Melanin is perhaps the biggest factor that leads to darkening of your skin complexion. The quantity of melanin in a person’s body determines the shade of their skin. Many people want to have lighter, brighter skin but the amount of melanin in your body depends on the amount of time you spend in the sun as well as genetics.
The brown pigment of melanin is actually produced by the body to defend from the harmful rays of the sun. If you want to learn how to reduce melanin in your body to get lighter skin, you don’t have to resort to expensive treatments with unpleasant side effects. These natural methods can help you.
Vitamins that Help Reduce Melanin
Vitamin C
Vitamin C or ascorbic acid has antioxidant properties. When you apply it topically, it seeps into your skin and inhibits the production of melanin. Because vitamin C is an antioxidant, it neutralizes the free radicals that are produced when melanocytes have UV exposure, which in turn reduces melanin formation.
You can get vitamin C via a supplement or by eating peppers, dark green vegetables, herbs, berries, grapefruits, and citrus fruits.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A, or retinol, is commonly found in lotions and creams. It doesn’t directly penetrate the skin or eliminate melanin. Instead, it stimulates epidermal cells to grow, replacing hyper-pigmented skin with new skin cells, giving you a different way of how to reduce melanin. If you use retinol creams, your skin will glow and lighten as the accumulated melanin pigment is destroyed.
You can get a cream with vitamin A or ingest it by eating liver, carrots, potatoes, and green vegetables.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K is actually the only vitamin the body is able to produce while your skin is exposed to sun rays. In addition to strengthening bones, this vitamin can also help your skin. If you have skin discoloration because of leaky capillaries, consuming vitamin K can repair your capillaries, returning your skin tone to normal. Vitamin K can also remove dark circles that occur because of excessive melanin production.
Try taking a vitamin K supplement or eating more foods that contain it. Some good options include cabbage, oats, corn, pumpkin seeds, papaya, pears, broccoli, spinach, and kale.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E doesn’t directly inhibit the production of melanin pigment. Instead, it helps your skin fight against melanin, recovering faster. Vitamin E works to destroy the free radicals responsible for accelerating skin issues. It also helps your cells rejuvenate and be replaced faster. In other words, pigmented or damaged cells are replaced with healthy new skin cells.
You can find vitamin E capsules or eat foods that are rich in it, such as oily fish, spinach, and nuts. There are also skin creams with vitamin E as well as aloe vera or wheat germ oil.
Home Remedies for Reducing Melanin
If you want to know how to reduce melanin, you can also try one of these simple remedies using items that you probably already have in your home.
Tomato, Oatmeal and Yogurt
Tomato and yogurt are both natural bleach and yogurt also has skin tightening properties. Oatmeal woks to scrub you skin. Together, they can remove pigmentation.
Extract the juice from a tomato and mix it with ½ teaspoon of yogurt and 2 teaspoons of oatmeal, mixing the ingredients together. Apply it to the problematic areas, rinsing off after it dries, which should be no more than 20 minutes. Repeat daily.
Vinegar
Vinegar has astringent properties that lighten your skin. To learn how to reduce melanin with vinegar, create a rinse by combining equal amounts of vinegar and water. Rinse your face with this regularly and don’t wash it off.
Sandalwood Powder and Rose Water
Mix sandalwood powder with rose water then apply it to the areas that are dark with melanin. By applying this mixture daily, you can cool down your skin. Since melanin production increases with heat, lowering your skin’s temperature reduces this process, giving you fairer skin.
Almond Paste
Plan ahead to make the almond paste by soaking 4 or 5 almonds overnight. In the morning, take off their skins and grind to create a fine powder. Add a teaspoon of milk to create a paste. Apply the paste directly to the spots dark with melanin and see them fade.
Honey and Sour Cream
Mix 2 tablespoons of sour cream with a tablespoon of honey. Apply the mixture on your face, letting it sit 15 to 20 minutes. Clean it off using a moist, soft cloth before washing it off by fresh water.
Mint Leaves Paste
Grind some mint leaves then mix them together with water to create a paste. Apply your paste to any melanin spots, rinsing it off after 15 minutes.
Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Melanin
To truly see a change and find out how to reduce melanin, you need to make some changes to your lifestyle as well.
Use Sunscreen
You can prevent melanin formation and reduce the levels of it within your body by using a high-quality sunscreen. Always pick one that has an SPF of 30 or higher and apply it before leaving the house in the morning to protect you from UVA and UVB rays.
Stay Inside
Spending too much time outside will increase melanin production, darkening your skin. To avoid this issue, try to stay indoors, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. Your body will reduce melanin production more quickly if you avoid direct sunlight.
Cover Up
When you are outside, cover yourself with clothing to protect your skin from UVA rays and melanin production. Also, wear sunglasses and a hat.
Choose Natural Products
Don’t use a chemical-based product to reduce melanin or lighten your skin. Instead, stick to natural options or products. Either try one of the options mentioned above or look for natural creams.
Word of Caution
Keep in mind that excessive melanin production might indicate another medical issue. Your dermatologist can help you determine why your body produces excessive melanin.
If your skin is sensitive, always test any natural remedy or cream on a small patch of skin before applying it elsewhere. Never apply a product to damaged or cut skin as this can lead to a burning sensation.