The Best Ways to Lighten Your Skin Tone at Home

There are a variety of reasons people wish to lighten their skin. Maybe they have age spots from years of sun exposure. Sometimes patches of discoloration develop and they need to be lightened to blend with the rest of their skin. At some point, most people have blemishes such as pimples, acne or other areas of inflammation that they would like to spot treat. Whatever the reason, there are many ways to lighten your skin tone at home.

Hydrogen peroxide has a long standing reputation for its bleaching abilities. It is highly acidic and works by exfoliating the top layer of skin, allowing newer lighter skin to emerge. Apply to clean skin and let it dry for a few minutes. Rinse thoroughly to avoid skin irritation and follow with a dye and fragrance free moisturizer.

Lemon juice is a classic home remedy for lightening skin tone. It is also very acidic and contains Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that promotes healthy skin. Lemon juice removes the top layer of skin and reduces the appearance of discolorations. To use, dip a cotton ball into lemon juice and apply to the areas you want to lighten. Let dry and apply a moisturizer. Do this twice a day until you achieve desired skin tone.

Milk is an effective home remedy to get rid of dark skin patches. The lactic acid in milk promotes exfoliation without abrasive effects. Milk found in your local supermarket contains low amounts of lactic acid and does not produce dramatic results. However, you can buy concentrated forms in health food stores and find this ingredient in topical skin care products.

You can concoct an almond paste by grinding almonds and soaking them in water. Mix this paste with one teaspoon of milk, a tablespoon of gram flour and a few drops of lemon juice. Apply to affected areas, let dry for at least 15 minutes and rinse thoroughly.