DIY Masks to Get Rid of that Unwanted Skin Tan

Summers and beach parties are all fun and games until you look into the mirror and notice your skin to be two or more shades darker.

Skin tan is when the skin color naturally darkens after being exposed to the ultraviolet radiation from the sun.

When you’re out in the sun it is difficult to control which parts of your body tan, and which ones don’t. Often the face is the first to darken. In many instances, one side of a person’s face may be exposed more to the sun, causing uneven skin discoloration. There are also certain spots on the face that may not tan, such as around the eyes, or near the ears or under the chin.

Whether you just want to return to your usual skin tone or don’t fancy excessive cosmetic use to cover the uneven skin tone – No matter what the reason to get rid of your tan is, more often than not, you want it gone quickly.

Here are our top picks of DIY masks of all natural ingredients that will help you remove your sun tan quickly and with less/no side effects

Yogurt and Tomato Pulp

Yogurt contains lactic acid which softens the skin while tomato is rich in antioxidants that help in brightening skin.

Mix up one tablespoon of each ingredient and slather the paste that’s formed on tanned areas. Let it sit for 20 minutes before washing off with water.

Bengal Gram Flour, Milk & Turmeric

Bengal gram flour/Chickpea flour lightens skin effectively while turmeric too is an excellent skin brightening agent.

Mix 1 teaspoon of turmeric with two tablespoons of Bengal gram flour, one tablespoon each of milk and rose water. Apply the paste to tanned areas and leave it on for 15-20 minutes before washing it off.

Masoor dal (red lentil), tomato juice and aloe vera pack

Red lentil is an effective remedy in treating sun tan. Tomato juice brightens up the skin while aloe vera soothes and moisturises it.

Soak 2 tablespoons of red lentil in water a few hours before making it into a paste. To this add 1 teaspoon of aloe vera gel and 2 teaspoons of fresh tomato juice. Apply on tanned areas of your face and let it sit for 30 minutes before using cold water to wash it off.

Oatmeal and buttermilk

Oatmeal is known for its excellent exfoliating and skin cleansing properties while buttermilk is rich in lactic acid which can soften the skin and improve skin tone.

In 3 tablespoons of buttermilk add 2 tablespoons of oatmeal. Using circular movements, massage it onto the tanned areas and let it stay for 20 minutes before washing off.

Up your overall skincare game!

If we’re talking about natural ingredients for skin lightening, Vitamin C has to rule the chart!

Look for fruits or veggies that contain high levels of vitamin C like lemons, potato, tomatoes or cucumbers. You could use any of these to rub over your skin directly or apply its paste as a mask and the results will be instant! It is even better to include a Vitamin C serum in your skincare routine to have experience its benefits over the longer run.

Coconut water too is highly beneficial for your skin. Apply it topically with a cotton pad. There’s no need to wash it off after application, and the natural moisturizing properties from the coconut will leave your skin soft and glowing in just a few weeks.

All of these ingredients and masks have immense benefits for your skin and you need not wait for a sun tan to try them out!

Waving you off to your happy skin days!

By Jasmine Shariff