Summer is definitely a cheerful holiday season but it comes with this harsh sun which causes problems like dark spots & hyperpigmentation. If you’re also worried about stepping out in the sun. Don’t worry, there are few home remedies that have proven effects of tan removal and skincare. Rather than going to the expensive skin treatments, try some home remedies to remove tan. Before going to home remedies for the tan, let us discuss the tanning and how to prevent sun tanning.
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What is Tanning?
Tanning is a process where your skin color gets darkened due to exposure to Ultra-violet rays coming from the sun. Tan is easier to get but difficult to get rid of, there are several ways to avoid getting tanned but if you have got it already there are a number of ways to get rid of the tan (skin darkening).
How to prevent sun tanning?
The best way to prevent tanning is by staying out of the sun. However, if you necessarily need to go out in the sun, apply sunscreen, wear protective clothes that prevent rays coming directly onto your skin and if not necessary, avoid going out in sun in the middle of the day because that’s when the UV rays are the strongest.
It would really be better if you add sunscreen to your daily routine just as brushing and bathing. The SPF in sunscreen stands for Sun Protection Factor which determines how well the product is going to protect you from the harmful rays of the sun. The higher the SPF the better the product. Use sunscreen with at least 30 SPF.
How to remove sun tanning?
Though completely escaping tanning is difficult but not impossible, there are simple ways to avoid getting tanned.
- Cover yourself with scarf or sunglasses
- Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before stepping out in sunlight
- Apply aloe vera gel after returning from outside.
11 Home Remedies to Remove Tan
After getting tan it’s not that easy to bring back your skin to your normal skin tone but it can be done with patience and care. Instead of spending money on expensive cosmetic products, try some home remedies which are present in your kitchen.
Lemon Juice and Honey:
The first one with our star ingredient that is lemon as you all know very well. I wouldn’t recommend you to apply lemon directly on your skin because it has acidic nature. When applied it exfoliates the superficial layer of skin undoing any sun damage or tanning. Adding a little honey to lemon helps to get better results.

How to Apply:
- Take a clean bowl and squeeze a lemon into it.
- Add one spoon of honey into lemon juice.
- Now apply this mixture on your face and skin.
- Leave it for 20-30 minutes
- Wash it off with a mild face wash or cleanser.
Moreover, you can add sugar into this mixture to make it a good scrub. It helps in the removal of dead skin cells.
Gram Flour and Yogurt
This is one of the best home remedies to remove tan. Gram flour acts as an exfoliator whereas curd helps in soothing and hydrating skin.
How to Apply:
- Add yogurt to a spoonful of gram flour in a bowl and mix it well to form a thick mixture.
- Apply this mixture on your body or affected areas.
- Let it dry for 15-20 and wash it off.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene that acts as a natural sunscreen and antioxidants that fight free radical damage.

How to Apply:
- Cut a tomato in half and remove its pulp.
- Rub the pulp all over the affected areas.
- Leave it for 10-15 minutes and wash it off with water.
Coconut Milk
Coconut milk nourishes & hydrates the skin & helps restore the moisture. Whereas vitamin c helps remove tan.
Ingredients Required: Cotton + Coconut Milk
How to Apply:
- Take some fresh coconut milk in a bowl.
- Soak a cotton ball into it and apply coconut milk on your face.
- Let dry for some time & then rinse it off.
Oatmeal and Buttermilk
This is an amazing trick to lighten your tan. Oatmeal acts as an exfoliator whereas lactic acid in buttermilk removes tan.

How to Apply:
- Sock the required amount of oatmeal in some water for 5-10 mins.
- After some time add 2-3 tbsp of buttermilk and mix it well to make a paste.
- You can also add some honey to this mixture to make the pack more moisturizing.
- Apply the mixture on affected area & massage for a couple of minutes & then leave it to dry.
- Wash it off & pat dry. •
Sandalwood and Turmeric
Sandalwood or Chandan is a miracle ingredient when it comes to skincare. It is a one-stop solution to all skin problems including tanning.
How to Apply:
- Mix both the ingredients & add milk or coconut water, whichever suits you the most.
- Make a paste & apply it to your effective area.
- Let it dry and rinse it off.
Multanimitti and Rose Water
Multani Mitti also is known as Fuller’s Earth. It cools and soothes sunburns. It also removes tan and makes your skin radiant.
How to Apply:
- Make a smooth paste by adding rose water to Multanimitti.
- Apply the mixture on your face & neck and let it dry.
- When it dry, wash it off.
Lemon and Sugar
This is a popular natural scrub made from kitchen ingredients. Sugar acts as an exfoliator whereas citric acid in lemon helps remove tan & honey nourishes your skin.

How to Apply:
- Take a clean bowl and squeeze a lemon into it.
- Add a tablespoon of sugar into it.
- Mix well both the ingredients in equal quantity.
- Massage for some time & then let it dry.
- Wash it off after drying.
- You can also add honey for extra nourishment.
Masoor Dal
A mixture of masoor dal and honey help to remove dead cells of the skin and lighten your tan.
How to Apply:
- Mix masoor dal with honey into a clean bowl.
- Apply this paste on your affected areas.
- Remembers, this will make a thick paste so when it dries off, scrub it off gently with water.
Aloe Vera
When it comes to skincare, aloe vera is the best remedy. This will help in calming your skin irritation, reduces the redness and provides moisture to the skin.

How to Apply:
- Cut out a fresh leaf and scoop out the pulp.
- Massage it on your skin.
- You can store the leaf in your freezer for up to a week.
- Apply this daily for a good result.
Yogurt and Turmeric
Adding a pinch of turmeric to frozen yogurt will do the work. Turmeric is rich in anti-oxidant properties and yogurt, on the other hand, contains lactic acid which softens the skin.
How to Apply:
- Take a tablespoon of yogurt into a bowl
- Add a pinch of turmeric into it.
- Mix well and apply it as a mask.
- Leave it for 15-20 minutes for effective results.
- Then rinse it off.
Potatoes
Potatoes contain catecholase enzymes which help in brightening your skin tone. Potato juice may reduce dark circles and it is also known for being a potent bleaching agent.

How to Apply: You can either blend it in a mixer to make a paste or cut a potato in half and massage directly onto the affected area.
Gram Flour and Turmeric
Gram flour is popularly known for its skin-lightening abilities and it is an excellent skin brightening agent. Turmeric is full of antioxidants properties and provides a youthful glow to the skin.
How to Apply:
- To make a paste of these ingredients, add gram flour and turmeric and milk too.
- Mix well until it makes a paste.
- Apply it and leave for 15-20 minutes.
- Wash it off.
Raw Milk
Raw milk acts as a natural cleanser that treats your dry and flaky skin. It also exfoliates dead skin cells and soothes sunburnt skin.
Ingredients: Raw Milk + Turmeric + Lemon Juice
How to Apply:
- Mix raw milk with turmeric and lemon juice.
- Massage this on your affected areas.
- Wash it off once dried.
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F.A.Q.: Remove Tan
Can sun tan be permanent?
No, Sun tan isn’t permanent. Don’t worry. A sun tan will last up to a week or 10 days before your skin starts to regenerate naturally.
Does steam bath removes tan?
Yes, A hot steam bath open your pores and gets rid of dirt. Thus it can help to remove tan.
How do you get rid of tan fast?
Try adding yogurt to orange juice and apply the mixture on your effected areas and leave it for at least half an hour before rinsing it off.
Is tanning bad for you?
No, Tanning isn’t bad for you, it just comes with some risk of skin burning which causes skin cancer which happens when UV rays pierced your skin and stars messing with your DNA.
Does turmeric remove tan?
Turmeric has more than 300 antioxidants is provides a youthful glow to the skin making it an excellent skin brightening agent.