Summer is all about seeing nature at its best, getting more daylight, playing frisbee at the beach, enjoying every bite of the seasonal fruits and indulging in the exotic experience of relishing refreshing mocktails and cocktails. The joy that is brought about by the summer vacation days spent on road trips and getaways are inexplicably filled with unforgettable adventures and sweet pleasures.
Getting shifted to a holiday mood?….But, are you afraid of sun tanned skin?
Before you get ready for your next dream trip, let me tell you about something that could stop you from having all that fun…. Everything on earth has a dark side but summer itself can make us dark. Though the shining sun puts a bright smile on our faces and makes our days happier, it paints your face and body with a darker shade.
Want to know more about this natural artistry? Gear up to explore all about tanning and most importantly how to cure sun tan with simple home remedies and chemical free options.
What is tanning?
Tanning simply means blackening of the skin due to overexposure to the sun. Did you know that it is actually a natural response of the skin? When your skin is exposed to the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the sun, there is a rise in the level of melanin, which is the pigment responsible for the colour of your skin. Apart from acting as an armor, this protective mechanism darkens your skin and makes the time you spent under the sun, a long lasting reminiscence.
Why does sun tan happen?
Now that we know more melanin is produced during excessive exposure to sun and acts as a protective barrier to our skin, let us dive in deeply and understand the causes of tanning.
- Exposing your skin to the harmful UV radiation will lead to darkening of the skin. This tanning may be short-lived or long lasting and can cause sun burns too.
- In tropical countries like India, where the sun is never tired of shining bright and big, people are prone to getting affected by the radiation from the sun easily.
- Spending even a few minutes in the mid day under the sun would result in immediate skin tanning. Remember, getting tanned happens in a matter of seconds, but getting rid of sun tan takes all the time in the world!
What are the harmful effects of skin tanning?
Pigmentation and dark spots
Time flies when you are having fun. But, spending too much time under the sun will lead to permanent skin damage resulting in leathery skin texture, dark spots, wrinkles etc.
Premature ageing
Who doesn’t want to be complimented for their youth and vibrance. Your heart skips a beat when someone asks you “Mummy!?!!?”. Do you really want to know how this compliment feels like? Then start cutting down the time you spend staying in the glistening rays of the sun. Overexposure to the sun results in wrinkles on your face. Say no to too much sun exposure and even at 60, you will like you are sweet sixteen.
Sunburn
This is the most evident sign of skin damage due to UV exposure and is often identified by symptoms like redness and peeling of skin.
Skin cancer
According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, the number of skin cancer cases due to indoor tanning are more than the number of lung cancer cases due to smoking. Reading an article about this, took me by surprise and shook my nerves. Do you feel the same? Too much sun exposure could potentially result in skin damage, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.
Having read through all this, do you feel like not going out in the sun and enjoying the vibrant weather? Are you someone whose skin is already tanned and looking for the best solutions to get rid of sun tan? Here are few home remedies to cure sun tanned skin.
Top 10 sun tanned skin home remedies
1. Masoor dal brightening scrub
Known as red lentil in English, masoor dal is rich in protein and fiber and the vitamin B present in this dal, keeps the skin moisturized and healthy. It is a natural exfoliant that removes all the dead cells from your skin. Mixing it with sandalwood powder, rosewater and turmeric brings a smooth and natural glow to your skin removing that ugly tan from your beautiful face.
Sandalwood powder was used in most of the ancient beauty treatments. It reduces tan and removes dark spots. Thanks to the antibacterial properties of turmeric which fights pigmentation. Rose water gives a soothing effect when it comes in contact with your irritated skin.
Mix a few tablespoons of masoor dal powder with a teaspoon of sandalwood powder, a pinch of turmeric and a few teaspoons of rose water. Apply this on to your skin and gently rub in circular motion. It works like magic and reveals that glamorous glow in a matter of minutes.
2. Curd and orange face mask
Take 2 tablespoons of curd and the same amount of fresh orange juice and mix it very well. Apply this onto your skin and wait for 10 minutes. Wash off with plain water.
Orange juice improves your skin texture and keeps it hydrated. Loaded with vitamins, calcium and organic acids, curd removes the tan and leaves your skin clean, clear and supple.
3. Cucumber juice coolant
Clearing skin tan is a piece of cake with cucumber juice because of its soothing properties. Grind a few pieces of cucumber and extract its juice. Using a cotton pad, apply this juice all over your face and other sun tanned areas. Let it dry for a few minutes and wash off with plain water. The Vitamin C present in the cucumber keeps your skin fresh and moisturized. It soothes and gives a cooling effect to your skin and leaves it glossy.
4. Coconut milk for clear skin
The nourishing and hydrating properties of coconut milk lends a helping hand and supports your skin by restoring lost moisture. The mild acids and the natural bleaching agents help in removing sun tan and reveal silky smooth skin. Dip a cotton pad in fresh coconut milk and dab it on your face and areas that are exposed to sun. Leave for 10 minutes and wash off with warm water.
5. De-tan face pack
An ultimate combination of ingredients that will bring about an instant transformation to your skin. Take 2 tablespoons of gram flour and mix it with some fresh malai (thick clotted milk cream) and a pinch of turmeric. Apply this mixture on your face and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash off with water and look at the mirror. Surprised to see your face brighter and more beautiful?
6. Honey and sugar scrub
A simple scrub made with honey and sugar will take off the pigmentation from your skin in a jiffy. Want to see how it happens?
Take 2 teaspoons of honey and mix it with a teaspoon of sugar. Mix well and apply this on your face.
Scrub your face gently in circular motion for 3-4 minutes and wash off. You can do the same in other sun tanned areas and make sure not to scrub vigorously. Honey brightens your skin and sugar helps in getting rid of the dead cells.
7. Oats and papaya pampering
Oats act as a natural exfoliant. Soaking it in water and using it in your skin care ritual works wonders. Take a few teaspoons of oats that have been soaked in water for a few minutes and mix it with some mashed papaya, some organic, raw honey and buttermilk. Apply this face mask on your skin and let it sit for 20 minutes and wash your face with water.
Papain, an enzyme present in papaya contains substances that fight against most of the skin problems. Just like curd, buttermilk plays a major role in de-tanning your skin.
8. Potato juice for perfect skin
Take a few pieces of potato and extract its juice without removing its skin. Using a cotton pad, dab the juice onto your skin and let it dry completely. Clean your face with water. Are you ready to see how your blemish-free skin glows like gold? Sun tan!?….it doesn’t weigh on your mind anymore.
9. Rice powder and milk remedy
Being yet another exfoliant, rice powder helps in removing tan lines and dead cells and leaves your skin refreshed. Mix 2 tablespoons of rice powder with some milk, which is known for its beauty benefits and mix well to form a smooth paste. Apply this paste on your skin and scrub gently for 3-4 minutes and clean up your face.
Tada…..bye bye sun tan! We’ll never catch up later!
10. Aloe Vera for attractive skin
With a plethora of beneficial properties from healing acne to providing skin protection, aloe vera is an irreplaceable herb when it comes to skin care and hair care. Simply applying some fresh aloe vera gel after cleansing your face with a mild face wash and washing it off after a few minutes will work wonders on your tanned skin and also prevents skin damage.
Skin care products to remove sun tan
Lacking patience to try out natural remedies, we trail after fairness creams made up with an ocean of hazardous chemicals. These creams may put a visible glow on your face for a few days, but using them on a long run may lead to permanent skin damage.
Embracing nature and attaining problem-free skin….is it possible? By now, you would have started asking this intriguing question to yourself…Yes, I read your mind!
Sukham Handmade is the one-point solution to all your skin care problems including sun tanned skin. We offer a wide range of products to remove sun tan marks such as Detan pack which is made up of organic ingredients, chosen carefully, bearing in mind the importance of the long-term beauty and health of our beloved customers.
From de-tan packs made using lemon and orange peels to the Nalpamaradi thailam that holds the holistic goodness of Ayurveda, all our products formulated to cure sun tanned skin are addictive and effective.
Final thoughts:
Summer has gone, but has it left that dirty tan on your face? No worries when you have chosen Sukham Handmade! Spending a few minutes to de-tan your skin after a hectic day at work or college, will prevent further tanning and restore your skin’s natural glow! It’s time to forget sun tanned skin and embrace the golden glow!.
