Some home remedies, such as aroeira tea or rosemary essential oil, have substances that help reduce the production of melanin, a type of pigment that gives color to the skin, and in this way, help to lighten the skin naturally, improving the appearance of dark spots on the face, hands, arms or other parts of the body.
These home remedies can be prepared and applied daily on the area of the skin with a stain caused by acne, sun, lemon, or even the use of contraceptives, such as melasma. However, before using home remedies for blemishes on the skin, it is important to do an allergy test, and apply some of the home remedy on the back of your hand. If the skin becomes red or irritated, the home remedy is not recommended.
Some care is also important to prevent the appearance of dark spots on the skin or that they become darker, such as avoiding excessive sun exposure and using sunscreen recommended by the doctor daily. In addition, it is important to note that home remedies do not replace the treatment indicated by the doctor, and it is important to consult a dermatologist who can recommend the most appropriate treatment according to the cause of the stain on the skin. See the main causes of dark spots on the skin.
Some home remedies to get rid of dark spots on the skin are:
1. Licorice tea poultice
Licorice poultice, made with the medicinal plant Glycyrrhiza glabra, is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances, such as glabridin, glycyrrhizin, saponins and flavonoids, which act by inhibiting the production of melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin, and in this way, help to lighten the skin, improving the appearance of dark spots or melasma.
In addition, this medicinal plant helps to prevent aging and has protective effects against the sun’s rays.
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of powdered licorice root;
- 1 cup of boiling water.
Method of preparation
Add the licorice to the boiling water, cover and let it rest for 10 minutes. Wait for it to cool, strain, wet a gauze with licorice tea and apply it to the area of the skin with dark spots.
Licorice tea poultice should not be used by children, pregnant or nursing women and people with heart problems.
2. Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera is a medicinal plant of the species aloe vera, which has substances, such as aloin and aloesin, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which reduce or prevent skin pigmentation, helping to lighten the skin naturally, being a good home remedy option for dark spots or melasma.
When preparing this home remedy, it is important not to use the bark of the aloe vera leaf, which has toxic effects, but only the clear gel inside the leaf.
Ingredients
Method of preparation
Wash the aloe leaves, cut in half and remove the gel from inside the leaf, placing it in a clean, dry container. Then, moisten a clean towel or gauze with the gel and apply to areas with dark spots on the skin about 3 times a day. See other benefits of this medicinal plant.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has acetic acid in its composition that helps to lighten the skin, reducing the appearance of dark spots, being a good home remedy option for melasma and can be applied directly to the skin.
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar;
- 1 glass of water.
Method of preparation
Add apple cider vinegar to the glass of water and mix. Put some of this solution on a piece of cotton or gauze and apply it to the area of skin that is blemished. Let it act for 2 to 3 minutes, wash the skin and dry. Apple cider vinegar can be applied to the dark spot on the skin up to 2 times a day, until the spot has completely disappeared.
Apple cider vinegar can be made at home with natural ingredients or purchased from supermarkets. Learn how to make apple cider vinegar at home.
4. Mastic tea
The aroeira tea, made with the medicinal plant Schinus terebinthifolius, has properties that inhibit enzymes that increase skin color, and thus helps to lighten various types of stains, such as stains on the face and skin left by acne, sun, lemon, pregnancy or even the use of contraceptives.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of trunk bark and some mastic leaves;
- 1 cup of water.
Method of preparation
Place the ingredients in a pan and boil for 5 to 10 minutes. Wait for it to cool, soak a gauze in the tea and apply it on the stained skin, letting it act for about 20 minutes, and then wash it normally. Repeat the application of aroeira tea daily until the stains disappear completely.
Mastic tea should not be used by children, pregnant or breastfeeding women, or people with very sensitive skin.
5. Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary essential oil has antioxidant properties capable of reducing skin damage and improving the appearance of dark spots on the skin. In addition, rosemary is able to stimulate collagen production, preventing the skin from becoming sagging and ensuring a more youthful appearance. Learn about other properties of rosemary essential oil for the skin.
To use rosemary essential oil on the skin, it is necessary to mix it with another carrier vegetable oil, such as mineral oil, coconut oil or sweet almond oil, for example, to allow the rosemary essential oil to be better absorbed by the skin. skin and do not cause irritation.
Ingredients
- 1 to 3 drops of rosemary essential oil;
- a tablespoon of mineral, sweet almond or coconut oil.
Method of preparation
Add the rosemary essential oil with the carrier oil until you have a uniform mixture. Wash the area of skin with stain to be treated with water and neutral soap, then dry with a clean, dry towel. Apply a small amount of this mixture on blemished skin, massaging gently in circular motions. Afterwards, it is recommended to wipe off the excess oil with a cloth dampened with warm water.
Rosemary essential oil should not be ingested or used by children or women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. In addition, it should not be used in the region close to the eyes or ears, as well as on sensitive areas of the skin.
