How to Reduce Pigmentation

Few things will age your skin faster than an uneven skin tone. The term used for dark spots or blotches on the skin is hyperpigmentation. Hyperpigmented areas on the face and body are caused by the skin's cells producing excessive melanin. Melanin is the substance that naturally determines how dark your complexion is overall and serves as a natural sunscreen to the degree that it is present. When skin has been damaged, the body sometimes responds during healing by signaling for greater amounts of melanin to be produced in the same location as a protective measure. Natural techniques can be used to reduce the pigmentation of such areas of the face and body.

Things You'll Need
Orange peels
Plain yogurt
Sandalwood powder
Lemon juice or tomato juice
Cucumber juice
Almonds
Honey
Potato
Over-the-counter skin-lightening cream

Instructions
1
Dry orange peels in the sun until they are stiff; then either grate or grind them into a powder to which you add an equal amount of plain yogurt. Spread the mixture onto only the darkened areas of your skin, and then wash away with warm water after 15 minutes.

2
Take sandalwood powder (called chandan, and sold inexpensively in East Indian markets) and add just enough lemon juice or tomato juice to make a paste. Place this onto the overly pigmented areas of your skin and allow it to dry completely before washing it off. If your skin is dry or sensitive, omit the lemon juice or tomato juice and use finely grated cucumber (with the skin) instead.

3
Mix three to five raw, shelled almonds that have been soaking in warm water overnight with 1 or 2 tablespoons of honey. Crush them to form a paste, and apply to damp skin on the darkened areas. Rinse when dry.

4
Grate a raw potato into small pieces, or puree it in a food processor until partially liquefied. Apply the pulp daily to your skin to naturally lighten and nourish it.

5
Follow any of the above steps with a skin cream formula that contains Alpha-Arbutin and/or kojic acid for faster results. "Over-the-counter" creams containing 2 percent hydroquinone (which contains mercury), once commonly used, have been cited by the FDA as posing serious potential dangers to users.