How to reduce pigmentation on face

• Raw potatoes

Raw potatoes have an enzyme catecholase which reduces melanin production in your skin. They also contain vitamin C which has good antioxidant properties.

How to use?

You can slice one potato, spray some water on it and rub the affected skin with it in a circular motion. Doing this 2-3 times a day for four weeks will lighten your pigmented skin. 

• Apple cider vinegar

Organic acids are those acids which are extracted from living organisms especially plants. A review on the use of organic acid for skin problems suggests that organic acids such as maleic acid, citric acid, oleic acid, etc. are helpful in reducing skin pigmentation. Apple cider vinegar is one such product which is very useful in depigmentation of the skin.

How to use?

Add a cup of apple cider vinegar to an equal amount of water and rinse the pigmented skin with it. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Do this two times a day for four weeks.

• Red onion

In a study on skin-whitening agents present in red onion concluded that it has the ability to inhibit tyrosinase enzyme and prevent melanin production. Thus it helps in reducing pigmentation.

How to use?

You may either slice an onion and rub it on the pigmented area or blend the onion and squeeze out its juice. Apply this juice once daily on the pigmented skin and leave it for 10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water. Do this till you see changes in the affected skin. Make sure you wash your hands after using the onion because you may accidentally hurt your eyes. 

• Almonds

Almonds are famous for being a rich source of vitamin E and antioxidants which work like magic on our skin. They are one of the oldest methods used in treating skin problems. An abstract based on the effects of almonds on health says that they have properties which can rejuvenate and soothe inflamed skin and scars as well.  

How to use?

You may soak 5-6 almonds overnight and peel their skin off in the morning. With the help of a pestle and mortar, crush them finely and add small amounts of milk till you get a paste-like consistency. Take this paste in clean hands and apply it on the affected skin and leave it for 15 minutes.  Wash with lukewarm water. Do this for the next 3-4 weeks.

• Red lentils

Red lentils also have bleaching property and they are effective in lightening your pigmented skin.

How to use?

Soak a bowl full of red lentils overnight. In the morning, you are supposed to blend them to make a paste and add two spoons of milk, half a teaspoon of honey, a and pinch of turmeric. Put this paste on your face and let it stay for half an hour before washing it off. Use this method for a month for visible results.

• Yoghurt

A study on "Effects of Fermented Dairy Products on Skin" which was conducted in 2014 suggested that yoghurt has health benefits on ingestion and is also beneficial when applied on the skin. Hence, this mask will benefit your skin in various ways. Yoghurt moisturizes and lightens the skin and lemon has bleaching and antioxidant properties which helps in lightening the dark spots.

How to use?

You can take two teaspoons of gram flour, one teaspoon of yoghurt or curd, half a teaspoon of lemon juice and a pinch of turmeric. Mix the paste well and apply it on your face for 20 minutes. Wash your face with lukewarm water. Use this mask for four weeks.

• Green tea

A journal of Oxidative Study and Cellular Longevity on "Protective Mechanisms of Green Tea Polyphenols in Skin" says that green tea has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties owing to the presence of flavonoids in it. These catechins inhibit the tyrosine enzyme and prevent melanin formation.

How to use?

Boil a cup of water and add a green tea bag to it. You may also use green tea leaves for the same. After brewing the tea for 1-2 minutes, remove the tea bag or strain the leaves. Drink the green tea every day and dab the used tea bag on the affected area of your skin for a month. Rinse with water.

• Soybeans

A study on the effect of soymilk and soybean extract on depigmentation suggested that consuming these products or applying the soybean extract on the affected area is an alternative natural cure for pigmentation.

How to use?

Drink a glass of soymilk every day or apply the soybean extract every day on the skin where pigmentation has occurred. Soybean extract is usually available in the market in drugstores, cosmetic shops, and online shopping websites. Use the product as instructed by the manufacturer. Information on the directions for use, the method of application and the duration for which it should be used is usually provided with the product.

• Lemon

A few review articles on honey and lemon for example "Traditional and Modern Uses of Natural Honey in Human Diseases", and "Citrus fruits as a treasure trove of active natural metabolites that potentially provide benefits for human health" provide a clue about their skin benefits. These reviews showed that lemon and honey both have antioxidant, exfoliating, anti-melanogenesis (preventing melanin formation) and anti-inflammatory properties. They help to get rid of pigmentation, reduce inflammation, and make your skin healthy, bright, and glowing.

How to use?

You may use one teaspoon each of honey and lemon juice, mix them well, and dab a cotton with it. After this, use gentle hands to massage the affected area with this cotton using circular motions and leave it to stay there for 15-20 minutes. You may do this two times a day for a period of 3-4 weeks. You can also use this on a daily basis because its ingredients are natural.

• Cucumber

Cucumber has antioxidant properties owing to the presence of vitamin A and C, and carotenes. Zeaxanthin and lutein present in cucumber help in shrinking the skin pores, lightening the skin and removing dead skin cells.

How to use?

Take fresh cucumber juice and apply it on the affected skin. Leave it on for half an hour, wash and pat dry the skin. Do it once daily till changes in the affected skin are tangible.

• Tomato

Tomatoes are known for their antioxidant properties owing to the presence of lycopene. Lycopene helps in reducing the pigmentation on your skin which happens due to damage by sunlight.

How to use?

You can either blend tomatoes or take tomato puree and mix it with a few drops of olive oil. Apply this paste on the pigmented skin. You are supposed to leave it for 15-20 minutes and wash it off with slightly warm water. You will start seeing changes in 2-3 weeks.

• Avocado

A journal on the protection of skin by herbs from UV rays says that avocados are rich in vitamin C, E and oleic acid which are effective in protecting the skin against UV rays and reducing skin pigmentation.

How to use?

Grate a slice of avocado and make a smooth paste and apply it on the dark spots twice daily for a month. You may also add some honey and milk to the paste and leave it on the skin till it dries. Rinse it with lukewarm water. Do it once daily for a month. 

• Papaya

A study conducted in 2014 was based on the antioxidant effects of papaya and its seeds. It said that raw papaya has exfoliating and antioxidant properties which help in removing the dead skin cells, preventing skin damage. Hence, it helps in reducing the pigmentation on your skin.

How to use?

You may take a three-inch slice of papaya and add half a teaspoon of honey, a pinch of turmeric, a few drops of lemon juice and milk to it. You are supposed to blend them to make a paste and apply it twice daily on the pigmented area. Let the paste stay on the skin for 20 minutes and finally, rinse it with lukewarm water. Do this for at least a month.

• Banana

In the study, "Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities of extracts from Musa sapientum peel", it was found that banana is a very good natural exfoliator and antioxidant. It helps in removing dead skin cells. Thus it also helps in gently removing pigmented cells.

How to use?

You can use half a banana (unripe), one teaspoon of honey, and one teaspoon milk to make a creamy paste for your skin. Blend or mash them together so that it stays free of lumps. Wash your hands before applying it on the affected skin. Apply an even layer of this paste and keep it there for 30 minutes. Use this mask for a month to see the results. Gently wash it with lukewarm water and pat dry your skin.

• Mulberry

A journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology on the effectiveness of natural ingredients on hyperpigmentation suggests that mulberry has an active component which not only inhibits the activity of tyrosine but also helps in removing free-oxygen radicals which are responsible for skin damage.

How to use?

Mulberry extract is available as a skin serum with other essential oils. You may refer to the packaging to know the right way of using the product.

• Strawberries

A journal by Indian Journal of Dermatology says that strawberry contains flavonoids which effectively inhibit synthesis of melanin. Hence, they make strawberry an alternative method to treat skin pigmentation.

How to use?

You may take 2-3 fresh strawberries and mash them well to make a paste. To this, you may add half a teaspoon of honey and mix well. Take this paste in clean hands and apply on the affected skin area. You are supposed to gently massage the skin using circular motions for about 2-3 minutes. After this, let it set on your skin for 15 minutes and wash it off with lukewarm water. Following this, wash your face with cold water to close the skin pores. Use this method for at least a month to see the results.

• Turmeric

Turmeric is an age-old remedy for numerous skin diseases owing to its ability to help in healing as well as lightening the skin. According to a review based on the effects of turmeric on skin health showed that turmeric has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and cancer-preventing properties which help in a lot of skin diseases.

How to use?
Turmeric is used in a number of ways. You may add turmeric to a yogurt mask, lemon juice, honey, milk, fuller’s earth mask, etc. Use any of these masks with a pinch of turmeric every day till you start seeing changes in your pigmented skin.

• Aloe vera

A 2012 study related to the effectiveness of aloe vera in treating pigmentation suggests that aloe vera is helpful in reducing pigmentation. It has an active ingredient called aloin which helps in aggregating and hence reduces the pigmentation in the area where it is applied.

How to use?

You may either buy aloe vera extract from the market or pluck an aloe vera leaf from your garden. Peel it off and extract the aloe vera gel and mix two teaspoons of it with one teaspoon honey. Keep it aside for 10 minutes. Apply this mixture two times a day on the affected skin and leave for 20 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water and follow this routine for at least four weeks.

• Sandalwood

A study on sandalwood oil suggested that it is capable of inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase (an enzyme which converts tyrosine into melanin. Melanin is the pigment produced by our skin.) and helps in lightening the dark spots.

How to use?

You may either use sandalwood powder or sandalwood oil to treat your pigmentation.

Take two teaspoons of sandalwood powder, add a pinch of turmeric, a few drops of olive oil and rose water/ milk to it. Make a paste and put it on the affected skin. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes. Wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily till you see any changes in your pigmented skin.

• Liquorice

A study to demonstrate the effects of liquorice extract on pigmentation suggests that liquorice extract has an active component called glabridin which is found to be effective in inhibiting the tyrosine and preventing pigmentation. Apart from its depigmentation activity, it is also helpful in reducing the inflammation (swelling) in the skin cells.

How to use?

Liquorice is available as creams, gels, and serums in the market. Use them as mentioned on the packaging. You may also make a powder out of dried liquorice roots and use it with rose water to make a paste. With clean hands, apply this paste all over the affected area and let it stay there for 15 minutes. After this, wash it with lukewarm water. Follow this routine for at least a month.

• Saffron

Saffron is an age-old ingredient used in skin lightening. An article, "Critical review of Ayurvedic Varṇya herbs and their tyrosinase inhibition effect" says that saffron is effective in reducing melanin production and helps in reducing pigmentation.

How to use?
You may add 3-4 shreds saffron to any of the above-mentioned masks and put it on the affected area as we have previously explained.

Our skin reflects what we eat. A study, "You Are What You Eat: Within-Subject Increases in Fruit and Vegetable Consumption Confer Beneficial Skin-Color Changes", conducted in 2012 suggests that eating a healthy diet with more fruits and vegetables has a direct impact on our skin tone and complexion. Following is a list of things that you can include in your diet to reduce hyperpigmentation:

• Fruits
  Certain fruits are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and are very good for skin such as lemon, orange, strawberry, blueberry, avocado, papaya, lemon, banana, grapes, cherries, mangoes, tomatoes, etc. Make yourself a good salad with a variety of these fruits and eat every day.
   
• Vegetables
  Vegetables which are rich in carotenoids and flavonoids are helpful in reducing skin pigmentation. These include cucumber, carrots, spinach, red and yellow bell peppers, broccoli, etc. include them in your meals or soups to heal your skin from the inside.
   
• Aloe vera juice
  Aloe vera juice is being used for a long time for its medicinal properties which are very helpful for the skin. Drink aloe vera juice alone, or mix it with other juices for a better taste every day. We advise you to take 10-15 mL of aloe vera juice twice a day, not more than that.
   
• Green tea
  Green tea is rich in flavonoids such as catechin which reduce the amount of melanin production. It is good to drink green tea at least twice a day to treat hyperpigmentation.
   
• Coconut water
  Coconut water is very beneficial in rehydrating your body along with adding essential minerals. As your body rehydrates, the skin cells rejuvenate and new cells are also formed. It also helps in the timely shedding of dead skin cells.
   
• Water
  Drinking plenty of water everyday flushes out toxins from your body and gives a nice glow to your skin. It also increases the natural cleansing of the skin through sweat and reduces sebum production. 

• Essential oils

Essential oils have been studied for their humongous health benefits. A recent journal, "Anti-inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils", shows that a few essential oils can be used to treat pigmentation. These include argan oil, olive oil, coconut oil, lavender oil, rosehip oil, lemon essential oil, etc. These oils can be used alone or in a combination to be applied on the affected skin after dilution. They reduce inflammation, improve healing, and remove free radicals which are known to damage your skin.  

How to use?

Use any one of the above-mentioned essential oils and dilute it with coconut or olive oil by mixing equal quantities of both. You can also add the essential oil to your daily moisturizing lotion or cream. These oils are supposed to be applied on the skin at bedtime to be left overnight. It is advised not to step out in the sun with this oil solution on your skin. This is a very commonly used night time skin care routine by a lot of people for a healthy and glowing skin.

• Protect your skin from the sun

Sunscreens are creams or lotions which protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays in the sunlight. Using a sunscreen with high SPF prevents tanning and pigmentation which occurs due to UV rays. A sunscreen with SPF 30 is commonly recommended for this. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before stepping out in the sun.

• Follow good hygiene practices

It is always good to have a daily skin routine in which you should clean your skin, wash it and moisturize it. Do not use hot water to take bath. Always use lukewarm water and moisturize your skin right after bath to lock the moisture in your skin. Other methods that you should include in your skin routine include cleansing, toning and exfoliating. Exfoliation should be done once a week. People who have acne should consult a doctor for a skin routine that suits their skin type.