Skin tone usually refers to natural color of your skin. It can be broadly classified as fair, light, medium, and deep. There are numerous ways to improve skin tone naturally and permanent at home. There are sophisticated methods such as Microdermabrasion, Laser Skin Resurfacing, lactic acid treatments and simple treatments that can be followed at home that equally effective and long lasting when followed regularly.
Difference between skin tone and skin undertone
Skin tone is not be confused with undertone. As skin undertone, means the color (hue) underneath the surface of the skin. This can be determined in the presence of natural light and observing the color of the veins, and accordingly it is classified as warm, cool or neutral.
What influences skin tone
Skin tone is decided by the pigment called melanin and genetic . More the melanin deeper or darker the skin color. People with minimum or no melanin has the fair or light skin tone. The skin tone for an individual is decided by their genetics and the amount of sun to which the skin is exposed, since more melanin is produced primarily for the sun protection.
Now we know what is a skin tone, difference between skin tone and skin undertone; and we proceed on to discuss, “how to improve the skin tone naturally”.
How to improve skin tone naturally
This requires a basic understanding your skin type, skin tone, and the common issues your skin incurs such as acne, dark circles, blackheads and any particular ingredient to which the skin becomes allergenic and shows signs of skin inflammation or allergenic reactions and how to choose a skincare product for your skin.
By following a simple skincare routine that can help to stabilize your skin and nullify the effect of environmental hazards, any other skin related issues that can contribute for skin darkness. And we will also discuss few natural remedies that can work on skin for a better complexion and look.
Other treatments also always have a risk of side effects especially skin infections due to the chemicals and method of application. So it is always better to consider natural products before jumping to the artificial treatments.
Face Masks to Improve Skin Tone
There are some natural ways to whiten your skin at home. These face masks are refreshing for your skin especially in summers when skin is most likely to get tanned. Some of the most effective and immediate result giving masks are as follows:
Papaya, raw milk and saffron mask
If you are looking to increase skin brightness, enhance skin and make the skin look radiant, this face mask is a powerful mask and works well on skin. Papaya, is described as “the Fruit of the angels” it has vast skincare properties. Improves skin tone, brightens and lightens the skin, hydrates skin and increases the skin glow. Raw milk is a good natural cleanser, hence cleanses all dirts and moisturizes skin.
Saffron has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties; hence it treats acne and pimples. Saffron can give natural brightens to the skin, improve skin tone and makes it glow. It also has necessary anti-oxidants and vitamins that nourishes the skin and protects skin.
Soak few strands of saffron in raw milk for few minutes. After the saffron has released its color into the milk, grind the saffron milk with papaya. Apply the resultant mixture on the cleansed face and wait for 30 minutes. let it the benefits of the ingredients reach deep into the skin and work. Now remove the mixture gently, without rubbing much on the face. Pat dry face and you can admire your super soft skin.
Using the face mask thrice a week really helps to achieve a beautiful glowing skin.
Licorice face mask
Licorice is obtained from the root of Glycyrrhia Glabra Linneva. It has shown a great result in improving the skin brightness and reducing skin inflammation.
The important chemical compound of licorice is glabridin. Studies have proven that glabridin prevents skin pigmentation caused by UVB radiations. Glabridin also has impact on the process of melanin production and skin inflammation.
Licorice has skin brightening compound called liquiritin, which is a glycoside containing flavonoid, which helps to achieve skin lightening by scattering melanin. This compound improves skin even tone and texture. Licorice removes melanin present in epidermal layer of the skin and hinters melanin production.
Hence we can conclude that Licorice lightens the skin, improves brightness by hindering melanin production and reduces skin discoloration by improving the darker areas of the skin.
Licorice can be powdered and mixed with rose water and applied on the face. Licorice can also be used in combination with sandalwood powder as well.
Tomato mask
Tomato is a natural astringent that helps in removing fine lines and wrinkles. Applying a tomato lemon mask helps in lightening the tanned skin and leaves the skin brighter.
Instant skin brightness can be achieved by bleaching process. Tomato has the natural bleaching agents which can bring about fast and effect skin brightness. Tomato has citric and malic acid, that work as a mild astringent cleansing and unclogs skin pores. It clears blackheads and blemishes. Tomato is a rich source of Vitamin C, minerals and antioxidants. It can lighten the darker areas of the skin and help to get a even skin tone and a improved skin brightness.
You can either apply tomato puree of skin or apply a mixture of tomato and honey. This face mask also ensures a glowing skin and natural younger looking skin. This face mask can be used two times a week and reduces uneven skin tone, dull and dry skin, and dark spots.
Wild turmeric mask
Wild turmeric is also called as Kasturi turmeric, has a large number of skincare benefits and hence used widely in southern parts of India. Being rich in anti-oxidants, anti-inflammatory, anti-septic, antibacterial and antimicrobial properties; it defends skin from acne, and any other microbial infections.
Wild turmeric has extreme anti aging benefits and helps to diminish wrinkles, fine lines, patches and dark spots. It is good in treating skin discoloration and ensures an even skin tone.
This natural spice helps in lightening skin tone by removing scars and blemishes. Wild turmeric interferes with production of excess melanin and controls it. This prevents darkening of the skin and thereby increasing the skin brightness.
Wild turmeric also removes sun tan, and guarantees a glowing skin with continued usage. It is appropriate for everyday use, and can be used alone or in combination with other natural skincare ingredients for added benefits. It can be used with sandal wood powder or yogurt or with aloevera gel as follows:
Aloevera gel and turmeric face mask
Turmeric kills bacteria and improves skin complexion. Aloe and turmeric both promises a clear skin. A clear skin simply means a skin without scars, acne, blemishes, aging signs, wrinkles, fine lines, age spots, dark circles, enhanced under eye appearance, refreshed and flexible skin.
Aloe vera is also capable of reducing hyperpigmentation and reduces skin discolorations, improves skin brightness to a good extend.
Yogurt mask
Yogurt contains lactic acid which is known for treating hyperpigmentation, dark spots and has anti aging benefits. It hydrates skin and reduces wrinkles and fine lines. Yogurt transforms the skin from a dry, dull to a brighter and improves overall complexion of the skin. It also refreshes skin, and lightens the dark spots and scars and improves skin brightness.
Lactic acid is well known for treating uneven skin tone and using yogurt face mask in your skincare routine greatly helps in achieving even skin tone. It works gently on the skin, exfoliating the dead cells.
Both honey and yogurt are beneficial for skin as they exfoliate and hydrate the skin giving a brighter complexion.
Take equal parts of honey and fresh yogurt or curd and mix well. Similarly honey can be substituted a drop of lemon, gram flour or turmeric. Rinse well with lukewarm water. You will notice visible changes in the skin and feel the effect of the mask instantly. Yogurt mask can be followed daily for improved results.
Skincare Routine to Improve Skin Tone
Treatments can also prove helpful in this regard but maintaining a healthy routine attitude towards skin is much better for skin whitening. You can stick to the following simple routine.
Hydration and skin moisturization
Our body is composed of about sixty percent of water so it is crucial for our skin too. So, keeping yourself hydrated is significant to having a better skin.
Skin moisturization is the most basic key feature of any skincare routine. Since proper skin moisturization can nourish skin and maintain it young and radiant. Moisturize your skin using a good moisturizer twice daily. It helps with skin hydration and boost complexion.
Body hydration and skin moisturization really helps to keep a lot of skincare and health care issues at bay.
Recommended reading: Know your moisturizer for your skin type.
Sunscreen application
Sun can make your skin darker quicker than you can imagine so always wear a sunscreen according to your skin type to avoid the dangerous UV radiations.
When you are out under sun, in order to defend body and skin from harmful rays, the pigment melanin is secreted more. This can be noticed by the slight darkening of the skin. If the same continues we tend to develop sun tan, hence application of Sunscreen and after sun becomes a must, when going out in sun. After sun soothes, calms, and cools the skin.
Facial stream
Steam helps in unclogging skin pores. Your skin pores are tiny and you need a good cleanser, or a special method such as facial streaming for loosening the skin pores before a face mask.
Taking steam from lemon water improves complexion. Lemon or any ingredient containing citric acid works to unclog the pores. Cleansing the skin and clearing the skin pores are the first importance step for achieving a even skin tone.
Massage
Massaging the skin improves the blood circulation in that area. This helps to regenerate skin cells, and thus maintaining the skin look younger. It also paves way for a glowing skin.
Use honey and olive oil to massage your skin. They help exfoliate skin making it look brighter and lighter. Massage gently in a circular motion and in a upward direction.
Rose water application
Applying rose water on skin enhances the skin complexion due to its deep moisturization and anti-inflammatory properties.
Again we must emphasize that you only use methods and products that suit your skin type otherwise you can harm your skin more than improving its complexion.
Conclusion
So if you want skin whitening you can go with any of the above methods and slowly and gradually you will see the radiance of your own face.
Even though this might sound funny but it cannot be denied the sleep deprivation messes up your skin. So, make sure to sleep enough and do not underestimate the power of those eight hours you spend dreaming. You will definitely see the results soon.