While summer is a marvellous season, no one takes pleasure in the harsh sun because not only is it dehydrating, but it also strips your skin of all moisture, making it appear dull and flaky. The sun emits UVA rays that are harmful to your skin and can tan the upper layers of your skin, accelerating the ageing process, causing brown spots, and even increasing the risk of skin cancer.
The skin on your hands is extremely exposed to harmful rays due to the fact that they are rarely hidden from the sun, which may result in inconsistent skin tone and discolouration. But the main question is how to remove tan from hands and legs? Most people who have tanning on their hands, feet, and legs use harsh methods like chemical bleaching, but this can cause them more harm than good, as it can cause the skin to further darken and dry.
This article will explore how to remove tan from hands and legs naturally.
How to Remove Tan From Hands and Legs
If you’re wondering how to remove tan from your legs and hands at home, you can use these natural home remedies to remove sun tan from any part of your body, whether you have collected the tan from walking around the city or relaxing at the beach for days on end. Your whole body can benefit from these remedies - from your neck to your legs to your hands - without having to worry about side effects.
1. Turmeric & Curd
Turmeric brightens the skin and helps to improve uneven skin tone, while curd contains probiotics that alleviate skin dryness and improve skin tone.
Combine one tsp of turmeric powder with a bowl of curd, and massage the mixture on your tanned hands and legs. Leave it on for 20 minutes, then rinse it off.
2. Lemon Juice & Sugar/Honey
The benefits of lemon juice for the skin extend beyond its natural bleaching effects, as it is an antioxidant that helps to eliminate all types of skin impurities. Lemons contain a good amount of ascorbic acid, which helps to lighten the skin. Vitamin C and citric acid in lemons are great for your skin and especially treat sun-damaged skin, as well.
Combine honey or sugar with lemon juice and use it to scrub your feet, hands, and legs. Rub gently on the affected areas for 15 minutes and then rinse afterwards.
Alternatively, you can bathe your tanned hands in a warm bowl of lemon juice for 20 minutes. Then rinse your hands thoroughly and moisturise them to counteract the drying effect of the acidic lime juice.
If you prefer, apply fresh lemon juice directly to the palms of your hands before going to bed, similar to applying a serum or lotion, and thoroughly massage your hands and wrists.
3. Cucumber & Curd
Its natural skin-enhancing properties are the reason many experts recommend it for reducing under dark eye circles. It is very effective at preventing tanning while also thoroughly moisturising. This natural skin lightener can help you achieve an even-toned look for your hands with its astringent properties.
Add a couple of drops of rose water to a bowl of cucumber pulp and equal amounts of curd to make a paste. After applying it to your hands evenly, wait 15 minutes and wash them with cold water. A suntan can be removed from hands and legs faster by applying this daily.
You can also simply rub the back of your hands with a slice of cucumber for at least 10 minutes to reduce the damage that UV rays cause.
4. Coconut Water or Coconut Milk
Known as the ultimate skin-soothing ingredient, lauric acid is present in coconut water and coconut milk, providing relief from sunburn and suntan irritation. The vitamin C in coconut water has natural lightening benefits as well as restoring the skin's pH balance.
3-4 times a day, rinse your hands with coconut water or coconut milk. Let them soak in completely, then wash them off with mild soap.
5. Orange & Curd
Orange is a fruit that contains the goodness of vitamin C, a substance that is readily absorbed by the skin. This makes orange an effective ingredient for removing tans from the hands and legs.
Combine one tbsp dried orange peel with one cup of curd, then mix in some freshly squeezed orange juice drops to make a pack. Gently apply the pack to your hands, arms and legs, then rinse them with cold water after 10-15 minutes. You can repeat this process two to three times weekly.
6. Aloe Vera
In addition to healing and smoothing the skin, aloe vera provides relief from sunburns and suntan, thanks to the antioxidants contained within.
Aloe vera gel can be obtained from the sap of the leaf. Squeeze some fresh aloe vera gel onto your hands. You can leave it on overnight, then wash it off the following morning.
7. Tomato & Curd
Lycopene, which is found naturally in tomatoes, acts as a sunscreen for the skin, while antioxidants help to prevent cellular damage and treat inflammation, particularly in the legs, which is why it's a great anti-tan pack.
Mix one tbsp tomato pulp with one tbsp curd and one tsp honey in a bowl. After applying the pack to feet and legs, allow them to dry for 10-15 minutes and then rinse them off with warm water. You will need to repeat this process two or three times a week.
8. Turmeric, Cucumber & Lemon Juice
You can prepare a paste by adding a few drops of lemon juice and turmeric powder to the cucumber juice. Then rinse it off after applying the paste and leaving it on for half an hour. You will feel your skin looking refreshed and vibrant again.
9. Almond Paste
Almonds have properties that help remove tan and provide skin nourishment and healing from the sun. They are also rich in Vitamin E and riboflavin, which are thought to promote healing of the skin.
Soak 5 to 6 almonds overnight, and then make it into a paste by adding milk or rose water. Apply the paste, let it sit overnight, then wash it off the following day.
10. Sandalwood & Fresh Cream
Sandalwood is considered one of the best ingredients for the removal of skin tan as it helps lighten the skin colour and provide glow and softness to the skin. Fresh cream is also very hydrating and radiates your skin.
To make this de-tan cream, mix one tbsp of sandalwood powder with equal parts of fresh cream and use it after bathing on affected areas every day.
11. Pineapple & Honey
Since pineapple is a citrus fruit and contains ascorbic acids, which is able to brighten and hydrate the skin naturally.
Prepare a thick paste by mixing two tbsp of pineapple pulp with one tbsp of honey. Then, apply and let the paste sit on both hands and feet for 10-15 minutes before rinsing with cold water.
12. Oats & Buttermilk Cream
As an excellent exfoliator and skin cleanser, oatmeal helps you remove dead skin cells and removes sun tan from your hands and face. Lactic acid found in buttermilk eliminates tan, moisturises skin and radiates your skin.
Prepare a creamy paste by mixing two tablespoons of powdered oats with buttermilk and a few drops of rose water. Gently massage the mix into the hands for 10 minutes before rinsing them with cold water.
13. Potato And Lemon Juice
The anti-tanning properties of potatoes are attributed to their natural bleaching enzymes which help lighten even heavily tanned skin.
Make a potato and lemon juice paste, apply it to your legs and hands for 15-20 minutes and then wash it off with cold water.
14. Papaya & Honey
Due to its papain enzyme, papayas are ideal for removing tans from hands, reducing blemishes on the skin and reducing skin spots. Additionally, it contains vitamin A and C, which help the skin regenerate cells and eliminate the tan.
Put ripe papaya cubes in a bowl and mash, and mix with one tbsp of honey to make a paste. Apply all over your hands and legs for about 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse off.
15. Saffron & Milk
As an anti-tan agent and anti-inflammatory agent, saffron is a great ingredient for removing sun tan and adding a natural glow to the skin.
Take a few saffron strands and soak them in milk for 15-20 minutes. Apply the milk to the affected areas and cleanse.
Pro Tips to Prevent Tan
While you can simply churn a few homemade remedies to get rid of the stubborn tan, here are a few quick tips to prevent the tan in the first place.
- Avoid going out at peak sunlight hours, typically from 10 am to 4 pm.
- Wear protective clothing such as scarves, sunglasses, shrugs, etc., that provides full coverage whenever stepping out.
- Wear a high SPF sunscreen lotion or cream (over 30 or 40) on your face, neck, hands, arms, legs, and feet daily.
- Wash your face and hands after getting home to soothe your skin from the harmful rays of the sun.
- Hydrate yourself as much as you can through water and cold foods to keep your body cool and fight off the heat from the inside.
Summing Up on How to Remove Tan From Hands and Legs
When you administer these remedies regularly, you will notice a significant improvement in your complexion, but you must also take into account your diet when trying to remove tan naturally.
Maintain hydration throughout the day by drinking 15 to 20 glasses of water at a minimum. Ensure that you consume foods that contain antioxidants, such as vegetables, fruits, juices, and smoothies, to increase collagen production. By following such a diet, you will be able to get rid of any tan that you may have and keep your skin healthy.
You should always seek out help from a medical professional if you notice severity in your tanning condition rather than just dwelling on the home remedies.
References
- Amar Surjushe, Resham Vasani, 2008; ALOE VERA: A SHORT REVIEW - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC2763764/
- Niladri Maity, Birendra K Sarkar, January 2013; Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23098877/
