Simple Home Remedies For Skin Whitening

5 min readJan 9, 2024

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Simple Home Remedies For Skin Whitening - PharmEasy Blog

Introduction: We all face issues related to our skin at various points in our life. The colour of the skin plays an…

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Introduction:

We all face issues related to our skin at various points in our life. The colour of the skin plays an important role in a person’s appearance. The skin contains cells called melanocytes. These melanocytes are responsible for producing melanin, a pigment that imparts colour to the skin. When the skin turns darker than normal due to overproduction of melanin, this condition is called hyperpigmentation.1. Tanning is the skin’s response to damage caused by harmful rays of the sun. The skin turns darker because of melanin, which is produced by the skin to prevent further skin damage.2

Skin whitening agents may be used when the skin has turned darker than usual and in case of hyperpigmentation. Some skin colour changes can return to normal without any treatment.1

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What Causes Skin Darkening?

Skin colour is the result of the presence of melanin in the skin. The skin turns darker than normal due to the overproduction of melanin. Melanin overproduction is a consequence of sun exposure and tanning.1,3

When the skin is overexposed to ultraviolet radiation (UVA), it protects itself from sun damage by producing melanin. The formation of more melanin is what makes the skin darker than usual.2

Symptoms of Skin Darkening:

If your skin has turned darker than your usual skin tone, you might be having skin darkening.1

Suggested Home Remedies for Skin Brightening:

Home remedies for skin whitening are as follows:

1. Coffee and Tea

The ultraviolet (UV) rays are the major component of sunlight that causes hyperpigmentation. Consumption of coffee and tea might be beneficial for reducing skin hyperpigmentation. The polyphenols present in coffee might be responsible for this benefit.4 You can make a mask or paste using fresh coffee grounds and apply it directly to your skin. You can use facemasks with tea and apply them directly to the affected area.

2. Saffron

Saffron has skin whitening and tan lightening properties. It can be taken with milk to impart a glow and lighten the skin colour. It also provides protection from damage due to the sun’s UV rays.5 You can put saffron in your homemade facemasks to get benefits.

3. Grape Seeds

Grape seeds are rich in antioxidants like vitamin C and Vitamin E. The antioxidant property of grape seeds is helpful in dealing with hyperpigmentation. The antioxidant activity inhibits the enzyme responsible for producing melanin.5

4. Green Tea

The presence of certain chemical constituents in green tea provides protective benefits to the skin against harmful UV radiation present in sun rays.5 You can put green tea in your face pack and apply it to the affected area.

5. Beefsteak Plant

It is used as a skin-lightening agent that can manage hyperpigmentation. It is also used as an ingredient in many herbal cosmetics because of its anti-ageing and antioxidant benefits.5 Its seed oil can be used on the skin to get the benefits.

6. Liquorice Root

Liquorice root contains glabridin, which is referred to as whitening gold because of its skin whitening properties. Glabridin is a common ingredient of many cosmetics meant for skin whitening. Liquorice exerts a skin whitening effect by stopping an enzyme essential for melanin formation.6 You can use liquorice root to make powder. This powder can be applied directly to the skin to get the benefits. You can also include this powder in your facemask recipes.

7. Protecting the Skin from the Sun

It may help prevent hyperpigmentation of the skin. You can follow these steps to avoid sun damage:

Applying sunscreen every day: Go for a broad-spectrum sunscreen (that blocks both UVA and UVB). Also, it should have a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher.
Wearing protective clothing or hats before going out in the sun
When using a sunblock, use a physical blocker like titanium oxide or zinc oxide.7

Also Read: Home Remedies For Tanned Skin

Though there are studies that show the benefits of the given herbs and home remedies in this condition, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of these herbs and home remedies on human health. Thus, these should be only taken under the guidance and supervision of your ayurvedic physician.