Sun-Tan in Monsoon

Shahnaz Husain *

Everyone loves the monsoon season. Maintaining beautiful skin when the heaven pours is a challenge. Pollution, dirt, grime and the harmful UV rays of the sun are the main reason why your skin is prone to damage during the monsoon season.

Often we think that if it is raining outside, then what is the use of applying sunscreen, but dangerous rays like UVA and UVB can tan your skin even from clouds. Since the sun is playing hide and seek these monsoons, our skin is even more susceptible to getting tanned due to the combination of sun and humidity.

Simply put, as long as there is daylight enough to distinguish the time of day from night, there is sunlight. And if there is sunlight, there are sun rays. Clouds do not prevent us from UV rays. Sun tanning is one of the immediate effects of sun exposure during monsoon.

Let’s find out some easy ways how to remove tan with these natural remedies that can be easily made at home. They will help repair the affected cells, revive sunburned skin and make it glow as well.

The raw gel from the Aloe Vera plant is immensely beneficial for your skin when you are looking to treat a dark tan. It also soothes sunburn patches and replenishes the skin's natural moisture. Mix two tablespoons of aloe vera gel with 1/2 tablespoon of honey and turmeric and one tablespoon of water .

Apply this face pack to your face in a thin layer. Wash it off with lukewarm water after 30 minutes. Use it twice a week for best results. Apply a thick layer of Aloe Vera Gel before going to bed and wash it off using a mild cleanser in the morning. Repeat this procedure every day to get rid of the suntan at home.

Take an Aloe Vera leaf and rub it directly onto the tanned skin. Wash it off with water after a while. Take one potato juice and Aloe Vera Gel. Apply it on tanned areas of skin and leave it for half an hour. It will give soothing effects from Tan and will also lighten your skin

You can apply raw potato slices on the tanned area or potato juice for a few minutes. Potatoes contain an enzyme called catecholase—which helps to lighten skin tone. Grate half a potato, and mix it with half a teaspoon of turmeric. Apply the paste to your face and neck, and let it sit for 30 minutes before washing it off. Repeat twice or thrice a week.

Using a facial scrub is useful. You can buy a facial scrub according to skin type. If the skin is dry, a scrub should be used only once a week, but for oily skin, it may be used more often. The scrub should be applied and rubbed gently on the skin with small circular movements.

Then wash it off with plain water. This helps to remove dead skin cells, along with their contained pigment. The skin becomes brighter and the tan is gradually removed. You can make scrubs and packs at home with kitchen ingredients. In fact, many such ingredients can be applied on the skin to gradually remove tan and also soothe the skin, in case of sunburn.

Scrub : Ground almonds (badam) make a good facial scrub. Soak the almonds in hot water till the skin comes out easily. Then allow them to become totally dry. Grind them into a powder, making sure to follow absolute hygiene and cleanliness. Keep this powder in an airtight jar.

Every morning, add a little curd or cold milk to two teaspoons of the powder and rub the mixture gently on the skin. Wash it off with water. Mixing rice powder with curd and using it as a scrub helps oily skin.

To remove tan: Add a pinch of turmeric (haldi) to curd and apply daily. Wash it off after 20 to 30 minutes. Or, mix one teaspoon of honey with two teaspoons of lemon juice and apply daily on the face, washing it off with plain water after 20 minutes.

Take the sandalwood powder and make it into a paste with the help of tender coconut water. Apply it to the tanned skin and wash it off with water after a while. You may replace coconut water with rose water or use the juice of cucumber instead.

To remove tan on oily skin : Mix cucumber pulp with yoghurt and apply it on the face daily. Wash it off after 20 minutes. It will suit oily skin since cucumber is an astringent.

For oily skin: Mix tomato pulp with one teaspoon of honey and apply daily for 20 minutes.

For sunburn: Cold milk applied daily, using cotton wool, not only helps to soothe the skin but also keeps it soft. It also makes the skin colour lighter over a period of time, if used daily. It would suit normal to dry skin.

To soothe sunburn : Another remedy to soothe sunburn and protect the skin is by using sesame seed, or “til”. Take a handful of the sesame seed, crush it and add half a cup of water. Let it stand for two hours. Strain the liquid and use it to wash your face.

Cleansing and Skin Lightening Mask: Mix cucumber and papaya pulp with one teaspoon curd, one teaspoon honey, 4 teaspoons oatmeal and one teaspoon lemon juice. Apply on face and neck, twice a week and wash it off after half an hour.

Body : Massage daily with sesame seed oil. Mix besan with curd, lemon juice and a little turmeric. The paste should be thick and should not drip. Apply on the neck, arms and legs three times a week for 30 minutes. Wash it off and then apply the oil, as recommended.

For hands : Take 2 tablespoons of sunflower oil and 3 tablespoons of coarse sugar. Mix together till it becomes a paste. Apply and rub into hands. Rinse off after 15 minutes.

For feet : Add lemon juice to water and soak feet in it. Cools cleans and removes tan and odour. Rubbing a lemon on the feet also helps.