7 Effective Home Remedies To Reduce Hyperpigmentation

Skin color is determined by the amount of melanin pigment in the skin, which is produced by melanocyte cells. Therefore, the more the melanin content in the skin, the deeper the color. The skin generally has an even skin tone, but at times, some areas of the skin may appear darker due to various reasons, including increased melanin production or increased number of melanocytes. This condition of darkly colored patches in the skin is known as hyperpigmentation. It is commonly called age spots, sunspots, or melasma.

You may develop hyperpigmentation due to different factors such as UV exposure, hormonal imbalance, smoking, tobacco consumption, allergies, injury, certain cancer treatments, increased iron concentration, and even excessive alcohol consumption.

# Use alpha-hydroxy acids

Indian gooseberry and dairy products such as yogurt and milk contain alpha-hydroxy acids, similar to those used for chemical peeling. These ingredients can be used to mildly exfoliate the skin.

- Mix any of the ingredients with 1 tbsp of rose water and 1 tsp of lemon juice to form a mask.
- Add some oatmeal or sandalwood powder if the mask is too thin.
- Apply the mask to your face and wash it off after 15–20 minutes.

# Apply lemon or lime juice

Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent that can lighten dark spots.

- Mix 1–2 tbsp of lemon juice with water. You can also add vitamin E oil to it for added benefits.
- Apply the mixture to the dark spots.
- Rinse the area after 15 minutes.

# Treat with aloe vera gel

The active compound of aloe vera gel, known as aloin, is shown to have skin-lightening effects.

- Cut open a fresh aloe vera leaf and extract the gel. Apply it to the affected skin, and wash it off after 20 minutes.
- You can also add 1 tsp of lemon juice to 2 tbsp of aloe vera gel and use it as a mask.

# Apply turmeric

Turmeric is another natural ingredient that can treat hyperpigmentation by blocking the activity of tyrosinase.

- Mix 2 tsp of turmeric powder with milk to form a paste. You can also add lemon juice to the paste.
- Apply the paste to the affected areas.
- Wash the paste off after 20 minutes using lukewarm water.

# Use honey-based masks

It is shown that the application of organic and medical-grade honey can fade hyperpigmentation spots.

- Mix half a ripe avocado with 2 tsp of honey and 1 tsp of milk. Mash the paste to obtain a uniform consistency.
- Apply the paste to the affected areas.
- Wash the skin after the paste dries using lukewarm water.

# Use skin-lightening oils

Various oils such as rosehip oil, sandalwood oil, and almond oil reduce hyperpigmentation.

- Dilute the essential oils with any carrier oil and use it to massage your skin.
- Add the essential oils to any skin-lightening mask.

# Apply rose extracts

Masks made using rose extracts, especially alcohol based, can give the skin an even tone. You can buy alcohol-based rose extracts from drugstores. However, when preparing rose extracts at home, avoid using alcohol as it can cause skin dehydration.

- Soak a few rose petals in milk. Grind after an hour to form a paste. Apply the paste to the affected skin for 15 minutes, and then wash it off.
- Add 2 tbsp of sandalwood powder to the rose extract to form a thick paste. Apply the mask to your face, and wash it off after 30 minutes with lukewarm water.