How to Get Rid of a Tan for Black People
Summer is a cheerful holiday season, but no one likes the harsh sun.
Exposure to the sun not only tans the skin but also causes skin problems like dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Harmful UV radiation strips the skin of its moisture content and eventually makes it appear pale and dull.
Are you worried about stepping out in the sun during summers? Then, fret not! Ayurveda has a solution to everything, and tanning is no exception.
How to remove tan naturally?
Ancient Ayurveda texts claim Turmeric, Saffron, Sugar, and nut-based oils to be excellent healers of skin tanning. In this article, we'll talk about simple tan removal home remedies that you can use to remove tan from your body.
Whether you are suffering from the tan due to strolling around the city or relaxing at a beach destination for days together, these natural home remedies will help in sun tan removal.
You can use them to remove sun tan from all over your body - be it your neck, your feet, your arms or your hands.
1. Lemon Juice And Honey To Remove Tan
How to apply -
Squeeze fresh lemon juice and add some honey to it. Apply the mixture on your skin and let it stay for 30 minutes before washing off with a mild cleanser.
You can also add some sugar to the lemon juice to make a scrub. In addition to removing tan, this will also slough off dead cells from the surface.
Why it works -
Lemon juice has a bleaching effect, which helps in removing tan quickly. It contains Vitamin C in abundance, which is a great tan removal agent. The citric acid present in lemon helps in the removal of acne and lightening of the marks.
Pro tip -
Do not allow the honey to remain on your skin for too long if you have an oily face. You can even try applying lemon directly without honey.
2. Coconut Milk For Natural De Tan Treatment
How to apply -
Soak a cotton ball in fresh and organic coconut milk and dab it all over the face. Leave it on till it's absorbed into the skin or dries completely. Wash it off with a mild cleanser.
Why it works -
Coconut milk is highly nourishing and hydrating for the skin. It helps in restoring the lost moisture. The vitamin C and the mild acids present in it help in tan removal at home.
Pro tip -
Apart from applying coconut milk, you can also use de-tanning treatments with coconut milk as the base. Kama Ayurveda's Jwalini Retexturizing Skin Treatment Oil is one such treatment. Prescribed in Ayurveda as a treatment for smooth, soft and clear skin, this oil treatment is formulated from natural herbs processed in pure Coconut milk and Sesame oil.
3. Oatmeal And Buttermilk For Tan Removal
How to apply -
Soak 2 teaspoons of oats or oatmeal in half a cup of water for about five minutes. Add 2-3 teaspoon of fresh, plain buttermilk to it and mix well. You can add honey as well to make the pack more moisturizing. Mix these ingredients well to form a paste and then apply it to your face, neck, arms and other areas affected by tanning.
Rub in a circular motion and let it stay for about 20 minutes. Wash off with reveal fresh, brighter looking skin.
Why it works -
Oatmeal has excellent exfoliating and skin cleansing properties. Buttermilk is rich in lactic acid which removes tan, softens the skin and improves skin tone.
Pro tip -
Oatmeal is also a key ingredient of the traditional Ayurvedic recipe for Ubtan. Kama Ayurveda's Ubtan is a powdered mix of Ayurvedic herbs and natural ingredients. It can be used as a soap-free natural cleanser to remove tan from the body.
Read - 2 Best Ayurvedic Ubtan Recipes For A Glowing Skin
The home remedies mentioned above are useful for removing tan from all over the body. However, if you want to remove tan from face, then the following home remedies and de tan treatments will be useful.
How To Remove Tan From Face?
Saffron, Sandalwood, Turmeric and Multani Mitti are some miracle ingredients when it comes to sun tan removal from face. Here are a few ways you can use them to get a glowing skin.
4. Massage with Ayurvedic De Tanning Oil - Nalpamaradi Thailam
How to apply -
Post cleaning your face and body, pour some oil on your palm. Start with gently massaging your face in a circular motion until fully absorbed. Then, gently massage the oil all over your body in brisk upward and downward strokes until fully absorbed.
Why it works -
The oil has the leaves and the bark of the sacred Peepal tree as one of the key ingredients. A rich source of vitamin K, the bark of a Peepal tree is an excellent solution for removing skin tan. It not only strengthens blood capillaries and minimises skin inflammation but also heals skin bruises faster by increasing skin resilience.
Pro Tip -Described as a natural skin illuminator in Ayurveda, Nalpamaradi Thailam is a miracle oil that lightens the complexion and removes tan without causing any harm to the skin. This makes it one of the best natural products for bridal skin care. Start getting regular massages with this oil one year before the wedding if tanning is a major skin concern for you.
Read - How To Use Nalpamaradi Thailam To Remove Tan
How To Remove Tan From Face?
Saffron, Sandalwood, Turmeric and Multani Mitti are some miracle ingredients when it comes to sun tan removal from face. Here are a few ways you can use them to get a glowing skin.
5. Saffron and Milk To Remove Tan From Face
How to apply -
Soak a few strands of saffron in milk for some time. Apply the milk on affected areas. To provide more moisture to the skin, saffron can be soaked in cream instead of milk.
Why it works -
Saffron (Kesar) is a traditional beauty ingredient found in Indian households. Using saffron is a natural way to get a glowing skin. It is also known to improve skin texture, treats ailments like pigmentation, dark circles, pimples, and acne, and lighten darkened skin.
Pro tip -
Kumkumadi Oil is an Ayurvedic recipe that has saffron as a key ingredient. The oil is used to illuminate the complexion and remove tan. It can be used as Kumkumadi oil serum or Kumkumadi scrub. This is a great way to get rid of tan quickly as you can see results after regularly using it for seven nights.
Read more about Kumkumadi Tailam here
6. Sandalwood and Turmeric For Tan Removal From Face
How to apply -
Sandalwood powder can be mixed in milk or coconut water to apply on the skin as a pack. Tumeric can also be added to the pack to make it more effective for removing tan.
How it works -
Sandalwood has soothing and cooling properties that provide relief to the skin damaged by the sun. Turmeric's healing properties and milk's exfoliating properties work well together to remove tan.
Pro tip -
You can use Kama Ayurveda's Suvarna Haldi Chandan Face Pack to remove tan. It has pure sandalwood and turmeric along with other skin brightening Ayurvedic ingredients like Multani Mitti that help in revealing a natural glow.
7. Multani Mitti And Rose Water De Tan Face Pack
How to apply -
Add rose water to Multani Mitti and make a smooth paste. You can use pure rose water for a more soothing effect. Apply a layer of the paste on the affected areas and let it dry. Wash off with water or a mild cleanser.
Why it works -
Multani Mitti (also known as Fuller's Earth) cools and soothes sunburns. It also removes tan and makes your skin radiant.
Pro tip -
In addition to rose water, you can also add sandalwood, turmeric, tomato juice, lime juice, milk, and honey to Multani Mitti for removing tan more effectively. Kama Ayurveda's Suvarna Haldi Chandan Brightening Face Pack has Multani Mitti combined with other skin brightening Ayurvedic ingredients.
Read more about Multani Mitti Face Packs here
8. Almond Scrub To Get Rid Of Tan
How to apply -
Create a paste of almond by grinding it with rose water. Use it as a tan removal scrub on the affected areas. Squeeze some lemon into the paste prepared by grinding almonds with rose water to increase its effectiveness in removing tan.
How it works -
Almonds are a rich source of Vitamin E which nourish the skin and heal it from any damage from the sun. Almonds also have bleaching properties that help in removing tan.
Pro tip -
You can also use natural scrubs which contain almonds to get rid of tan. Kama Ayurveda's Kumkumadi Brightening Ayurvedic Face Scrub contains finely ground Sweet Almonds that are rich in Vitamins E & D. They nourish and nurture while lifting away pollutants and impurities for a glowing complexion.
How To Remove Tan From Hands
Apart from our face, the part of our bodies that get most tanned are hands. When you head out wearing your tank tops, you expose your hands and arms to the sun. If you spend a lot of time outside, then these tan removal home remedies for hands and arms will be useful for you. You can also use them to remove tan from your feet and legs.
9. Cucumber To Remove Sun Tan From Arms
How to apply -
Shred a cucumber, and squeeze to get the juice out. Using a cotton ball, apply the juice all over your skin. Let it dry and wash.
Why it works -
Cucumber is highly beneficial for tanned and sunburnt skin. Cucumber has a cooling effect and helps remove tan.
Pro tip -
You may also add a little lemon juice to cucumber juice for added benefits.
9. Lemon And Sugar To Remove Tan From Hands
How to apply -
Prepare a lemon and sugar scrub by mixing equal quantities of lemon juice and sugar granules. You can store this scrub in a jar and refrigerate it for further use. You can use this scrub every alternate day to get rid of tan.
Why it works -
Sugar is a great exfoliant and will slough away the dead and dark skin cells that have built up on the skin. Lemon is rich in Vitamin C and citric acid that helps in removing the tan from the skin.
10. Aloe Vera To Remove Tan From Hands And Legs
How to apply -
Slit the leaf of aloe vera plant and scoop out aloe vera gel with a spoon or a knife. Apply the aloe vera gel generously on areas affected by tan. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes before washing off.
Why it works -
Aloe Vera leaf juice heals and smoothes skin. It also has a soothing effect and provides relief from sun tan and sunburns.
Conclusion
If you use any of these natural remedies regularly, you will notice a change in your complexion.
If you have a busy schedule, then it can be hard to include these natural remedies in your regular skin care regime.
To make tan removal easier for you, Kama Ayurveda has an entire range of products that help in removing tan and revealing a glowing complexion.
Also, remember that your diet also plays an important role in removing tan.
Keep yourself hydrated at all times by drinking a minimum of 15 to 20 glasses of water throughout the day. Eat skin-friendly foods such as vegetables and fruits in the form of salads, steamed veggies, juices, and smoothies in order to load up on antioxidants. Following such a diet will help you in getting rid of tan and in keeping your skin healthy.
References -
- Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23098877
- The beneficial role of curcumin in skin diseases - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17569219 -
- Anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant activities of methanolic wood extract of Pterocarpus santalinus L. - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3157138/
- The Magic of Almonds - Almonds for healing And for Beauty - By Dueep J. Singh, John Davidson - Pg 22
- Aloe Vera - A short review - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
How to Get Rid of a Tan for Black People
Source: https://www.kamaayurveda.com/blog/how-to-remove-tan/