Who does not love a long beach holiday? Lazing around on the beach a cute drink in hand and walking around in those shorts seems like the perfect idea of a happy and carefree vacation. But once you are back from holiday and reality sets in, those tan lines and uneven skin tone become a little too obvious and a little too much to deal with, right? Even though skin tanning is an issue that can be a slightly stubborn and difficult issue to deal with, it is not impossible. With the right skincare products, natural ingredients, some DIY face packs and just a little patience, it is indeed possible to get your skin tone back to its normal self. Read on to find out how to remove your tan quickly and effectively using easily available ingredients from your kitchen.
01How to remove tan naturally
Indian kitchens are full of ingredients that work incredibly well to solve a host of skin issues, and tanning is one of them. Commonly used ingredients like turmeric, lemon, honey, potato, saffron and sugar help to do everything from gently exfoliate to instantly brighten your skin, and therefore work really well to remove tan. Below are seven simple yet effective home remedies that will definitely provide you with the solution you need to better understand how to remove your tan.
02Lemon + honey
Step 01: Start by taking some freshly squeezed lemon juice in a mixing bowl. Step 02: Add about a tablespoon of honey to it and mix both the ingredients well. Step 03: Apply this mixture to the affected areas on your face and body and allow it to sit for about 20 minutes. Step 04: Wash it off with cold water and a gentle, non-foaming face wash or body wash. Step 05: Follow it up with a lightweight moisturiser.
Why this works -
Multani mitti is known for its incredible skin soothing and calming properties, which is why it works to soothe sunburn. Vitamin C in lemon works to brighten skin and reduce sun damage. The addition of rose water to this mixture works to calm, hydrate and nourish skin to help restore it to its a healthy state.
03Sandalwood + turmeric
**Step 01: **In a mixing bowl, take about two tablespoons of sandalwood powder. Step 02: Add a bit of rose water to it, in order to form a thin paste, make sure that the consistency is not runny and can be easily applied using a brush. Step 03: Apply this paste all over your face and neck area, or any other area that is heavily tanned. Step 04: Allow it to sit for about 20 minutes and wash it off with a mild cleanser. Step 05: Follow it up with a moisturiser and repeat this process at least twice a week for the best results.
Why this works -
Multani mitti is known for its incredible skin soothing and calming properties, which is why it works to soothe sunburn. Vitamin C in lemon works to brighten skin and reduce sun damage. The addition of rose water to this mixture works to calm, hydrate and nourish skin to help restore it to its a healthy state.
04Saffron + milk
Step 01: Take about two tablespoons of cold milk in a mixing bowl and add a few strands of saffron to it. You can replace the milk with fresh cream if you have very dry skin. Step 02: Allow this mixture to rest for about 30 minutes and then apply it all over your face and neck area. Step 03: Wash this off after 15 minutes using a gentle cleanser.
Why this works -
Multani mitti is known for its incredible skin soothing and calming properties, which is why it works to soothe sunburn. Vitamin C in lemon works to brighten skin and reduce sun damage. The addition of rose water to this mixture works to calm, hydrate and nourish skin to help restore it to its a healthy state.
05Oatmeal + buttermilk
Step 01: Fill a bowl with water and soak about two teaspoons of oatmeal for five to seven minutes. Step 02: Drain the excess water and add a tablespoon of fresh buttermilk to this mixture. Mix both the ingredients well. Step 03: You could even add a bit of honey to this mixture if you have very dry skin. Step 04: Apply this paste of oatmeal and buttermilk all over your face and neck area and allow it to rest for about 20 minutes Step 05: Wash it off with water and a mild cleanser. As usual, apply some moisturiser to help seal in the goodness.
Why this works -
Multani mitti is known for its incredible skin soothing and calming properties, which is why it works to soothe sunburn. Vitamin C in lemon works to brighten skin and reduce sun damage. The addition of rose water to this mixture works to calm, hydrate and nourish skin to help restore it to its a healthy state.
06Potato juice
Step 01: Thoroughly grate a raw potato and squeeze it to extract the juice. Step 02: Apply this juice all over your face and neck area. Step 03: Leave it on for 20 minutes and then wash it off with water. **Step 04: **Follow this up with a lightweight moisturiser.
Why this works -
Multani mitti is known for its incredible skin soothing and calming properties, which is why it works to soothe sunburn. Vitamin C in lemon works to brighten skin and reduce sun damage. The addition of rose water to this mixture works to calm, hydrate and nourish skin to help restore it to its a healthy state.
07Coconut milk
**Step 01: **Start by squeezing out fresh coconut milk in a bowl. You can even use store-bought ones if you want. Step 02: Soak a clean cotton pad in coconut milk and dab it all over the affect area. Step 03: Leave it on your face until it is completely dry. Step 04: Rinse your face with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water.
Why this works -
Multani mitti is known for its incredible skin soothing and calming properties, which is why it works to soothe sunburn. Vitamin C in lemon works to brighten skin and reduce sun damage. The addition of rose water to this mixture works to calm, hydrate and nourish skin to help restore it to its a healthy state.
08Multani mitti + lemon + rose water
**Step 01: **Start by taking about two tablespoons of multani mitti in a mixing bowl. Step 02: Add a teaspoon of lemon juice and mix well. Step 03: Next, add a tablespoon of rose water and mix all the ingredients together until it forms a smooth paste. Step 04: Apply this mixture to the affected area and allow it to rest until it is completely dry. Step 05: Rinse it off using a mild cleanser and water. Follow it up with your favourite moisturiser.
Why this works -
Multani mitti is known for its incredible skin soothing and calming properties, which is why it works to soothe sunburn. Vitamin C in lemon works to brighten skin and reduce sun damage. The addition of rose water to this mixture works to calm, hydrate and nourish skin to help restore it to its a healthy state.
09Frequently asked questions about how to remove tan
Q. Is sun tan permanent?
**A. **No, this is a complete myth and suntan can never be permanent. This is because the skin has natural exfoliating properties that shed the top layer of the skin and bring it back to its natural skin tone over time.
Q. Why is my tan not going away?
**A. **Even though suntan is not permanent, years of unprotected sun exposure can end up permanently damaging your skin cells, leading to hyperpigmentation, making the tanning a lot more stubborn and permanent-looking.
Q. Does yogurt remove tan?
**A. **Yes, curds or yogurt is an excellent natural remedy that is found in most kitchens and helps remove sun tan to a large extent. The lactic acid in curds helps to lighten spots and brighten skin. It also works to repair damage and give your skin a lovely, healthy glow. Simply make a mixture of curds and honey and apply it to your face. Wash it off after 30 minutes. Repeat this a few times a week to see results.
