Kiss that tan goodbye!

By Papri Das

It?s already the last quarter of summer this year and as much as we are rejoicing in anticipation of the fading out heat, we can?t say the same about the sun burn and the tan that summer has left us with - a predicament we go through every year. And not just Summer alone. Those who have an out and about job that requires them to be outdoors for long periods of time, constantly suffer from a sun tan. That being the case, frequent visits to the salon can?t be the solution to this long term problem. Even if you can afford it, frequent use of chemical bleaches and whitening agents can leave a lasting affect on your skin.

Therefore skin experts and beauticians suggest homemade de-tanning remedies, which can be easily cooked up from a list of very common natural ingredients that are easily available in your kitchen.

Exec Lifestyle lists a few of them here:

1. Lemon Juice

This is perhaps the most widely accepted and effective anti-tanning natural agent out there, thanks to its natural bleaching properties. Apart from producing miraculous results from direct application, it is also used with other substances to optimize their effect.

You can simply apply some fresh lemon juice on the affected skin area and allow it to dry before washing the area with water. You can also add some sugar to lemon juice and rub it gently on the skin in circles until the sugar melts. This acts as an exfoliating scrub that peels off the dead skin bringing out its softness, while the lemon helps cure the tan.

2. Yogurt

Sun tan gets worse if you have dry skin, leaving patches of burnt dark spots on exposed parts of the body, like face and hands. Yogurt, which is a natural moisturizing agent, acts like a charm for them when it comes to reducing sunburn. It not only cools the skin and reduces the redness but also tightens the pores.

It works best when taken with other bleaching agents like tomato and cucumber. Take a cup of plain yogurt and add the juice of one cucumber and one tomato. And often adding some besan (Bengali Gram flour) to it, can make it into a wholesome pack. All you need to do is apply it on the affected areas and rinse after keeping it for 30 minutes.

For those who have no time to spare, just add lemon juice to some fresh yogurt and massage your face with it for few minutes before taking a shower. Regular use gives best result.

3. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is every beautician?s best friend, because it is used in almost all skin damage remedies due its high medicinal qualities. Aloe vera works very fast when it comes to tanned skin and will lighten the skin within a week, if applied daily to the affected area. It also keeps the skin fresh, cool and hydrated.

4. Potato

Potato is probably everyone?s favourite accompaniment when it comes to food. Who doesn?t love a whipped up creamy mash with their steak or some fries or wedges with their fast food? But did you know that raw potato is an excellent remedy for sun-tanned skin?  Surprisingly, it is rich in vitamin C and hence, works as natural bleach. It also helps soothe sunburn.

Peel the skin off two to three medium-sized potatoes, cut them into chunks and put them in a blender to make a paste. Apply the paste generously all over the affected skin area. Let it dry for about 30 minutes and then wash it off with cold water. For best results, you can also add some lemon juice to the potato paste before applying it.

5. Gram Flour

Gram flour, which is commonly called besan, is a common and recurring item used in home remedies. It is very useful in treating a sun-tan thanks to its dual function - the solid granules help remove dead skin cells and leaves your skin bright and young. Once it is reduces to a paste, it enters the skin?s pores and acts on the burned areas from within. You can use the gram flour powder available in market or make a paste of whole green gram, by mixing the gram flour in water and rub it all over the affected skin area.

6. Cucumber

Like Aloe Vera, +is also a cooling agent as it soothes the burnt skin. The vitamin C in cucumbers also will help keep the skin well moisturized. Here?s how to make the most of it:

Mix two tablespoons of fresh cucumber juice and one tablespoon of lime juice. Add a pinch of turmeric to it. Mix it well and apply it on the affected skin. Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it off with water. You can also rub freshly cut slices of cucumber on your skin.

7. Papaya:

Papayas are delicious as fruits, but it also has countless merits when it comes to being used a home remedy to skin problems, especially for sun burn and skin tan. Papaya is rich in antioxidants, which helps give your skin a radiant glow and a smooth finish, and is an excellent beauty choice for de-tanning.

Mash a few pieces of papaya and apply the pulp on affected parts of skin. Wash it off after 15-20 minutes. Your skin will glow instantly after a wash. You can also use avocado instead of papaya or a mixture of both in equal quantities.