DIY HOW TO MAINTAIN LIGHTER SKIN TONE

A flawless, lighter and younger looking skin is a dream for almost everyone of us. Isn’t it? But due to pollution, stress, food habits, aging, and harmful rays our skin gets darker, blemished and pigmented. Sun spots, freckles, birthmarks, and other discolorations can be difficult to cover with makeup; that’s where skin-lightening creams come in. But the brands sold in department stores can be so expensive & harmful chemicals like paraben, lanolin, BHA, and BHT present in brands can very harmful for our skin. Though they provide instant glow and fairness, it doesn’t stay for a longer time.. Luckily, you can make a DIY version at home with common ingredients from your kitchen and maintain for a longer period of time.




A simple skin care routine can provide both safe and long lasting results. A good skin care routine includes

Cleansing – removing dust, dirt and oil from the skin
Exfoliation – scrubbing off the accumulated dead skin
Toning – Shrinking the open sores
Mask – to lighten the skin
Moisturizing – To nourish and lock moisture in the skin cells

Cleansing

Every day our skin gets exposed to dust, pollution, bacteria, sun and harsh wind. All the impurities clog the pores leading to various skin issues like blemishes, age spots, wrinkles, itching, acne and others. Cleansing helps in removing them. Here are some of the cleansers you can try…

1. Milk

Milk is an excellent cleanser. The fat soluble enzyme lipase removes the oil-soluble impurities and protein protease removes the protein based impurities. With regular use of milk as cleanser, the skin becomes smoother and radiant. It is suitable for all skin types.

How to Use Milk as a Cleanser?

Take some raw milk. Soak a cotton ball into it.
Wring out the excess and wipe the skin.
Leave the milk application until dry.
Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
Repeat 2 times a day.
Things to Remember:

Always use milk which is not boiled for effective results.
You can use chilled milk for a cooling effect. The cool effect reduces any inflammation present on the skin.
If your skin is allergic to lactose then avoid using milk. You can use almond milk or coconut oil instead of it.

2. Yogurt

Just like milk, yogurt also helps in removing the dirt, grime and oil from the deeper layers of the skin. Its bleaching properties decrease the production of melanin.

How to Use Yogurt as Cleanser?

Slather some plain yogurt on the skin and gently massage for few minutes.
Leave it on for 3 – 5 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
Repeat daily for best results.
For extra results, you can add honey or lemon juice in to yogurt.
Repeat 2 times in a day.
Things to Remember:

Use only unflavoured and unsweetened yogurt.

3. Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal pulls out the dirt, dust and grime present in the skin pores. It absorbs the excess oil and toxins which are responsible for the breakouts.

How to Use Activated Charcoal as a Cleanser?

Take a 1 teaspoon of activated charcoal and slowly add few drops of water.
Stir the ingredients well to make a paste.
Apply the paste on face and neck.
Leave it on for 10 minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Repeat once in a day.
Things to Remember:

Clothes, tiles or vessels can get stained when they come in contact with activated charcoal. So it is better to wear old clothes, wash the sink completely after rinsing off and use glass container for mixing.

4. Baking Soda

Baking soda deeply cleanses the skin pores removing dirt, dust or oil clogging it. Apart from that, it balances the pH levels. Its skin lightening properties whiten the dark spots.

Combine enough amounts of baking soda and water to make liquid consistency paste.
Apply it on the skin and massage for a minute.
Leave it on to dry completely.
Rinse off with water.
Repeat the process once in a day.

Exfoliation:

New skin cells are generated regularly by our skin, the old ones accumulate on the upper layer of the skin. Dead skin cells can also lead to dark discoloration. Exfoliation or scrubbing help in removal of accumulated dead skin cells. Scrubbing also helps in increasing cell turnover rate and better circulation. Let’s have a look at few scrubs you can try at home…

1. Sugar

Sugar is considered one of the products for exfoliation. The fine texture of sugar exfoliates the dead skin cells revealing the new skin underneath. It also helps in removing the cells damaged by the sun. It helps in increasing collagen production and blood circulation. For scrubbing, you can use either brown or white sugar.

Combine 3 tablespoons of sugar and 2 tablespoons of honey.
Mix the two ingredients well.
Apply a thick layer of the mixture on the skin.
Gently massage in circular motion for few minutes.
Leave it on for another few minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water.
Repeat the process twice in a week.
Alternatively, you can mix sugar with olive oil, coconut oil, essential oils, chocolate, oatmeal or any fruit pulp.

2. Salt

Epsom or sea salts can breathe a new life into a lifeless and tired looking skin. Epsom salts contain magnesium and sulfates which flush out toxins and reduce inflammation. Sea salts also have minerals that are beneficial for skin. The grainy texture of the salt exfoliates dead skin cells. You can use either Epsom salt, sea salt, kosher salt or plain salt for scrubbing purpose.

Method 1:

Take 1/2 + 2 tablespoons of salt (any one as per your preference) in a bowl.
Add 4 tablespoons of salt, juice of 1 lemon and few lavender buds (optional).
Mix the ingredients well and pour in an airtight container.
Take enough amounts of the mixture and gently rub on the skin.
After scrubbing for few minutes, rinse off with water.
Repeat the process twice in a week.

Method 2: With essential oils

By following this process you can make few a batch of skin whitening and store it in your bathroom. Use can use the scrub while bathing.

In a bowl, combine 1 cup of seal salt or Epsom salt, 1/2 cup of almond oil (or any choice of your choice and 5 – 10 drops of essential oil (lavender, peppermint, orange or geranium).
Mix the ingredients well and store the mixture in an airtight container.
While bathing, take enough amounts of scrub mixture and massage for few minutes.
Rinse off with water and pat dry.
Repeat scrubbing 2 times a week.

3. Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a gentle exfoliating agent which perfectly suits for people with sensitive skin. The gritty nature of oatmeal exfoliates the excess oil, sebum, dirt and dead skin. It reverses the damage caused by pollution, UV rays and harsh chemicals.

Grind oatmeal into a coarse powder.
Combine ground oatmeal and buttermilk to make a thick paste.
Apply the thick paste on the skin.
Gently massage the mixture in circular motion for 2 minutes.
Leave it on for another few minutes.
Rinse off with lukewarm water followed by cold water.
Repeat the process 2 – 3 times a week.
Alternatively, you can mix oatmeal with sugar, milk, yogurt or any fruit pulp.

4. Coffee

Apart from exfoliating, ground coffee also has anti-inflammatory properties, reduces cellulite temporarily, improves blood circulation and soothes the skin. The antioxidants present in it neutralize the free radicals, age spots and wrinkles.

Combine 1/2 teaspoon each of finely ground coffee beans and coconut oil (melted).
Apply the mixture on the skin and massage it gently in circular motions.
After scrubbing for few minutes, leave it on for another few minutes.
Rinse off with warm water followed by cold water.
Repeat the process 2 – 3 times a week.
5. Gram Flour

Gram flour exfoliates the dead skin and encourages new cell production. It absorbs the excess oil and sebum from the skin. It also helps in tightening the skin and removing fine lines and wrinkles.

Mix 3 teaspoons of gram flour and enough milk to make a thick paste.
Apply it over the skin and massage it for few minutes
Leave it on for another few minutes and rinse off with water.
Repeat the process 2 – 3 times a week.
For extra benefits, you can add 1 teaspoon of turmeric.
Things to Remember:

Be gentle while scrubbing as harshness can lead to skin damage.

Toning:

Toning process helps in removing any leftover bits of dirt and oil from the skin. It hydrates, soothes and most importantly restores the delicate pH level of the skin. It helps to shrink the open sores.

1. Cucumber

The astringent properties of cucumbers shrink the open pores. The high water content hydrates and cools the skin. Vitamin E counteracts the environmental factors which soften the skin.

Blend or grate cucumber to extract juice.
Apply cucumber juice to the skin.
Leave it to dry completely.
Rinse off with water.
For extra results, add some honey.
Repeat the process 2 times daily.

2. Witch Hazel

The astringent properties of witch hazel shrink the open pores, kill the bacteria present that live in skin pores, stop cellular damage and prevents aging.

Taking cotton ball, apply witch hazel on the skin.
Leave it to dry completely.
Rinse off with water.
Repeat the process 2 times daily.

3. Rose Water

Apart from giving your skin a fresh look, toning with rose water helps in tightening the pores. It also helps in removing the any dust and oil left out after cleansing.

Using a cotton ball, spread rose water on the skin.
Leave it to dry completely.
Rinse off with water.
Repeat the process daily.

4. Mint Leaves

Mint is well known for its astringent and salicylic acid which helps to remove any leftover dust, dead cells and tightens the pores.

Boil 1 1/2 cup of water.
Add 1 cup of shredded mint leaves to it and simmer for 5 minutes.
Remove from the flame and close the container to steep.
Strain and allow the solution to cool.
Using a cotton ball, apply mint leaves solution on your skin.
Leave it to dry completely.
Rinse off with water.
Store the leftover liquid in refrigerator.
Repeat the process daily.

Masks:

Apart from cleaning, exfoliating and toning, it is very important to apply a mask to lighten, hydrate the skin. It helps to heal any skin ailment from the layers beneath the top layers of the skin.  Masks also help in detoxifying and improving the blood circulation which add extra dimension to skin lightening routine. You can apply masks twice in a week for effective results.

1. Fruit Mask

Fruits are considered the best ways of lightening skin. A fruit mask helps to lighten the skin, prevent it from sagging, enhances the radiance, increase elasticity and luster. You can try face masks with any kind of fruits which include papaya, strawberry, pineapple, banana, kiwi, avocado, berries, apple and many others.

Blend any fruit as per your preference.
Apply the paste on your skin.
Leave it on for 15 – 25 minutes.
Rinse off with water and pat dry.
For extra effectiveness, you can add honey, gram flour, rice flour or oatmeal.

2. Clay Mask

Clays have amazing skin lightening and oil absorbing properties. It improves the firmness of the skin, strengthens the connecting tissues of the skin, lightens the scars and decreases the inflammation. There are different types of clays that include green clay, white clay, bentonite clay, kaolin clay and morocco clay. You can any clay as per your preference.

Combine 4 tablespoons of clay and enough water to make a paste.
Spread a thick layer of the paste and leave it on for 20 minutes.
Rinse off with water and pat dry.

3. Orange Peel Powder

The peel of an orange contains more vitamin C than its pulp. It provides relief from sun damage, harmful free radicals and oxidative stress. Apart from skin lightening, it is very effective in removing blackheads on nose.

Peel the skin of an orange and dry then under the sun until crisp.
Blend them to make a fine powder.
Combine 1 tablespoon each of orange peel powder and sandalwood powder.
Add enough water and stir well to make a paste.
Spread a thick layer of the mixture on the affected area.
Leave it on to dry completely.
Rinse off with water and pat dry.

4. Rice Flour

Rice Flour is very high in PABA (para amino benzonic acid) which acts as a very good sunscreen. Apart from that it repairs the skin and calms down the sunburn as well.

Combine 2 tablespoons of rice powder, 1 tablespoon of milk and few drops of olive oil.
Stir well to make a thick paste.
Spread it on the face, neck, hands or legs.
Leave it on for 20 minutes.
Rinse off with water.

Moisturizing:

After the process of cleaning, exfoliation and toning, due to water exposure to the skin, it becomes dry. Moisturizing maintains the protein and lipid texture of the dry skin. Moisturizing forms a protective layer on the skin.

1. Shea butter

The fatty acids and natural vitamins present in shea butter nourish and moisturize the dry skin and protect the skin’s natural oils. It reduces the inflammation and maintains the natural collagen production.

Take a small amount of shea butter.
Apply it over the skin.
Leave it to dry completely.
Repeat daily whenever required.
Alternatively, you can whip it for a creamy texture.

2. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is easily absorbed and remains on the skin for hours. It locks the moisture and heals dry and cracked skin.

Blend cocoa butter with any carrier oil.
Store the blended mixture in any airtight container.
Apply some cocoa butter moisturizer to the skin.
Leave it to dry completely.
Repeat the application daily whenever required.

3. Oil

Vegetable oil like coconut oil, olive oil and almond oil are the oils which can be used as moisturizers. All these oils have amazing moisturizing properties. The nutrients present in these oils nourish the skin as well. Use any one of the oils as per your convenience.

Take a small amount of oil.
Spread a thin layer on the skin.
Leave it to dry completely.
Repeat the application daily whenever required.

Tips and Precautions for Lighter Skin:

Apart from following regular skin care routine, it is very important to remember to maintain the results.

• Apply sun screen lotion before going out in the lotion. The SPF the better protection from the harmful sun rays.
• Remove make up before going to bed. If not, it clogs the pores and causes acne, black spots and other skin ailments.
• Say no to chemicals. Avoid applying lotions, creams or soaps that contain harmful chemicals like paraben, lanolin and other chemicals.
• Choose natural creams and lotions that contain less to no chemicals.
• Cover your skin with scarves, umbrella or caps before going out in the sun or dust.
• Use soaps, face washes, creams or lotions that mild and gentle to your skin.
• Avoid smoking, consuming alcohol and tobacco.
• If you have oily skin, make sure to wash or wipe your skin regularly.
• If you have dry skin, avoid taking bath in hot water. Daily apply moisturizer while your skin is still wet after the shower.
• Cleanse your skin after coming home from a long and busy day. It helps to clean up the dust and grime accumulated on the skin.
• Exercise regularly to reduce stress.

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Brave.