There are different types of skin textures, tones, and colors. The color of your skin is determined by the amount of melanin in it, which in turn is dependent upon where you live and your ethnicity. Tanning – an increase in the amount of melanin in the skin – is mainly caused by exposure to the sun. The ultra-violet rays of the sun oxidize the melanin, causing it to turn darker. In addition, more melanin is produced by the body, turning the skin still darker.
There are three essential steps you must take to avoid skin darkening and to improve skin tone – avoid direct sun exposure, control formation of melanin, and exfoliate to remove dead skin. To some extent, you can even get rid of a tan easily by using any one of the following regimes. In case you have dry skin, make a mixture using half a mashed banana, half a cup of oatmeal (cooked), a tablespoon of honey and an egg yolk. Apply the mixture after allowing it to cool for a few minutes and wash it off after 10-15 minutes. For sensitive skin use a whole egg with half a cup of oatmeal (cooked) and a tablespoon of almond oil. Apply and wait for 10-15 minutes before rinsing it off with lukewarm water. Oily skin can be treated with a pack made of half a cup of oatmeal, a mashed apple, one egg white and half a tablespoon of lemon juice. Rinse it off after leaving it on for 10-15 minutes. For normal skin mix a tablespoon of wheat flour with a tablespoon of milk, a teaspoon of turmeric powder, a few drops of lemon juice and apply on face for 30 minutes. Rub thoroughly before rinsing it off with water.
There are also a few other home remedies to lighten your skin tone. They must be done regularly as a part of your daily regime to get the best results. Lime juice is a natural bleaching agent; mix it with a teaspoon of turmeric powder and apply it to your skin. Remember not to use soap after applying turmeric for at least 24 hours, as it will have the opposite effect. Another great bleaching agent is aloe vera gel. It is very effective if obtained from fresh leaves. Four almonds soaked overnight and ground to a fine paste using milk can also be applied on the face and neck. It must be left overnight and washed off with cold water in the morning. This must be done for 15 days and twice a week after that. Remember that a balanced diet including lots of fresh fruits, vegetables and at least 8 to 10 glasses of water will also be beneficial to improve skin tone.