Top 16 Homemade Face Packs to Remove Sun Tan – Natural Remedies

This content has been Medically reviewed by Dr. Surya Kedara, MBBS – General Physician

Summer is already here, and it is time to bring out your short dresses and shades to enjoy the summer sun at the park or the beach with family and friends. Despite all the happiness and fun, at the end of the day most of us are left with ugly and unattractive sun tan on face and hands that takes away all the fun from the outing. With the lack of time, most of us, opt for quick fix solutions like a session of bleach or use chemical laden cosmetic products for instant tan removal. But all these products take a serious toll on the delicate skin of the face and show fatal side-effects in the long run. Therefore, it is best to choose home remedies to remove sun tan that not only heals the damage in a nourishing way, but is the ultimate answer to the question of how to get a clear face naturally.

Harmful Effects of Sun Tan:

Excessive exposure to ultra violate rays (UVA and UVB) of the sun accelerates melanin production in the skin that leads to darkening of exposed skin. Sun tan usually occurs on body parts that are exposed to sun such as, face, neck, arms, and legs. Sun tan causes various skin problems such as:

• Acne
• Pimples
• Fine Lines
• Wrinkles
• Dark Spots
• Hyperpigmentation
• Premature Aging of Skin
• Skin Burn
• In extreme cases it can lead to skin cancer

Top 16 Home Made Remedies for Sun Tanned Skin Using Natural Ingredients:

Instead of splurging on expensive cosmetic products that are loaded with harmful chemicals and bleaching agents, use these nourishing and wholesome homemade face packs prepared from au naturel ingredients that are easily available and hustle free to make.

Cucumber, Rose Water and Lemon Juice Pack:

This is one of the most effective homemade face masks for sun tan removal that uses the goodness of cucumber and lemon – two perfect natural bleaching agents. Lemon juice is a rich source of vitamin C and citric acid, both of which help in lightening skin tone and is the natural solution to the question of how to maintain clear skin. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes the damage caused be free radicals and helps in lightening tan, age spots, and dark spots. But it is a must to use a sunscreen with high SPF when using a lemon remedy because the acidic nature of the juice can make the skin sensitive to the UV rays of the sun.

The cucumber juice and rose water acts as cooling agents for soothing the blemished skin. Take a tablespoon each of cucumber juice, lemon juice and rose water and mix in a bowl. Apply with cotton on tanned areas, wait for 10 minutes and wash off with cold water. Apply this pack every day after you get back home from the sun.

Besan (Bengal Gram Flour) and Turmeric Face Pack:

This face pack for tanned skin is a combo of bleaching and scrubbing with the wonder ingredient: Turmeric, often called the holy powder. It is not only important for its amazing medicinal properties, but also for its amazing effects on the skin. Turmeric adds a healthy glow to the skin and helps in reducing pigmentation and tan. Bengal gram works as a natural scrub for exfoliating the skin and removing dead cells.

Mix 2 tablespoons of besan, a pinch of turmeric, 1 tablespoon of milk, and 1 tablespoon of crushed orange peel in a bowl with cold rose water. Apply on clean face and let it dry for 20 minutes. Moist the dried areas by sprinkling water on it and slowly remove the pack by scrubbing gently in clockwise and anti-clockwise direction. Apply this pack once in two days for effective exfoliation and tan removal.

Papaya and Honey Face Pack:

This delicious fruit pack helps remove sun tan from the face by using the goodness of the helpful enzymes present in papaya. The enzyme papain present in papaya has potent skin-lightening properties that help in removing sun tan and reduces the visibility of scars and blemishes. The other enzymes in papaya are known for skin renewal, exfoliation, and restoration.

The application of honey on chapped lips is an age old remedy. Honey helps in moisturizing and softening the skin. For this pack, take ½ cup of ripe papaya pulp and mash it well, add a tablespoon of honey to it and mix well. Apply on clean face and dry for 30 minutes. Rinse off with water.

Tomato, Yogurt and Lemon Juice Face Pack:

We are also aware of the benefits of lemon tea for weight loss but it is also a great ingredient for skin. This face pack incorporates the powerful bleaching properties of lemon, tomato and yogurt and is one of the best face packs for improving the skin tone naturally. It works wonders in removing dark spots and pigmentation from sun tanned skin. In addition, tomato juice works as a natural toner to shrink open pores and reduce oiliness of the skin, whereas yogurt helps in moisturizing and nourishing the skin.

In order to prepare this pack mix 2 tablespoon of tomato pulp, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of yogurt in a bowl and apply on face. Let it dry for 30 minutes. Wash with cold water. The tomato juice may cause a sensation of itchiness in the beginning, but it will mellow down with regular application.

Aloe Vera, Masoor Daal (Red Lentil) and Tomato Face Pack:

This is undoubtedly one of the best home remedies for sun tan that uses the hydrating benefits of aloe vera and the exfoliant quality of masoor dal. Masoor daal helps in clearing even the extreme of tanning. Aloe vera hair mask is widely used for natural hair treatment. The plant steroids found in aloe vera gel soothes burning and inflammation of the skin and helps in healing sunburn and sun tan. Tomatoes rejuvenate the skin and revitalize it from within.

Soak a tablespoon of masoor daal in water for 20 minutes and then make a rough paste. Mix this paste with fresh aloe vera gel and 1 tablespoon tomato pulp and massage on face and neck. Keep for 20 minutes and rinse off with water.

Oat Meal and Butter Milk Exfoliating Pack:

Oatmeal and weight loss are closely related, but it is also a great natural skin exfoliator as well. This is a quick and easy fix to remove sun tan if you are pressed for time. Buttermilk helps in soothing and moisturizing skin and healing blisters and oatmeal acts as a natural scrub that exfoliates the skin, removes blackheads and dead cells.

Mix 2 tablespoon of oatmeal with 3 tablespoons of buttermilk and apply on face and body. Gently massage in circular motion. Let it stay for 15-20 minutes and cleanse with water.

Orange Juice and Yogurt Face Pack:

This face pack is an amazing sun tan remover that regenerates new skin cells with its stock of vitamin C. Orange is rich in vitamin C that helps fight skin blemishes and improves skin texture and skin tone. Collagen found in orange slows down the process of aging and helps in skin tightening.

Yogurt acts as a natural bleach and moisturizer to make skin soft and supple. Mix 1 tablespoon each of yogurt and orange juice and apply on face. Leave it on for 30 minutes and rinse off with water.

Potato and Lemon Juice Face Pack:

Potatoes make mouth-watering snacks indeed, but it has huge benefits for skin too! Potato is loaded with vitamins, minerals, protein and fibers. Potatoes are one of the age old remedies for sun tan that uses the goodness of vitamin C to lighten skin tone and add a healthy glow to it. The combination of potato and lemon juice is the best way to remove dark circles.

Potato juice helps treat skin aging, blemishes, and inflammation. It soothes the skin and calms it. Extract the juice of one potato using a grinder, mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with it and apply on face and other affected areas. Let it dry for 30-40 minutes. Wash off with cold water.

Strawberry and Milk Cream Face Pack:

This yummy combination makes a mouth-watering treat. But these bright red berries have skin lightening properties that help in improving skin complexion and reducing dark spots, pigmentation, and freckles. Milk cream provides deep nourishment to the skin and moisturizes it.

To prepare this delicious sun tan remover crush 4 strawberries and mix with 2 tablespoon of milk cream and apply on face. Let it stay for 30 minutes and rinse off with water. Warning: This face pack is so tasty that you may be tempted to eat it!!

Milk Powder, Honey and Almond Oil Face pack:

The uses of almond oil and almond milk for skin are well known. Milk powder works wonders for the moisturizing skin, reducing effects of sun tan and imparting a clearer tone and texture to the skin.

Mix 2 table spoon of milk powder with 1 tablespoon of honey and a few drops of almond oil and apply on face. Leave it on the face for 20 minutes before washing off with water.

Sandal Wood and Coconut Water Pack:

Due to its medicinal qualities, sandalwood uses for skin has been popular since time immemorial. Sandalwood powder or paste works as a natural skin cleanser removing impurities and dead cells. It also acts as a soothing balm and helps heal blemishes and blisters.

Mix a tablespoon of sandalwood powder with coconut water to make a thick paste and add a few drops of almond oil to it. Apply on face and neck, dry for 20 minutes and wash off with water.

Saffron and Fresh Cream Face Pack:

Saffron (Kesar) has been an age old ingredient for skin care. Saffron helps in natural skin brightening, toning, tan removal, and fighting acne and pimples. Soak a few strands of saffron in 2 tablespoons of milk cream overnight. Blend with fingers and apply on the face evenly. Let it dry for 20 minutes and wash off with water. This pack also works as a deep moisturizer.

Pineapple and Honey Face Mask:

With its tangy and fresh flavour, Pineapple is the king of tropical fruits. The enzymes in pineapple help in removing dead cells from tanned and burnt areas. Pineapples are loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants that neutralizes the damaging effects of free radicals and oxidative stress and slow down the appearance of the signs of aging such as fine lines, freckles and wrinkles and helps in lightening age spots, pigmentation and sun tan.

Mix 2 tablespoon of pineapple pulp with one tablespoon of honey and apply on face, wait for 3-5 minutes and wash thoroughly with water.

Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) and Aloe Vera Gel Pack:

When it comes to overall skin care, there is nothing like fuller’s earth. The cooling effect of this mud cools and soothes skin burns and helps reduce skin irritation, rashes, acne, and blemishes. Aloe Vera gel lightens skin tone and acts as a natural cleanser.

Mix 2 tablespoon of fuller’s earth with a tablespoon of aloe vera gel, rosewater can also be added to dilute the mixture. Apply on face and neck and let it dry for half an hour. Clean face with cold water.

Cornmeal and Lemon Juice Face Scrub:

Cornmeal helps in effective removal of dead cells and blackheads from the skin. The minute granules of the cornmeal polish the skin in a gentle manner. Cornmeal face scrub is especially effective for oily skin because it removes excess oil and sebum from the skin without drying it.

Mix 2 tablespoon of cornmeal with 1 tablespoon each of lemon juice and yogurt and apply on face. Gently massage in circular motion with your fingers for 2 minutes. Leave it on the face for 15-20 minutes and cleanse with water.

Wheat Flour Face Pack:

Applying wheat flour on the skin can help in improving skin tone, fade away dark spots and uneven skin tone. Make a paste using 2 tablespoons of wheat flour and water and apply on face. The paste should not be too thick. Leave it for 15 minutes and wash off with water and get softer and brighter skin.

Other Sun Tan Removal Methods

1. Yogurt And Tomato Pack

There are some packs which come with a mission to make your skin pigmentation free and keep you glowing with ease. The yogurt and tomato pack is one such pack! Packed with bleaching properties, it can not only brighten your skin tone and shrink your pores, but also reduce the chances of your face dripping with oil, and all this, thanks to the goodness of good old tomatoes and lemon juice. Yogurt makes your skin uber soft and supple. A wow pack for sure!

Here is what you need to do, mix 2 tablespoons of tomato pulp and a generous tablespoon of lemon juice and yogurt each in a bowl. Apply it all over your face, let it stay for good 20 minutes, and wash off with cold water. Dab dry to experience visibly tan-free skin.

2. Milk And Turmeric

This age-old remedy works really well to remove sun tan marks. Turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties which remove sun tan marks easily. The lactic acid content of the milk, meanwhile, has bleaching properties. Together, milk and turmeric prove to be a foolproof method to get rid of a If you are just home after an exotic holiday by the sea, this remedy can help you get back your natural skin tone in real quick time.

Here is what you can do, take a small amount of raw milk in a bowl and add to it a pinch of turmeric. Apply this solution on your skin particularly affected by the sun tan and allow it to dry properly. Finally, rinse off with water.

3. Cabbage Leaves

A relatively lesser known remedy, it’s great to remove those unsightly tan Now besides being utilized for your lunch salad, it can work pretty well for your skin as well. Filled with vitamins A, C, and K, it has anti-inflammatory properties which work well on tan marks. So, if you are turning your nose at this remedy, don’t do so, because it is one of the more effective remedies for tan removal.

Here is what you can do, take out 2 big leaves from the outer portion of the cabbage and keep it in the refrigerator. Once it is cold, put it on your face so that the entire face becomes covered. Keep this for at least 20 minutes and try to relax. You can try it again with fresh leaves.

4. Bitter Gourd

Out of all the unusual sun tan remedies, this one takes the cake! It works great for your stubborn sun tan, especially because it is high in anti-oxidants. If it is a regular feature in your weekday menu, then it is time you make it part of your beauty regime too.

Here is what you need to do. Juice the vegetable and apply the juice on the affected areas. Massage the solution for a minute or two on your face or affected skin and let it stay for 5-7 minutes before washing it off.

You can also refrigerate it and use it for an extended period of time.

5. Multani Mitti

Also, known as Fuller’s earth; it is the ultimate solution for most skin ailments. It cools, soothes and heals tanned skin, and before you know it, you will get your original skin tone back with an additional glow. It improves the circulation of your skin, which is the reason why you get such improved skin quality.

Here is what you need to do, blend the Multani Mitti with rose water to make a smooth paste. You can use chilled rose water to provide relief to your skin. Apply the pack on the face and neck, and keep it on for 15 minutes. Remove the pack with cold water and then rinse off.

6. Wheat Flour

The beauty of home remedies is that they are so easily available. Additionally, sometimes they give similar benefits to that of expensive jars of creams and lotions. The wheat flour remedy is a case in point. Your tanned and parched skin gets a quick reprieve, as soon as you start applying this easy on the pocket, remedy. If de-tanning is your objective, you will get just that, along with improved skin quality as an added bonus.

Here is what you need to do, make a thick paste of water and wheat flour. Apply it thickly on your face or affected skin areas and leave on for 15 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.

7. Gram Flour

Bengal gram flour works great as a natural exfoliator. It sloughs off the dead cells and reveals fresh, glowing skin. A great pack for de-tanning, it is a secret beauty aid that even actresses swear by!

Blend a pinch of turmeric, two tablespoons of Bengal gram flour and adequate amount of rose water. Apply this pack on the affected areas and leave it on the skin for a good 20 minutes. Once the pack is suitably dry, moisten your skin with water. Then scrub your skin first clockwise and then in the anticlockwise direction and wash off the pack.

8. Almonds

They are a crunchy delight to add to your morning smoothies, but do you know almonds can really be great for your skin as well? The high vitamin E content is what works in your favor. Also, almonds are natural bleaching agents, so it helps get rid of your tan really fast.

Here is what you need to do, grind 4-5 almonds with rose water to get a coarse paste. Add lemon juice to this mixture and mix well. Apply this paste on the tanned areas and scrub for a few minutes. Leave the scrub to dry and then rinse off with cold water.

9. Vicks Vapor Rub

One of the coolest sun tan removal methods, it is a strange way of getting rid of your sun tan. But even if it is strange, if it works, we will take it.

Take a small amount of Vicks vapor rub on your fingers, apply it on the sunburnt areas and massage it gently. People with large areas of sun tan can apply this twice to get great relief.

10. Milk Cream And Strawberry

Strawberry and milk cream is an excellent sun tan removal method as it gives quick and effective results. The delicious strawberries have skin lightening properties. They also help reduce other beauty marks like pigmentation and freckles. Milk cream, on the other hand, provides deep nourishment to the skin, imparting a dewy moisturized look.

Here is what you can do, crush 4 strawberries and add two tablespoons of fresh cream in it. Blend it well and massage the concoction onto your tanned skin. Let it sit for a good 30 minutes and then wash off with water.

11. Lemon Juice

How to remove a sun tan easily, you’re wondering? Well, it is as easy as applying lemon juice on your skin. Yes, the natural bleaching properties of the lemon juice can get rid of the sun tan pretty easily. But you need to be careful when you use this method as lemon juice can dry your skin, so it is advisable you dilute it with water. If you keep at it, your tan marks will be gone soon!

Here is what you can do, slice up the lemons and rub them on the tanned region, or you can juice half of a lemon and dilute it with a little amount of water. Leave it on for a few minutes, and then wash it off.

12. Cucumber

Looking like a shade card is not what you want, right? So what should you do? Apply cucumber juice. Yes, instead of browsing yourself silly trying to look for the perfect answer to the question how to get rid of a sun tan, get this remedy on your to-do list. In fact, cucumber is excellent to soothe tanned dry skin.

Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of cucumber extract and 1 tablespoon of rose water. Apply this concoction generously to all the affected areas. Rinse after a few minutes. This pack can be tried every day till you get results.

13. Raw Papaya

Raw papaya is one of the top sun tan removal remedies. It has enzymes which are excellent for removing a tan and what’s more, it has anti-aging properties as well.

Mash the papaya into a pulp and massage the sun-tanned area. Let it stay on the skin for 10-15 minutes then wash off with cold water. You can continue with the remedy till you get results.

14. Green Tea

Are you sipping green tea for weight loss? Well, now you can use it to remove sun tan too! Since it is full of antioxidants, it soothes your skin and makes it blemish-free.

Here is what you need to do, brew a small amount of fresh green tea and let it cool down. Apply the freshly brewed tea on the tanned skin with the help of a cotton ball. Let it stay for 10 minutes and then rinse off with water.

FAQs On Sun tans

We are sure you have lots of questions to ask us about a sun tan and its remedies. So, here’s answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

1. How important is a good sunscreen?

It is very important to apply a good sunscreen with a broad spectrum, high SPF, above 25 (sun protection factor) to protect you from ultraviolet rays of the sun. Ideally, you should choose a sunscreen which is paraben free, so that it protects your skin in the real sense of the term.

2. How long does it take to get rid of a sun tan?

If you are persistent with the home remedies mentioned above, you can get quick results in as soon as two weeks.

3. How can we prevent a sun tan?

A good sunscreen is a must; apart from that, you have to keep applying the sunscreen every three hours if you are continually out in the sun. Also, as soon as you return home, start with the home remedies, your tan won’t set in too deep then. Besides the above- mentioned points, carry an umbrella, wear full sleeves and don’t forget to wear your sunnies.

4. Is tanning good for the skin?

A little bit of tanning is pretty harmless, getting your dose of vitamin D is important. But too much of tanning can lead to serious health consequences like skin cancer. So, even if tanning seems cool, don’t overdo it.

5. What if I go to the beach and swim in seawater? Will applying sunscreen help?

Yes, it will, if you apply waterproof sunscreen which has a high SPF such as 50.

6. What is the difference between a sunscreen and sunblock?

Sunblocks are specially formulated to shield against UVB (ultraviolet B rays), while the sunscreens protect you from UVA (ultraviolet A rays). So if you want to seek full protection for your skin, choose a broad-spectrum protection formulated sunscreen that will protect you against both UVA and UVB rays. These days you get both the sunscreen and sunblock in one single formulation to protect you from harmful rays of the sun.

However, it must be remembered that skin tanning is a problem that takes time to heal, and bleaching is the only instant solution. Therefore, occasional application of these natural face packs is not enough, and they have to be incorporated into your daily skin care routine for effective results. Prepare these easy face packs at home and provide the skin with the pampering care and nourishment that it deserves.