5 Natural Homemade Remedies To Remove That Holiday Tan

5 Natural Homemade Remedies To Remove That Holiday Tan

The worst thing about going on holiday in the peak of summer is that the sun burns your skin like a mean biatch. Don’t get me wrong, sun-kissed skin is great — you know, you’ve got that bronzed holiday goddess glow going; however, there’s a thin line between that and looking like a burnt turkey for Easter.

I would know, since I just spent my Sunday roasting away at Imagica’s amusement park (there was nothing amusing about how hot it was though, and the tan I acquired).

Yes, you can protect your skin by using a powerful sunscreen. But when the sun is as strong as it is during the great Indian summer, no matter how much you cover up, long hours outdoors will tan your skin.

The last tan I got left me looking like a zebra gone wrong, thanks to a pair of cutout tights and a racer-back tank top. Yeah, not funny when you have to wear a skirt to work, only to have people wonder what’s going on with your arms and legs.

My solution? You can never go wrong with your good ol’ granny’s natural homemade concoctions. A little bit of this, and a tad bit of that, and voilà, you have yourself an au naturale solution to your skin problems.

Keeping the summer in mind, here are 5 homemade tan remedies that will help you soothe your skin and lighten the remnants of your kickass holiday.

And if you have one of your own, then you know what to do — share it with us in the comments below!

 

1. TURMERIC & GRAM FLOUR

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons of gram flour (besan)
  • A pinch of turmeric powder
  • 1 tablespoon rose water
  • 1 tablespoon milk

Method:

Mix the ingredients together to form a thick paste and apply to affected areas. Make sure you’ve cleansed your skin before applying, and leave it on for 15-20 minutes. Once the pack is dry, wet the area a little and massage the paste into your skin, first clockwise and then anti-clockwise. Use every alternate day till your tan lightens.

Why It Works:

The gram flour grains exfoliate your skin and remove dead skin cells, while simultaneously working on the tan. Turmeric and rose water aid in evening out the skin tone and healing your burnt skin.

 

2. PAPAYA & HONEY

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup ripe papaya
  • 1 tablespoon honey

Method:

Blend the 2 ingredients together to create a paste and apply on the affected areas. Leave on for half an hour and wash off once dry. Repeat twice or thrice a week.

Why It Works:

Papaya has enzymes that aid in exfoliating, rejuvenating, and brightening the skin, and hence is the perfect ingredient to help with that tan. And honey leaves the skin soft and supple. Together, this pack works wonders to reduce a tan or burn.

 

3. YOGHURT & TOMATO

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon tomato juice or pulp

Method:

Beat the yogurt along with the tomato juice or pulp, and apply it to your skin. Let it dry and wash with lukewarm or cold water. Do this twice or thrice a week to reduce the tan.

Why It Works:

Tomatoes have citric properties that work as a natural toner and tan remover. Tomatoes also open up your pores, while the yogurt naturally moisturises and calms the skin.

 

4. RED LENTIL, TOMATO & ALOE VERA

Ingredients:

  • 1 tablespoon red lentil powder (masoor dal)
  • 1 tablespoon tomato juice
  • 1 teaspoon aloe-vera extract

Method:

Blend the ingredients together and apply it on your face. Wash after half an hour with cold water. To remove an excessive tan, use this mix every alternate day, and then eventually move to twice a week.

Why It Works:

Masoor dal is a strong tan removal agent, and when mixed with tomato juice, is a natural toner. Aloe vera is a hydrating moisturiser, and soothes the skin and lightens the tan.

 

5. TURMERIC & MILK

Ingredients:

  • A pinch of turmeric
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons milk

Method:

Combine the turmeric powder with milk in a small bowl and mix well. Apply the liquid on your face and let it dry for a couple of minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water and voilà! Soft, smooth skin.

Why It Works:

There is a reason why Cleopatra bathed in milk, right? Milk soothes your skin while turmeric lightens and heals. Also, milk is known to act as a great exfoliator, working miracles on that tan!

Tatiana Dias

Tiny but fierce, our Fashion & Beauty Writer grooves to her own soundtrack. An animal lover at heart, she plays proxy mommy to pretty much all the strays she meets.

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