Sophie Addison, a popular blogger and skincare expert, wrote this fabulous article. Check out her Facebook and Pinterest pages too.
No one has perfect skin, and there are countless factors which affect its overall appearance, including prolonged exposure to the sun, the usage of low-quality cosmetics and associated medical conditions. The idea is that there are a lot of people who have dark spots and patches on their skin, including their as well as on surfaces subjected to pressure (such as the knees or elbows).
The good news is that there are foods you can “rub” on the skin, to lighten these spots and improve the overall appearance. They are natural remedies, and can make a genuine difference, lightening your skin to perfection.
#1 Licorice
Licorice is not only a delicious treat but also a powerful natural remedy, with excellent skin brightening. For topical applications, it is recommended to use licorice in the form of powder, as this is guaranteed to reduce the production of melanin at the level of the skin and lighten the areas where dark spots are present. You can use it in combination with cold milk until it forms a paste.
Apply it directly on the skin, for at least seven days, to enjoy consistent results. As an alternative, you can mix licorice powder with oats powder and water, exfoliating your skin in an efficient manner (every other day).
#2 Sandalwood
Sandalwood powder is another natural remedy to consider for topical applications, having amazing skin lightening properties. In case you are wondering how to get rid of acne, sandalwood powder is once again the answer. The direct application on the skin can lighten dark spots, as well as address any blemishes or acne-related lesions present on the skin.
For the best results, it is recommended to mix sandalwood powder with lemon juice and rose water. The paste should be applied up to a week, to enjoy visible changes.
#3 Cucumbers
Cucumbers contain a large percentage of water, having hydrating and skin lightening properties at the same time. If you have tanned unevenly or present patches of discoloration on the skin, you can use cucumbers with confidence.
You can mix grated cucumber with aloe vera gel, applying the resulting mixture to your skin. The application can be continued up to one week until you notice an improvement in the color of the skin. As an alternative, you can mix grated cucumbers with gram flour and lemon juice. The mixture should be kept on the skin until it becomes completely dry. The recommended application period is one week as well.
#4 Red lentils
Red lentils can be used to cook some delicious foods but, at the same time, they can be used to lighten the skin in an effective manner. Rich in proteins, this natural remedy can help you get rid of a dull complexion and also to lighten the skin, making dark spots less visible. You can use red lentils to eliminate the dead cells accumulated on the surface of the skin.
For the best results, it is recommended to soak the red lentils overnight. In the morning, grind them into the paste, then mix them with coconut oil and tomato juice. For the best results, keep the paste on the skin for 15 minutes. Use this natural remedy up to a week, to enjoy consistent results.
#5 Yogurt
If you are a fan of yogurt, it might interest you to know that this dairy product can do wonders when applied directly to the skin. Not only does it nourish the skin, being rich in all sort of nutrients but it also contains lactic acid, which is well-known for its skin brightening properties.
For the best results, it is recommended to mix the yogurt with raw honey and then apply it on the skin. The application should be maintained on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off. You can apply it on a daily basis, for seven to ten days. As an alternative, you can mix the yogurt with oatmeal and lemon juice, applying the resulting mixture as a facial mask.
#6 Honey
Ever since the ancient of times, honey has been used for beauty rituals, given its rich moisturizing properties. Honey is also recommended because of its lightening properties, as well as for the ability to fight bacteria and another microbe (does wonders for acne prone skin).
To lighten the skin and fade dark spots, it is recommended to mix honey with lemon juice, milk powder, and almond oil. Maintain the application on the skin for a quarter of an hour, then rinse it off. The application can be repeated every other day, for seven to ten days.
#7 Sugar
While sugar is not a food per say, but rather a by-product, it has some wonderful properties at the level of the skin. It can be used to brighten the skin, as well as to perform a gentle exfoliation. For the best results, it is recommended to mix brown sugar with honey, until you obtain a uniform mixture. This kind of mixture is especially recommended for facial applications, as it removes dead cells accumulated on the surface of the skin and stimulates the blood circulation at the same time. The application can be repeated twice in a week for the best results.
#8 Oatmeal
Oatmeal is one of the top skin brighteners out there, having gentle exfoliating properties and being quite useful when it comes to making dark spots and areas of hyperpigmentation less visible. The application of oatmeal at the level of the skin can also help to eliminate dead cells, sebum, and dirt accumulated on the surface. For the best results, you can mix the oatmeal powder with buttermilk, massaging the resulting mixture into the skin. After two minutes, it can be rinsed off. The application can be repeated two or three times per week.
In conclusion, it is possible to use the foods you have in the kitchen, to try out different topical applications and lighten your skin tone. These are natural remedies, which means you do not have to worry about side-effects or adverse reactions. Moreover, it does not take more than a couple of days, until you notice visible results, so you can go ahead and give all of them a try.
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