Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 3: Keep a light and radiant skin
• Method 2 of 3: Using products and undergoing treatments that lighten your skin
• Method 3 of 3: Using natural remedies to lighten your skin
• Tips

If you want to get a lighter complexion, even out blotchy areas and get rosy skin, use a face mask with natural ingredients once a week. Also, keep your skin healthy by washing your face, using toner, and applying moisturizer regularly. Over time, your skin will lighten and take on a rosy hue.

To step

Method 1 of 3: Keep a light and radiant skin

1. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher every day to maintain fair skin. For best results, choose water resistant sunscreen with broad spectrum protection. Apply a generous amount of sunscreen every morning whether you plan on going outside or not. Even if you only go outside for 5 minutes a day without sunscreen, your skin will darken over time. Your skin will not stay as light as you want unless you always protect it well.

   If you plan to spend time in the sun then reapply sunscreen several times a day to keep protecting your skin. If you go for a swim, bring it every time you get out of the water put on sunscreen again.

   
   
2. Expose your skin to the sun as little as possible. Try to stay indoors between 10am and 2pm, because that's when the sun is at its strongest and does the most damage to your skin. Also stay in the shade when you go outside. If possible, wear protective clothing such as light long-sleeved shirts and sunglasses to further protect your skin.
   • Never use the tanning bed.

   Tip: be extra careful around snow, sand and waterbecause they all reflect the rays of the sun so that you are even more exposed to the sun.

3. Wash and exfoliate your skin regularly. Use a mild facial cleanser twice a day (in the morning and before bed) to keep your skin looking fresh and light. Gently exfoliate your skin several times a week to remove dead skin cells that are often dark and damaged. In this way, fresh, radiant skin emerges.
   • Exfoliating can also give your cheeks a rosy hue by improving blood circulation.
   • Make sure to exfoliate your skin gently. Over-exfoliating can make your skin red and irritated.
4. Stop smoking to get a lighter complexion. Cigarette smoke will eventually cause fine lines and wrinkles, leaving your skin looking dull and tired. Smoking also decreases blood flow to the face, which can cause a gray cast to cover your facial skin. By quitting you can get radiant and lighter skin.
5. Stay hydrated to keep your skin looking radiant and fresh. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to keep your skin fresh and supple. Staying hydrated will also help your skin renew itself faster, leaving the top layers of the skin lighter and brighter.

   Natural juices and teas are also good choices for hydrating your body.

   
   
6. Exercise regularly to give your skin a healthy glow. Working up a sweat keeps your skin looking healthy and fresh because it improves blood circulation. The improved blood circulation transports oxygen to your skin cells, nourishes them and removes free radicals and other waste products from your cells.

   Go for a run, use a cross trainer or stationary bike to work up a sweat and get your heart rate up.

Method 2 of 3: Using products and undergoing treatments that lighten your skin

1. Use over-the-counter creams that lighten your skin. Face creams with kojic acid, glycolic acid, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C and arbutin can reduce the amount of melanin in your skin. This is the pigment that tans your skin and gives you freckles and brown spots. Apply the cream of your choice according to the directions on the package.
   • If you experience skin irritation, stop using the cream and consider seeing a dermatologist.
   EXPERT TIP

   Use a retinoid cream. You can buy creams with retinoids at most drug stores. You can also visit your dermatologist for a prescription cream, which is a lot stronger than over-the-counter varieties. Retinoids accelerate the renewal of your skin cells and remove the top layer of skin, leaving your skin looking lighter, fresher and younger.

   • Retinoids can make your skin very sensitive to sunlight, so make sure to use a good sunscreen every day to protect your skin.
2. See your dermatologist for a chemical peel. A chemical peel removes the top layers of skin, leaving you with lighter, fresher and younger skin. This treatment is quite harsh on your skin, so expect sensitive, red skin for a few days after the procedure. Stay out of the sun and apply a generous amount of sunscreen to protect your skin after the treatment.

   Pay attention: generally you will have to undergo multiple treatments to achieve the desired effect. A single treatment has its advantages, but several treatments provide a long-lasting and visible result.

   
   
3. See your dermatologist for dermabrasion treatments. Microdermabrasion is a form of strong exfoliation and is best performed by a certified professional. In the treatment, the top layers of the skin are polished and dark and damaged skin cells are removed to reveal the young and fresh skin underneath.
   • You probably need 6 to 12 treatments before you see any real results. Fortunately, a treatment only takes about 15 minutes.
   • Your skin will be very sensitive after the treatment, so stay out of the sun.

Method 3 of 3: Using natural remedies to lighten your skin

1. Mix tomatoes with lemon juice to lighten your skin. Cut a large tomato into four pieces and put them in a blender. Pour in 1-2 tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of natural lemon juice and mix until you get a paste. Apply the mask all over your face and leave it on for 20-30 minutes. Then wash the tomato and lemon juice paste off your face with cold water.
   • The tomato plant contains lycopene, a natural chemical that protects your skin from the sun. It gives tomatoes their rich, red color. Lemon juice contains substances that naturally lighten your skin and has antibacterial properties.
   • Do this once a week for several months and you may notice that it lightens your skin.
2. Spray a mixture of lemon juice and water on your skin to lighten it. Get a small spray bottle especially for cosmetics and mix one part freshly squeezed lemon juice with four parts water. After washing your face, spray a light, even layer of the mixture onto your face. The sour lemon juice can naturally lighten the pigment in your skin.
   • It may take four weeks or more for you to see changes.
   • Use a citrus press if you want to squeeze the lemons yourself. Cut the lemon in half and push it onto the correct part of the press to squeeze out the juice. Lightly twist the lemon half back and forth to let the juice come out.
3. Make a papaya face mask to nourish and exfoliate your skin. To make the mask, peel the papaya with a sharp knife, scoop out the seeds with a spoon and cut the fruit into small pieces. Place the pieces in the blender and mash the papaya into a smooth paste. Spoon the paste out of the blender and apply a thin, even layer on your face. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water.
   • Papaya nourishes your skin with a large amount of vitamin C, which can help lighten your skin over time.

Tips

• Use the same facial care product 1-3 months before trying another product. It takes a while for your skin to get used to a certain product.
• To keep your skin healthy, eat foods that are high in vitamins A and C. These vitamins ensure that your skin remains soft and supple. You can eat foods like oranges, grapefruits, broccoli, and cauliflower to get more vitamin C. Eat eggs, mangoes, papayas, and spinach to get more vitamin A.
• Apply rose water to your face every night before going to bed.