The internet is flooding with products claiming to protect your skin from sun tanning. It has become one of the most sought-after concerns in the present world. With sunburns and sun tanning, stepping out has become a dreadful thought. Tanning is one of the many ways the sun harms your skin. When the skin is exposed to harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun, the skin produces melanin to prevent DNA damage in the cells of the epidermal layer of the skin. In this process, excess melanin makes your skin darker and your skin starts looking tanned.
Ancient Ayurvedic texts mention natural remedies to heal the skin damaged from tanning. These remedies are easy, effective and can prevent skin tanning without causing any additional complications. They also help soothe the skin and maintain its lustre and shine.
Udvartana: An Ayurvedic Process to Remove Tanning
Udvartana is Ayurvedic exfoliation of the body to remove tanning. In this process, herbs in the forms of powder and oil are rubbed on the skin to remove the dead cells, skin pigmentation and tan from the skin. Many types of face and skin packs can be used for Udvartana, depending on the type of skin. In this process, the mixture has to be rubbed opposite to the direction of hair growth and then rinsed with lukewarm water.
Home Remedies to Remove Sun Tan
Turmeric
The anti-inflammatory and healing properties of turmeric make it the best herb in Ayurveda to remove tanning. The curcumin present in turmeric heals the damaged skin and makes the skin look brighter.
How to use turmeric?
Turmeric can be used on the skin in the form of paste. You may add Chandan or Kesar to the paste, with either water or rose water. You may also use curd.
Sandalwood
The exfoliating properties of sandalwood or Chandan make it a good agent to remove tanning and make the skin lighter and brighter. The cooling properties present in Sandalwood soothes the skin and gives relief after sun tanning.
How to use sandalwood?
You may apply sandalwood paste directly to your face or mix it with turmeric or Multani Mitti for additional benefits to the skin.
Saffron
Kesar or saffron is a well-known herb in Ayurveda with impeccable complexion-enhancing properties. Saffron effectively removes the sun tan leaving behind radiant skin.
How to use saffron?
A mix of saffron with milk can be directly applied to the skin. You can also make a paste of saffron by mixing it with turmeric or sandalwood.
Hibiscus
Rich in antioxidants, hibiscus can be extremely effective in removing tanning. The exfoliating properties of the hibiscus remove dead cells and tan from the skin. It also evens out the complexion and soothes the skin.
How to use hibiscus?
Form a paste of Hibiscus flowers and apply it to your face. You can also add honey or Amla powder to the paste.
Amla (Indian Gooseberry)
Amla is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. It can efficiently remove the tan from the skin by exfoliating it deeply.
How to use Amla?
Amla can be applied in the form of powder on the skin, mixed with either hibiscus flowers or Multani Mitti.
Honey
The exfoliating and healing properties of honey gently exfoliate the skin and nourish it. It soothes the damage done to the skin while removing the tan.
How to use Honey?
You can apply honey directly to your skin as a thin layer or you may mix honey to various herbal face packs such as Multani Mitti, hibiscus or Amla.
Aloe Vera
The cooling and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera heals and soothes the damaged skin. It gently exfoliates the skin and cures sunburns while removing tanning from the skin.
How to use aloe vera?
Peel off the aloe vera gel from the leaf and apply it directly to the skin and rinse it after some time.
Multani Mitti
Also known as fuller’s earth, Multani Mitti is very effective in removing tan and soothing sunburns. It is a great exfoliating agent that removes dead cells and tanning from the skin.
How to use Multani Mitti?
You may use Multani Mitti in the form of a face pack. Mix it with water or rose water and apply it to the skin. You may also add other de-tanning herbal agents to this pack.
Takeaway:
These natural herbal remedies are easily available within the four walls of our households. There’s no use for chemical products when you can help your skin glow naturally.
The aforementioned herbs are rich in so many nutrients, that they not just help remove tanning from the skin but also nourishes the skin from within.
This article is reviewed by Dr. Jyoti Lakhani
