Summer is already here, and it is time to bring out your short dresses and shades to enjoy the summer sun at the park or the beach with family and friends. Despite all the happiness and fun, at the end of the day most of us are left with ugly and unattractive sun tan on face and hands that takes away all the fun from the outing. With the lack of time, most of us, opt for quick fix solutions like a session of bleach or use chemical laden cosmetic products for instant tan removal. But all these products take a serious toll on the delicate skin of the face and show fatal side-effects in the long run. Therefore, it is best to choose home remedies to remove sun tan that not only heals the damage in a nourishing way, but is the ultimate answer to the question of how to get a clear face naturally.
Harmful Effects of Sun Tan:
Excessive exposure to ultra violate rays (UVA and UVB) of the sun accelerates melanin production in the skin that leads to darkening of exposed skin. Sun tan usually occurs on body parts that are exposed to sun such as, face, neck, arms, and legs. Sun tan causes various skin problems such as:
- Acne
- Pimples
- Fine Lines
- Wrinkles
- Dark Spots
- Hyperpigmentation
- Premature Aging of Skin
- Skin Burn
- In extreme cases it can lead to skin cancer
Top 16 Home Made Remedies for Sun Tanned Skin Using Natural Ingredients:
Instead of splurging on expensive cosmetic products that are loaded with harmful chemicals and bleaching agents, use these nourishing and wholesome homemade face packs prepared from au naturel ingredients that are easily available and hustle free to make.
Cucumber, Rose Water and Lemon Juice Pack:
This is one of the most effective homemade face masks for sun tan removal that uses the goodness of cucumber and lemon – two perfect natural bleaching agents. Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C and citric acid, both of which help in lightening skin tone and is the natural solution to the question of how to maintain clear skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes the damage caused be free radicals and helps in lightening tan, age spots, and dark spots. But it is a must to use a sunscreen with high SPF when using a lemon remedy because the acidic nature of the juice can make the skin sensitive to the UV rays of the sun.
The cucumber juice and rose water acts as cooling agents for soothing the blemished skin. Take a tablespoon each of cucumber juice, lemon juice and rose water and mix in a bowl. Apply with cotton on tanned areas, wait for 10 minutes and wash off with cold water. Apply this pack every day after you get back home from the sun.
Besan (Bengal Gram Flour) and Turmeric Face Pack:
This face pack for tanned skin is a combo of bleaching and scrubbing with the wonder ingredient: Turmeric, often called the holy powder. It is not only important for its amazing medicinal properties, but also for its amazing effects on the skin. Turmeric adds a healthy glow to the skin and helps in reducing pigmentation and tan. Bengal gram works as a natural scrub for exfoliating the skin and removing dead cells. 
Mix 2 tablespoons of besan, a pinch of turmeric, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1 tablespoon of crushed orange peel in a bowl with cold rose water. Apply on clean face and let it dry for 20 minutes. Moist the dried areas by sprinkling water on it and slowly remove the pack by scrubbing gently in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. Apply this pack once in two days for effective exfoliation and tan removal.
Papaya and Honey Face Pack:
This delicious fruit pack helps remove sun tan from the face by using the goodness of the helpful enzymes present in papaya. The enzyme papain present in papaya has potent skin-lightening properties that help in removing sun tan and reduces the visibility of scars and blemishes. The other enzymes in papaya are known for skin renewal, exfoliation, and restoration.
The application of honey on chapped lips is an age old remedy. Honey helps in moisturizing and softening the skin. For this pack, take ½ cup of ripe papaya pulp and mash it well, add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix well. Apply on clean face and dry for 30 minutes. Rinse off with water.
Tomato, Yogurt and Lemon Juice Face Pack:
We are also aware of the benefits of lemon tea for weight loss but it is also a great ingredient for skin. This face pack incorporates the powerful bleaching properties of lemon, tomato and yogurt and is one of the best face packs for improving the skin tone naturally. It works wonders in removing dark spots and pigmentation from sun tanned skin. In addition, tomato juice works as a natural toner to shrink open pores and reduce oiliness of the skin, whereas yogurt helps in moisturizing and nourishing the skin.
In order to prepare this pack mix 2 tablespoon of tomato pulp, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of yogurt in a bowl and apply on face. Let it dry for 30 minutes. Wash with cold water. The tomato juice may cause a sensation of itchiness in the beginning, but it will mellow down with regular application.
Aloe Vera, Masoor Daal (Red Lentil) and Tomato Face Pack:
This is undoubtedly one of the best home remedies for sun tan that uses the hydrating benefits of aloe vera and the exfoliant quality of masoor dal. Masoor daal helps in clearing even the extreme of tanning. Aloe vera hair mask is widely used for natural hair treatment. The plant steroids found in aloe vera gel soothes burning and inflammation of the skin and helps in healing sunburn and suntan. Tomatoes rejuvenate the skin and revitalize it from within.
Soak a tablespoon of masoor daal in water for 20 minutes and then make a rough paste. Mix this paste with fresh aloe vera gel and 1 tablespoon tomato pulp and massage on face and neck. Keep for 20 minutes and rinse off with water.
Oat Meal and Butter Milk Exfoliating Pack:
Oatmeal and weight loss are closely related, but it is also a great natural skin exfoliator as well. This is a quick and easy fix to remove sun tan if you are pressed for time. Buttermilk helps in soothing and moisturizing skin and healing blisters and oatmeal acts as a natural scrub that exfoliates the skin, removes blackheads and dead cells.
Mix 2 tablespoon of oatmeal with 3 tablespoons of buttermilk and apply on face and body. Gently massage in circular motion. Let it stay for 15-20 minutes and cleanse with water.
Orange Juice and Yogurt Face Pack:
This face pack is an amazing sun tan remover that regenerates new skin cells with its stock of vitamin C. Orange is rich in vitamin C that helps fight skin blemishes and improves skin texture and skin tone. Collagen found in orange slows down the process of aging and helps in skin tightening.
Yogurt acts as a natural bleach and moisturizer to make skin soft and supple. Mix 1 tablespoon each of yogurt and orange juice and apply on face. Leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse off with water.
Potato and Lemon Juice Face Pack:
Potatoes make mouth-watering snacks indeed, but it has huge benefits for skin too! Potato is loaded with vitamins, minerals, protein and fibers. Potatoes are one of the age old remedies for sun tan that uses the goodness of vitamin C to lighten skin tone and add a healthy glow to it. The combination of potato and lemon juice is the best way to remove dark circles.
Potato juice helps treat skin aging, blemishes, and inflammation. It soothes the skin and calms it. Extract the juice of one potato using a grinder, mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with it and apply on face and other affected areas. Let it dry for 30-40 minutes. Wash off with cold water.
Strawberry and Milk Cream Face Pack:
This yummy combination makes a mouth-watering treat. But these bright red berries have skin lightening properties that help in improving skin complexion and reducing dark spots, pigmentation, and freckles. Milk cream provides deep nourishment to the skin and moisturizes it.
To prepare this delicious sun tan remover crush 4 strawberries and mix with 2 tablespoon of milk cream and apply on face. Let it stay for 30 minutes and rinse off with water. Warning: This face pack is so tasty that you may be tempted to eat it!!
Milk Powder, Honey and Almond Oil Face pack:
The uses of almond oil and almond milk for skin are well known. Milk powder works wonders for the moisturizing skin, reducing effects of suntan and imparting a clearer tone and texture to the skin.
Mix 2 table spoon of milk powder with 1 tablespoon of honey and a few drops of almond oil and apply on face. Leave it on the face for 20 minutes before washing off with water.
Sandal Wood and Coconut Water Pack:
Due to its medicinal qualities, sandalwood uses for skin has been popular since time immemorial. Sandalwood powder or paste works as a natural skin cleanser removing impurities and dead cells. It also acts as a soothing balm and helps heal blemishes and blisters.
Mix a tablespoon of sandalwood powder with coconut water to make a thick paste and add a few drops of almond oil to it. Apply on face and neck, dry for 20 minutes and wash off with water.
Saffron and Fresh Cream Face Pack:
Saffron (Kesar) has been an age old ingredient for skin care. Saffron helps in natural skin brightening, toning, tan removal, and fighting acne and pimples. Soak a few strands of saffron in 2 tablespoons of milk cream overnight. Blend with fingers and apply on the face evenly. Let it dry for 20 minutes and wash off with water. This pack also works as a deep moisturizer.
Pineapple and Honey Face Mask:
With its tangy and fresh flavour, Pineapple is the king of tropical fruits. The enzymes in pineapple help in removing dead cells from tanned and burnt areas. Pineapples are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that neutralizes the damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress and slow down the appearance of the signs of aging such as fine lines, freckles and wrinkles and helps in lightening age spots, pigmentation and sun tan.
Mix 2 tablespoon of pineapple pulp with one tablespoon of honey and apply on face, wait for 3-5 minutes and wash thoroughly with water.
Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) and Aloe Vera Gel Pack:
When it comes to overall skin care, there is nothing like fuller’s earth. The cooling effect of this mud cools and soothes skin burns and helps reduce skin irritation, rashes, acne, and blemishes. Aloe Vera gel lightens skin tone and acts as a natural cleanser.
Mix 2 tablespoon of fuller’s earth with a tablespoon of aloe vera gel, rosewater can also be added to dilute the mixture. Apply on face and neck and let it dry for half an hour. Clean face with cold water.
Cornmeal and Lemon Juice Face Scrub:
Cornmeal helps in effective removal of dead cells and blackheads from the skin. The minute granules of the cornmeal polish the skin in a gentle manner. Cornmeal face scrub is especially effective for oily skin because it removes excess oil and sebum from the skin without drying it.
Mix 2 tablespoon of cornmeal with 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice and yogurt and apply on face. Gently massage in circular motion with your fingers for 2 minutes. Leave it on the face for 15-20 minutes and cleanse with water.
Wheat Flour Face Pack:
Applying wheat flour on the skin can help in improving skin tone, fade away dark spots and uneven skin tone. Make a paste using 2 tablespoons of wheat flour and water and apply on face. The paste should not be too thick. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off with water and get softer and brighter skin.
However, it must be remembered that skin tanning is a problem that takes time to heal, and bleaching is the only instant solution. Therefore, occasional application of these natural face packs is not enough, and they have to be incorporated into your daily skin care routine for effective results. Prepare these easy face packs at home and provide the skin with the pampering care and nourishment that it deserves.