When exposed to strong sunlight, your body releases melanin just beneath the skin’s surface. This helps absorb harmful UV rays. The greater the exposure to UV rays, the more pigmentation occurs, resulting in a darker tan.
It is always recommended to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Home Remedies to Get Rid of Tan
1. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in phytochemicals (including carotenoids) that can combat the damage caused by harmful UV rays from the sun. These compounds can help lighten the tan and restore your skin’s natural tone.
You will need:
1-2 tomatoes
1 tablespoon of lemon juice
What to do:
Make a paste from the tomatoes.
Mix this paste with a tablespoon of lemon juice.
Apply generously to tanned areas.
Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with cold water.
How often?
Do this 1-2 times a week.
2. Lemon Juice
Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. This nutrient has anti-pigmentary properties, thus reducing the effects of excessive pigmentation. Therefore, it can help restore your skin tone by lightening the tan.
You will need:
1 lemon
Cotton pad
What to do:
Squeeze the lemon juice into a bowl.
Apply it to the affected areas using a clean cotton pad.
Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with water.
How often?
You can repeat this 2 times a week.
Warning: Lemon juice can cause a stinging sensation on the skin. Please do a patch test before trying this remedy. Also, remember to apply sunscreen before going out, as lemon juice can make your skin photosensitive.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera contains bioactive compounds that help inhibit tyrosinase activity. This reduces excessive pigmentation and gives your skin a healthy glow. The cucumber in this remedy also has similar properties.
You will need:
1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel
1 cucumber
1 tablespoon of honey
What to do:
Blend the cucumber to obtain a thick paste.
Add aloe vera gel and honey to this paste and mix well.
Apply to tanned areas and leave it on for 20 minutes.
Rinse well with water.
How often?
You can apply this paste to tanned areas 2 times a week.
4. Papaya
Papaya extracts can work excellently as an exfoliant and help remove dead skin cells from the skin’s surface. This can restore your natural tone.
You will need:
1 ripe papaya
1 lemon
What to do:
Prepare a puree of papaya in a blender.
Add the juice of one lemon to this puree.
Apply this paste to the tanned area and leave it on for 10 minutes.
Rinse well.
How often?
You can repeat this 2 times a week.
5. Honey
Honey contains polyphenols that inhibit tyrosinase activity. This can help lighten the tan. Honey is also an emollient that hydrates the skin and improves skin tone.
You will need:
1 lemon
1 tablespoon of honey
What to do:
Mix one tablespoon of honey with one tablespoon of lemon juice.
Apply this paste to the tanned areas and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
Rinse well with water.
How often?
You can repeat this remedy 2 times a week.
6. Black Tea
It is known that black tea has anti-melanogenic properties that can help reverse the effects of excessive pigmentation. It can also help protect your skin from harmful sun rays.
You will need:
1 tablespoon of black tea
1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
1 tablespoon of flour
What to do:
Make a fine paste from the ingredients using a little water.
Apply the paste to the tanned areas and leave it on for about 15 minutes.
Rinse well with water.
How often?
You can do this once a week to get rid of the tan.
