Left: Sheetal Rawal, scientist (human genetics) & founder of Apsara Skin Care
By: Marty S.
Home remedies by Sheetal Rawal
Whether you like getting a tan or you don't care for one at all, summer is the most opportune time to get a tan. Not only does the sun allow us to get a natural tan for free, but it can also be a nice, relaxing way to spend an afternoon. All you really need is a comfy spot outside and a reminder to flip sides so that your tan is even. However, even though getting a tan is easy, getting rid of one is not. Who among us has not gone overboard with a tan? It only takes an extra hour under the sun to transform a perfect tan into a disaster. If you have ever had a tan go horribly wrong, you might think that the only solution is to stay out of the sun for a long period of time, potentially for the rest of the summer. In spite of that, there are other options, ones that involve all natural homemade remedies.
Here are 3 home remedies that can reduce excess tan. The benefits behind these remedies are twofold. Using these remedies can even out your skin as well as nourish it so that it is not vulnerable to sun damage. If you are planning to go outdoors at any point this summer, these remedies are absolutely crucial because they can help you maintain beautiful, glowing skin for the entire season.
1. Turmeric for a Radiant, Youthful Complexion Without an Excess Tan
Although many of us see tanning as a cosmetic enhancement, it is actually a byproduct of a biological response. The sun emits UVA and UVB radiation, both of which have the potential to do a lot of harm to our skin, typically manifesting in the form of free radical damage. When the sun’s rays hit our skin, melanin, the pigment responsible for our skin color, is produced in order to protect our skin, especially the deeper layers. The more radiation your skin absorbs, the more melanin is produced and thus the darker your skin becomes. (Of course, this means that if you are interested in tanning, you should proceed with caution because your skin will only get darker if you absorb a lot of radiation, which can be very dangerous.)
If you have a tan that you want to even out or get rid of, you should use turmeric. Besides being a well-known skin brightener used in Ayurveda for thousands of years, turmeric is antioxidant-rich due to the curcumin found in it. Your skin needs antioxidants in order to successfully mitigate free radical damage and radiation from tanning. Therefore, using turmeric on your skin after a long day outside helps ensure that your skin stays healthy while also enhancing its natural glow.
Ingredients
⅛ tsp. of turmeric
10 drops of apple cider vinegar (ACV)
1 tbsp. of fresh papaya pulp
Instructions
Mix the ingredients together.
Apply the remedy and leave it on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash the remedy off with warm water. Follow with a daily skin care routine based on your skin type. Click here to find out what your skin type is.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
“I’m totally, totally happy about the product, and people have seen a lot of [improvements] in my skin. It has helped me a lot with the discoloration so I would really totally recommend the product to anybody who is interested in looking for it. You should give ROOP a try. It’s totally worth it."
2. Lemon Juice & Clay for Even, Glowing Skin. No Tan Needed
Another natural remedy you should use on your skin to diminish the appearance of excess tan is lemon juice and clay. Lemon juice has citric acid, an alpha hydroxy acid that
helps exfoliate your skin. Since excess tan looks duller and more discolored than normal, lemon juice can slough dead skin cells on the surface of your skin and promote a more even, toned look. Meanwhile, clay face masks, whether they’re made from fuller’s earth [Multani mitti] or bentonite clay, can extract toxins and other impurities from deep within your skin. This results in skin that looks clean, bright, and fresh. Although you should not apply undiluted lemon juice on your skin, combining it with clay is an awesome choice.
Ingredients
½ tsp. of fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp. of fuller’s earth or bentonite clay
Aloe juice, as needed
Instructions
Mix the lemon juice and clay of your choice together. Add enough aloe juice to the mixture until you get a paste.
Apply the mask and leave it on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash the mask off with warm water. Follow with your toner, serum, and lotion.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
3. Vitamin E to Eliminate Excess Tan & Achieve Nourished, Youthful Skin
As we mentioned above, antioxidants can fight excess tan because they neutralize free radicals and radiation within your skin. More antioxidants mean that your skin won’t have to produce as much melanin to protect itself, which leads to more even skin. With that in mind, one of the best antioxidants to use is Vitamin E. In addition to its antioxidant activity, Vitamin E has nourishing capabilities, due to the number of fatty acids found within the oil. Because dry skin tends to look more aged than normal and sun damage may cause excess dryness, Vitamin E helps revitalize your skin so that it looks youthful and it is not parched.
Ingredients
6 drops of Vitamin E oil
⅛ tsp. of mango powder [amchur]
½ tsp. of potato juice
1 tbsp. of oat flour
Rosewater, as needed
Ingredients
Mix the Vitamin E oil, mango powder, potato juice, and oat flour together. Add enough rosewater to the mixture until you get a paste.
Apply the paste and leave it on for 12 to 15 minutes.
Wash the paste off with warm water. Then, use your toner, serum, and lotion.
Use 1 to 2 times a week.
Notes
Mango powder can be bought at your local Indian grocery store.
Here is another remedy that you must use to fade unevenness as well as dark spots and blemishes. Enjoy and don’t forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel!
If you have other skin issues you need assistance with, fill out this form to get skin care advice from Sheetal asap.
Go natural. It is good karma!
