Age spots or pigmentation appear on the most visible and exposed areas of our body such as our face, back, neck, chest, shoulders, and hands. They are usually harmless, but many of us want to get rid of them because they give our skin an unattractive look.
Sun exposure, aging, genetics and many other factors like stress, pregnancy, birth control pills, vitamin deficiencies or a weak liver are all possible factors that contribute to this problem. So make sure to wear sunblock when you go out, get your stress under control, and make sure to meet your daily need of vitamins and minerals to avoid them from appearing in the first place.
There are many creams and lotions on the market but many of these are packed with harsh chemicals that can do more harm than good in the long run. Here are 8 safe and natural remedies for you to try.
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice helps to promote a soft, clear, and beautiful skin. Next to drinking warm lemon water on a daily basis you can also try and rub pure lemon juice on the affected area and leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. If you have a sensitive skin dilute the lemon juice with water, rosewater or honey.
Another option for you to try is mix sugar or sea salt with lemon juice to make a paste. Use this paste as a scrub. Apply a few times a week. It can take a month or 2 before you notice any results.
2. Castor Oil
Castor oil can effectively be used to reduce the appearance of dark spot and pigmentation. It has skin healing properties and helps to tone your skin. Gently massage the oil on the affected areas for a few minutes and leave it on for a couple of hours before washing it off. Do this twice a day to help fade dark spots and tone your skin.
Further reading: Castor oil mixed with extra virgin olive oil is also as a good facial cleanser. Find here how to get great skin with these top homemade facial cleansers.
3. Turmeric
Indian women have used turmeric as a natural beauty treatment for ages. Turmeric paste inhibits melanin in the skin and works great to treat dark spots and pigmentation.
To make a turmeric mask, mix ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder with 2 to 3 tablespoons gram flour (flour made from chickpeas), ½ teaspoon carrier oil, ½ teaspoon milk, and some lemon juice or cucumber juice. Mix well to make a paste. Make sure the paste is not to watery or it will run from your face. Add more flour if this happens. Apply the mask on your face or other affected areas, leave it on for 10 minutes or until the mask dries on your skin. Remove the mask with warm water while making circular movements. Use once or twice a week.
Further reading: Also read the article about turmeric face mask recipe for glowing skin, acne, rosacea, eczema and dark circles.
4. Aloe Vera
Its healing powers promote skin regeneration and work great to reduce pigmentation or dark spots caused by sun exposure. Gently massage pure aloe gel on the affected areas twice a day and you should see some results within a month.
For an effective aloe vera face mask to treat hyperpigmentation, mix ½ tablespoon 100% pure aloe gel with 1 tablespoon kelp powder, and ½ tablespoon raw honey. Let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Cleanse your face with a gentle natural cleanser, pat dry and apply the aloe vera mixture over the entire face. Be careful with the area around your eyes though. Leave it on for about 20-30 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Use 2 to 3 times a week and you should see some results within 2 to 3 weeks.
5. Buttermilk
Buttermilk helps to exfoliate the skin and removes blemishes and brown spots due to its high levels of lactic acid. Applybuttermilk to the affected area and leave it on for a few minutes before washing it off with water. Add lemon juice or tomato juice for a better effect. Repeat once or twice a day.
6. Sandalwood
Sandalwood has anti-aging and antiseptic properties. It helps to reduce hyperpigmentation and dark spots. You can use sandalwood powder or essential oil.
Make a paste with 2 tablespoons sandalwood powder, 2 teaspoons rosewater, 1 teaspoon glycerin, and one teaspoon lemon juice. Apply the paste on the affected area and let dry by air. Rinse off with cold water. Apply this mixture a few times a week until brown spots improve.
Or make a paste with 1 tablespoon orange juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, the contents of 2 vitamin E capsules, and 2 tablespoons sandalwood powder. Apply on the affected areas, leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse with cold water. Repeat a few times a week.
Or add a few drops of sandalwood essential oil to your favorite carrier oil (olive oil, coconut oil, or almond oil are all good examples). Massage the affected area daily before going to bed and leave it on overnight. If you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in the e-book Magical Aromatherapy which will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them.
7. Papaya
Rub the inside of a papaya skin onto the affected areas of your skin for a few minutes. Let sit for about 15 minutes. Rinse off once it gets dry. Repeat daily to reduce dark spots or pigmentation in a few weeks’ time.
8. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) contains powerful alpha hydroxy acids to help remove dead skin cells and reveal a fresher and healthier complexion underneath them. When you use ACV for age spots, apply a little undiluted ACV directly onto theage spots with a cotton wool bud and leave for about 20-30 minutes once or twice a day before rinsing of. Do it for about 6 weeks to see if you notice any improvement. It is important to use raw organic and unfiltered ACV with the “mother” for maximum results, and you can find all the information and more reasons to wash your face with ACV in this article.
As with all natural remedies, if you have a sensitive skin try on a small patch of skin first. If you see any reaction stop the treatment immediately.
This is a guest post written by Amy Goodrich /HealthyAndNaturalWorld
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