This article will show you how to lighten your skin with a few simple but effective steps, whether you want to experiment with the use of some natural remedy or prefer the use of chemicals. It will also provide you with some useful general advice related to proper skin care. In addition to allowing you to have lighter skin, the methods described here will help you discolor unwanted freckles, sun spots and skin blemishes.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Use Unverified Home Remedies
Warning: lemon juice and other citrus fruits can irritate or burn the skin, so it should be used with extreme caution. Do not apply the juice to your face if you intend to expose yourself to the sun. Before going out, remove all traces of it with a careful rinse.
Step 1. Try fresh lemon juice
Cut a melon in half and use only one part while saving the other. Store the unused half in a cool place, for example in the refrigerator. Squeeze half a lemon and pour the juice into a small cup. Before squeezing it, pierce it several times with a knife to make it easier for the juice to come out.
- Soak a cotton ball in lemon juice, then rub it over the area you want to lighten. This could be your face, neck or any other part. Avoid bringing lemon juice close to your eyes.
- Leave it on for about 15 - 20 minutes and then rinse off. Rinse with warm water and always apply a moisturizer after your lemon juice treatment.
- Repeat 2-3 times a week. It is advisable to limit yourself to only one application per day.
- If you find that lemon juice is too harsh for your skin, try diluting it with water to reduce its strength by half.
Step 2. Make a lemon mask
The mask will allow the acid part of the lemon to slowly penetrate the pores, gradually changing the color of the skin.
- For a lightening mask: mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of tomato juice, 1 tablespoon of cucumber juice and 1 tablespoon of sandalwood paste. Form a paste and apply it to the skin. Then leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water and apply a moisturizer.
- For a specific lightening mask for dry skin: mix 1 tablespoon of powdered milk, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 2 drops of essential oil. Apply the mixture to your skin and leave it on for 20-25 minutes. Rinse your face with warm water and apply a moisturizer.
- Masks, exfoliants, and peels should be used in moderation, no more than once or twice a week. Too frequent contact with its drying agents can cause excessive dryness and skin irritation.
Step 3. Use a lemon scrub
An exfoliant will help lighten the skin using the natural whitening components of citric acid, as well as remove the surface layer of dead skin cells, or epidermis.
- For a lemon scrub: mix 2 tablespoons of brown sugar, 1 egg white and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
- Massage the mixture into the skin using gentle, circular movements. Rub gently or leave on for 10-15 minutes, then rinse with warm water and moisturize.
Step 4. Try coconut water
Coconut water is known for its lightening properties on the skin, and is also able to make it soft and supple. Soak a cotton ball in coconut water and apply it to your face or skin area you want to lighten. It will not be necessary to rinse.
You can also drink coconut water to hydrate the skin from the inside. Coconut water is an excellent source of essential minerals and is low in calories
Step 5. Use aloe vera
The sap of the aloe vera plant is a highly emollient natural substance, able to heal burns and skin wounds. It is also very moisturizing and promotes skin rejuvenation, thus helping to lighten it and discolor any dark spots.
- Cut an aloe vera leaf and rub the gel into the area you want to lighten.
- Aloe vera is beneficial for the skin, so you can use it as often as you like without fearing any side effects.
Step 6. Try the raw potato
Thanks to its high amounts of vitamin C (found in many skin-lightening products), raw potato juice is known for its mildly whitening properties, capable of naturally lightening the skin.
- All you have to do is cut a raw potato in half and rub the pulp on the skin you want to lighten. To achieve significant results, you will need to repeat this treatment frequently.
- Additional vegetables known to provide the same results are cucumbers and tomatoes, which are also rich in vitamin C.
Step 7. Use turmeric
Turmeric is a very popular spice in Indian cuisine. It has been found to inhibit the production of melanin (the pigment responsible for darkening the skin) and help restore tanned skin to its original color.
- To use, make a mask with ½ teaspoon of turmeric, 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and 2 teaspoons of cucumber juice. Apply the mixture to the skin you intend to lighten.
- Leave the mask on for 15 minutes, then rinse the area off. Turmeric may slightly stain the skin making it yellowish, but fear not, it will only be a temporary effect.
- You can also take turmeric orally by adding it to your recipes. Try this Indian curry for example.
Method 2 of 3: Using Lightening Products and Treatments
Step 1. Experiment with using a lightening cream
Purchase a cosmetic that contains ingredients such as kojic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C, or arbutin (also known as bearberry extract), all of which are effective in lightening the skin.
- Alternatively, see a dermatologist and ask them to prescribe a more intense cream containing retinoids (chemical compounds linked to vitamin A) or hydroquinone.
- Each of these lightening products works by reducing melanin, a colored pigment produced by specialized cells called melanocytes.
Step 2. Be aware of the risks associated with skin lightening creams
Such products are not without side effects. Much of what you apply to the skin is absorbed by the blood, and some creams produced in Asia but marketed in other areas of the world contain mercury, a substance that can cause relative poisoning. Furthermore:
- Prolonged use of these lightening products can cause premature skin aging due to increased sensitivity to UVA / UVB rays.
- The use of skin-lightening products can lead to different forms of cancer, for the same reasons explained above.
- The steroids contained in some lightening products can increase the risk of infections and the chances of suffering from acne.
- Lhydroquinone can cause permanent skin discoloration and, when taken by mouth, is known to be carcinogenic.
- Many natural whitening agents can cause allergies and irritation.
Step 3. Try a chemical peel or microdermabrasion
Both of these treatments are sometimes recommended by dermatologists in order to lighten the skin. They work by detaching or exfoliating the superficial and more pigmented layer of the skin, bringing to light the lighter and younger one below. They can also help eliminate acne scars, dark spots, and other pigmentation-related problems.
- A chemical peel involves applying a concentrated acid solution, such as alpha hydroxy acids, to the skin by an experienced dermatologist. The acid will burn the outer and pigmented layers of the skin, exposing the lighter one underneath.
- Microdermabrasion achieves the same results, but uses a different method. In microdermabrasion, a rotating wire brush is used to peel off the outermost layers of pigmented skin.
- Both of these treatments can be mildly painful and cause skin inflammation redness for even several days. However, they can be very effective. Talk to your dermatologist and find out if they could be a viable option for your specific case.
Step 4. Health and safety first
There are many pathologies, even serious ones, connected to the use of lightening products, so keep in mind the following guidelines:
- Before using any lightening product, talk to your doctor. He will be able to guide you through the process and help you avoid any pitfalls.
- Stay away from all those products that list mercury as an ingredient. Be especially careful about Asian-derived cosmetics. Mercury can sometimes be labeled as "calomel", "mercuric" or "mercurous".
Method 3 of 3: Take Good Care of Your Skin
Step 1. Stop smoking
Smoking can cause yellowing of the skin (as well as wrinkles), so if you want to have healthy skin, the first thing to do is quit smoking.
Step 2. Protect your skin from the sun every day
The sun can cause all sorts of skin damage, from blemishes, to burns, to cancer. It is therefore imperative to apply a cream with a protective sun factor every day. Even when it's cloudy, the UV rays can break through the clouds and harm your health, so don't forget to protect your skin even in winter.
Step 3. Drink plenty of water
Keeping skin hydrated won't directly help lighten it, but it will keep it healthy. Healthy skin rejuvenates itself by shedding its old layers in favor of new ones. The pigmented areas will therefore tend to lighten naturally, thanks to the appearance of the new and young skin underneath. Make a commitment to drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day for best results.
Step 4. Clean your facial skin regularly
Taking care of your skin also means undertaking and adhering to a strict daily skincare regimen, which keeps it in the best condition.
- You should wash your face twice a day with a foaming cleanser or soap, and then apply a moisturizer. In order to remove dead skin cells you should also perform a weekly scrub.
- Use only gentle cosmetic products formulated specifically for your skin type. Failure to do so could cause unwanted redness.
- Before going to sleep, don't forget to remove your make-up. Otherwise, the makeup could clog the pores, causing an uneven complexion and breakouts.
- As for the skin on the body, organic papaya soap is known to be a gentle natural lightener. However, it can tend to dry out the skin a little, so don't forget to moisturize it after use.
Step 5. Eat healthily
A diet rich in vitamins and nutrients will also help your skin stay healthy and look its best. Fill up on fresh fruits and vegetables, especially if they are rich in vitamins A, C and E, which are nourishing for the skin and great for hydration.
Advice
- Protect yourself from the sun as much as possible.
- If you want your skin to be free of blemishes, you can't leave out the use of a protective sunscreen. Apply it daily, even when it's cloudy, the UV rays will still be able to penetrate.
- Be proud of yourself no matter what others say!
- Invest in purchasing an effective skin lightening product.
- Take glutathione tablets for 2 weeks and notice the results.
Warnings
- Lemon juice is very acidic and can make your skin extremely sensitive. If you experience irritation, try applying it every other day rather than every day. If irritation persists, discontinue use.
- Always check the ingredient list of each product before using it.
