Every product is selected independently by our editors. Things you buy through our links may earn us a little commission. Learn more
You may experience dark spots or hyperpigmentation when your skin produces more melanin. Dark spots may be formed as age spots, sun spots, tan, acne scars, freckles, pimple marks, melasma, etc. Age spots grow naturally when we start to age. But, other dark spots (that we achieve) can be reduced with home remedies, OTC products, and some other cosmetic procedures.
In this article I have described some home remedies that will help eliminate dark spots naturally on the face and other areas of the skin. Spots can occur on any area of the body but face is the most culprit for acne, sun rays, and other blemishes. And we become very concerned when dark spots grow on our face.
What causes dark spots on face
Age spots are normal and everybody faces it. Nothing to do in it but we can hold down premature aging with some anti-aging products. Other reasons for dark spots are acne scars, sun spots, suntan, cuts, injuries, wounds, dark circles, melasma, hair removal, freckles, pimple marks, etc.
You may also experience dark spots from medication side effects, diabetics, hormonal changes, and some other medical conditions. Dark spots may be light brown to darker and sizes are also different.
The ways to remove dark spots on face
A dermatologist may offer various treatments to remove dark spots. Like — laser treatment, microdermabrasion, chemical peels, cryotherapy, and prescribed skin lightening creams. Procedures are costlier than creams and may be associated with side effects.
So, a better option trying some natural ingredients because they are safe, skin-friendly, have no side effects, and work inside-out of the skin.
The best home remedies to get rid of dark spots on face
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has been used as a skin bleaching agent long since ago. Lemon juice contains vitamin C and citric acid that basically help reduce dark spots, scars, blemishes, and other discolorations.
How to use it: Make a scrub of a teaspoon of sugar and half of lemon juice. Sugar will exfoliate dead skin cells and lemon juice lightens the skin. Rub the mixture on the face with your fingertips in the circular motion giving attention to the dark spot area for 1-2 minutes.
Then cleanse your skin off with clean water and pat the skin dry. You can mix some coconut oil if you have dry skin, or rose water if you have sensitive skin. Do not apply lemon juice around or under the eyes. Don’t go in the sun rays after or during using of lemon juice as it may burn out the skin.
2. Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is rich in amino acids and vitamin A, B, C & E. It helps to reduce aging spots, sunburns, and depigment the skin by removing dark spots, scars, and marks. Its antiseptic properties also soothe and repair the skin from various damages.
How to use it: Slice away some aloe vera gel from leaves and apply it on the dark spot area of your skin. Leave it for 20 minutes and then wash your face off and pat the skin dry. Do it daily to get quick relief. Aloe vera gel may cause an allergic reaction, so do a patch test before using it.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric is enriched with curcumin that gives glowing skin reducing dark spots and also fights free radicals, thus keeps your skin clean and tan-free. Turmeric is also an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory property that heals the skin and smooths out wrinkles and fine lines.
How to use it: Mix ½ teaspoon of turmeric with 1½ tablespoons of yogurt and 1 teaspoon of olive oil. Olive oil hydrates the skin while turmeric and yogurt whiten scars. Apply the mixture on the dark spot areas and massage in the circular motion and after 20 minutes, cleanse off the face. Use this treatment three times a week to get bright skin.
Don’t use any turmeric pack for more than 15-20 minutes as the yellow stain takes time to go away.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another one of the best home remedies to remove dark spots on the face and skin. ACV is rich in malic acid, alpha hydroxyl acid and contains vitamin A, B, C & E. Apple cider vinegar exfoliate dull skin cells, controls oily skin, moisturizes dry skin, and finally helps whiten dark spots, scars, marks, and hyperpigmentation.
How to use it: Mix one teaspoon of each ACV, water, and honey in a small bowl. Honey will nourish the skin and eradicate aging signs. With a cotton ball apply the solution to the dark spots and leave it for 15 minutes and then rinse your face off. Applying it once daily gives you glowing skin within a few days.
First, dilute apple cider vinegar with water. Use a sunscreen before going in the sun as ACV may make your skin sensitive to the sun. Do a patch test also as it may cause allergens. Apple cider vinegar can slightly sting your skin.
5. Sandalwood
Sandalwood contains cicatrisant that basically helps to treat dark spots, scars, and pigmentations. It contains a nice fragrance, that is why; sandalwood is used in various cosmetics. It is also rich in anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties that get rid of wrinkles, inflammation, and soothe the skin.
How to use it: Mix 3 tablespoons of orange juice and 4 drops of vitamin E oil with 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder to make a thick paste. These home remedies will also boost up collagen production. Apply the pack on the face and leave it for 30 minutes and then wash your skin off. Use it every alternate day to get smooth skin.
6. Papaya
Papaya is enriched with papain enzyme that inhibits the production of tyrosinase that basically causes melanin and makes dark spots more visible. Papaya face pack exfoliates dead skin cells and evens out rough tones. It also smooths out wrinkles and moisturizes the skin.
How to use it: Blend half of a ripe papaya and apply it all over the face. Leave this pack for 20 minutes and then rinse off your skin and pat it dry. Apply it three times a week.
Papaya contains latex that may cause allergens, so do a patch test before applying it. Ripe papaya is gentler for all skin types and works better. Papaya juice makes the skin glowing and soft with regular use.
7. Yogurt
Yogurt contains lactic acid that peels off the top dull layer of the skin that constitutes of dead and pigmented skin cells. Thus, it produces newer cells and removes dark spots, scars, sun spots, tan and other discoloration of the skin. Yogurt also moisturizes the skin leaving it soft, smooth, and glowing.
How to use it: Mix two tablespoons of yogurt with one tablespoon of mint and one tablespoon of rose water. Blend the mixture to get a paste. Apply the paste all over your face and after 30 minutes, wash your skin off. Apply this pack daily to get nourished and elegant skin. Mint cools the skin and rose water reduces age spots.
8. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil has lots of benefits for the skin. It is basically a powerful anti-aging agent that fights free radicals that cause spots and aging signs. Vitamin E oil repairs damaged cells and it can be used on the skin directly without mixing with other ingredients.
How to use it: Apply some vitamin E oils on the face and rub it gently over the skin before going to sleep daily. Vitamin E oil is heavily greasy; it may cause acne if you have oily skin. It may also cause contact dermatitis if you are allergic to vitamin E oil.
9. Potatoes
This root vegetable is combined with sugar and starch that exfoliate dull skin cells and grow newer ones. Potatoes also contain vitamin B6, vitamin C, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus that improve the collagen level of the skin. It contains various minerals that do lots of skincare benefits along with removing spots, melasma, tan, and scars.
How to use it: Mix one small potato paste with one teaspoon of honey. Add little or more honey as you need to make a perfect face mask. Apply it on the dark spots and leave it for 15 minutes and then cleanse off your skin. Apply this natural treatment every alternate day to get scar-free skin.
10. Oatmeal
Oatmeal is not only a healthy breakfast item but also a good skin care item for women. Oatmeal contains saponins that exfoliate dead skin cells and cleanses all dirt, impurities, excess oils, makeup, and pollutants leaving the face smooth and taut. It is also anti-inflammatory and anti-aging, so reduce all acne scars, dark spots, suntan, wrinkles, and other hyperpigmentation.
It balances the oil level of the skin, so good to use for all skin types to keep it blemish-free and clean.
How to use it: Mix 3 tablespoons of oatmeal with 1 tablespoon of honey and another 1 tablespoon of milk. Milk lightens, honey nourishes, and oatmeal exfoliates the skin. So, you will get bright, smooth, and glowing skin. Apply this mask on the face, wait until some minutes to dry it out. Then rinse your face off and pat it dry. Use these home remedies for dark spots thrice a week.
Grind the oatmeal into fine powder otherwise, it may irritate or scratch your skin.
Outlook
Dark spots are not painful. You can normally cover it with makeup or foundation. Or you can remove spots faster with medical procedures that may have side effects. If you don’t want these options, home remedies are the best treatment for you to remove dark spots. It is also cheap, natural, and has lots of benefits for skin. These home remedies will lighten dark spots naturally while also cleanse, soften, hydrate, and tighten skin texture.
Sources
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1S_YIByypc – DoctorOz
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/324833
- https://www.self.com/story/dark-spot-treatments
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3wl79bQOKw –