Top 5 Home Remedies that do Wonders for Pigmentation

Pollution, dust, smoke, UV rays and other environmental factors are known to cause a havoc to the human skin.

Pigmentation – or dark spots as they are commonly known – are caused due to exposure to harmful UV rays from the sun. The greater your exposure to sun, the greater your risk of increased pigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation can:

• Occur in small patches
• Cover large areas
• Affect the entire body

Causes of Hyperpigmentation

1. Melasma

Happens due to hormonal changes during pregnancy. Dark patches on skin appear.

2. Sun Exposure

This is the most common cause for skin pigmentation. Due to prolonged exposure to sun, the skin produces excess Melanin. Melanin is a pigment that gives skin its colour.  This results in dark spots and patches on the skin. The best way to avoid this is to apply a sun block every time you go out.

3. Medications

Certain medication can also cause hyperpigmentation. Some examples include anti-malarial drugs, anti-depressants.

More serious cases include Addison’s disease and hemochromatosis.

Addison’s disease affects the adrenal glands. It can cause hyperpigmentation in certain areas of the body, including:

• Folds of skin
• Lips
• Elbows and Knees
• Knuckles
• Toes
• Inside of the cheek

Hyperpigmentation is generally a harmless condition which can be treated using some simple home remedies, cosmetics, creams etc.

Top 5 Home Remedies for Pigmentation / Removal of Dark Spots

1. Almond Powder/ Sweet Almond Oil

Manufacturers make almond oil by grinding almonds and extracting oil from it. They make them of two types mainly.

1. Sweet
2. Bitter

Sweet almond is better suited for the skin because it has the following ingredients:

• Vitamin A: The Retinol in Vitamin A helps with renewing skin cells
• Vitamin E: Most helpful antioxidant that helps in repairing cell damage to the skin that happens due to UV radiation from the Sun.
• Omega 3 Fatty Acids: They are known to help in preventing premature aging and help protect against sun damage.
• Zinc: This nutrient is known to help in healing scars caused due to acne or any other facial scars. However, to get the full benefit of this nutrient, it’s best to take it orally.

Benefits of Almond Oil:

1. Helps with eczema, dermatitis or dry skin
2. Anti-aging and UV Protection
3. Improves complexion and skin tone
4. Improves acne
5. Reduce the appearance of scars
6. Reduces puffiness and under-eye circles

How to apply Sweet Almond Oil on face?

1. Wash your face and let it dry.
2. Gently pat a little amount of sweet Almond oil onto your face using your finger tips, and let it absorb into your skin.

Almond Face Mask -1

Ingredients:

1. 3 or 4 Almonds grinded
2. Curd

Directions:

1. Mix the ground powder with curd and apply evenly on face. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
2. Wash it off with lukewarm water

This pack also helps in removing tan from the face.

Almond Face Mask- 2

Ingredients:

1. 4 or 5 almonds soaked overnight
2. 1 teaspoon of Honey

Directions:

1. Soak the almonds overnight in water and grind them the next day.
2. Mix 1 tsp of honey and apply the pack evenly on face
3. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

2. Masoor Dal/ Red Lentils

Lentils are known for being high in protein. But, did you know they can be very beneficial for the skin? T

Red Lentils are loaded with vitamin C,Iron, calcium, Vitamin B 6, and magnesium.They work as a good bleaching agent and helps with lightening scars, spots and pigmentation. They are good for people who want to lose weight

Benefits:

1. Acts as an exfoliator and helps lighten scars , spots and pigmentation
2. It helps in retaining essential minerals for the skin
3. Natural bleaching agent
4. Can help with removing black heads and white heads

Masoor Dal Face Mask -1

Ingredients:

1. Masoor Dal
2. Raw Milk

Directions:

1. Grind masoor dal into a fine powder
2. Mix this with about 4 tablespoons of raw milk
3. Apply this evenly all over your face and neck.
4. Leave it onfor15 to 20 minutes.
5. Wash it off with cold water.

Masoor Dal Face Pack -2

Ingredients:

1. Masoor dal
2. Tomato

Directions:

1. Soak the lentils overnight and grind it to a fine paste next day.
2. Mix tomato puree to it.
3. Apply this mixture and leave it over your face for 15 minutes. Wash it off with cold water.
4. Apply this twice a week to remove tan and pigmentation.

3. Licorice / Mulethi / Yashtimadhu/ Athimadhuram

Licorice has some potent ingredients and properties that can be beneficial to the skin.

Benefits of Licorice/Liquorice for Skin

1. Licorice Root helps with hyperpigmentation. It hinders free radical production and melanin which are the main causes of dark spots.
2. Contains antioxidants that can help treat various skin related problems like rosacea, psoriasis, and atopic dermatitis.
3. Contains Glabidrin which is one of the most active ingredients in licorice extract. This helps in diminishing any dark spots and prevents sun damage.
4. It has another active ingredient called Licochalcone which helps our skin to produce a higher level of antioxidants. This in turn maximizes our skin’s defense system.
5. It can help protect skin from damage even after unprotected exposure to UV rays! 

Apart from this, Licorice has some really amazing benefits for skin. Check out the article below to know more.

Source : [Licorice Benefits]

Licorice Face Pack 1

Ingredients:

1. Liquorice Powder/ Licorice /Mulethi/ Yastimadhu
2. Sandalwood Powder
3. Rose Water
4. Lemon

Directions:

1. Mix licorice and sandalwood powder.
2. Add some rose water and mix well.
3. Add a tablespoon of lemon juice and add it to the mixture
4. Apply this on a clean and dry face. You can use this all over your body as well!
5. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Wash off with lukewarm water

4. Moringa Leaves / Drumstick Leaves

Moringa leaves have potent antioxidants that can help firm your skin and helps in reducing wrinkles and blemishes. Even the ancient Egyptians, Romans, and Greeks used Moringa for skin related problems.

Benefits of Moringa Leaves for Skin

1. It boosts your skin’s collagen formation. Moringa leaves have very high Vitamin C content. Vitamin C is required to boost collagen formation. This helps in skin’s ability to self -repair and maintain a healthy skin defying ageing.
2. It has high levels of Vitamin A, C and E which are necessary for the youthful glow. These antioxidants can nullify the damage caused by free radicals and help in defying premature aging.
3. It can help manage acne. The beauty of Moringa leaves is that it is suitable for both oily and dry skin. Moringa stops the formation of excessive oil glands which can help in controlling acne break outs caused due to excess production of oil.
4. It may support wound healing. A small study has proven that moringa may aid the wound healing process. However, there hasn’t been a conclusive evidence yet.

DIY Moringa Leaves Face Pack

Ingredients:

1. Moringa Leaves a bunch or ½ tablespoon Moringa Powder
2. 1 tablespoon raw honey
3. Rice Flour

Directions:

1. Grind the moringa leaves by adding a little water.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of raw honey and about ¼ cup of Rice Flour.
3. Apply this pack on a washed face.
4. Wash it off after 15 minutes.

5. Green Tea

Green tea is high in antioxidants known as EGCG (Epigallocatechin gallate). It has anti-inflammatory properties which can help with reducing acne redness and inflammation.

Benefits of Green Tea for Skin

1. Anti – Aging

It been scientifically proven that Green Tea can help fight signs of aging by acting as a defence against agents that make you age faster! So, no more dark spots, dull or saggy skin!

• Gets Rid of Free Radicals

What are Free radicals?

Free radicals play a vital role in the skincare industry. They can damage the skin by trying to grab the extra electrons from the skin!

Scientifically speaking, electrons like to be in pairs, so these atoms called as Free radicals hunt our body to search for electrons with which they can pair! This causes a damage to our skin cells, protein and DNA making us age faster!

Green Tea can help with getting rid of these dangerous radicals! According to a research, it was proven that green tea successfully fought against free radicals and neutralized them!

• Moisturizes Skin

Green Tea consists of several vitamins including Vitamin E which is known for its ability to nourish skin and keep it moisturized.

DIY : Green Tea Face Pack

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon green tea
2. 1 teaspoon lemon juice
3. 1 tablespoon chickpea flour(Besan)
4. 1 teaspoon Yogurt

Directions

1. Combine the above ingredients to make a fine mixture
2. Apply this paste evenly on your face
3. Leave it for 20 minutes and wash it off with cold water.
4. Do it once or twice a week for best results

DIY : Green Tea Face Pack 2

Ingredients

1. 1 tablespoon green tea
2. 1 tablespoon honey
3. Water
4. Rice Flour

Directions

1. Brew a cup of green tea and let it soak in the water for an hour. After the tea bags cool down, open the green tea sachet and separate the green leaves.
2. Mix the green leaves with rice flour, honey and water.
3. Make a paste and apply it to a washed and cleaned face.
4. Leave it for 10 to 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water
5. For best results apply 2 times a week.

Have you tried these home remedies yet? What was your experience like?

Any noticeable differences? Your experiences will be highly appreciated!