A healthy glow is something most people want. To some, that glow comes in the form of a tan. There are a few different ways to get a tan, including tanning beds and the old-fashioned method: lying in the sun. Getting out in the sun has pros and cons. The sun provides you with vitamin D, but its rays also pose a threat to your skin.
You get tan when your skin comes into contact with ultraviolet rays of light (UV rays). The two types of UV rays are UVA and UVB. UVA is the type of light that makes you tan. It reaches the lower layers of the epidermis, triggering your skin to produce a brown pigment called melanin. Melanin is made by cells called melanocytes.
Melanin is your skin’s effort to block the damage that UVA rays cause. The more you expose it to the sun, the more melanin your body produces. UVB rays cause sunburn. They burn just the upper layers of the epidermis.
People with darker skin have more melanin and tend to tan a deeper color. People with dark skin tones don’t sunburn as easily as those with light skin. But without sunscreen or other protection, anyone is vulnerable to the sun’s damaging rays.
DIY Home Remedies to Remove Tan
1. Lemon Juice and Honey
Lemon aka our star ingredient is so acidic in nature that we wouldn’t suggest applying it on its own, especially before stepping out into the sun, being photosensitive et al. Packed with ascorbic, glycolic and alpha-hydroxy acids this natural-bleacher exfoliates the superficial layer of the skin, undoing any kind of sun damage and darkening. Add a dash of honey (a natural humectant) to the lemon juice for best results, as it’s known to be too drying. No wonder this combo is known as one of the best home remedies for face tan removal.
2. Yoghurt and Gram Flour
For effective tan removal at home, add Yoghurt to a spoonful of Gram Flour and combine them to form a thick paste. Apply the mixture all over your body and leave it on for 20 mins before hopping into the shower. The probiotic, healthy fat and lactic acid rich curd will cool off sunburn, soothe skin and hydrate it, while gram flour will gently exfoliate to reveal your natural glow. For plump, supple skin repeat this ritual daily for at least two weeks to completely fade your tan disappear.
3. Tomato
Call it what you like, but this red fruit has a huge fan-following and for good reason. Rich in lycopene that acts as a natural sunscreen, it’s choc-a-bloc with antioxidants that fight free radical damage. Redness, skin damage and darkening will soon be issues of the past. But the trick is you need to act quickly. Meaning, as soon as you set foot back home, slice a tomato in half, rub the pulp all over the affected areas and let its mineral complexes commence action.
4. Aloe Vera
Nicknamed the beauty elixir, this pulpy plant is the most versatile ingredient of them all. Scoop out the pulp from a freshly cut leaf and store it in the freezer up to a week. Or if you’re lazy, dilute your stash with water and a few drops of your favourite essential oil (tea tree or lavender) for the concoction to last longer. The homemade tan removal pack will instantly reduce tanning, calm irritation, reduce redness and replenish the skin’s natural moisture.
5. Raw Papaya
The cosmetic industry has placed this humble fruit on a pedestal since time immemorial. To reap the benefits of this all-in-one wonder, scoop out the pulp, mash and apply on your face, hands and legs or simply blend to make this tan removal pack at home. Papaya contains the enzyme papain that mildly exfoliates the outermost cell layer, improves skin texture making it more even, gets rid of pigmentation, banishes sun spots and de-clogs open pores.
6. Yogurt and Turmeric
Wondering how you can combine these two to remove tan from your hands? Well, it’s simple. Mask it up! All you need is a bowl of chilled yogurt and a pinch of turmeric to create this paste. Apply it on your hands before you shower and leave it on for at least 20 minutes for effective results. We suggest you use this paste every day for at least two weeks – all thanks to yogurt that contains probiotics that boost skin brightening.
7. Cucumber and Lemon
Cucumber and Lemon are not just a great combination for salads. In fact, both of them make for a great homemade tan removal pack. Cucumber’s cooling properties combined with the bleaching effect of lemon will help you get rid of unwanted skin tan effectively. Mix cucumber juice, lemon juice with rosewater to make a paste or apply cool slices of cucumber to the tanned areas.
8. Gram Flour and Turmeric
Let’s face it Turmeric is a magical ingredient, especially when you’re on the lookout for home remedies for tan removal from hands. But, it’s not just Turmeric that works its magic here – you have to thank the exfoliant properties of Gram Flour too. To make this paste, mix Turmeric, Gram Flour and Milk and add them to a bowl of Rose Water. Keep it on for 20 minutes every day before sleeping and witness visible results in just a few weeks.
9. Curd and Honey
Raise your hand if your mother suggested curd and honey as a solution for all your beauty problems too? Like always, your mother is absolutely right – while curd works as an exfoliator, honey is loaded with antioxidant properties. Needless to say, their paste will remove tan from your legs in a jiffy and the added benefit is that it will also keep your skin moisturized. Use this thrice a week for best results.
10. Oats and Buttermilk
The thought of mixing Oats with Buttermilk may not be exciting but it sure is an effective solution for all you tan problems. We are sure you are already familiar with the exfoliant properties of oats. But, it’s Buttermilk that makes your skin soft and supple. Massage the mixture on your feet and legs for a few minutes and get set for tan-free skin. Follow this routine twice a week and you have found the best tan removal pack at home.
