From skin cleansing to natural homemade packs for tan removal, from precautions to cures, here are the best tips on how to get rid of tan in the summer.
When you live in India, heat waves and a near-burning sensation from the sun are nothing new. Solar radiations cause many problems. The short-term damages include sunburn and the long-term ones include early ageing and severe skin burns. Skin tan is yet another problem for Indian skin tone in this scorching heat. Even a few hours in the sun are enough to make your skin feel lifeless and can increase the amount of melanin in your skin.
So we’ve come up with some precautions you can take this summer to reduce tanning and skin damage caused by the sun. Let’s start with some great techniques to get rid of tan easily at home, without even spending bucks!
Note Before You Read
Natural remedies work differently for everyone, so please remember that everything recommended here may not be suitable for every skin type. Please consult with your dermatologist before trying out the ingredients and home remedies, and do a back-of-palm skin patch test before using them on your face. Turmeric may cause yellowness, use sparingly.
Natural Ways: How to Get Rid of Tan
#1: Aloe Vera Skin Soother
It’s best to take action as soon as possible, so your skin feels pacified. When you return home after spending time in the sun, apply some aloe vera gel mixed with honey and lemon on the exposed areas. It will reduce any sort of skin burn and will soothe the skin to a great extent.
#2: Tomato Juice Massage
Massage your skin gently with tomato juice for 15-20 minutes. This will boost blood circulation and tomato juice helps in getting rid of the tan faster.
#3: Rose Water Cleanse
Use rose water on your skin with a cotton ball. It will bring an instant glow to your skin and rose water mixed with sandalwood powder and a pinch of turmeric will remove the tan.
#4: A Great Homemade Face Pack to Reduce Sun Tan
Mix Fuller’s earth (or multani mitti) with orange pulp or orange peel powder. Add the juice of half a lemon into it and half teaspoon honey. Add milk to it to make a homemade face pack. Apply it on your face for 40-60 minutes. This will instantly reduce your tan and freshen up your skin.
Things you can do to Avoid Tan in the Summer
They say precaution is better than cure, so it’s good to take basic precautions that’ll avoid tanning.
1. Avoid the 12 to 4 Sun (a.k.a. the Peak hours)
Avoid going out in the sun from noon 12pm to 4pm as the sun rays are harshest at that time.
2. Include Shades in Your Outfit
If it is necessary to go out during these harsh peak hours, use umbrellas, summer hats, sunglasses and try to walk in the shade.
3. A Thick Layer of Sunscreen on ALL Days
Sunscreen is a must to avoid tan. Even if there are clouds out there, don’t ever forget to apply sunscreen on your face. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen. A pea-sized amount is enough for your entire face. Reapply it after every 7 hours. SPF of your sunscreen must come in the range of 50-60.
4. Hydrate Your Skin
Moisturize your skin well in the summer as it gets dehydrated very easily. Use face mist on your skin at regular intervals of time. It will instantly hydrate your skin and keeps your face fresh for a long time.
5. Keep You Makeup Minimal
Applying extra makeup on your face may clog your pores and ruin your skin badly. Avoid extra layers of makeup and try not to stress out your pores. Use non-comedogenic makeup products which don’t clog your pores. Use a good quality primer before makeup so as to give it a proper base and finish.
Use natural oils to cleanse your skin. Oils like sweet almond oil, baby oil are rich in vitamin E and make your skin softer.
About the Author: Pooja Sharma is a fashion and lifestyle writer at Baggout.com
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Anika Sachdev is a freelance writer, who writes about fashion and lifestyle. She is currently pursuing her diploma in Fashion Design from iNIFD. She enjoys styling, making fashion illustrations and is a big fan of the work of Coco Chanel. Based in Mumbai, she likes to draw and listen to Bollywood music in her free time. For any questions, feedback or concerns, please email [email protected].