It is not easy at all to have wholly healthy and clean skin. Most of the people around the world are facing some types of skin related issues. There are loads of unhealthy skin conditions you can suffer from very quickly due to different factors like environment, diet, lack of physical exercises, consumption of junk food, pregnancy, medications, etc.
We are going to discuss- How to get rid of melasma without using any harmful or harsh skin product.
Melasma is one of the prevalent skin problems usually occurs in women. Although it can also be seen in men, the condition is more common in women, especially during and after pregnancy. It is also termed as “chloasma,” and when it occurs during pregnancy, it is called as “mask of pregnancy” in general terms.
Melasma causes discoloration patches on different parts of the body. Usually, the melasma patches are darker than your natural skin color and typically occurs on the face. It is very easy to observe similar patches on both sides of the face.
Different parts of the body like forehead, cheeks, chin, bridge of the nose, forearms, and neck can develop melasma, and it tends to increase its presence when the person suffering from melasma is continuously under the sunlight.
The melasma doesn’t cause any physical harm, but it can create a lack of self-confidence and may develop self-consciousness especially due to the way it looks. If you are also annoyed with melasma or want to help someone to get rid of the annoying skin discoloration, you can have a look at this article.
We will try to figure out some causes of melasma. Then we will proceed further to learn about some home remedies for melasma. We will also underline some handy tips to avoid melasma. Let’s talk about the causes of melasma in brief.
Also Read: 12 Essential Oils for Hyperpigmentation
What Causes of Melasma?
The exact cause of melasma is still not apparent, but the tendency or trends of melasma can be taken into account to point out some common causes.
According to the reports, melasma is commonly seen in individuals with dark skin. The sensitivity of estrogen and progesterone are also associated with melasma.
We can say stress, pregnancy, bit control pills, hormone therapy and sunlight exposure can trigger melasma.
20 Home Remedies to Get Rid of Melasma Naturally
When melasma occurs due to pregnancy or birth control pills, usually it disappears on its own. If some other factors are responsible for melasma, it can be a bit tough to get rid of it. Using unknown harsh chemical substances can cause further damage to the skin. So, it is better to adopt some natural ways to get rid of melasma.
This is the most crucial part of our discussion. We are going to discuss so many natural and home remedies that can reduce melasma with ease and that too without causing any health-related problem. You can use these home remedies to get rid of melasma without overthinking about the side effects or something like that.
#1 Apple Cider Vinegar
Benefits: ACV is one of the best home remedies and can cure most of the unhealthy skin conditions. Presence of acetic acid makes ACV a very powerful bleaching agent which can help to remove dark spots from the skin. It can also make your skin radiant and smooth.
Recipe:
- Take half cup concentrated ACV and half cup of water.
- Mix well and apply on the melasma spots.
- Leave it for 10 minutes in open area to let it dry.
- Wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry with soft cloth.
- You can use ACV like this every day.
Also Read: Is Apple Cider Vinegar Good for Melasma?
#2 Lemon Juice
Benefits: Wonderful astringent properties of lemon juice make it one of the best skin lightener. Powerful acidic nature of lemon juice is capable of removing unhealthy skin layers and eliminating a whole new layer.
Recipe:
- There are so many different ways to use lemon juice. We are discussing a very simple one.
- Take a fresh medium sized lemon (green lemon is better) and squeeze its juice.
- Apply on the affected area(s) and rub gently for a couple of minutes.
- You can wash off with lukewarm water after leaving it for 20 minutes.
- Repeat the process twice a daily and you will see the difference with 2-3 weeks.
#3 Onion Juice with ACV
Benefits: There are plenty of sulfur-containing compounds in onion which make it one of the best natural remedies for maintaining the tonicity of the skin. It can easily remove the dark patches from skin. Onion juice can also nourish your skin to a decent extent.
Recipe:
- Take 3 medium sized onions and chop finely.
- Cover them in a soft cotton cloth and beat slightly on a hard surface.
- Squeeze the cloth to extract onion juice.
- Add equal amount of ACV.
- Use a cotton ball to apply on the affected areas.
- Keep the mixture on for 20 minutes and then wash off with fresh water.
- Apply a scented moisturizer like rose water to get rid of raw smell of onion.
- Follow the process twice daily for 3-4 weeks.
#4 Turmeric and Milk
Benefits: Abnormal melanin production is also one of the responsible factors behind melasma. And using turmeric is one of the best options to maintain the melanin production.
Active ingredient of turmeric- curcumin has antioxidant and skin-lightening properties and can be very effective in case of melasma. Skin Glowing properties of milk is undoubtedly going to be helpful to reduce dark spots caused due to melasma.
Recipe:
- Add 5 tbsp. turmeric powder to 10 tbsp. milk.
- Mix well and prepare a fine paste.
- It is better to use whole milk.
- Add 1 tbsp. gram flour to maintain the consistency.
- Apply evenly on the melasma affected areas.
- Leave it for 20 minutes and then rinse off with warm water.
- Pat dry with a soft cloth.
- Repeat this process daily for excellent results.
Also read: How to Use Turmeric for Melasma?
#5 Oatmeal
Benefits: Oatmeal is one of the most powerful natural exfoliating agent and can remove dark spots very easily. It can also dissolve dead skin cells under the skin layers and will give you clean, brighter and glowing skin.
Recipe:
- Take 2 tbsp. oatmeal, 2 tbsp. milk and 1 tbsp. honey.
- Mix all the ingredients properly to make a fine paste.
- Apply on the skin affected with melasma.
- Keep the mixture on for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with fresh water and pat dry.
- Keep doing this three times a week for 5-6 weeks.
#6 Aloe Vera Gel
Benefits: When we talk about skin, how can we forget Aloe Vera Gel? It is one of the best natural remedies for most of the skin conditions. There are plenty of mucilaginous polysaccharides in Aloe Vera gel and is capable of alleviating hyperpigmentation and restoring your natural and original skin color.
Recipe:
- Take a fresh aloe vera leaf and cut it to open.
- Extract the fresh gel into a small bowl.
- Gently message on the affected area for a couple of minutes.
- Leave it on the skin for half an hour and then wash off with lukewarm water.
- Follow the process for twice or at least once in a day for 5 weeks.
#7 Horseradish
Benefits: Horseradish is not only beneficial for reducing excessive body weight, it is also very good at curing plenty of different skin problems. It has the capacity to reduce all types of skin discolorations, scars, and blemishes. It is also one of the most effective home remedies for melasma.
Recipe:
- Take a dried horseradish and break into small pieces.
- Convert these pieces into fine powder.
- Add 2 tbsp. horseradish powder and 1 cup of sour curd together.
- Mix well to make a fine paste.
- Apply on the melasma affected skin and leave for half an hour.
- Wash off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat this process once or twice a week.
Also Read: How to Use Olive Oil for Melasma?
#8 Papaya
Benefits: Papaya is one of the best fruits for maintaining overall health. It is also very good for skin. Both raw and ripe papaya is used in different skin products especially fruit facial masks. Active enzyme papain of papaya is a wonderful exfoliant and is capable of removing dead cells from skin layers and maintaining the natural skin color.
Recipe:
- Mash a few pieces of papaya and prepare a fine paste with slightly thick consistency.
- Add 2 tbsp. honey to it and mix well.
- Apply the paste on affected area and leave for 20-30 minutes.
- Wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Follow the process once in a week for 2 months and see the magic.
#9 Guava
Benefits: Guava is not only a delicious fruit. It is a wonderful natural remedy as well. Lycopene compound of guava is very good for melasma and is capable of reducing hyperpigmentation as well as blemishes. It can also exfoliate your skin and can remove the dead skin cells as well.
Recipe:
- Cut 1 medium sized guava into small pieces.
- Mash properly to prepare a fine paste.
- Add a little amount of milk or glycerin.
- Mix well and apply on the affected areas.
- Wash off with fresh water after half an hour and pat dry.
- It is better to repeat this process on the daily basis.
#10 Banana
Benefits: In addition to being a yummy and tasty fruit, banana is very good at promoting glowing skin. It contains moisture, vitamin E and C as well as potassium in large amounts. Due to its effective glowing capacity, it can reduce melasma in very quick time.
Recipe:
- Mash one banana and make a fine paste.
- Add a 1 tbsp. honey and mix well.
- Apply on the affected area(s) and leave for 15 minutes.
- Wash off with cold water and pat dry.
- Repeat the process once in a day for 2 months.
#11 Ginseng
Benefits: Ginseng is very beneficial for skin in plenty of ways. Whether you are using its root or leaves, both are full of health related benefits. Due to the ant-inflammatory, anti-ageing and energy supporting properties of ginseng leaves, it can be a great idea to use ginseng for melasma.
Recipe:
- Take a handful of fresh ginseng leaves and add in a glass of water.
- Pour the water into a kettle or pan and boil it properly.
- Keep aside for a while until water gets slightly colder.
- Take out the leaves and mash to make fine paste.
- Apply the paste on the affected areas and leave for 1 hour.
- Wash off with the remained ginseng water.
- Follow this process twice or thrice a week for 2 months.
#12 Grape Seed Extract
Benefits: Extract of grape seed is used in a lot of different skin and cosmetic related products thanks to its powerful anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and antiviral properties. Very strong detoxifying capacity of grape seed extract makes it one of the most potent home remedies for melasma.
Recipe:
- Take a handful dry grape seed and make fine powder.
- Add 2 tbsp. glycerin and 2 tbsp. honey.
- Mix well to prepare fine paste.
- Apply on the melasma affected skin and leave for 1 hour.
- Wash off with fresh water and pat dry.
- Repeat the process thrice in a week for 7-8 weeks.
#13 Apricot
Benefits: Apricot is a delicious fruit containing plenty of health-related benefits. It is also used in different types of skin and cosmetic products and is a wonderful scrub. Apricot is full of vitamin A, C, and E, and fatty acids. It can nourish your skin to a decent extent, reduce inflammation and can lighten the skin in case of melasma.
Recipe:
- Cut 2 apricots and remove the seed.
- Cut again into small pieces and smash properly.
- Smash until it becomes a fine paste.
- Add a little amount of milk and mix well.
- Apply the mixture on the skin affected with melasma.
- Wash off after half an hour and pat dry.
- Repeat the process twice a week for 6 weeks.
#14 Sandalwood
Benefits: Using sandalwood powder and sandalwood oil is very beneficial for skin. There are numerous skin benefits of sandalwood. Essential oil present in sandalwood can enhance skin complexion, remove blemishes and is one of the best home remedies for melasma pigmentation.
Recipe:
- Mix 2 tbsp. sandalwood powder, 1 tbsp. turmeric powder and 10 tbsp. whole milk.
- Add some drops of lemon juice and mix well to make fine paste.
- Apply the paste evenly on the melasma spots and rub in circular motion.
- Wash off with lukewarm water containing little amount of rose water.
- Pat dry with soft cloth.
- Repeat the process 4 times a week for 4 weeks.
#15 Cucumber
Benefits:If you want to remove pigmentation, nothing can be as effective as cucumber. There is plenty of water in raw cucumber which makes it one of the best natural remedies for keeping your skin hydrated. Ascorbic acid is the active ingredient of cucumber and is proved very handy to treat most of the skin problems including acne, blemishes, and melasma.
Recipe:
- Take a small sized or half large sized cucumber and cut into thin slices.
- Cover in a soft cotton cloth and crush properly.
- Squeeze the cloth to get the cucumber juice.
- Keep aside the squeezed cucumber pieces.
- Add 2 tbsp. rose water to cucumber juice and mix well.
- Apply on the affected area using a cotton ball.
- Wash off after half an hour and pat dry.
- Repeat the process on alternate days for 2 months.
- Dry the squeezed cucumber pieces under sunlight and use it as scrubber.
#16 Almond
Benefits: All of you are very well aware about the benefits of almonds. Almonds and almond oil are very good in most of the skin conditions. High protein content of almonds can lighten the skin. Vitamin E of almond is very effective to reduce the discoloration of skin. Using almonds for melasma is undoubtedly one of the best options.
Recipe:
- Grind 10-12 almonds to make a fine powder.
- Add 2-3 tbsp. honey and mix until you get a fine paste.
- Smear the paste on melasma and rub for 5 minutes.
- Leave it on for half an hour and then wash off with lukewarm water.
- Repeat the process thrice in a week for 2 to 2 ½ months.
#17 Gotu Kola
Benefits: If you can get the Chinese herb Gotu Kola with ease, it might be the blessing for you. Gotu Kola is used in China and its neighbor countries for ages in different skin-care products. It is a powerful natural remedy for most of the skin problems like dark pigmentation, scars, spots, blemishes. You can use it to remove melasma spots on face.
Recipe:
- Take a handful of dried Gotu Kola leaves and make a fine powder.
- Add equal amount of glycerin and rose water and prepare a thick paste.
- Apply the paste on affected areas and leave for 1 hour.
- Wash off with fresh water and pat dry.
- Keep applying this wonderful paste regularly to get rid of melasma forever.
#18 Yogurt
Benefits: Active ingredient of Yogurt, Lactic acid is very effective in conditioning the skin. It can make your skin soft and supple. Applying yogurt on the skin affected with melasma is one of the very good options.
Recipe:
- Add a pinch of turmeric to two tbsp. yogurt.
- Mix well and apply on the skin affected with melasma.
- Leave for about 30 minutes and then wash off with fresh water.
- Keep doing this twice a day for 3-4 weeks.
#19 Soy Milk
Benefits: Most of the topical creams used to treat melasma contain soy milk thanks to its ability to inhibit hyperpigmentation. Different constituents of soy milk are capable of lightening the skin and hence can be very effective for melasma.
Recipe:
- Take a cotton pad and soak it in soy milk.
- Dab gently on your face and leave it for an hour.
- Wash off with lukewarm water and pat dry.
- Repeat the process two times a day for a few weeks.
#20 Tomato
Benefits: Tomatoes contain large amount of lycopene- an antioxidant known for providing protection from sunlight. Tomatoes are very good for skin health and are known for producing great results in case of melasma as well.
To get rid of melasma forever, apply this natural ingredient regularly.
Recipe:
- Cut two tomatoes into small pieces.
- Gently smash to make a slightly thick paste.
- Add 2-3 drops of lemon and mix well.
- Apply on the melasma affected skin and leave for 20 minutes.
- Wash off with fresh water and pat dry.
- You can repeat the process twice a day for 3-4 weeks.
How to Prevent Melasma?
- Wear sunscreen every time you step out of your home.
- Drink enough water and other liquids to stay hydrated for whole day.
- Take care of your skin and use very mild and gentle skincare products.
- Try to avoid waxing as it causes inflammation and can aggravate melasma.
- Have a balanced and nutritious diet consisting all types of vegetables and fruits.
- Keep avoiding junk food as much as possible.
- Try to maintain your mental stress as it is one of the primary causes behind most of the unhealthy conditions.
- Keep your body fit and fine by doing physical exercise on daily basis.
- Try to avoid strong medications like hydrocodone, buprenorphine, morphine etc. as much as possible.
- Always try to take bath at least once in two days.
- Wear soft and mild clothes as harsh clothes are also responsible for skin irritations and other skin problems.
If you ever used home remedies for melasma pigmentation removal, then share your views in comments.
