How To Clear Pigmentation On Face Naturally

Effective Home Remedies to Get Rid of Skin Pigmentation

What Factors are Responsible for the Development of Hyperpigmentation?
Home Remedies That Can Lighten Your Pigmented Skin
Additional Tips to Reduce Hyperpigmentation at Home
FAQs

Skin pigmentation is usually harmless. However, you may want to get rid of skin pigmentation or dark spots that may appear in your face, neck, and hands. What causes these spots, and are there any home remedies to cure them? Here is an article to tell you all about this skin condition, ways to get rid of them using natural remedies at home, and also answer a few of the frequently asked questions regarding skin pigmentation.

What Factors are Responsible for the Development of Hyperpigmentation?

Hyperpigmentation is a common skin condition that plagues many of us. It is a benign condition that causes some areas of skin to become darker than the surrounding skin. Some of the factors that may cause this are:

Excess of melanin production is the main reason behind hyperpigmentation in the skin.
An excess of UVA and UVB exposure can lead to an increase in melanin production.
Chemotherapy can also cause this skin condition. Therefore, some people who have cancer and are undergoing chemotherapy may suffer from hyperpigmentation in their skin as a side-effect.
Skin scars, acne marks, skin blemishes all may cause hyperpigmentation.
Due to genes, people with a family history of hyperpigmentation may also suffer from it.
Hormonal changes, especially during pregnancy or menopause makes people prone to hyperpigmentation.

Home Remedies That Can Lighten Your Pigmented Skin

Pigmentation in the skin causes dark brown patches and uneven skin tone thus making it look dull and lifeless. Therefore treatment is a must to get rid of the pigmentation, which can be expensive. Listed below are ten such natural home remedies for pigmentation and dark spots from which one can try and get effective results.

1. Raw Potato and Lemon Mask

Raw Potato and Lemon Mask

Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase which works well on pigmented skin and lightens it. On the other hand, lemon is said to be natural bleach that helps in clearing the skin blemishes.

What You Will Need

Potato (grated) – 1 medium size
Lemon juice – 1/3 cup

Time Taken

Preparation time – 5 minutes
Treatment time – 30 minutes

How to Use

Apply the mask on the pigmentation marks.
Keep the potato-lemon mask for half an hour and then wash it off with water.
For effective and quick results, you have to apply the mask twice daily for one month.

2. Lemon Juice and Honey

Lemon Juice and Honey

Lemon acts as a natural bleach and effectively lightens skin pigmentation whereas honey moisturises the skin and makes it supple.

What You Will Need?

Honey – 2 tbsp.
Lemon juice – 2 tbsp.

Time Taken

Preparation time – 2 minutes
Treatment time – 15-20 minutes

How to Use

Apply the lemon and honey mask on the affected area.
Soak a towel in lukewarm water. Wring out the excess water and cover your face with it for 15 – 20 minutes.
Once that is done, wash it off with lukewarm water.
Do this treatment once a week for several months or until you don't see good result.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar and Water

Apple Cider Vinegar

ACV is said to do wonders in toning down the dark brown patches caused due to skin pigmentation. It is also an excellent astringent.

What You Will Need?

Apple Cider Vinegar – ½ cup
Water – ½ cup

Time Taken

Preparation time – 1-2 minute
Treatment time – 3-4 minutes

How to Use

Mix water and ACV together.
Rinse the pigmented area with the solution.
Leave it on for 3-4 minutes.
Wash it off with lukewarm water.
Doing this twice daily for a month will get you the desired result.

4. Vitamin E, Papaya and Multani Mitti Mask

Vitamin E, Papaya and Multani Mitti

Vitamin E is an antioxidant which nullifies the harmful effects of the ultraviolet rays of the sun; Multani mitti is rich in minerals which help in cleaning, exfoliating and nourishing the skin whereas papaya contains the papain enzyme which aids skin whitening.

What You Will Need?

Vitamin E Capsules – 2 nos.
Multani Mitti – ½ cup
Papaya paste – 1 tbsp.
Water – enough to make a smooth paste

Time Taken

Preparation time – 5 minutes
Treatment time – 20-25 minutes

How to Use

Apply the mask on the affected areas.
Keep it for 20 minutes or till it dries off.
Then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Continue with the treatment once a week regularly until you see the see the desired result.

5. Turmeric and Milk Mask

Turmeric and Milk Mask

Turmeric is one of the best home remedies for pigmentation in the face. It has excellent bleaching and anti-bacterial properties whereas milk cleans the, moisturises and whitens the skin by exfoliating the dark spots.

What You Will Need?

Turmeric – 5-6 tbsp.
Milk – 10-12 tbsp or enough to make a smooth paste.

Time Taken

Preparation Time – 2 minutes
Treatment time – 20-25 minutes

How to Use

Apply the mix over the affected areas.
Then massage it slowly and gently in circular motions for about 5 minutes.
Then leave the mask for 20-30 minutes or until it does not dry up.
Once the turmeric mask is dry, wash it off with lukewarm water.
Use this mask daily before taking a bath.

6. Aloe Vera and Honey

Aloe Vera and Honey

Aloe vera has mucilaginous polysaccharides which work very well to cure hyperpigmentation. It is useful in removing dead skin cells and replenishes the skin with new skin cells.

What You Will Need?

Aloe Vera pulp – 2-3 tbsp.
Honey – 1 tbsp.

Time Taken

Preparation time – 15 minutes
Treatment time – 25-30 minutes

How to Use

Apply the mask to the areas that are affected by pigmentation.
Leave it on the skin for 20 minutes or until it dries up completely.
Once the aloe vera mask is dry, wash it off with lukewarm water.
You must apply this mask once daily for 2-3 weeks. Then use it once every alternative day for better results.

7. Orange Peel Pack

Orange Peel Pack

Orange peel contains citric acid which is an excellent bleaching agent. This when added to Multani mitti, lemon juice, honey and milk, becomes an excellent cure for pigmented skin, dark spots and skin blemishes.

What You Will Need?

Dried up orange peel powder – 1 tbsp.
Honey – 1 Tsp.
Multani mitti – 1 tbsp.
Lemon juice – 1 tsp.
Water – enough to make a smooth paste.

Time Taken

Preparation time – 5-10 minutes
Treatment time – 25-30 minutes

How to Use

Apply the pack on the pigmented areas and let it dry.
Once dry, using your fingers and a little water, massage the skin with the pack in a circular motion for 2 minutes.
Then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Apply this pack and follow the procedure 3-4 times a week regularly to exfoliate dead skin cells and regenerate new skin cells.

8. Avocados Pack

Avocados Pack

Avocados are rich in fatty acids, vitamin C and E and oleic acid. All these together make avocados an excellent natural remedy for hyperpigmentation.

What You Will Need?

Avocado (pulp) – 1 no.
Honey – 2 Tsp.
Milk – 1 Tsp.

Time Taken

Preparation time – 4-5 minutes
Treatment time – 10-15 minutes

How to Use

Mash the avocado pulp to a fine paste and mix it well with milk and honey.
Apply the pack on the affected areas.
Leave it to dry and then wash it off with lukewarm water.
Applying this mask once daily will lighten the pigmentation marks.

9. Sandalwood Pack

Sandalwood Pack

Sandalwood has always been known as a complexion enhancer. It is anti-tanning, anti-ageing and exfoliates the skin of dead cells to give way to new cell regeneration.

What You Will Need?

Sandalwood powder – 2-3 tbsp.
Turmeric powder – 1 tsp.
Milk – Enough to make a smooth paste.

Time Taken

Preparation time – 2 minutes
Treatment time – 20-30 minutes

How to Use

Mix all the ingredients and apply the sandalwood mixture on the pigmentation.
Let it dry for 20-25 minutes.
Once dry, wash your face properly with lukewarm water.
The remedy should be done daily to get rid of pigmentation and to prevent it from appearing on your skin again.

10. Almond

Almond

Almonds contain antioxidants that protect the skin from damage, omega-3 acids that make your skin radiant and magnesium which combats the ill-effects of stress hormones that may cause our skin to age faster.

What You Will Need?

Almonds (soaked) – 5-6 Nos.
Honey – 1 Tsp.
Lemon juice – 1 tsp.
Milk – enough to make a smooth pack.

Time Taken

Preparation time – 5-7 minutes
Treatment time – 7-8 hours

How to Use

After soaking the almonds for 7-8 hours, grind them to a fine paste using milk; add honey and lemon juice.
Apply this pack on the pigmentation marks before going to bed at night.
Next morning, wash the almond mask off with cold water.
Apply this pack every night for two-three weeks and then follow the regime two times a week.

Additional Tips to Reduce Hyperpigmentation at Home

Apart from the above home remedies, you may try and reduce hyperpigmentation by the following methods:

Avoid overexposing yourself to the UV rays of the sun. In case you go out, apply a sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF and re-apply it every 3 hours.

Following a proper skin care routine is a must. Every night before going to bed, make sure you clean your face of all the makeup and dirt. Then apply a night cream. Time to time, you should also exfoliate your skin to get rid of dead cells.

Other than other home remedies for skin darkening, drinking at least 7-8 glasses of water daily to get rid of toxins from the body and avoiding too oily food if you want to have a blemish free skin, is mandatory. Eat dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, which are rich in Vitamin A. This is essential to maintain good skin health.

FAQs

Although skin pigmentation is not harmful, it makes a person conscious and as a result, brings down the person's self-esteem. Therefore, people always have a lot of questions regarding the skin condition. Here are a few questions that we answer.

1. What Foods Help Skin Pigmentation?

Oily food is a definite no-no. Including green leafy vegetables and lots of fruits in your diet is a sure way to reduce and prevent skin pigmentation.

2. Does Exercise Reduce Pigmentation?

Exercise reduces stress which is one of the causes of skin pigmentation. Moreover, when you exercise, the blood flow increases and nourishes skin cells. It also takes away waste and the free radicals which are instrumental in damaging skin cells. Thus, skin pigmentation can be reduced by regular exercise.

Although skin pigmentation does not cause any harm to the body, some people may find it undesirable and wish to have an even skin tone. Follow the above-given home remedies religiously and with patience to get rid of unwanted skin pigmentation. You will not have to worry about skin pigmentation again!

Also Read:

How to Get Rid of Dark Spots on Your Face
Home Remedies to Help You Deal with Dark Underarms
Fruitful Ways to Get Rid of Acne Scars