Who doesn’t like to enjoy a stroll through the park, along with the beach, or down the city streets?
But while doing so, we end up getting three shades darker!
Result….Hideous Skin Tan!
Thus, we start thinking twice before dressing up with our favourite LBD or any other sleeveless short dress for that matter.
However, there is nothing to worry about it. Skin that has minor tanning is considered healthy.
If your skin is excessively darkened due to exposure to sunlight, you can remove tan easily.
Here are some “Best Home Remedies to Remove Sun Tan Quickly” and restore your skin to its normal shade.
What is Sun Tan?
Firstly, it is vital to remember that skin tanning is a natural process.
It helps our body to create the vital nutrient, Vitamin-D. Our skin contains a colouring pigment called Melanin.
When Melanocytes or cells embedded in our skin get exposed to sunlight, a chemical reaction occurs.
Melanocytes release two types of Melanin-
- Pheomelanin
- Eumelanin.
While Pheomelanin imparts a reddish tone to the skin, Eumelanin gives a deep brown shade.
Pheomelanin and Eumelanin help our skin from harmful Ultraviolet-A (UVA) and Ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays that occur in sunlight.
However, excessive exposure to sunlight causes undesirable reddening or darkening of the skin.
It can cause a person to look aged. Sometimes, prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause skin cancer.
Now that you know what is tan we explore its different types.
Know Your Tan
It is important to first know the reasons for your skin tan before its removal. Here are some reasons that skin develops a tan.
- Exposure to sunlight: The longer you stay in sunlight, darker your skin.
- Medicines: Certain types of medicines such as anti-depressants and painkillers can cause your skin to tan.
- Air pollution: Toxins in the air can also cause the skin to develop a dark shade.
- Beachside: Salinity in the air as well as getting wet in sea water can cause the skin to tan considerably.
- Medical conditions: A few medical conditions can cause your skin to look darker than its normal shade.
- Poor skin hygiene: Yes, not bathing or washing your skin properly at regular intervals causes dead Melanin cells to pile up and make you look tan.
Once you know why your skin is darkening, it is easier to remove sun tan.
20 Best Natural Ways to Remove Sun Tan Quickly
There are several ways to get rid of sun tan. Nowadays crème and lotion made of chemicals are easily available which can be used to remove tan instantly.
However, some of these may cost a lot of money. In such cases, you can try natural, home-made remedies to get rid of tan easily.
1. Turmeric, Honey and Milk Crème Pack
This is the most common remedy to remove sun tan from your face and hands.
Mix a tablespoon of pure, preferably organic turmeric powder with a teaspoon of honey. Blend into a coarse paste. Later, add milk cream to this mixture to get a fine paste.
Apply the paste on your face and hands at least 30 minutes before bedtime.
Wash off with lukewarm water after 15- 20 minutes.
You will instantly notice the lightening of your facial and hand skin. Repeat the remedy at least once daily for three weeks to get the best result.
2. Exfoliating Herbal Facial Scrubs
Yes, exfoliating herbal facial scrubs do help in getting rid of sun tan.
They contain extracts of fruits, herbs and other beneficial ayurvedic medicines that contain natural pigments, citric acid and other nutrients.
These ingredients act directly on your skin to lighten your skin.
Facial scrubs that contain coarse extracts of walnut or almond, lemon peel, apricot and other fruits or nuts have proven to work better when it comes to removing sun tan.
However, this method is useful only to remove sun tan from the face and facial region. Use as recommended.
3. Toothpowder to remove sun tan
Now sounds laughable, but toothpowder indeed helps in reducing and eliminating tan from face, hands and legs.
If you are unconvinced, try rubbing a small quantity of good quality toothpowder on your lips.
Indubitably, the colour of your lips will lighten and brighten within a couple of days.
Toothpowders contain agents that whiten teeth. These chemicals are harmless if used or even ingested in small quantities.
Toothpowder is excellent to remove sun tan from hands and feet since the skin on limbs is usually harder and rougher.
Mix a small quantity of toothpowder with water and rub the affected areas. However, use with caution on the face and facial region.
Also Read: Top 10 Mild Bathing Soap Brands in India for Daily Use
4. Lemon, Honey and Milk Casein Pack
Lemon and Honey are known for their bleaching and astringent qualities.
Indeed, they were used to reduce and eliminate sun tan long before lotions and crème were invented.
The citric acid in lemon helps to remove dead Melanin cells, leaving your skin looking a few shades lighter.
Honey serves as astringent while milk casein or Paneer provides vital proteins to fatigued skin.
Mix equal parts of lemon juice and honey to form a runny fluid. Crush a small piece of milk casein in the mixture to form a smooth paste.
Apply every evening and leave it on for 30 minutes. The result is a healthy, lighter and nourished skin.
5. Fuller’s Earth, Milk and Glycerine Pack
Fuller’s Earth also called Multani Mitti in India is renowned for its properties to impart healthy skin.
However, used in excess or without caution, Fuller’s Earth can cause the skin to appear dry and lifeless.
Hence, it is vital to blend it with other beneficial ingredients.
Take a couple of table spoons of Fuller’s Earth in a flat dish. Mix two tablespoons of medical or cosmetic grade Glycerine into the powder and blend into a paste.
Once a uniform mixture is formed, add a tablespoon of milk.
Apply on face and hands and leave on for 10- 15 minutes. The pack helps to gets rid of tan from the face while reducing dark spots and pimples.
6. Raw Papaya and Egg Mask
Raw Papaya is extensively used across East Asia for its skin lightening properties.
Indeed, you can get a lot of skin whitening products from countries in the Far East that use Raw Papaya extract.
However, you can do it at home.
Make pulp from a small slice of Raw Papaya and mix it with white (albumin) of one egg. Make a mushy paste.
You can also add a few drops of lemon juice or honey to get rid of the egg odour.
Apply this mask to your face and leave on for about 30 minutes before bedtime.
Wash off with plain water. This mask is also useful for removing tan from hands and legs.
7. Ripe Papaya and Alum
Ripe Papaya is rich in various phyto-nutrients and comes loaded with vitamins essential for good skin health.
Alum is a known astringent and is extensively used by men in multiple countries as antiseptic and to tighten stubble pores.
Pulp a small slice of Ripe Papaya. Add half a teaspoon of finely powdered alum and blend well.
Use the mixture on your face, hands and legs to remove sun tan.
This formula works best when left for about 45 minutes on hands and legs and 30 minutes on facial skin.
8. Citrus Fruit Skins
Think twice before discarding peels of orange, lime or lemon.
They serve as ideal home remedies to reduce and eventually get rid of sun tan. These skins are rich in citric acid and other nutrients.
Although not edible, they are handy for those on a low budget to remove sun tan from face, hands and legs.
Grind skins of one or more citrus fruits in a blender till they become into a coarse paste.
Apply this paste over the affected area where sun tan is very prominent. Keep the mixture on your skin for about 20 minutes before washing off with water.
9. Lemon Juice and Turmeric
For centuries, lemon juice has been used for skin treatment.
This wonder fruit juice is beneficial to combat mild to moderate tan.
It is also a very cost effective treatment. However, lemon juice and turmeric mixtures take a few days to show tangible results.
To make a face mask for tan removal, squeeze the juice of at least two lemons and add turmeric powder to obtain a fine paste.
Apply the paste on your face and hands daily and leave on for 15- 20 minutes before washing off with plain water.
The immediate result will be a lighter skin. Thus making it one of the best way to remove skin tan in one day.
However, the effect can be illusionary. Better results can be seen in two to three weeks after regular treatment.
10. Cucumber, Turmeric, Rose Petals
Grind a medium size cucumber with rose petals and a teaspoon of pure turmeric powder to get a fine paste.
If the paste is runny, you can thicken it by adding more turmeric powder.
Do not worry about the quantity since the mixture can be refrigerated and used again within 24 hours.
Cucumber has a relaxing and soothing effect on your skin while turmeric possesses antiseptic properties.
The two combine well to lighten Melanin. When combined with rose petals, the mixture provides much-needed relief to the dull and lackluster skin.
Use the mixture daily on face, skin and hands for best results. Leave on for 30 -45 minutes.
Also Read: 15 Best Face Washes For Women In India To Get A Glowing Skin
11. Laban ( Buttermilk) and Oats
Oats provides an excellent exfoliating effect. Ground into a fine meal, it can be utilized for skin care and especially tan removal.
Buttermilk or Laban is rich in Lactic Acid and other nutrients such as protein. Combined, they serve to remove sun tan from hands, legs and of course, the face.
Grind a couple of tablespoons of Oats and blend well with Laban (Buttermilk).
Scrub your hands, legs and face with this potent mixture and leave on for 15- 20 minutes before washing off.
Depending upon areas of the body where tan is prominent, you may require more oatmeal and buttermilk.
12. Tomato and Turmeric
Tomato pulp mixed with little turmeric is yet another way to get rid of sun tan from the face, hands and feet.
However, be careful not to use commercially available tomato pulp or tomato puree for this purpose. They contain preservatives that can mar your skin in the longer term.
Make the pulp of one or more very ripe tomatoes and blend with little or about one teaspoon of turmeric powder.
Apply this mixture to your hands, feet and face and leave on.
Unless you are offended by the smell of tomatoes, you can leave this facial mask on for an extended period or even overnight.
13. Tomato, Honey and Yoghurt Mask
Tomato has very versatile uses. One of them is to remove tan from the face, hand and legs.
You can safely use this home remedy to reduce tan and other colouration on the skin. Generally, a riper tomato is useful for the purpose.
Puree one ripe tomato in a blender and mix with one dessert spoon honey.
Blend in a couple of spoons of sour yoghurt. The result will be a slightly sour smelling paste. Apply this on face, legs and hands to rid yourself of tan.
14. Chick Pea Flour, Sandalwood Paste and Turmeric
Chick Pea flour, called Besan in India is excellent to treat and remove sunburn as well as tan.
However, it is best to use freshly ground chick pea flour for the purpose.
Alternatively, soak a handful of chick peas in water at night and leave for 24 hours for a more natural therapy for tan removal.
Make a fine paste of chick peas in a blender. Add some sandalwood paste: a teaspoon should be enough.
Add another teaspoon of turmeric powder and apply to areas where you wish to eliminate tan.
The paste works well if left on face, hands and legs for at least an hour.
15. Aloe Vera, Tomato, Ginger and Chick Pea Flour Pack
You can also make a wonderful sun tan removal pack with Aloe Vera, ripe tomato, a small piece of ginger and chick pea flour or soaked chick peas.
This potent pack works wonders to remove sun tan from the face as well as that on hands and legs.
Blend all ingredients together to make a fine paste.
Apply immediately on the face and other parts of the body where you notice sun tan.
Leave the pack on for an hour or more. Allow it to dry completely before washing off.
16.Rice Flour, Aloe Vera and Yoghurt Pack
Rice flour is coarse and helps exfoliate skin.
Hence it is handy in removing tan, especially that caused by pollution and exposure to strong sunlight.
It helps get rid of dead Melanin and restores a balanced tone to the skin.
Blend rice flour, Aloe Vera and yoghurt together to make a paste.
Apply this pack to face and other parts of the body for tan removal.
Remember to scrub the skin with this paste before letting it dry. Leave on for 35-45 minutes before washing.
17. Tea Leaves, Buttermilk and Turmeric Pack
Put your used tea leaves to work. Tannin in leftover tea leaves serves to soothe your skin and remove tan.
Buttermilk with its rich content of lactic acid also works wonders for the skin while turmeric serves as antiseptic and skin lightener.
As usual, blend all the ingredients together and apply to face immediately.
It is recommended to use a thicker pack since tea leaves tend to run.
Scrub while you apply to exfoliate any dead Melanin cells on the face, legs and hands. Leave on for 45 minutes on face and longer for neck, hands and legs.
18. Cucumber, Honey, Raw Papaya Paste
Cucumber and Raw Papaya work sheer miracles for the skin.
The two are best suited to treat facial skin of sunburn and sun tan.
With honey added in small quantities, astringent and nutritive qualities get added to this mixture.
Use raw cucumber where possible: it is better for skin, and the mixture will not run when applied.
Blend the three in a blender and apply with mild scrubs. Leave on for as much time as you can.
It is recommended to apply more than one coat of this mixture for better results.
19. Yoghurt, Honey and Sandalwood
The use of Yoghurt, Honey and Sandalwood paste for removing sun tan has been prevailing since ancient days.
Some Indian texts speak of the beneficial values of these ingredients in skin care.
Blend the three ingredients together. You can heat the paste mildly before applying for better results.
Once applied, allow the coating to dry on your face. Do not force dry under a fan or air conditioner blast.
Wash after the coating of this paste is completely dry and appears to peel off.
20. Flour, Yoghurt and Turmeric
Wheat skin and kernel have great nutrients that are beneficial to treat sun tan.
Their properties get enhanced when mixed with two other ingredients used widely in skin care- yoghurt and honey.
But you need to use non-sieved wheat flour and not the commercially available variants from which husk powder has been removed.
Blend the three ingredients into a sticky paste and apply to your face, hands and legs.
Let the mixture dry on your skin till it seems to dry and crack. Remember to apply thicker coats for best results.
Avoid application to eyebrows and areas with facial hair and neck.
Wash off after an hour to derive maximum benefits from this simple home remedy for the sun tan.
In Conclusion
These above home remedies are very effective to counter and eliminate tan. While some effects can be seen overnight, complete tan removal may take some time.
Moreover, use of some of the good quality sunscreens and sunblocks can also help to a greater extent to combat with scorching sunlight.
It depends upon the degree to which your skin has been exposed to sunlight.
Tanning due to medicines can be avoided by asking your physician to prescribe alternatives.
Drinking ample water and eating healthy food, especially lots of fresh fruits and raw vegetables augment your tan removal therapy.