Are you deprived of your natural skin color in spite of applying heaps of sunscreen lotion? It doesn’t matter how much you try to mask your face, you just end up with a skin tone that is darker than your original color. The searing sun’s rage is hard to avoid.
The ultraviolet sun rays penetrate into the deeper levels of the skin thus increasing the concentration of melanin which leads to skin darkening. There are a number of cosmetic bleaching products available in the market that helps in tan removal. However, these products can greatly damage the skin in the longer run.
In this post, you can read about some simple and natural home treatments that can remove a sun tan and help you restore a lighter and fairer complexion.
What are the Harmful Effects of Sun Tan?
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You may get a sun tan due to various reasons such as exposure to the harmful UV rays, exposure to polluted environment, harsh chemicals, etc. Sun tan usually occur on all body parts that are exposed to the blistering sun such as face, neck, legs and arms. These tans can cause grave skin problems:
- Acne
- Skin Burns and Rashes
- Pimples
- Wrinkles
- Fine Line and Signs of Ageing
- Dark Spots
- In Forlorn Cases, it may cause Skin Cancer
 Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Sun Tan from Face & Neck
So is it possible to remove sun tan completely? Well, the answer is YES! If it is easy to get a tanned skin, it is also quite easy to get rid of it. Just follow these simple home remedies to find a great difference in your skin tone in just a week’s time.
Milk, Rice and Honey Face Pack
The amazing home facial pack works wonders for tanned skin. It acts as a natural and organic skin lightening bleach cream. It helps in rejuvenating the skin, eliminating the dead skin cells, thus leaving you with a lighter, smoother and fairer skin.
Ingredients:
- Rice Powder – 2 teaspoons
- Cold Milk – 2 tablespoons
- Honey – 1 teaspoon
Directions of Use:
- Mix all the ingredients together to form a fine thin paste.
- Apply the paste of a thoroughly cleaned face and neck. Leave it for 20 minutes.
- Gently scrub the skin with wet hands. Wash it off with cold water.
Potato and Yogurt Face Mask
Some of you may not be aware of potatoes amazing ability to lighten the skin. Potatoes consist of an enzyme known as catecholase that helps to fight hyper pigmentation and skin discoloration caused due to exposure to sun. The wonderful facial mask helps in removing sun tans instantly giving you a radiant skin.
Ingredients:
- One Peeled Potato
- Yogurt – 2 tablespoons
Directions of Use:
- Cut the peeled potato into small slices.
- Grind these slices together with the mentioned quantity of yogurt to form a thick paste.
- Apply the paste carefully on the face and neck. Leave it for 15 minutes. Wash it off with cold water.
Sandalwood and Rose Water Pack
Sandalwood is a healthy product that has a cooling effect on the skin. The ingredient has anti- inflammatory as well as antibacterial properties that soothes out the skin. It eliminates skin irritation and rashes, skin redness and burns. It is best to use it with rose water that has a light fragrance. The paste works as a natural deep skin cleanser removing all dead skin cells and impurities.
Ingredients:
- Sandalwood Powder – 2 tablespoons
- Some Rose Water
Directions of Use:
- Mix the powder with adequate amount of rose water to form a smooth consistency paste.
- Keep it in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes.
- Apply the pack evenly on the face and neck area. Keep it until it dries.
- Gently massage the skin with wet hands and clean it off.
Pineapple and Honey Facial Mask
Pineapple is known to be one of a kind tropical fruit. It contains various enzymes that help in eliminating dead skin cells from the tanned areas. With vitamin C and natural antioxidants, the amazing face pack neutralizes the hazardous effects of sun tan. It diminishes the visible signs of ageing, fine lines and wrinkles, thus lightening the dark spots and tan affected areas.
Ingredients:
- Pineapple Pulp – 2 tablespoons
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
Directions of Use:
- Mix the two ingredients well to form a consistent paste.
- Apply on a clean face. Wait for 3- 5 minutes.
- Wash it off thoroughly with cold water and pat dry with a clean cloth.
Yogurt and Mint Pack
The face pack provides for the easiest and effective home remedy for fighting sun tan. As we know, the yogurt contains lactic acid which helps in skin lightening and reduces dark spots. Mint on the other hand, calms down skin inflammation, rashes and face burns.
Ingredients:
- Chilled Yogurt – 3 tablespoons
- Mint Juice – 2 tablespoons
Directions of Use:
- Mix the yogurt with the mint juice. Use a cotton ball to apply if carefully on the affected area.
- Let it stay for at least 10 minutes.
- Wash it off thoroughly with cold water.
Best Home Remedies to Get Rid of Sun Tan from the Arms & Legs
Masoor Dal, Tomatoes & Lemon Pack
This is a great home remedy for treating severe sun tans on the hands and legs. It helps in removing all the sun tan and harmful skin impurities, deeply cleansing the skin. The masoor dal acts as a strong agent to fight the sun tan whereas lemon and tomato act as skin brightening agents.
Ingredients:
- Masoor Dal – ¼ Cup
- One Ripe Tomato
- Lemon Juice – 1 teaspoon
Directions of Use:
- Soak the masoor dal overnight in hot water.
- The next day, add it to the grinder along with a small quantity of cold water, tomato and lemon juice. Grind to form a paste of thin consistency.
- Apply the paste with the help of a brush all over your hands and legs. Wait until it dries.
- Scrub off the pack with cold water.
Baking Soda Facial Mask
Baking soda is a great ingredient that fights sun tans, rashes and itches. Applying the simple mask can help in providing instant relief to the affected area. The ingredient features unlimited benefits for the skin, making it look fairer, smoother and healthier.
Ingredients:
- Baking Soda – 4 tablespoons
- Cold Water
Directions of Use:
- Mix the two ingredients to form a thin paste.
- Apply it to the affected area after thoroughly cleaning it. Wait for a little while.
- Wash it off.
Fuller Earth (Multani Mitti) and Egg Pack
When it comes to skin care, there is no ingredient like Multani Mitti. The amazing mud has a great cooling effect that helps in removing sun tan, skin blemishes, irritations, skin discoloration, dark spots and rashes.
Ingredients:
- Egg Whites – 2
- Fuller Earth (Multani Mitti) – 4 tablespoons
- Rose Water
Directions of Use:
- Whisk the egg whites and add the multani mitti and a little amount of rose water for fragrance.
- Apply the mixture to the sun tanned areas of the hands and feet.
- Let it stay for 20 minutes. Wash it off.
Salt, Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub
The easy deep skin exfoliating scrub can help you get rid of your tanned arms and legs within no time. The scrub helps in removing all dead skin impurities leading to a brighter and fairer skin tone.
Ingredients:
- Salt – 1 tablespoon
- Sugar – 1 tablespoon
- Few Drops of Olive Oil
Directions of Use:
- Mix the equal amounts of salt and sugar along with a little quantity of olive oil.
- Rub the scrub on the affected areas of the body for good 5 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water and pat dry.
Aloe Vera, Lemon and Honey Pack
Aloe vera gel is known for its skin lightening properties. This wonderful natural cleanser when mixed with lemon and honey soothes out the burned and tanned skin. Lemon which contains citric acid acts as a skin brightening agent whereas honey works as a skin moisturizer, preventing premature skin ageing and wrinkles.
Ingredients:
- Aloe Vera Gel – 1 tablespoon
- Lemon Juice – 1 tablespoon
- Honey – 1 tablespoon
Directions of Use:
- Mix these equal quantities of the three ingredients and apply it generously on the tanned limbs.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash it off with cold water.
General Precautions to be taken to Avoid Sun Tans
- Religiously apply oodles of sunscreen lotion before stepping out into the sun. Make sure to use one with a SPF of at least 30 or above.
- Use an umbrella or a hat in order to secure the face from tanning.
- Apply a good moisturizing lotion twice a day on all body parts for active cell repair.
There are a lot of ingredients finding place on the work shelves of your kitchens that help in procuring effective tan removal solutions. However, prevention is always better than cure. Try to inculcate these small tips in your regular skin routine to avoid the unattractive skin tans.