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I received an email from more than one reader asking how to brighten their skin. This is a common desire among many, and so I want to give my top tips on brightening the skin.
Anyone of any skin color can brighten, lighten, and give their skin a more youthful glow by following these 12 tips.
How to Brighten Your Skin – My Top 12 Tips:
Use Skin-lightening Products
Use a Retinoid Cream
Get a Chemical Peel
Wash and Exfoliate
Use Sunscreen
Avoid the Sun from 10 am to 2 pm
Use a Lemon Spray
Use a Papaya Mask
Use a Tomato Mask
Don’t Smoke
Drink Water
Exercise
Read on to see how you can brighten, lighten and give your skin a lighter glow, including what kind of products to use, natural treatments, face masks, and lifestyle changes to make.
Also, for an excellent lightening serum, take a look at our top pick, the TruSkin Vitamin C Face Serum:
Just remember to follow the instructions on these brightening products as you don’t want to apply them at any random time. To make the products most effective, follow the instructions consistently over time to make your skin look brighter and lighter.
In the event that a product leads to reddening or irritated skin, quit utilizing the product to try a different product or perhaps see a dermatologist for a recommendation.
2. Use a Retinoid Cream
You can purchase retinoid creams at most pharmacies or visit your dermatologist for a recommendation, which will be a lot more potent than the regular store treatment.
Retinoids work by accelerating cell turnover and shedding the top layer of skin, making skin look more bright, youthful, and fresh-looking. You can apply it to more than your face but also your neck and chest.
Retinoids can make your skin more delicate to the sun’s UV rays, so make sure to utilize a high SPF sunscreen consistently so that your skin is protected.
I have been testing a newer retinoid product on myself, the SAJIC Renutriate Professional Retinol Face Cream, and have noticed it has made my skin brighter and has cleared up some wrinkles and blemishes.
I have been using it for about a month now, so I am looking forward to seeing what sort of results it will bring in the next month.
3. Get a Chemical Peel
Another way to make your skin look brighter or just overall lighter is to see your dermatologist for a chemical peel. Chemical peels get rid of the top layers of skin, bringing about lighter, more brilliant, and progressively energetic-looking skin.
These peels can be irritating, so plan on having more delicate, red skin for a couple of days after the treatment. Avoid the sun and apply your sunscreen generously to ensure your skin after the procedure.
I remember the first time I got a chemical peel done. I took the bus at the time, and when traveling home, I got quite a few looks from people who must have thought I got a really bad sunburn.
The redness went away in a few days, however, leaving a brighter, more even complexion. Just remember to avoid the sun and use sunscreen while your skin is healing.
Usually, you’ll need a progression of chemical peels to get the full benefit of them. One visit to your dermatologist will have benefits, yet numerous treatments will deliver more permanent results.
4. Wash and Exfoliate
Use a gentle cleanser in the morning and night to wash away all the grime, dirt, and bacteria and keep your face looking refreshed. 2 or 3 times a week, use a gentle exfoliating product to get rid of dead skin cells.
This will leave your skin looking lighter, with fewer blemishes and dark spots. Following this routine may also give your face a slight rosy glow as it increases the circulation of the blood.
Just remember when exfoliating to be very delicate. If you use a chemical exfoliant, choose one that is delicate. If you use a physical exfoliant like a scrub or stone, use one that is not too harsh and be very gentle.
If you use harsh chemicals or rub too hard, this can make your skin irritated and red with darker spots.
5. Use Sunscreen
Number 5 on our list of how to brighten the skin is to use sunscreen with SPF 35 or higher every day to avoid tanning and keeping a lighter tone. Pick a sunscreen that is water safe and protects from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
Apply it generously every morning, whether you intend to go outside or stay inside. Going outside without sunscreen for only 5 minutes every day will accumulate and lead to sun damage and darker skin.
Your skin won’t remain as bright as you would like unless you use sunscreen each day.
When you do plan on going out in the sun, (because of course, don’t run from the sun all the time!), re-apply your sunscreen a few times for the duration of the day to keep your skin from the UV rays. In case you’re swimming, reapply your sunscreen each time you exit the water.
6. Avoid the Sun from 10 am to 2 pm
Try your best to avoid the sun between 10 am and 2 pm, as that is the time at which the sun’s beams are the most harmful and can damage and break down your skin cells.
When you’re outside, attempt to remain undercover or in the shade when possible. Wear defensive apparel like shirts with long sleeves, shades, and big hats.
During this powerful UV ray part of the day, do what you can to avoid being near snow, water, or sand as these all mirror the sun, which maximizes you to them.
7. Use a Lemon Spray
Add to a bowl 4 parts lemon and 1 part water. To get the most out of the lemon, I use a hand juicer. I cut the lemons in half, push it on the juicer, and twist to get all the juice out.
Add the water, stir the lemon-water mixture together, and pour it into the spray bottle. After you wash your face, splash a light, even layer of the blend over your skin. The lemon juice will help to reduce dark spots and lighten your overall complexion.
It might take at least a month or two to see results, so be consistent and apply the lemon juice every morning or night.
8. Use a Papaya Mask
Just like the tomato mask, to make the papaya mask, blend it with optional lemon juice. First, peel the papaya skin off. Use a spoon to scoop out and throw away the seeds. Slice the meat into small pieces and add it into a blender.
Optional add lemon juice to a blender, but I usually just use papaya only. Blend the papaya until it is smooth. Scoop it out with a spoon and apply it all over your face in a thin layer. Leave the mask on for 20-30 minutes, and then rinse off with tepid water.
Papaya packs a powerful punch of vitamin C which will help eliminate signs of aging, including blemishes, dark spots, and overall will lighten your skin.
9. Use a Tomato Mask
Cut a big tomato into 4 segments, and put them into a blender. Pour in 1 to 2 tablespoons (15– 30 ml) of lemon juice, and blend until it thickens a bit. Apply this tomato and lemon juice mask to your whole face, and let it sit for 20-30 minutes. At that point, wash off the mask with tepid water.
The tomato plant contains lycopene, a natural ingredient that shields your skin from the sun. It is a pigment in the tomato that gives them their rich, red tone. Lemon contains natural antibacterial and skin brightening properties.
Apply this mask once per week for about 2 to 3 months, and your skin should become lighter, brighter, and more youthful-looking.
10. Don’t Smoke
If you’re a smoker, no is a good time to quit. Smoking will lead to many signs of aging, including wrinkles, dark circles, puffy eyes, and eye bags. Smoking additionally keeps blood from streaming naturally to the face, which can give your skin a dull tone.
So if you are a smoker, now is a good time to stop. Quitting will make your skin brighter over time and look more youthful-looking and alive.
11. Drink Water
Remain hydrated to keep your skin looking splendid and new. Attempt to drink somewhere around 6 to 8 glasses of water every day to keep your skin looking new and supple. Remaining hydrated additionally enables your skin to revive quicker, keeping the top layers of skin lighter and brighter.
Normal, natural product juices and tea are likewise great decisions for hydration.
12. Exercise
Exercise consistently for a brighter and more youthful-looking skin tone. Burning some calories can keep your skin looking sound and new by expanding the bloodstream to your face.
The expanded blood stream brings oxygen to your skin cells, feeding them and diverting free radicals and other cell debris.
Have a go at running outside (with sunscreen and protective clothing, of course), or utilize exercise machines such as treadmills or rowers. I’m a big fan of stationary bicycles to burn some serious calories and get my blood moving each day.
Conclusion
In summary, there are many ways to brighten your skin. Brightening the skin is a goal of many men and women. Follow the below 12 tips for brightening and lightening your skin complexion:
