Hasta La Vista, Tan!

All you need to know to take care of your skin from head to toe!

The feeling of bright sunshine on our skin feels nothing like a warm hug on a hard day. Sunlight stimulates the production of Vitamin D in our body which is required for the consumption of Calcium. But as they say too much of anything is bad and the same goes for sunshine. When our skin is exposed for long, the UV Radiation of the sun affects the upper layers of the skin causing it to appear darker than normal, commonly known as tanning. 

Some like it while some don’t, but getting rid of tanning is a task! No matter what people or brands claim, tan removal does not happen overnight. 

But this is not it! The most effective method is to apply sunscreen, and by sunscreen, I mean lots and lots of it!! If you don’t apply even a smear of it, you can say goodbye to your natural skin.

So, let us understand the science behind it.

What is tanning, huh?

Long-term sun exposure causes our skin to act as a shield against the sun’s harmful UV rays. This allows our skin to produce melanin, a skin pigment that fights off UV rays and protects our skin from burning. The more melanin you have, the darker your skin will become. This is commonly referred to as tanning.

The most common body parts that are likely to be affected by tanning are your face, arms, legs, feet, back, and neck.

The harmful UV Rays of the sun penetrate deep into your skin which cause damage to collagen and in turn damage your skin, making it appear darker.

So, how can I protect myself from getting tanned?

• The sun’s rays are at their strongest from noon to 4 pm, so the best possible method to protect yourself from tanning is to avoid going out during peak hours
• If you are going to be out in the sun for long, then apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher after every 4 hours 
• Always carry a water bottle and stay hydrated

Don’t let the sun suck the moisture out of you!

Some remedies to get rid of Sun Tan:

You will find plenty of remedies on the internet that claim to get rid of sun tan overnight, but who are we kidding?

If you are one of those people who need a tried and tested remedy to get rid of the stubborn tan, then follow the mentioned remedies that will restore your original complexion:

• Tomato

It’s time that you add tomatoes to your skincare routine aside from adding to the delicious food items. Apply tomato pulp to your face and keep it on for 20 minutes. Follow it up with a moisturizer. Do this at least 2-3 times a week for better results.

• Honey and Papaya Face Pack

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain which has bleaching properties. It clears the dead skin cells while honey keeps the skin soft, moisturized and supple. Mix 2 tablespoons of honey with papaya pulp. Keep the mask on for at least half an hour before rinsing with warm water. Apply every alternate day to see results.

• Aloe Vera

“Hi, I am Aloe Vera! I am your skin’s best friend.”

Aloe Vera is rightly termed as skin’s best friend, because a best friend knows how to solve all the problems. Aloe Vera has bioactive compounds that help in skin lightening. Apply fresh Aloe Vera Gel to the affected areas every night before bed time for better results.

• Turmeric, Gram Flour, and Curd

“Gram Flour: Not just pakoras, I can do wonders to your skin too”

Curd, Turmeric and Gram Flour face pack is an age old remedy that works like magic on your skin. It removes sun tan and works well as an excellent exfoliator. The skin bleaching properties of gram flour enables it to even out skin tone and provide a radiant glow to the affected tanned area. 

Mix one tablespoon of curd, one tablespoon of gram flour and a pinch of turmeric in a bowl. Mix it well and apply all over the face and neck. Rinse it with warm water and follow it up with a moisturizer.

• Lemon Juice and Honey

“When life gives you lemons, add it to honey and get rid of sun tan”

This beautiful combination of lemon juice and honey will give your skin the radiant glow that has always lain beneath your skin. Lemon juice is rich in Vitamin C which is commonly known to lighten the skin while honey keeps the skin smooth and soft. Add honey to one tablespoon of lemon juice. Apply it all over the face and rinse when it turns dry. 

• Turmeric and Curd

When curd is combined with turmeric, then nothing can stop your skin to shine like a diamond. This age-old remedy is proven to treat dark spots, deal with sun burnt skin and lighten the complexion. Mix two tablespoons of curd with one teaspoon of Turmeric. Apply the mask with a paste and rinse when it’s dry.

Careful with the turmeric! You don’t want too much yellow on your face!

• Orange Peel and Milk

A mask made of ground dry orange peels and milk help to brighten your skin and get rid of the stubborn sun tan. The orange peel contains Vitamin C which slows down skin aging while the milk keeps the skin smooth. Mix milk and dry orange peel powder until a paste-like consistency is formed. Apply evenly on your neck and face. Rinse it off with warm water.

Next time when you eat an orange, don’t forget to save the peels!

• Cucumber

“Cucumber: Not only salads, I go well with the skin too!“

We all like munching cucumbers with our lunch and dinner, but have you ever wondered how beneficial they are to our skin in addition to our bodies? Well, cucumber has cooling properties for both our skin and stomach. You need to grate fresh cucumber and apply on your neck and face for around 20-25 minutes. Rinse off with water. Apply it every other day for better results.

What we think

You also need to maintain a healthy lifestyle so that your skin feels healthy from within. So include plenty of nutritious fruits and vegetables in your diet.

Anyway, you will see a significant improvement in your tan level if you follow any one of the above mentioned home-made remedies religiously. 

If by any chance, you are unable to follow the routine, you can use Matra Haldi Chandan Face Pack which naturally lightens and brightens skin.