How to achieve fair skin naturally over a period of time

“A thing of beauty,” John Keats said, “is a joy forever”. However, while dealing with the hustle bustle of our daily lives let’s face the fact – rough skin does creep up on us. It is by simply following some tips that you can add beauty and years to your life and ward off those dead lairs of skin. 

Skin color is primarily determined by genetic inheritance but exposure to sunlight also alters skin color. Human skin comes in a wide variety of colors, ranging from shades of dark brown to pale Although an individual’s skin color is influenced by numerous factors, the most significant is its content of a pigment called melanin. Regular sun exposure (e.g. every day) is associated with tanning. It increases eumelanin levels which gives skin a brownish tan and provides protection against the sun’s rays. This reduces the risk of burning and skin cancer with future sun exposure. 

If you want to lighten your complexion, there are natural remedies that you can try to brighten your skin a few shades. Since many commercial creams are ineffective or unhealthy to use, turning to natural methods to get fairer skin is a smart choice. A common household ingredient lemon juice —works especially well to lighten skin tone. Staying out of the sun and using natural facial masks will also keep your skin from getting darker. 

Most of the normal darkening and discoloration of your skin is caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays. If you're extremely concerned about having fairer skin, staying indoors will keep your skin as light as possible. When that's not possible, protect your skin use SPF sunblock with a minimum SPF of 30. Most dermatologists agree an SPF 15 is not sufficient. Dangerous UVA and UVB rays are still reaching your skin. You want 98% or more of the sun's rays to be blocked. Wear a hat to protect your face when you're outside. Especially in the summer. There are so many fashionable hats these days, you can also be a trend-setter while you are protecting your skin. 

Doing manual exfoliation can really help to lighten the skin since the process takes off dead skin cells. Keep in mind that exfoliation only helps if your current skin is darker than your normal skin tone because it reveals fresh skin that is untouched by the sun. You can exfoliate your skin manually by using a facial scrub or face wash with exfoliating particles.

To make your own, just add a teaspoon of ground almonds or oatmeal to your regular cleanser. Using a scrub brush or a dry brush is a great way to exfoliate your entire body. For your face, use a special brush with softer bristles so you don't damage the fragile skin there. There are also exfoliating machines, such as the Clarisonic, that digs a little deeper to thoroughly remove the top layer of dead skin cells. 

Skin that is already naturally dark is very hard to lighten more than a shade or two, especially using natural methods. Keeping your skin healthy by protecting it from the sun, exfoliating and using natural lightening methods is your best bet for keeping it on the lighter side in tone. Remember that consistency is the key, and do your facial treatments several times a week.

A correct sleeping pattern, CTM routine (Skin Cleansing, Toning and Moisturizing Routine), maintaining the right diet, exercising and using the right rejuvenating creams are the key mantras for getting a glowing complexion. However, it could not be possible for all of us to follow this routine perfectly. If you are pressed for time and are looking at options to get a glowing skin overnight, here are a couple of tried and tested natural ways for glowing skin that you could try. 

This is one of most simple home remedy to make a scrub that gives you a glow instantly. Soak equal amounts of rice and sesame seeds overnight. Grind to a fine scrub consistency in the morning. Apply over your body and face and leave it on for a minute or two. Wash off with cool water. While the sesame nourishes and moisturizes your skin, the rice grains will exfoliate gently. This is a perfect body and face polish. 

Sleeping packs nourish your skin while you sleep.

Wash your face clean, with a mild face wash and rinse with cold water. Remove all traces of make-up and pat dry your skin. Take about less than a teaspoon of the sleeping pack and massage it with upward strokes on your skin. Since sleeping packs are easily absorbed in your skin, they won’t leave a greasy feel. When you wake up in the morning, use a mild cleanser to clean your face and rinse with cold water. 

Milk is another wonderful natural way for glowing skin. Apply a very thin layer of low-fat milk on your face. Massage with upward strokes, till the milk is totally absorbed by your skin. Wash your face with a mild face wash in the morning and pat dry. Milk not only helps to clear dark facial spots but also nourishes the skin as you sleep.

Use a mild exfoliator to cleanse your skin and pat dry. Remove all traces of make-up. Apply a pack of honey and fullers earth and leave it on for at least 15 minutes. When the pack dries, wet it using very little water and scrub slowly while massaging your face for at least 2 minutes. Rinse off with cold water. Pat dry and apply a thin layer of a rejuvenating night cream. When you wake up, use a mild exfoliator to clean your face. Use the honey pack again, post the exfoliation to get the extra glow.

Aloe Vera cannot change your skin colour but it has several skincare benefits. It has anti-bacterial properties which help to prevent and cure acne and pimples. It also acts as a moisturizer and makes your skin pores clean and neat. Aloe Vera can be used as a base. As it gives a cooling effect, you can choose to use it as a night cream.

While being comfortable with your skin color is important, it is also nice to know how to become fair should you feel the desire to. Because of our hectic schedule, it is really tough to have a regular salon or parlour appointment. Some natural ingredients can give you home remedies with outstanding results. 

1. Lemon is known to be a superior bleaching agent and scrubbing about half a lemon on your face regularly will help lighten your skin tone. This is one of the simplest yet effective home remedies for fair skin.

2. The juice of one potato can be squeezed and applied to your face; do it regularly and you will notice a gradual change. Apply the pulp of a mashed tomato on your skin; not only will it lighten your skin tone but it will give it a pink glow too. Mix equal quantities of honey and lemon juice and apply it on your skin.

3. Another great natural way to get fair skin is to mix a tiny amount of cinnamon with about half a teaspoon of honey and apply it on your face. If you have oily skin and want to lighten its tone, then applying a mixture of cucumber and lemon juice on it works wonders.

4. The curd is rich in lactic and zinc acid, both of which have natural skin lightening properties.

5. If you want to lighten scars on your skin then applying fresh coconut water on them really works.

6. A tiny amount of saffron mixed with olive oil is a great natural remedy to make your skin fair. This effective fairness mask requires you to mix a spoonful each of almond oil, lemon juice and milk powder. Apply the mask on your skin and let it sit for about 15 minutes before you wash it off.

These tips will surely help you to give you a great fair skin and a little me time for yourself.