E that moisturizes your skin as well as antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal properties. It is effective in reducing wrinkles, skin irritation, sun burn, eczema and treating insect bites. Coconut oil also acts as a natural sun screen, a natural deodorant and prevents cracked lips. Using coconut oil every day will prevent sun damage and protect and moisturize your skin.

These are all the natural ways you can lighten your skin however people with sensitive skin should be cautious to ensure they do not get any allergic reactions or irritations, if irritation occurs stop using the same. Do you have any natural skin care regimes? Leave a comment and share below.