Natural facial care and within reach of all pockets.
The spots on the face are basically an aesthetic disorder, but that worries many people, especially in those cases in which they are very noticeable.
They appear mainly due to factors such as aging and sun exposure , this being the cause of the vast majority of alterations in facial pigmentation. Avoiding exposure to the sun is the main way to avoid the appearance of spots on the skin.
In this article we will talk about skin blemishes and how to remedy them using natural remedies that you can easily do from the comfort of your home.
What are the spots on the face?
They appear mainly due to exposure to the sun, through a process called photoaging. The ultraviolet radiation from the star king causes damage to the skin cells, which translates into a deterioration of the skin in the form of spots, loss of texture and various wrinkles .
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In addition to photoaging, natural biological aging, processes such as pregnancy and certain drugs such as tobacco and some medications can accelerate the production of dark spots on the skin.
Within the types of spots on the skin, we find:
- Moles
- freckles
- lentigines
- melasmas
- vascular stains
Most of them are caused by aging, sun exposure, hormonal changes or genetic factors that predispose us to the appearance of these small marks.
Although they can be easily made up or concealed, the simplest thing is to avoid their appearance by reducing our exposure to the sun and using products that protect us from the harmful effects of UVA rays.
An important factor to keep in mind is to avoid the consumption of drugs such as alcohol or tobacco, which can also promote the appearance of spots on the face, especially those of a vascular type and some moles.
Home remedies to remove dark spots on the face
Today there are clinical treatments that are quite effective in removing skin blemishes. These treatments can be aggressive or simply too expensive for some, so it is worth knowing how we can reduce the appearance of dark spots using home remedies.
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Here are 8 ways to easily remove facial blemishes from your home.
1. Glycolic acid
Glycolic acid is derived from sugars and is able to penetrate the outermost layers of the skin , which is why it is used as a chemical exfoliant. At a medical level, very powerful solutions of this acid are used, with a pH that can reach 0.6.
At the home level, it is not recommended (nor legal) to use such powerful acids on our skin, but we can find it marketed in much milder doses, which will have a lesser but equally effective effect when it comes to exfoliating our skin and reducing the appearance of spots on the face. It is recommended that we use solutions containing at least 10% glycolic acid , unless we are particularly sensitive.
2.Aloe Vera
The aloe plant has multiple properties that are beneficial for our skin. Applying the “meat” found inside the leaves of this spiky plant on our face will help reduce blemishes and even out skin tone.
In addition, within the properties of aloe we find its high content of vitamins A, C and E, which apparently help improve the condition of our skin , leaving it softer. It is also a strong moisturizer, so by applying aloe we are taking care of our skin in multiple ways.
There are natural remedies that use lemon to whiten our skin, and although lemon by itself does not work and can cause irritations of greater or lesser severity depending on our sensitivity, we can use the juice of half a lemon with two or three tablespoons of aloe vera to maximize its effect on skin blemishes.
3. Potatoes
A grated potato mask with honey will also take care of our skin by reducing facial blemishes. We simply mix a few tablespoons of honey, which will act as a moisturizer and antiseptic, with the grated half potato that we can obtain by passing it through a cheese grater.
The potato in this mixture acts as a natural exfoliant, in addition to having certain antiseptic properties by itself that will also reduce our acne, if we had it. We can also choose to cut the potato into slices and keep it on our skin for about twenty minutes to produce a similar effect, although it is not as beneficial as using it in the form of a mask.
4. Almond oil
Almond oil has become extremely popular for its many skin benefits. We must be careful when using sweet almond oil , since bitter almond oil does not have the same benefits.
Sweet almond oil is full of vitamin E, vitamin A, and monounsaturated fatty acids, which help our skin with its antioxidant, anti-acne, and moisturizing properties. In addition, it is indicated to reduce skin blemishes, especially those near the eyes, where the skin is more sensitive.
Part of the benefits of almond oil come from its ability to penetrate the outer layers of the skin, delivering its nutrients to the inner epithelial cells, which are alive and must be cared for. We can use almond oil even if we have oily skin , since it is non-comedogenic and therefore will not cause acne.
5. Oatmeal masks
Oatmeal masks are also very good for the care of our skin. We can make oatmeal masks simply by mixing natural oatmeal flakes with yogurt, so that our skin receives the benefits of both.
An oatmeal mask will even out skin tone , firm the skin by reducing wrinkles, reduce facial blemishes and also work as a gentle exfoliant while hydrating us. The complete pack.
6. Tomato and sugar mask
Although sugar is not highly recommended for the skin, its use in small amounts, especially in conjunction with tomato, can be the key to making facial spots that develop with age or sun exposure disappear.
The tomato, in addition to being loaded with vitamins that improve the condition of our skin, has whitening properties , which is why it is used in various cosmetic products, especially in Asian countries. If we make a simple mask with tomato juice and a few tablespoons of sugar, we will have an exfoliating and whitening mixture that will take care of our skin blemishes.
To use it, we must apply it gently on our skin, spreading it with soft and circular movements. Special care must be taken with the skin near the eyes, as it is especially sensitive to mechanical stress and strong exfoliants such as sugar can easily damage it.
7. Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is also a home remedy for skin that has become extremely popular. Vinegars are by definition slightly acidic, so they have an exfoliating effect on our skin that is responsible for removing excess dead skin.
Apple cider vinegar has the particularity of containing alpha hydroxy acids , a molecular category in which glycolic acid is found (the first remedy that we present in the article). We can use it as a toner to firm the tone of our skin and help whiten it gently.
8. Turmeric, yogurt and olive oil mask
Turmeric has been used especially in Ayurvedic medicine to help with a multitude of ailments. It contains curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce the effect of free radicals as well as helping to reduce dark spots that we may have on our face .
To make this wonderful yogurt, turmeric and olive oil mask we simply need half a teaspoon of turmeric, a tablespoon or two of yogurt and a tablespoon of olive oil. After mixing everything, we apply it in circles on our face, taking special care to focus on the spots.
In addition to the benefits of turmeric, the acidity of the yogurt will also help to lighten our skin while the olive oil will deeply hydrate our face. This mask is not the most suitable for people with oily skin, but it will also work if we avoid oil, although it will not be as spectacular.
After its application, we must let it act for about twenty minutes before cleaning it with water. Since it is very little aggressive, we can use this mask about three times a week.
Bibliographic references
- Danby, SG, AlEnezi, T., Sultan, A., Lavender, T., Chittock, J., Brown, K. and Cork, MJ (2013), Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Care. Pediatr Dermatol, 30: 42-50. doi:10.1111/j.1525-1470.2012.01865.
- Thangapazham RL, Sharma A., Maheshwari RK (2007) BENEFICIAL ROLE OF CURCUMIN IN SKIN DISEASES. In: Aggarwal BB, Surh YJ., Shishodia S. (eds) The Molecular Targets and Therapeutic Uses of Curcumin in Health and Disease.
To the classic question “what do you do?” I always answer “basically I am a psychologist”. In fact, my academic training has revolved around the psychology of development, education and community, a field of study influenced my volunteer activities, as well as my first work experiences in personal services.