Do you have speckled patches, freckles, and blemishes on your face?
Skin lightening can be the best solution. But you don’t have to try chemical loaded products for lightening your skin. Read on to find best foods for skin whitening.
Maybe you are a teenager or an adult dealing with the dark spots that show up every time you step in sun. Or perhaps you have a lot of pimple marks. Regardless of your reasons, you may want to brighten your skin color to get it look clear and radiant.
You might be relieved to know that the ingredients that are listed for skin whitening are readily available. Most of them are fruits and vegetable, which you can easily purchase in the grocery store.
Lightening your complexion doesn’t always mean indulging in expensive skin whitening treatments of applying skin lightening creams.
You can lighten your skin tone by maintaining a healthy lifestyle and consuming foods that work as natural bleaching products.
Wondering how? Read on to know by yourself.
What Causes Dark Complexion?
The dark complexion of skin is a common problem for both sexes. Except for hereditary reasons, there are several other reasons that turn your fair skin into the brownish and dark black. Some of the major factors of dark skin color are given below:
- Excess melanin production is responsible for giving your skin a dark complexion.
- Deficiency of Vitamins causes rough, dark, and dull skin coloration.
- Skin disorders like Lichen Simplex Chronicus leave the skin dark and patchy.
- Deficiency of essential nutrients results in dark skin color.
- Hormonal changes during puberty and pregnancy may result in skin darkening.
- Overexposure to UV rays causes skin tanning by producing more melanin.
If you feel embarrassed by your patchy and dark skin, and none of your skin lightening creams has proven to be effective, start using natural foods. The natural food items listed below are not only rich in vitamins and nutrients but also safe for application on all skin types.
Benefits of Foods for Skin Lightening
The best advantage of rejuvenating your skin with foods items is that they are safe and secure option to bank on, devoid of any possible side effects. There are a variety of food and vegetables that have antioxidants and bleaching agent that clears the dark spots in a jiffy.
- They are 100% natural and loaded with nutrients that work wonders with the skin.
- Fruits rich in Vitamin C boost the production of collagen, giving your skin a natural radiance.
- These are devoid of any side effects.
- Fruits like mulberries & raspberries remove free radicals that cause skin aging.
- Food rich in Vitamin E helps in removal of dark spots and blemishes.
- Regular consumption of fruits juices detoxifies your digestive system.
- Healthy foods restore the natural sebum levels in your body.
If you want to maintain a bright complexion you must include fruits, vegetables and other healthy foods for skin lightening.
We are listing top 25 food items that are rich in carotene, phytochemicals, and other important nutrients that aid in anti-oxidation and skin lightening.
25 Best Foods for Skin Whitening
Without a shadow of doubt ingest these below-listed foods that lighten skin quickly. Your diet must contain a serving of these food items, to get essential vitamins and nutrients for maintaining a healthy and glowing skin.
#1 Berry
Raspberries and Mulberries are the easiest and most effective skin whitening foods. They are loaded with Vitamin C and anti-oxidants that lighten the complexion.
- In a bowl mix 100 grams of raw mulberries with 1 teaspoon of honey.
- You can also add a teaspoon of lemon juice
- Eat this mixture every morning for skin lightening.
#2 Potatoes
Potatoes are known as the best source of anti-oxidants that help reduce dark spots, and tanning. The high amount of vitamin C is helpful in reducing blemishes from the skin.
- Peel off a potato and slice it into four halves.
- Place the sliced pieces on your skin for 10 minutes.
- Allow it to sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Wash off under running water.
#3 Yogurt
Yogurt is a natural skin whitening agent used as a part of superfoods and in the form of skin, lightening face masks. They are rich in quintessential nutrients that moisturize the skin and help reduce the skin tone.
- In a bowl, add 3 tablespoons of yogurt.
- Add 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix well.
- Apply this mixture evenly on your face and tanned skin area
- Rinse off under running water.
#4 Lemon Juice
Lemon is one of the best foods that lighten skin quickly and effectively remove the presence of blemishes and dark spots. It has anti-oxidants that help in removal of free radicals and give a clear complexion.
- In a bowl mix 1 teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
- To this mixture, add half teaspoon of almond oil
- Apply evenly over your face
- Let it sit for 20 minutes
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
#5 Tomatoes
The benefits of tomato juice are something that cannot be overlooked. Tomatoes are the richest source of antioxidants that remove dullness, and dark spots to give your skin a natural radiance.
- Squeeze two tablespoons of tomato juice
- To the extracted juice, add a teaspoon of sugar.
- Scrub this mixture gently over your face
- Massage in circular motion for 5 minutes
- Rinse of under running water.
#6 Green Tea
Green tea is rich in flavonoids and antioxidants which makes it the best food for fighting against cell damage and reduce skin complexion.
If you are looking for natural remedies for skin lightening, just include 2 cups of green tea in your diet. It will help you in whitening your tanned skin naturally.
#7 Turmeric powder
Turmeric is a great skin lightening agent. Rich in essential nutrients and anti-oxidants, it will help add a glow to your skin and remove tan.
- Mix a teaspoon of turmeric powder with 2 teaspoons of lime juice
- Make a thick paste and apply this paste over your face and neck
- Wash off after allowing this mixture to set for half an hour.
#7 Almonds
Almond can effectively help you get rid of the tan. It is rich in vitamin C that boosts the production of collagen and retains skin’s elasticity, leaving it glowing and smooth with regular use.
- Grind the soaked almonds with two tablespoons milk
- Make a fine paste and ally it at night
- Leave the mask to set till the morning
- Wash off with cold water
Also Read: How to Use Almond Oil to Lighten Skin ?
#8 Papaya
There’s a reason why papaya is recommended by all beauty experts and dermatologists. It has the abundance of vitamins and a special enzyme called papain that helps get rid impurities.
- Grate peeled papaya in a blender by adding two teaspoons of curd
- Make a fine paste by adding a teaspoon of lime juice
- Apply this mixture evenly on your face
- Let it sit for twenty minutes
- Rinse off under running water.
#9 Chocolates
No, we are not kidding here. Your favorite chocolates are actually good for your skin complexion, texture, and UV resistance. Rich in flavonoids and polyphenols, chocolates are known as the best anti-oxidants for skin whitening.
Just have a square of dark chocolate every day and see the magic!
#10 Orange
Orange is one of the most effective skin lightening agents that has been used by our ancestors to maintain the natural radiance and glow. It is antioxidants that eliminate the free radicals from the skin surface and help get rid of dark spots.
- In a bowl add 2 tablespoons of dried orange peel powder
- Add three tablespoons of curd and mix well
- Apply this paste all over your face and neck
- Let it sit for half an hour and rinse off with cold water
#11 Gram Flour
Gram flour has the property to reduce the dark spot, help skin retain its original complexion and provide a glowing radiance with regular use.
- Take 1 teaspoon of gram flour and 2 teaspoons to lime juice
- To this mixture, add 2 teaspoons of raw milk and mix well
- Apply this paste on your face and leave it to set for 10minutes
- Wash off with lukewarm water
#12 Red Fruits
All red foods have an abundant amount of carotene and phytochemicals that increase’s the skin’s resistance to harmful UV rays, and thus retain skin’s original complexion and also help skin whitening with regular use.
Just include red fruits like pumpkins and carrot in your diet.
#13 Soybeans
This might not be your top favorite food choice, but soybeans are a rich source of isoflavone and essential nutrients that help the skin to retain its natural elasticity and complexion. The anti-oxidants present in it improve the luster and glow of your skin.
Include soybean products like soybean milk and tofu in your diet for brighter and whiter skin.
#14 Oatmeal
Oats are great exfoliators, so the regular use of oatmeal will help you get rid of the dead skin cells and improve your complexion.
- Mix two teaspoon of tomato juice to 1 teaspoon of oatmeal
- Scrub this mixture gently over your face
- Wash off after 20 minutes
#15 Honey
Honey can help you get rid of the stubborn dark spots, blemishes, and tan. It is an excellent moisturizer that makes the skin smooth and glowing.
- To one tablespoon of honey, add little milk, lime juice, and stir well
- Apply this fine paste all over your face and neck
- Let it sit for 30 minutes and wash off
#16 Mint leaves
Mint leaves are excellent anti-oxidants and they are rich in vitamin E, which helps increase the production of collagen.
- Grind mint leaves by adding a teaspoon of lime juice and water
- Apply the mixture to your face
- Wash off after 20 minutes
#17 Milk
Remember when your mom used to run behind you with a glass of milk? Drinking a glass of milk has been a time proven trick for skin whitening.
Being rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin D, essential fats, and calcium, Milk always finds a place in the skin whitening recipes.
#18 Nuts
Nuts work like magic for skin whitening and improving the skin texture. They provide the essential oils, essential fats, and vitamins to your skin, thereby working as excellent foods for whitening skin naturally.
Have a handful of nuts every day to get rid of freckles, blemishes, and tan.
#19 Fish
Since ages fish oil has been used as a protein supplement. The Omega 3 fatty acids present in fish oil are highly beneficial for lightening dark skin tones and removing sun tan.
Fish contain nutrients like Zinc and minerals that moisturize your skin and prevent early sign of aging.
#20 Carrot
Carrot has been proven to be the best natural ingredients for helping the skin get rid of blemishes, tan, and dark patches.
- Grate the carrot and extract the juice in a bowl
- Apply the extracted juice directly over your face and neck
- Allow it to sit for 20 minutes
- Rinse off under running water
#21 Cucumber
Cucumber is a powerful skin whitening ingredient. It is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants that help in removal of pimple marks and dark spots.
- Grate the cucumber
- Extract juice and add a teaspoon of lime juice to it
- Apply the mixture over your face
- Allow it to sit for 20 minutes
- Wash off
#22 Buttermilk
Buttermilk is an excellent skin whitening agent. It is rich in vitamins and minerals that help the skin lighten and get rid of pigmentation.
- Dab the buttermilk to your face using a cotton ball.
- Let it sit for 10 minutes
- Wash off with cold water.
#23 Yellow Fruits
Add yellow fruits like mangoes, and pumpkin in your diet. They are rich in phytochemicals that support skin lightening and increase the production of collagen in the skin.
#24 Kiwi Fruit
Kiwi contains a high amount of vitamin C that helps maintain bright complexion. Almost every skin doctor will advise you to include this fruit in your diet. They are packed with water to keep you hydrated.
#24 Eggs
Egg yolks are rich in Vitamin A, a nutrient that helps clear skin irritations and makes the skin brighter. So, include egg in your diet for brighter and healthier looking skin. Egg whites also protect the skin from wrinkles formation and premature aging.
#25 Avocados
Avocados are rich in omega 9 fatty acid that encourage skin regeneration, reduce dark spots, and redness, and lightens the skin tone with regular consumption. If you want to look fairer, start eating avocados.
Skin care tips for light complexion
- Give yourself a good dose of vitamins, natural antioxidants, and detoxifiers.
- Moisturize your skin with natural moisturizers like milk cream and honey.
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water to keep your body hydrated.
- Wear a good sun-block cream every time you step out in the sun.
- Smile and stay away from stress.
- Quit smoking and consumption of substances that accelerate the aging
Getting tanned is a common phenomenon but we can certainly decelerate the process by maintaining a good lifestyle and consuming best foods for skin whitening.
Try the superfoods listed above to get a healthy, clear, and white skin, and let us know which one worked for you.