As I continue on this road to "maturity" and learning to deal with the trials and tribulations of a changing body I'm finding that going back to tried and true ways of our ancestors still work pretty darn good. So battling this adult acne has resulted in taming and reducing the actual acne, but being left dark spot where the acne had been. My own scarlet letter of shame - only kidding, but it left me with a definite uneven complexion. I got to thinking of natural ways to lighten and even my complexion with out going to my old standby skin lightening cream that 1. burned my skin and 2. gave me acne (yes the irony is not lost on me here!). I've opted to go with the remedies of the past before everything was a cosmetic or a drug and filled with synthetic ingredients.
Milk products are full of Lactic Acid; which is a gentle Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Alpha hydroxy acid acts as an exfoliant by contributing to the shedding of skin cells. This leads to cell renewal which in turn removes dullness from your skin giving you a brightening effect. As a skin lightening agent, lactic acid helps bleach the hyperpigmented skin by suppressing the production of melanin.
Citrus Juice is astringent and has natural bleaching effects (particularly lemon). Its astringent property will tighten your pores reducing the sebum secretion and its natural acidic composition will bleach your skin to whiten it. As lemon juice is also rich in vitamin C, it leads to production of new skin cells so that you get rid of all dullness and have bright skin. Side note I remember listening to the older women always talking about having used lemon juice on dark elbows and knees to lighten them, but never understood why it worked as a kid.
Here are a couple of natural recipes right out of your kitchen that I have been playing with to get rid of those pesky scars naturally...
Citrus and Yogurt Lightening Mask (Oily Skin)
1 tsp of Plain Yogurt
1/2 tsp of Lemon Juice
Mix Yogurt and Lemon Juice together well and apply to clean face. Leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse well. Dry face and moisturize. Repeat daily until desired effect is met.
CAUTION: DO NOT APPLY MIXTURE BEFORE GOING OUT IN THE SUN. LEMON JUICE CAUSES PHOTOSENSITIVITY AND COULD RESULT IN SUNBURN AND/OR FURTHER DARKENING OF THE SKIN. DO NOT APPLY LEMON JUICE TO BROKEN SKIN. KEEP OUT OF EYES.
Citrus, Honey and Olive Oil Lightening Mask (Dry Skin)
1 tsp Honey
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Olive Oil
Mix all ingredients and gently apply to clean face. Massage face with ingredients and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well, pat dry and apply moisturizer. Repeat daily until desired effect is met.
CAUTION: DO NOT APPLY MIXTURE BEFORE GOING OUT IN THE SUN. LEMON JUICE CAUSES PHOTOSENSITIVITY AND COULD RESULT IN SUNBURN AND FURTHER DARKENING OF THE SKIN.
So far so good, for me on evening out my skintone and I haven't touched the commercial lightener. Share with me how these recipes are working for you.
Milk products are full of Lactic Acid; which is a gentle Alpha Hydroxy Acid. Alpha hydroxy acid acts as an exfoliant by contributing to the shedding of skin cells. This leads to cell renewal which in turn removes dullness from your skin giving you a brightening effect. As a skin lightening agent, lactic acid helps bleach the hyperpigmented skin by suppressing the production of melanin.
Citrus Juice is astringent and has natural bleaching effects (particularly lemon). Its astringent property will tighten your pores reducing the sebum secretion and its natural acidic composition will bleach your skin to whiten it. As lemon juice is also rich in vitamin C, it leads to production of new skin cells so that you get rid of all dullness and have bright skin. Side note I remember listening to the older women always talking about having used lemon juice on dark elbows and knees to lighten them, but never understood why it worked as a kid.
Here are a couple of natural recipes right out of your kitchen that I have been playing with to get rid of those pesky scars naturally...
Citrus and Yogurt Lightening Mask (Oily Skin)
1 tsp of Plain Yogurt
1/2 tsp of Lemon Juice
Mix Yogurt and Lemon Juice together well and apply to clean face. Leave on for 15-20 minutes. Rinse well. Dry face and moisturize. Repeat daily until desired effect is met.
CAUTION: DO NOT APPLY MIXTURE BEFORE GOING OUT IN THE SUN. LEMON JUICE CAUSES PHOTOSENSITIVITY AND COULD RESULT IN SUNBURN AND/OR FURTHER DARKENING OF THE SKIN. DO NOT APPLY LEMON JUICE TO BROKEN SKIN. KEEP OUT OF EYES.
Citrus, Honey and Olive Oil Lightening Mask (Dry Skin)
1 tsp Honey
1 tsp Lemon Juice
1 tsp Olive Oil
Mix all ingredients and gently apply to clean face. Massage face with ingredients and let sit for 10-15 minutes. Rinse well, pat dry and apply moisturizer. Repeat daily until desired effect is met.
CAUTION: DO NOT APPLY MIXTURE BEFORE GOING OUT IN THE SUN. LEMON JUICE CAUSES PHOTOSENSITIVITY AND COULD RESULT IN SUNBURN AND FURTHER DARKENING OF THE SKIN.
So far so good, for me on evening out my skintone and I haven't touched the commercial lightener. Share with me how these recipes are working for you.
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