Don’t you just love the joys of summer? The bright sun, the lovely beach, lazy swimming sessions and amazing backyard barbeques! But we abhor the skin tan that comes with being in the sun for just a few minutes.
While a healthy honey glow looks great on certain skin tones, most Indians dread the ugly dark monster. In fact, they will go to varying extremes ranging from carrying umbrellas to using masks to donning wide brimmed hats in order to prevent their skin from darkening.
So, what do you do to keep your skin tone fresh, clear and fair? The best way to avoid getting tanned is to make sunscreen your BFF. Slather on a good sunscreen with protection ranging from SPF 15 to 35 when you step out in the blistering sun.
However, despite taking umpteen precautions, exposure to sunlight causes the skin to produce more of a brown colored pigment called melanin that darkens the skin leaving it lusterless.
Though you can’t bring back the skin to its natural tone overnight, the effect of tanning can be minimized by the use of simple home remedies .
Potatoes
Bleaching is an effective home treatment to lighten skin that has darkened because of exposure to sunlight. Potatoes contain natural beaching properties. You can place chilled slices of potato on to the skin for about half an hour, before washing the area off. Another simple kitchen remedy is to blitz a potato and mix with 1 tsp of lemon juice. Apply this paste for 20 minutes and wash off. Repeat this process daily till you get rid of the tan.
Tan removal mask
Another easy way to zap sun tan is using a paste made from plain yogurt, lemon juice and oatmeal. Slap on a thick layer of the mixture onto the skin and leave it until it dries up. Rinse off with cool water for a glowing skin tone.
Honey
Honey works wonders to diminish natural tans. Make a face pack with a teaspoon of honey, equal parts of milk powder and lemon juice and half a teaspoon of almond paste. Apply it to the face and scrub gently. Leave on for 10-15 minutes before washing off with cool water for lightened and softened complexion.
Buttermilk
Apply buttermilk on skin twice for about 20 minutes twice a day. This will cool the skin and help revitalize it.
Tomato pulp
Looking for something even simpler? Just squish a tomato and apply the paste on your skin. Let it work for 15 minutes before washing it off with fresh water. This simple anti-tanning home remedy will help you regain your lustrous skin if used daily.
Besan, curd & lemon juice
Mix 2tbsp of besan, 1tbsp lemon juice and 2tbsp curd to form a thick paste. Apply it all over the face and scrub gently. Leave on for 10-15 minutes and rinse off to brighten the skin and erase the tan.
Sandalwood powder (Chandan)
Chandan has great soothing and de-tanning properties. You can make a blend of sandal wood powder with a few drops of chilled rose water or sandal wood oil. Slather the paste on the face and leave it for half an hour before washing off with cold water.
Edited by Neelam Goswami on 27-03-2014.
