There are plenty of reasons behind the appearance of dark
spots on your skin:
Hormonal imbalance
more often than not, these dark spots appear on the face and
different parts of the body because of blood vessel deformities.
Too much sun exposure
this is actually the most common reason behind the
appearance of dark and black spots on the face. When you stay under the sun for
hours, you invite skin conditions such as sunburn, age spots, and dark spots
because the sun has a negative effect on the skin’s melanocytes.
There are plenty of cosmetic products such as azelaic acids,
tretinoin cream, and hydroquinone cream that you can use to treat dark spots as
prescribed by your dermatologist. There are also cosmetic treatments such as
intense pulsed light therapy and chemical peel that can help you get rid of or
lessen the appearance of dark spots. Note, however, that these products are
still chemicals so there’s a risk that they’ll cause side effects.
Those who want to stay away from chemicals and expensive cosmetic
treatments, we have some good news. Below is a list of natural treatments that
you can do at home to get rid of dark spots:
Oatmeal and Lemon Juice Mask
The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties present in
oatmeal helps relax the skin. If you have skin that’s prone to pimples and acne
and if you’re suffering from dark spots because of this, then you just found
yourself another reason to do this treatment. Oatmeal gets rid of the oil from
your skin while exfoliating the outer layer to remove dead skin cells. As a
result, you lose the dark spots.
You will need:
- Three to four tablespoons of fresh lemon juice
- Half a cup of rolled oats
Here’s how:
- Put the oats in a bowl and grind them until you get the
powder.
- Put in some fresh lemon juice and mix thoroughly until it
has a paste-like consistency.
- Use your fingers to apply the lemon juice and oatmeal paste
on your face. As much as possible, use circular strokes to keep the skin from
sagging. Linger for a few minutes on the areas that have dark spots. Leave the
paste on your face for a few minutes.
- Rinse your face with warm water once the paste is dry.
- If the oatmeal sticks on your skin, wet a clean cloth with
warm water and use it to remove the oats.
- Do this treatment twice a week to remove the dark spots.
Onion Juice Remedy
The acidic nature of onion juice makes it a natural
bleaching agent which is excellent for skin lightening remedies. Some people
opt to use apple cider vinegar with onion juice to increase its effectivity in
removing dark spots.
You will need:
- One to two pieces of onion
Here’s how:
- Grate one or two onions to get the pulp.
- Squeeze the onion pulp to extract the juice.
- Use a clean cotton ball to apply the onion juice on the area
of your skin that has dark spots.
- Let the onion juice stay on your skin for five to ten
minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
- For best results, do this daily until the dark spots are no
longer visible.
Note: If you can sense a stinging sensation while using
fresh onion juice, add some honey before applying it on your skin.
Aloe Vera Remedy
If there’s one plant that all human beings should be
thankful for, it’s aloe vera. Its analgesic, skin soothing, and anti-septic
properties make it an excellent natural skin moisturizer. It’s packed with
nutrients that can treat different skin conditions such as sun tan, skin
pigmentation, premature aging, skin rash, pimples, dry flaky skin, acne scars,
and different types of skin blemishes. You can use the aloe vera gel directly
on the dark spots or you may opt to mix it with some of the ingredients we
listed below so you can use it as a facial mask.
Aloe vera – Tomato Mask
If your dark spots are caused by pimples and acne, you will
definitely benefit from using this mask.
You will need:
- Two tablespoons of tomato juice
- A tablespoon of aloe vera gel
Here’s how:
- Put the tomato juice and aloe vera gel in a clean bowl. Mix
thoroughly.
- Using the tip of your fingers, scoop the mixture and apply
it on your face.
- Massage your face gently for two to three minutes. Linger
for a few more minutes on the areas that have dark spots.
- Let the mixture stay on your face so the skin can absorb the
nutrients.
- After twenty minutes, rinse your face with warm water.
- Do this twice or thrice a week for the first few weeks. Once
you notice that the appearance of dark spots has decreased, you may opt to do
this treatment once a week.
Orange, Lemon, and Aloe vera Mask
You will need:
- A tablespoon of lemon juice
- Two tablespoons of aloe vera gel
- A tablespoon of powdered orange peel
Here’s how:
- In a clean bowl, mix the powdered orange peel, aloe vera
gel, and lemon juice until it has a paste-like consistency.
- Use the tip of your fingers to apply the paste on your face.
- Leave the paste on your face for fifteen minutes to half an
hour.
- Rinse with cold water.
Papaya-Aloe vera Mask
You will need:
- Two tablespoons of papaya pulp (ripe)
- Two tablespoons of aloe vera gel
Here’s how:
- Blend the aloe vera gel and fresh papaya pulp in a clean
bowl. Mix until you have a homogenous mixture.
- Use your fingers to scoop the paste and massage it on your
face for two to three minutes.
- After the massage, put some more of the papaya-aloe vera
paste on your face and leave it there for fifteen to twenty minutes.
- Rinse with cold water.
Honey-Aloe vera Mask
You will need:
- A tablespoon of honey
- Two tablespoons of aloe vera gel
Here’s how:
- Combine the honey and aloe vera gel until it becomes a
homogenous mixture.
- Wash your face and make sure it’s clean before applying the
aloe vera and honey mixture on your face.
- Massage your face gently for two minutes.
- Leave the mixture on your face for fifteen minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Parsley Face Mask
Believe it or not, parsley extracts are used in cosmetic
products and treatments dedicated to curing skin discoloration. This is because
parsley contains high levels of vitamin C which stimulates the production of
collagen and helps treat blemishes to make your skin tone even. Parsley is also
a good source of vitamin K which is essential in maintaining or improving the
elasticity of your skin. The vitamin A and vitamin C present in parsley
produces antioxidants that help fight off skin damage from free radicals. This
is essential when the appearance of dark spots on your skin are caused by acne
scars. As a matter of fact, parsley has the ability to put an end to acne
breakouts because of its anti-fungal and anti-bacterial properties. Below is a
recipe where you can use parsley, honey, and lemon juice. Fresh lemon juice
will help lighten your skin while honey will help heal your skin.
You will need:
- A teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.
- A medium-sized head of parsley
- Two teaspoons of raw honey
Here’s how:
- Use warm water to wash and thoroughly clean the parsley.
- Chop the parsley and then crush it using a mortar and pestle
until you get the paste.
- Put the paste in a clean bowl.
- Add the honey and fresh lemon juice. Mix thoroughly.
- Make sure that your face is clean and dry before applying
the paste. Make sure that the paste doesn’t get in your eyes.
- Leave the paste on your face for fifteen minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Use a gentle moisturizer.
- Do this remedy once or twice a week.
Note: If you have dry scaly skin, use only half a teaspoon
of fresh lemon juice. Skip the lemon juice if you have sensitive skin.
Buttermilk Remedy
Buttermilk is made from churned butter or curd and is a good
source of lactic acid which is commonly used in chemical peels and other cosmetic
procedures specifically for skin lightening. Lactic acid exfoliates the skin
and removes dead skin cells to lessen dark spots.
You will need:
- Two teaspoons of fresh tomato juice
- Four to five teaspoons of buttermilk
Here’s how:
- Get a clean bowl and combine the fresh tomato juice and
buttermilk. The bleaching properties of fresh tomato juice will boost the skin
lightening properties of buttermilk.
- Use your fingertips to apply the mixture on your face.
- Leave the mixture on your face for fifteen to twenty
minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Papaya Remedy
Papain, an enzyme present in papaya, helps exfoliate and
remove dead skin cells from the surface of the skin. It also stimulates the
growth of new skin cells and lightens the skin. Papain prevents the production
of tyrosinase which is used by melanocytes to produce melanin. Although green
or raw papaya has more papain compared to ripe papaya, both are still effective
in removing dark spots.
There are Two Ways to Use Papaya as a Remedy for Dark Spots:
Ripe Papaya Facial Mask
You will need:
Here’s how:
- Get a clean bowl and put the ripe papaya pulp in it.
- Mash thoroughly.
- Scoop the mashed papaya pulp and massage it on your face.
- Leave the ripe papaya mask on your face for about twenty
minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
- Do this everyday.
Green Papaya Mask
You will need:
- Lemon juice
- Green papaya (raw)
Here’s how:
- Grate or use a blender to extract the paste from the green
papaya.
- Put the paste in a clean bowl and add some fresh lemon
juice.
- Mix until it becomes a homogenous mixture.
- Apply the paste on the area of your skin that has dark
spots.
- Leave the paste on that area for about fifteen to twenty
minutes.
- Rinse with warm water
Turmeric Remedy
For years, turmeric has been used in India and other
countries because of its nutritional and skin care benefits. It contains
curcumin, an active ingredient that provides turmeric’s antioxidant properties.
These antioxidants are essential in keeping your skin healthy and protecting it
from further damage such as age spots and premature aging caused by free
radicals that were formed because of oxidative stress.
You will need:
- A few drops of fresh lemon juice
- One to two tablespoons of milk
- A teaspoon of turmeric
Here’s how:
- Put the turmeric in a clean bowl and drizzle some milk. Make
sure that the amount of milk you put in the bowl is enough to form a paste.
- Add a few drops of fresh lemon juice to the mixture.
- Use your fingertips to apply the mixture on your face.
Concentrate on the areas with dark spots.
- Leave the paste on your face for fifteen to twenty minutes.
- Rinse with warm water. You may opt to use a gentle facial
wash to thoroughly remove the paste.
- Be cautious when using turmeric because it leaves hard to
remove stains.
Almond Oil Remedy
One of the oils that are effective in treating skin
conditions such as dark spots is almond oil. It contains vitamin E, vitamin B6,
vitamin B2, vitamin PP, unsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, and minerals.
These nutrients work together to remove dark spots, blemishes, and to give you
an even skin tone. Almond oil also shields your skin from the harmful rays of the
sun.
You will need:
- Two to three drops of fresh lemon juice (optional)
- One to two teaspoons of sweet almond oil
Here’s how:
- Use a double boiler to heat the almond oil. If you don’t
have a double boiler, you can put the almond oil in a small stainless steel
bowl and then out it in a bigger bowl with warm water. The almond oil will heat
up in a few minutes.
- Apply the warm almond oil on your face. Massage gently for
five to ten minutes.
- Do this everyday for two weeks.
To boost almond oil’s capacity to remove dark spots, you may
add a few drops of fresh lemon juice before application.
Watermelon Rind Remedy
Hold up before throwing the watermelon rind: set it aside
and use it to treat those dark spots. Watermelon contains vitamin A, vitamin B,
vitamin C, moisture, and fiber that can help reduce the appearance of dark
spots. The soothing and cool watermelon pulp helps heal the dark spots caused
by severe sun damage.
You will need:
Here’s how:
- Use the inner side of the watermelon rind and gently rub it
on your face. Keep doing this until you have watermelon juice on your skin.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Do this two to three times a week.
Rosehip Oil Remedy
Rosehip oil can get rid of dark spots and age spots
naturally. It has high levels of vitamin A which is essential in skin
rejuvenation. It also contains vitamin C which is very important in improving
your skin pigmentation to lessen the appearance of dark spots. It is a natural
moisturizer and emollient that can give you skin that’s hydrated, soft, and
smooth.
You will need:
Here’s how:
- Apply the oil directly on the area of your skin that has
dark spots.
- Massage for two to three minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Rosehip oil can easily penetrate your skin. It can nourish
your skin at the cellular level and help you get rid of dark spots, pimple
scars, and blemishes that appear not just on your face but also on other parts
of your body. Do this remedy two times a day for two months. You may also opt
to add carrier oils like jojoba oil or almond oil before application.
Potato Remedy
Yes, your favorite French fries are packed with essential
fatty acids, minerals, vitamins, and phytochemicals like polyphenols and carotenoids
that do wonders for your skin. It also has vitamin B-complex, vitamin C, and
plenty of minerals such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, and calcium
that can help stimulate elastin and collagen synthesis. This gives you an even
skin tone and reduces the appearance of dark spots. Most of the starches,
sugars, and natural enzymes present in potatoes work together to exfoliate the
skin, get rid of dead skin cells, and remove dark spots.
You will need:
- Half to one teaspoon of honey
- Two to three potatoes
- Three to four drops of fresh lemon juice
Here’s how:
- Use a sieve or a clean cloth while grating the potatoes to
extract the juice.
- Put the juice in a clean bowl and add some honey and fresh
lemon juice.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture on your face and massage gently.
- Leave the mixture for twenty minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Hummus Remedy
We’ve had it wrong, ladies and gentlemen. We underestimated
the power of hummus! While it’s more popularly known as a spread or food dip
made from Garbanzo beans, it is actually an effective remedy for dark spots!
Garbanzo beans, which are also known as gram flour or chickpea, are commonly
used in Indian and Middle Eastern cooking. The gram flour also happens to be an
effective natural exfoliating agent. It removes marks, spots, and dead skin
cells to give you an even skin tone. We included the recipe for basic hummus
which is an important ingredient for this remedy:
How to Make Basic Hummus
You will need:
- Water
- A quarter cup of tahini
- A cup of garbanzo beans
Here’s how:
- Put the garbanzo beans in a pot.
- Cook for a couple of minutes.
- Put the cooked garbanzo beans in a food processor to get the
paste.
- Put the paste in a clean bowl and then add some tahini.
- Add some water to the mixture until you have a thick
pudding-like consistency.
There are Three Ways to Use Hummus to Remove Dark Spots
Lemon-Hummus Paste
You will need:
- A cup of hummus
- Fresh lemon juice
- Water
Here’s how:
- Slice one whole lemon in half. If you’re using one cup of
hummus, mix it with the juice of one whole lemon. If you’re using half a cup,
then use the juice of ½ lemon.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Gently apply the lemon-hummus mixture on your face and
massage gently.
- Leave the mixture on your face for fifteen to twenty
minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Onion-Hummus Paste
You will need:
- One onion
- A cup of hummus
- One to two teaspoons of apple cider vinegar
Here’s how:
- Extra the juice of one onion and mix it with one cup of
hummus.
- Add some apple cider vinegar.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Apply the mixture on your face.
- Leave it there for thirty minutes.
- Rinse with warm water.
Garlic-Hummus Paste
You will need:
- Five to six garlic cloves
- Hummus
Here’s how:
- Crush the garlic cloves until you get the paste.
- Add some hummus to the garlic paste.
- Mix thoroughly.
- Apply the paste directly on the areas with dark spots and
leave it there for half an hour.
- Rinse with warm water.
Lemon Juice Remedy
Lemon juice contains citric acid that can help keep your
skin healthy. Citric acid helps remove dead skin cells and stimulates the
production of new cells to lighten your skin. This helps cure various skin
problems such as wrinkles, acne scars, age spots, uneven skin tone, and
texture. Be warned, however, that lemon juice can give you temporary, tingling,
and burning redness. Before doing this remedy, test it on a small part of your
body to see if your skin can tolerate the acidity. If nothing happens to that
part of the skin after eight to twelve hours, then you’re good to go.
You will need:
- A clean cotton ball
- Fresh lemon juice
Here’s how:
- Slice a whole lemon in half and squeeze to extract the
juice.
- Soak a clean cotton ball in the fresh lemon juice.
- Directly apply the fresh lemon juice on the area of your
skin that has dark spots.
- Leave the fresh lemon juice on your skin.
- Once the juice is dry, rinse it with warm water.
- Apply a gentle moisturizer.
Avoid sun exposure after doing this remedy because the skin
becomes sensitive to the sun’s harmful rays after the application of fresh
lemon juice.
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