illnesshacker: Medical information and health advice you can trust.

Skin Pigmentation

Pigmentation, better known as hyperpigmentation, is a condition that darkens patches of your skin. These patches can be large or small. While the condition isn’t harmful, it can be a symptom of an underlying medical issue and can cause your skin to look uneven and unhealthy.

Your skin gets its color from pigment-producing cells known as melanocytes. Melanocytes produce melanin which gives your skin its unique color. When the melanocytes are damaged, unhealthy, or pushed into overdrive they start to produce excessive melanin in certain areas, causing those areas to darken.

Causes of Hyperpigmentation

Hyperpigmentation is associated with a number of diseases or conditions, including the following

Addison’s disease and other sources of adrenal insufficiency, in which hormones that stimulate melanin synthesis, such as melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH), are frequently elevated.
Cushing’s disease or other excessive adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) production, because MSH production is a byproduct of ACTH synthesis from proopiomelanocortin (POMC).
Acanthosis nigricans—hyperpigmentation of intertriginous areas associated with insulin resistance.
Melasma, also known as chloasma—patchy hyperpigmentation
Acne scarring from post-inflammatary hyperpigmentation
Linea nigra—a hyperpigmented line found on the abdomen during pregnancy.
Peutz-Jeghers syndrome—an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hyperpigmented macules on the lips and oral mucosa and gastrointestinal polyps.
Exposure to certain chemicals such as salicylic acid, bleomycin, and cisplatin.
Smoker’s melanosis
Coeliac disease
Cronkite-Canada syndrome
Porphyria
Tinea fungal infections such as ringworm
Haemochromatosis—a common but debilitating genetic disorder characterized by the chronic accumulation of iron in the body.
Mercury poisoning—particularly cases of cutaneous exposure resulting from the topical application of mercurial ointments or skin-whitening creams.
Aromatase deficiency
Nelson’s syndrome
Grave’s disease
Excessive exposure to the sun
Skin damage from injury
Hormonal changes
Improper hair removal
Genetic predisposition
Allergic reactions
As a result of tinea cruris.

Hyperpigmentation can sometimes be induced by dermatological laser procedures.

While a number of factors can lead to hyperpigmentation, simple home remedies can reverse the condition in most cases. Following, I’ve put together, a list of 20 home remedies for skin pigmentation that will help even out your skin tone.

How To Remove Skin Pigmentation Naturally

1. Raw Potato

You Will Need

1 Raw Potato
A few drops of Water

Method

Take a washed, clean potato and cut it in half.
Add a few drops of water onto the cut side of the raw potato.
Rub the potato, in circular motions, onto the affected areas.
Wait for 10 minutes and then proceed to rinse the area with lukewarm water.

3-4 times a day for one month. Potatoes are said to work very well on pigmented areas, dark spots, and blemishes. This is because they contain an enzyme called catecholase that helps inhibit your melanocytes, curbing excessive melanin production (1).

2. Lemon/Lime

You Will Need

1 Lemon
2 tsp Organic Honey

Method

Cut the lemon and collect its juice in a bowl.
To the lemon juice, add the honey and mix well.Apply this mixture onto the affected areas of your skin.
Wait for about 15 minutes.
Wash off with lukewarm water.

Twice a day until you notice an improvement. Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent and organic honey works as a great moisturizer. These properties help fade skin pigmentation.

Lemons are an excellent source of vitamin C, and they also contain powerful antioxidant properties that protect the skin from UV damage while lightening dark spots (2).

You Might Also Like What Are The Basic Causes of Pale Skin

3. Lemon Juice And Turmeric Powder

You Will Need

1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1 tbsp Turmeric Powder

Method

In a bowl, combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
Cleanse your skin and apply this mixture onto it.
Wait for 15 minutes.
Wash off with lukewarm water.

Once a day, before going to bed use it . Turmeric is commonly used as a facepack in Indian households as it helps add a radiant glow while clearing away blemishes (3). It also helps maintain the pH levels of your skin.

4. Apple Cider Vinegar

You Will Need

1 tsp Apple Cider Vinegar
2 tbsp Water

Method

Dilute the apple cider vinegar with water.
Apply the solution onto the affected areas of your skin.
Leave the solution on for about 5 minutes.
Rinse with lukewarm water.

Twice a day until you notice improvement. The astringent properties of apple cider vinegar help restore the skin’s natural color. The vinegar also contains beta-carotene that treats the damage done to the skin by free radicals atmosphere (4). Apple cider vinegar is known to naturally make the skin supple and radiant (5).

5. Red Onion

You Will Need

1 Fresh Red Onion

Method

Slice the red onion.
Take a slice and start rubbing the affected areas on your skin with it.
Wait for 10 minutes and then proceed to rinse with lukewarm water.
Optionally, you can grate the onion, squeeze out its juice, and apply the juice onto the affected area.

Twice a day until you notice improvement. Onions are an excellent source of vitamin C, an antioxidant that can be used for treating pigmentation (6), (7).

6. Aloe Vera

You Will Need

2 tbsp Aloe Vera Gel
½ tbsp Raw Honey

Method

In a bowl, combine the raw honey and aloe vera gel. Let the mixture set for 10 minutes.
After 10 minutes, apply the mixture onto your skin.
Wait for 20 minutes.
Rinse your skin with lukewarm water.

Once a day for two weeks. Aloe vera is known to cleanse the skin without disturbing its natural pH and oil balance (8). It also helps in reducing darkspots and even offers protection from the damage caused by UV radiation (9), (10).

7. Cucumber

You Will Need

1 tbsp Cucumber Juice
1 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Lemon Juice

Method

In a bowl, combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
Apply this mixture onto the affected areas of your skin.
Leave the mixture on for about 10 minutes.
Rinse with lukewarm water.

Twice a day, every day. Cucumber is known to rejuvenate the skin and improve its complexion (11). It can also be used to treat freckles and blemishes.

8. Orange Peel

You Will Need

The peel of an Orange
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Milk
1 tsp Honey

Method

Sun-dry the orange peel until it is completely dehydrated.
Once dry, grind the orange peel until you get a fine powder.
To the powder, add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
Apply this mixture onto the affected areas of your skin.
Leave the mixture on for about 20 minutes.
Wash off with lukewarm water.

Dry orange peels in bulk so that you don’t have to wait 3-4 days to repeat the procedure. 3-4 times a week.Orange peel has citric acid that helps reduce melanin content, thereby treating pigmentation (12).

9. Almonds

You Will Need

5-6 Almonds.
1 tsp Honey
A few drops of Lemon Juice
½ tsp Milk (Optional)

Method

Leave the almonds in water to soak overnight.
In the morning, grind the soaked almonds to a smooth paste. You may add a little milk to the mixture if it is not smooth enough.
Add the rest of the ingredients to the almond paste and mix well.
Apply this mixture onto the affected areas of your skin.
Leave it on overnight.
In the morning, rinse with cold water.

Every night, before bed, for two weeks. After two weeks, cut down the number of treatments to twice a week. Almonds are great sources of vitamin E, which is also called the skin vitamin. The vitamin is a powerful antioxidant which helps treat skin pigmentation and keeps the skin healthy (13), (14).

You Might Also Like Proximal Subungual Onychomycosis, SYmptoms, Treatment

10. Sandalwood

You Will Need

2 tbsp Sandalwood Powder
2 tbsp Rose Water

Method

Combine the ingredients until you get a smooth paste.
Apply the paste onto the affected areas of your skin.
Leave it on for about 30 minutes.
Rinse the paste off with lukewarm water.

Twice a day use it. Sandalwood is an excellent blood purifier that helps treat pigmentation. It is a commonly used ingredient in sunscreens as it helps protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays (15).

11. Tomato, Oatmeal, And Yogurt Mask

You Will Need

Juice of 1 Tomato
2 tsp Oatmeal
½ tsp Yogurt

Method

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl until you get a coarse mixture.
Apply this mixture onto the affected areas of your skin.
Leave it on for 20 minutes or until it dries.
Rinse with lukewarm water.

Once a day use it .Because tomato has natural bleaching properties, and face masks made from tomatoes can help rejuvenate the skin (16). Yogurt contains lactic acid that tightens the skin and reduces blemishes (17). Oatmeal exfoliates dead skin, revealing younger and healthier layers. The combination of these three ingredients makes for an excellent remedy for hyperpigmentation.

12. Avocados

You Will Need

1 Ripe Avocado

Method

Mash the avocado until it is completely free of lumps.
Apply the mashed avocado onto your skin and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
Rinse with lukewarm water.

Twice a day for a month. The presence of vitamin C and oleic acid makes avocados an ideal remedy for skin pigmentation. They maintain the firmness of the skin, and also nourish the skin from within (18).

13. Banana

You Will Need

½ Banana
¼ tsp Honey
1 tsp Milk

Method

Mash the banana until it is completely free of lumps and to it add the honey and milk.
Combine the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
Apply this mixture onto the affected areas of your skin.
Leave it on for about 30 minutes and proceed to rinse your skin with warm water.

Twice a week. You will start to notice results in about three weeks. Banana works as a natural exfoliator that cleanses the skin, thereby treating skin pigmentation. It is also rich in vitamin K or potassium which nourishes your skin and keeps it healthy.

14. Papaya

You Will Need

2 tbsp Papaya Pulp
1 tbsp Honey
1 tbsp Milk

Method

Combine all the ingredients until you get a smooth mixture.
Apply this mixture onto your skin and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
Rinse your face with lukewarm water.

Twice a day use it. Papaya contains an enzyme called papain that has wonderful exfoliating properties. It helps break down and eliminate dead skin cells while encouraging new cell growth, thereby treating skin pigmentation (19).

15. Oils

You Will Need

1 tbsp Oil
(Choose an oil for your skin from the following list: olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, neem oil, or jojoba oil. Optionally, you can use a combination of these oils for this remedy.)
Towel

Method

Cleanse your skin and pat dry with a towel.
Start massaging your skin with the oil of your choice.
After massaging for a couple of minutes, wait for 30 minutes.
Wash your face with your cleanser and pat dry.

Once a day use it.

Olive Oil– Olive oil is an excellent conditioner, and it helps keep your skin moisturized and healthy. The oil is a rich source of antioxidants which help prevent skin damage and repair your skin.
Coconut Oil– Coconut oil has excellent penetrative properties which help its nutrients reach deep into your skin. This helps repair your skin. The oil also helps protect your skin from the sun.
Castor Oil– Castor oil is commonly used to fade scars, dark spots, and hyperpigmentation. This is because the oil is crammed with fatty acids and proteins which repair your skin and give it a nutrient boost.
Neem Oil– Neem oil helps slow the production of melanin, calming your melanocytes and restoring your natural skin tone.
Jojoba Oil– If your hyperpigmentation is a result of oiliness, Jojoba is the oil for you. Jojoba oil mimics the natural oil of your skin, calming your sebaceous glands and restoring the oil balance of your skin.

You Might Also Like Dry Gangrene; Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment

16. Masoor Dal Face Pack

You Will Need

1 tbsp Masoor Dal (Red Lentils)
3 tbsp Milk
1 tsp Honey
1 tsp Yogurt
1 tsp Lime Juice

Method

Soak the lentils in the milk and leave it overnight.
In the morning, grind the lentils and to it add the rest of the ingredients.
Grind until you get a smooth paste.
Apply the paste onto the affected areas of your skin.
Leave it on for 15 minutes.
Wash your face with lukewarm water.

Twice a week. Red lentil or masoor dal is rich in proteins and helps get rid of dead skin cells. It helps nourish your skin and keeps it healthy, reducing hyperpigmentation.

17. Yogurt

You Will Need

1 tbsp Plain Yogurt

Method

Take about a tablespoon of full-fat, plain yogurt.
Apply the yogurt onto the affected areas.
Wait for 20 minutes.
Rinse with lukewarm water.

Twice a week. Yogurt contains lactic acid which helps exfoliate your skin while also gently slowing down your melanocytes. This helps improve your skin’s texture while fading hyperpigmentation.

Tips For Reducing Hyperpigmentation

Avoid Direct Sun Exposure – The sun often worsens hyperpigmentation and pushes your melanocytes into overdrive. Hyperpigmentation is a common problem, and one must understand that the skin takes time to heal. Protect your skin from the Sun by applying sunscreen lotion and other creams. A sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 is recommended (especially for skin pigmentation). Avoid exposing your skin directly to the Sun and keep your skin clean.
Maintain A Healthy Diet – Your diet plays a significant role in determining the health of your skin. Ensure you include plenty of green leafy vegetables in your diet. Veggies like spinach, coriander, asparagus, curry leaves, and others are replete with vitamin A that is highly beneficial to your skin. Drink lots of water and eat as many fruits as possible to keep your skin hydrated. It also helps flush toxins out of your system.
Personal Hygiene Is Of Utmost Importance – This is a given. You might use the best of remedies, but without proper hygiene, your skin will never be healthy. Do not touch your face without washing your hands first. Don’t bathe with extremely hot water.
Use lukewarm water instead – Maintain a proper skin care routine. Follow the CTM routine like it is your religion and do not forget to exfoliate at least twice a week.

Hyperpigmentation can really take a toll on your self-esteem if allowed. But with this list of remedies and tips, you are well on your way to achieving beautiful and flawless skin.