3 Secret Home Remedies to Prevent Summer Skin Tan

Scathing summer sun isn’t just going to make you sweat profusely, it will also give you really horrible sun tans. The way earth revolves, sun rays strike us with 6% more intensity during summers. Add to that the fact that in tropics (area bounded by the Tropic of Cancer and Tropic of Capricorn), sun rays project at an angle of 90°, which makes the problem of tanning even more intense. But with some care and by following simple home remedies for sun tan the effect can be undone to a great extent.

Ayurvedic Perspective on Skin Tanning According to Ayurveda, Pitta Dosha regulates heat in the body and there are 5 subdoshas, one of which is Bhrajaka Pitta. This subdosha governs the quality of our skin and when this is imbalanced we observe acne, skin rashes and pigmentation our skin.

Sun rays are good for health but exposure to excessive sunlight, especially when the sun is overhead, can cause hyperpigmentation, sunburn and even lead to some forms of skin cancer. When Bhrajaka Pitta is aggravated it triggers formation of melanin which leads to skin tanning. Consuming cool, sweet and watery foods is helpful in calming aggravated pitta dosha. Applying cool substances like cucumber slices, sandalwood paste and multani mitti with rose water is also helpful. More home remedies to follow below, but first let’s understand how skin tanning happens.

How does your skin turn dark? When Ultra Violet rays strike skin cells, it causes damage. Your skin’s inbuilt defence mechanism senses this and triggers chemicals which signal melanocytes (melanin making cells) to produce more melanin to protect the skin from damage. More melanin your skin makes, the darker you look, but that protects you from severe damage and skin cancer. So, like it or not, melanin is protecting you.
There are some very effective natural remedies on how to reduce tan. You can start using these home remedies for tanning right away.

Aloe Vera Gel In Ayurveda, Aloe Vera has a special significance, it is called Ghrita Kumara in Sanskrit. Aloe Vera gel can work wonders to your skin. It is especially beneficial in healing skin tissues, burns, superficial wounds, mild cuts, insect stings and skin tanning. Application of Aloe Vera gel produces ‘Metallothionein’ in your skin and it reverts damage caused by UV radiation. You can make it yourself if you have the plant at home or buy Ayurvedic Aloe Gel online. For best results apply the gel and leave it overnight.

Rosewater and Gram Flour (Besan) Cleopatra, arguably the most beautiful woman of her time, used rosewater in her beauty regimen. Rose petal water contains antioxidants and helps in balancing your skin’s natural pH balance. It also contains anti-bacterial properties and is effective in reducing excess oil. Adding gram flour to rosewater makes a great de-tanning mixture which will help you reduce skin darkness. Apply the paste on your skin (neck, arms and face) for 20 minutes and wash off with lukewarm water. The gram flour also acts as a natural scrub which removes excess oil and dirt.

Almond and milk paste Almond is rich in Vitamin E and can restore lost glow and fairness. Just crush some almonds soaked overnight and mix it with milk and honey. Honey has great moisturizing power and almond paste will also act as a natural scrub. Apply the paste and leave it on for a few minutes before bath. Wash away with normal water. Repeat this process for a few weeks to significantly lighten your skin tone.

Bonus Tip: Kesar, Manjistha and Khas are excellent Ayurvedic herbs which help in lightening skin tone and imparting a radiant glow on the skin. Jiva Kumkumadi Oil contains extracts of Manjistha (Rubia cordifolia), Priyangu (Callicarpa macrophylla), Daruhaldi (Berberis aristata), Kesar (Crocus sativus), Khas (Vetiveria Zizanoides) and Malkangni (Celastruss Paniculatus). Applying 1-2 drops of this oil on the face helps in undoing the effect of sun tan and reduces dark circles.