Smooth supple skin not only looks great, it is also an indication of your skin’s health. Everyone yearns for smooth glowing skin with an even tone. This, however, does not always happen leading to the formation of an uneven skin tone.
There are several factors that lead to an uneven skin tone and the characteristic fatigued-look that this skin gives. Some of the most common causes of such skin tone include overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays, injuries to the skin, acne flareups as well as pimples that form on the skin. The use of the wrong skin products may also cause the difference in pigmentation.
This uneven skin tone often forms on the back, legs and arms. While there are a number of pharmaceutical products that may work to even your skin’s tone, there is always the concern that once you stop using the product, the condition recurs. This is where natural remedies come in handy. Natural remedies are not only gentle on the skin, there are often few complications associated with them.
This makes them a preferred option for the natural treatment of an uneven skin tone. More importantly, these solutions work for just about any skin, whether African (dark skin) or Caucasian (light skin). It is vital to remember that with the use of natural solutions, consistency is key to achieving good results. Granted, this takes longer than conventional medicine, but can be used over a lifetime with no worries. Find below the natural remedies recommended for the treatment of an uneven skin tone.
1. Egg White + Sandalwood Mask:
Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 2 Eggs, 1 funnel, 1 teaspoon of sandalwood (powder), and cold water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy
Egg whites are a great remedy for the skin as they are rich in proteins that aid in skin regeneration. The whites are also beneficial for the treatment of uneven skin tones thanks to their soothing properties. Sandalwood powder on the other hand, helps get rid of blotches on the skin, effectively evening out the skin tone. The mixture is an effective solution for skin patches, and over a period of time, results in an even skin tone. Use this remedy at least thrice weekly for best results.
Directions:
- The easiest way to get egg whites from eggs is to first refrigerate the eggs. The cold temperature makes the yolk firmer and easier to get rid of. Simply crack the egg into a funnel and allow the whites to pass through.
- Once you have collected the egg whites, add the sandalwood powder and mix well so that you have a paste.
- Apply the paste on the skin with an uneven tone and let it dry for half an hour.
- Rinse the skin with cold water and apply a skin moisturizer.
- Make this remedy a regular part of your skin routine to effectively even out the skin tones.
2. Tomato Rub:
Time Required: 20 Min
What You Need: Fresh tomato and cold water.
Difficulty: Easy
One of the simplest home remedies for the natural treatment of an uneven skin tone is the use of fresh tomato. Tomato is packed with antioxidants which help get rid of free radicals that contribute to uneven skin pigmentation. Fresh tomato pulp also has a refreshing and soothing effect on the skin, making it easy to retain smooth glowing even skin tone. Use this remedy on a regular basis for best results.
Directions:
- Wash the tomato well and cut into half.
- Rub the half tomato on the skin. Keep at it for 20 minutes and finally rinse using cold water.
- Use this remedy at least once daily.
3. Orange:
Time Required: 15 Min preparation and overnight application.
What You Need: 1 Fresh orange, juicer, 1/4 teaspoon of turmeric powder, gauze, and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy
Oranges are best known for their high concentration of Vitamin C, but you will also be interested to know that they are one of the best home remedies for the natural management of an uneven skin tone. These natural skin lightening properties are attributed to the presence of citric acid. To get the best results, add some turmeric powder to the juice squeezed from the oranges. Follow the directions below to get rid of an uneven skin tone. Note that the amount of paste you prepare is dependent on the surface area of skin with uneven skin tone.
Directions:
- Roll the orange on a hard working surface in order to stimulate the fibers to release maximum juice.
- Use a manual juicer to extract the orange juice.
- Take 2 tablespoons of the juice and mix with the turmeric powder.
- Apply this paste on your skin and massage.
- Cover the skin with the gauze to keep the paste in place and allow it to dry overnight.
- Rinse the skin the next day using water and apply a skin moisturizer.
4. Lemon Juice and Raw Honey Mixture:
Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of raw honey, and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy
Lemon juice has the same mode of action as orange juice as both fruits belong to the citrus family and therefore contain citric acid. As mentioned above, citric acid has skin lightening properties that help get rid of the uneven skin tone. Honey on the other hand, has soothing properties that help restore the skin’s natural glow so that over a period of time, the uneven patches are completely eliminated. Another advantage of using honey is its antibacterial healing properties that help treat any infections present if the uneven skin tone is a result of pimple formation on the skin. A mixture of the two makes an effective remedy for this condition.
Directions:
- Roll the lemon on a hard working surface in order to stimulate the fibers to release maximum juice.
- Use a manual juicer to extract the lemon juice.
- Stir in the honey to ensure that the two are well mixed.
- Apply the mixture on the skin with uneven blotches for the best results. Use this remedy at least thrice weekly.
5. Potato Wedges:
Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Raw potatoes, knife, cotton wool, and a manual juicer (optional).
Difficulty: Easy
Potatoes are an excellent source of starches, and this is precisely why they are recommended for managing uneven skin tones. The starch present has subtle skin lightening properties that help deal with the blotchiness that accompanies this skin condition. If your skin feels itchy, the potato’s cooling effects go a long way in providing relief while helping get rid of the uneven skin patches. You may either use the potato slices or extract the juice and apply it on the affected skin as follows.
Directions:
- Clean the potato and chop very thin slices.
- Use these slices to rub the skin and effectively get rid of the different toned patches on the skin.
- Alternatively, use a manual juice to get the raw potato juice.
- Soak some cotton wool in the potato juice and dab on the affected skin to even out the skin tone.
6. Coconut Cream:
Time Required: 40 Min
What You Need: Coconut cream (preferably fresh, but you can also use canned cream), and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy
Enjoy the goodness of coconut cream on the skin when you use this remedy to get rid of uneven skin patches. Coconut cream is not only high in fatty acids that nourish the skin, it is also rich in Vitamin E. Vitamin E is one of the most important ingredients for smooth even skin. More importantly, the cream also soothes and repairs the skin in cases where the unevenly toned patches cause skin damage.
Directions:
- Get the fresh coconut cream from the fruit and slather a generous amount on the affected skin. In the absence of fresh coconuts, you can simply use canned coconut cream.
- Let the cream remain on the skin for about 30 minutes before rinsing using warm water.
- Use this remedy at least thrice weekly until you are satisfied with your skin tone.
7. Ripe PawPaw:
Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Ripe pawpaw, bowl and spoon/blender, and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy
Ripe pawpaw is extremely beneficial for the skin, and is loved for its natural enzymes that help improve the skin tone. These natural enzymes allow for the elimination of dead skin cells and the generation of new skin cells that give the skin its healthy glow. It is particularly effective for those with sensitive skins as it is both gentle and moisturizes the skin. In cases where the uneven skin tone is the result of dry skin, raw pawpaw is an ideal choice.
Directions:
- Peel the pawpaw and chop a chunk of the fleshy fruit into a bowl.
- There are two ways in which you may prepare this remedy: you may either chop the pawpaw further into smaller pieces and then, using the back of the spoon, mash completely so that you have a puree-like home remedy.
- The other alternative involves blending the fruit without adding any water to ensure a thick paste-like substance for ease of application.
- Apply the mashed fruit on the affected skin and let it dry for about half an hour.
- Rinse the skin using warm water and follow this through with the application of a skin moisturizer.
8. Berries:
Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Choice of berries (strawberries and raspberries are an ideal choice), bowl and spoon/ blender, as well as warm water to rinse.
Difficulty: Easy
Berries are not only a delicious type of fruit, they are also an excellent home remedy when it comes to the evening out of the skin’s tone. This is because they are rich in antioxidants which help maintain the skin’s health. Additionally, the berries are acidic, a factor which retains the skin’s natural pH as well as fights off the blotchiness that often leads to uneven skin patches. As with the pawpaw remedy above, you may either mash or blend the berries prior to the application process as indicated below.
Directions:
- Wash the berries well prior to preparing this remedy.
- Mash the berries in a bowl using a spoon or opt to blend and use the resulting puree.
- The resulting remedy will be somewhat coarse, and this allows you to scrub the affected skin.
- Massage the skin gently and then leave it on for some 30 minutes before rinsing.
- Use this remedy severally weekly until you are content with the progress made as far as your skin tone is concerned.
9. Aloe Vera Gel:
Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: Aloe vera leaf and warm water.
Difficulty: Easy
It is virtually impossible to write on home remedies for uneven skin tones without mentioning aloe vera. This wonder herb works excellently for different skin conditions. When used to treat varying skin tones, the gel’s healing properties get rid of blotchy spots on the skin. The cooling effects of the gel also go a long way in providing relief in cases where the skin is both dry and blotched. Daily use of the gel on the affected skin goes a long way in ensuring that your skin is healthy and evenly toned. Prepare the remedy as indicated in the directions below.
Directions:
- Cut the leaf along its edges to reveal the fleshy part of the leaf and allow easy extraction of the gel.
- Apply the gel on the affected skin or opt to rub the succulent leaf on the skin, whichever works best for you.
- Let the gel remain on the skin for 30 minutes before rinsing.
- Use this remedy daily for best results.
10. Baking Soda:
Time Required: 30 Min
What You Need: 1 Teaspoon of baking soda powder and some warm water (the amounts of ingredients used vary depending on the extent of the condition).
Difficulty: Easy
One of the best recommendations for the natural treatment of uneven skin tone is baking soda. When made into a paste, the baking soda helps exfoliate the skin with minimal side effects. This is a much-needed benefit for those with sensitive skin as it prevents the complications that often arise with the use of commercial skin products. Use baking soda regularly to get a beautiful even skin tone as indicated below.
Directions:
- Prepare the paste by adding a few drops of water to the baking soda and mixing well.
- Once you have the desired paste consistency, simply apply it to the skin.
- Give the remedy a few minutes to set in, all the while massaging using your finger tips.
- Rinse the paste using warm water. Use this remedy daily.
Other remedies that come in handy in the treatment of an uneven skin tone include natural yogurt, oatmeal as well as sugar scrub. Remember to use these remedies consistently in order to see any visible results. If you have any concerns about your skin’s condition and the presence of uneven tones, you may want to seek a dermatologist’s opinion on the way forward.
