16 Simple Home Remedies To Remove Tan From Hands
Author’s Note: While reading Jyotsana’s article on best sunscreen lotions we ought to try, I realized that I had been very careless about applying sunscreen all these years. So, after the much-needed wake-up call, I decided to do thorough research on how to get rid of the ugly tan from my hands. And, thanks to Jyotsana, to always wear sunscreen! Here is the link to Jyotsana’s sunscreen article, in case you are interested.
Glowing skin always looks great, doesn’t it? But most of us become victims of suntan. Our hands are not as bright as the rest of our body, and that adds to our woes. We wonder if we must go for expensive treatments to bring back our lost beauty.
But the good news is, we don’t have to! With the available resources right within our homes, we can treat suntan. If you are wondering how, then keep reading.
How To Remove Tan From Hands
Listed here are the effective home remedies to check out.
Home Remedies To Remove Tan From Hands
1. Yogurt And Turmeric Mask
What You Need
What You Have To Do
When You Need To Do This
You can ideally follow this remedy every day before taking a bath. Do it for two weeks or till you see the results.
Why This Works
Yogurt contains probiotics, which, according to a study, have been found to make the skin glow (1). In another Korean study, it was found that yogurt improved the brightness, elasticity, and moisture content of the skin (2).
2. Aloe Vera
What You Need
A little amount of aloe vera gel (you can get this either from the sap of a broken aloe vera leaf or in the market as a tube)
What You Have To Do
Apply the fresh aloe vera gel on your hands and leave it on overnight.
Wash off with normal water in the morning.
When You Need To Do This
Every night, before going to bed.
Why This Works
Aloe vera has been found to protect the skin from radiation damage. Being rich in antioxidants, it also eliminates free radicals in the skin (3). Aloe vera is also known to lighten the skin and remove tan (4).
Caution
If you have applied aloe vera gel on your hands sometime in the day, ensure you are not stepping out without applying sunscreen. This is because aloe can make your skin photosensitive, which might lead to further tanning if you haven’t applied sunscreen.
3. Lemon Juice
What You Need
Juice from 3 to 4 lemons
What You Have To Do
When You Need To Do This
You can follow this remedy in the morning after bath. Do this twice or thrice a week for about two weeks and check the results.
Why This Works
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, and according to the Oregon State University, vitamin C can have skin lightening effects (5). Vitamin C has also been found to protect the skin cells and help them survive after exposure to UV rays (6).
Additionally, a study conducted by the University of Arizona has supported the efficacy of citrus fruits in reducing the risk of skin cancer (7).
Caution
Lemon juice can dry out the skin. So, ensure you use a rich moisturizer on your hands after trying this remedy.
4. Cucumber
What You Need
What You Have To Do
When You Need To Do This
You can follow this remedy once every night for about two weeks.
Why This Works
Cucumber has a cooling effect on the skin. This can be soothing and helps remove suntan.
5. Almonds
What You Need
5 to 6 almonds
What You Have To Do
Alternate Method
Follow the remedy regularly for two weeks, after which you can reduce the usage to twice a week.
Why This Works
6. Gram Flour And Turmeric
What You Need
What You Have To Do
Follow this remedy in the night before going to bed, once every two days.
Why This Works
In one Chinese study, it was found that compounds derived from plants are safe to be used as skin lightening agents. Curcumin, a plant-derived polyphenol, has shown to inhibit melanin activity, which is primarily responsible for skin darkening (10).
Gram flour was also found to cleanse and exfoliate the skin, thereby improving its health.
7. Potato
What You Need
3 medium-sized potatoes
What You Have To Do
When You Need To Do This
In the morning, after a bath. Do this regularly till you see the results.
Why This Works
Potato contains an enzyme named catecholase that has been found to lighten the skin tone.
Back To TOC
8. Honey And Lemon Juice
What You Need
2 tablespoons each of honey, lemon juice, milk powder, and almond oil
What You Have To Do
Follow this remedy thrice a day for best results.
Why This Works
Honey has amazing therapeutic properties that can be beneficial to the skin. It also acts as an emollient and humectant. This helps in the treatment of suntan. Lemon juice aids in skin lightening, and the milk powder and almond oil provide nourishment to the skin.
In case you do not have almond oil, you can skip it from the mixture.
9. Sandalwood
What You Need
What You Have To Do
When You Need To Do This
You can follow this hand tan removal remedy twice a week, in the night before going to bed.
Why This Works
Sandalwood is known to soothe harsh sunburns and even treat skin tan. It can improve the skin complexion as well.
10. Papaya And Honey
What You Need
What You Have To Do
When You Need To Do This
Follow this remedy thrice a week, in the night before going to bed.
Why This Works
Papaya contains enzymes that have skin-whitening properties. In addition, it also has been found that papaya can help treat chronic skin ulcers (11).
11. Orange Peel With Milk
What You Need
What You Have To Do
When You Need To Do This
Follow this remedy thrice a week, in the night before going to bed.
Why This Works
Orange peels contain vitamin C, which helps combat free radicals that destroy skin cell functioning. In combination with milk, it removes dead cells, lightens the skin and provides nourishment.
12. Petroleum Jelly
What You Need
Petroleum jelly
What You Have To Do
When You Need To Do This
Follow this remedy as and when required.
Why This Works
Petroleum jelly is an unconventional and yet inexpensive way to get the desired results. When you wake up the next morning, your hands should look smooth, fresh and radiant. Now you would love that, wouldn’t you?
Glowing skin always looks great, doesn’t it? But most of us become victims of suntan. Our hands are not as bright as the rest of our body, and that adds to our woes. We wonder if we must go for expensive treatments to bring back our lost beauty.
But the good news is, we don’t have to! With the available resources right within our homes, we can treat suntan. If you are wondering how, then keep reading.
How To Remove Tan From Hands
Listed here are the effective home remedies to check out.
Home Remedies To Remove Tan From Hands
1. Yogurt And Turmeric Mask
What You Need
- 1 bowl of chilled yogurt
- A pinch of turmeric
What You Have To Do
- Add the pinch of turmeric to the yogurt and mix thoroughly till you get a uniform paste.
- Apply this paste on your hands and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water.
When You Need To Do This
You can ideally follow this remedy every day before taking a bath. Do it for two weeks or till you see the results.
Why This Works
Yogurt contains probiotics, which, according to a study, have been found to make the skin glow (1). In another Korean study, it was found that yogurt improved the brightness, elasticity, and moisture content of the skin (2).
2. Aloe Vera
What You Need
A little amount of aloe vera gel (you can get this either from the sap of a broken aloe vera leaf or in the market as a tube)
What You Have To Do
Apply the fresh aloe vera gel on your hands and leave it on overnight.
Wash off with normal water in the morning.
When You Need To Do This
Every night, before going to bed.
Why This Works
Aloe vera has been found to protect the skin from radiation damage. Being rich in antioxidants, it also eliminates free radicals in the skin (3). Aloe vera is also known to lighten the skin and remove tan (4).
Caution
If you have applied aloe vera gel on your hands sometime in the day, ensure you are not stepping out without applying sunscreen. This is because aloe can make your skin photosensitive, which might lead to further tanning if you haven’t applied sunscreen.
3. Lemon Juice
What You Need
Juice from 3 to 4 lemons
What You Have To Do
- Take a basin full of warm water and add the lemon juice to it.
- Mix well till the juice is diluted.
- Soak your hands in the lemon-infused water for about 20 minutes.
- Wash off with cold water.
- You can directly apply four to five tablespoons of lemon juice to tough tan-stained areas like your elbows. You can wash off with cold water after about 20 minutes.
When You Need To Do This
You can follow this remedy in the morning after bath. Do this twice or thrice a week for about two weeks and check the results.
Why This Works
Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, and according to the Oregon State University, vitamin C can have skin lightening effects (5). Vitamin C has also been found to protect the skin cells and help them survive after exposure to UV rays (6).
Additionally, a study conducted by the University of Arizona has supported the efficacy of citrus fruits in reducing the risk of skin cancer (7).
Caution
Lemon juice can dry out the skin. So, ensure you use a rich moisturizer on your hands after trying this remedy.
4. Cucumber
What You Need
- 2 tablespoons of fresh cucumber juice
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- A pinch of turmeric
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients well till you get a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste on your hands and leave it on for 30 minutes.
- Wash off with cold water.
- Alternately, you can also rub freshly cut slices of cucumber on your skin. Let the residue stay on your hands for about 15 minutes, after which you can wash with cold water.
When You Need To Do This
You can follow this remedy once every night for about two weeks.
Why This Works
Cucumber has a cooling effect on the skin. This can be soothing and helps remove suntan.
5. Almonds
What You Need
5 to 6 almonds
What You Have To Do
- Soak the almonds in water overnight.
- The next morning, blend the almonds with some milk and mix till you get a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste on your hands and leave it on overnight.
- Wash off with cold water the next morning.
Alternate Method
- Take about 10 green and fresh almonds and grind them.
- Mix this powder with a little amount of sandalwood oil.
- Once you get the paste, apply it to your hands.
- Rinse with water the next morning.
Follow the remedy regularly for two weeks, after which you can reduce the usage to twice a week.
Why This Works
6. Gram Flour And Turmeric
What You Need
- 2 tablespoons of gram flour
- A pinch of turmeric
- 1 tablespoon of milk
- A bowl of cold rose water
What You Have To Do
- Add the ingredients to the bowl of rose water and mix them thoroughly till you get a smooth paste.
- Apply the paste on your hands and leave it on for about 20 minutes, allowing it to dry.
- Wash off with cold water.
- When You Need To Do This
Follow this remedy in the night before going to bed, once every two days.
Why This Works
In one Chinese study, it was found that compounds derived from plants are safe to be used as skin lightening agents. Curcumin, a plant-derived polyphenol, has shown to inhibit melanin activity, which is primarily responsible for skin darkening (10).
Gram flour was also found to cleanse and exfoliate the skin, thereby improving its health.
7. Potato
What You Need
3 medium-sized potatoes
What You Have To Do
- Peel the skin of the potatoes. Slice them into chunks and add them to a blender to make a paste.
- Apply this paste on your hands and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
- Wash off with cold water.
- You can also cut a raw potato in half and rub the flesh on the tanned portion of your hands.
When You Need To Do This
In the morning, after a bath. Do this regularly till you see the results.
Why This Works
Potato contains an enzyme named catecholase that has been found to lighten the skin tone.
Back To TOC
8. Honey And Lemon Juice
What You Need
2 tablespoons each of honey, lemon juice, milk powder, and almond oil
What You Have To Do
- Mix all the ingredients in a bowl till you get a cream-like consistency.
- Apply the cream on your hands and leave it on for about 20 minutes.
- Wash off with cold water. You can store this cream for about a week.
- When You Need To Do This
Follow this remedy thrice a day for best results.
Why This Works
Honey has amazing therapeutic properties that can be beneficial to the skin. It also acts as an emollient and humectant. This helps in the treatment of suntan. Lemon juice aids in skin lightening, and the milk powder and almond oil provide nourishment to the skin.
In case you do not have almond oil, you can skip it from the mixture.
9. Sandalwood
What You Need
- 2 tablespoons each of sandalwood powder and turmeric powder
- A few drops of rose water
What You Have To Do
- Mix both sandalwood powder and turmeric powder, and add rose water to get a thick paste.
- Apply this paste on your hands and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
- Wash off with cold water.
When You Need To Do This
You can follow this hand tan removal remedy twice a week, in the night before going to bed.
Why This Works
Sandalwood is known to soothe harsh sunburns and even treat skin tan. It can improve the skin complexion as well.
10. Papaya And Honey
What You Need
- 1 ripe papaya
- 1 tablespoon of honey
What You Have To Do
- Cut the papaya into small cubes.
- Take a bowlful of the cubes and mash them well.
- Add honey and mix well till you get a nice paste.
- Apply this paste on your hands and leave it on for about 30 minutes.
- Rinse off with cold water.
When You Need To Do This
Follow this remedy thrice a week, in the night before going to bed.
Why This Works
Papaya contains enzymes that have skin-whitening properties. In addition, it also has been found that papaya can help treat chronic skin ulcers (11).
11. Orange Peel With Milk
What You Need
- 1 orange
- 1/2 to 1 cup milk
What You Have To Do
- Remove the orange peels from the oranges and grind them till they are powdered.
- Take this powder in a bowl and add milk. Mix nicely to form a paste.
- Apply this paste to your hands.
- Leave it on for 15 minutes. Rinse with water.
When You Need To Do This
Follow this remedy thrice a week, in the night before going to bed.
Why This Works
Orange peels contain vitamin C, which helps combat free radicals that destroy skin cell functioning. In combination with milk, it removes dead cells, lightens the skin and provides nourishment.
12. Petroleum Jelly
What You Need
Petroleum jelly
What You Have To Do
- Take the required amount of petroleum jelly and apply to your hands before going to bed.
- Cover your hands with a pair of cotton gloves.
- Leave them on overnight.
When You Need To Do This
Follow this remedy as and when required.
Why This Works
Petroleum jelly is an unconventional and yet inexpensive way to get the desired results. When you wake up the next morning, your hands should look smooth, fresh and radiant. Now you would love that, wouldn’t you?