How to Whiten Skin Naturally

Sun exposure can cause hyperpigmentation in the skin. Hyperpigmentation is when the skin gets areas of increased melanin causing the skin to have dark spots. The dark spots cause the skin to look blotchy. Using natural skin whiteners made out of products normally found in homes, you can whiten your skin and reduce hyperpigmentation without the risks of chemical burns that are associated with some chemical based skin whiteners.

1. Wash your skin twice a day with a mild soap and a wash cloth. Use the wash cloth to rub the soap in the skin and to rinse the soap off the skin. The wash cloth mildly exfoliates the skin to encourage the shedding of dead skin cell.

2. Apply a skin brightening tomato and lime juice mask to the skin every morning before you wash your skin. To make the brightening mask, blend 1 tomato and the juice of 1 lime in a blender. Apply a thin layer of the brightening mask to the skin and leave on for 15 minutes. The extra amount of brightening mask can be stored in a closed container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. After 15 minutes, rinse the skin with cold water. Wash skin with a mild soap and a wash cloth. The tomato and lime whiten the skin and give it a bright appearance. The lime juice may cause a stinging sensation on the skin; this is normal. With regular use, skin becomes accustomed to the lime juice and the stinging sensation lessons.

3. Apply a moisturizing honey and lemon juice mask before bed every night, before you wash your skin. To make the mask, mix one teaspoon of honey with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply the mask to the skin and leave it on for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, rinse the mask off with warm water. Wash skin with a mild soap and a wash cloth. The honey moisturizes the skin, and the lemon whitens the skin. The lemon may cause a stinging sensation on the skin while the mask is on; this is normal. With regular use, skin becomes accustomed to the lemon juice and the stinging sensation lessons.

4. Apply organic Aloe Vera gel to the skin twice a day (morning and night), after washing the skin. Aloe Vera gel is a moisturizer that heals skin irritation and lightens the skin.

5. Exfoliate your skin once a week with sugar and olive oil. Mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil with one tablespoon of white granulated table sugar to make a paste. To use this exfoliant, use your fingers to gently rub the paste into the skin using a circular motion. Be careful around the eye area to avoid getting the paste into the eyes. The exfoliant removes old dead skin cells off the surface layer of the skin, exposing new fresh skin and encouraging the growth of new skin.

(Source: ehow.com)

Simple Tips to Cure Your Acne Naturally

Acne is a tremendously embarrassing and burdensome problem. It is easy to feel that you don't have control over your breakouts. But the fact is, you do. Now, your first response may be to assume that I'm going to recommend you see your dermatologist. Well, think again. Natural remedies can be just as effective and medications. Possibly more powerful. Sometimes, all your body needs is the right nutritional balance and proper skin care. Here are some easy things you can start doing today to help you heal your acne. You should notice a difference in about 4 weeks.

- Apply a honey mask to your face once or twice a week - Honey has antibacterial properties so it is great for disinfecting and healing minor blemishes. It is also gentle on sensitive skin.

- Wash twice a day with acne soap - You should wash your face twice a day with a sulfur based soap designed for acne. Once when you first wake up in the morning and then, right before you go to bed at night. Be extremely gentle to your skin when washing - do not scrub or use any sort of rough cloth. Overwashing your skin will actually stimulate your sebaceous glands to produce more sebum, thus increasing your acne.

- Keep your hair off your face - If you have long hair or bangs, pull your hair off your face. Your hair contains oils as well, and will contribute to your breakouts. You'll also want to wash your hair everyday and after workouts.

- Take a potent multi-vitamin - Acne can be a sign that something is wrong on the inside. Your skin depends on nutrition. It is a vital organ that is usually neglected. If your body is not receiving the right nutrition, it will fight back. One common way it will rebel is to produce excessive sebum, clogging pores, and reducing the ability for your skin to heal and fight bacteria.

- Include chromium in your diet - Chromium is well known for weight loss diets. But it is also excellent for healing infections on the skin. Taking a chromium supplement once a day will help heal your pimples quickly and prevent future breakouts.

- Eat carrots for beta-carotene (Vitamin A) - Vitamin A strengthens the protective tissue of the skin and actually prevents acne. It helps reduce sebum production. This vitamin is essential for the maintenance and repair of the tissue which the skin and mucous membranes are made of. Vitamin A is also a powerful antioxidant needed to rid your body of toxins. Did you know that a deficiency in vitamin A can actually cause acne?

- Avoid wearing makeup - Leaving makeup products on your skin only contributes to clogging your pores, causing more pimples and blackheads. If you feel you must wear makeup, be sure it is water-based.

- Do not pick or squeeze your blackheads and pimples - As tempting as it may be, do not squeeze, scratch, rub or touch your pimples and blackheads. Do any of these actions, actually increases the sebum production. Plus, when you squeeze, you are actually rupturing the membranes below your skin, causing infection and sebum to spread underneath your skin. The result is more pimples.

- Wash your pillow case every other day - Your face lays on your pillow case every day. Your pillow case absorbs the oils from your skin and reapplies the dirt and oil. Thus causing breakouts. Keep your sheets and pillow cases clean.

- Eat foods rich in zinc - Zinc is an antibacterial agent and a necessary element in the oil-producing glands of the skin. A diet low in zinc can actually cause acne breakouts.

(Source: healing.about.com)