After a beach holiday that was long due, you return happy, relaxed and tanned.  Now you need not reach out for synthetic cosmetic products to get rid of the tan that looks like a natural shade card. Did you know, you can get rid of this tan with some help from your kitchen table?

According to Ayurveda, tan on the skin is a result of Vata imbalance in the skin layer. It can be treated externally through an application of natural Ayurvedic face packs called Lepa in Ayurveda and medicated oils that have the essence of some of the most effective herbs with anti-pigment and anti-discoloration properties.

A fundamental principle in Ayurveda is, that which you cannot consume, should not be applied on your skin. This pretty much eliminates all your cosmetic creams that use chemical compounds and other harmful constituents. Dr. Lakshmi, Dr. Lakshmi, Ayurveda expert from  Sri Sri College For Ayurvedic Science and Research  Hospital, Bangalore, says, “Chemicals based cosmetic products affect the texture of the skin. But using Ayurvedic facial applications, on the other hand, keeps the texture healthy and effulgent. Ayurveda also slows down the rapid aging process of the skin which occurs due to excessive use of chemicals and paraben.”

Here are a few tips and remedies from the Ayurvedic closet to treat your skin tan-

1) Acidic properties

Natural ingredients that have acidic properties like lemon juice, or curd have a mild bleaching effect and these can be used in anti-tan treatment.

2) Anti-tan regime

Dr. Lakshmi recommends the anti-tan regime should be performed two to three times a week for two weeks.

A) Oil Massage– Massaging your body with Ayurvedic medicated body oils like Eladitailem, Nalpamaladi oil or herbal Tri Dosha brightening serum.

a) Eladi Tailem (Eladi=Cardamom) is an Ayurvedic medicinal body oil made from a number of herbal ingredients and a natural oil base that is used to improve the complexion of the skin and restore the original color. Some of the ingredients in Eladi Tailem include Tila taila or Sesame oil, a paste of cardamom, henbane seeds (Turushka), Indian costus root (Kushta), beautyberry (Phalini), forssk (Jaladhyamaka), Malabar catmint (Sprrika) among others.

b) Tridosha Brightening Serum is a herbal formulation made from Licorice root extract, wheat germ extract, and turmeric extract, essential oil blend of oregano leaf extract, thyme extract, olive leaf extract, rosemary leaf extract, lavender flower extract, golden Seal root extract and sandalwood which help support an even skin tone, reduces discoloration and lightens the skin tone naturally.

B) Ayurvedic Steam

Ayurvedic traditional steam baths with herbal extracts after a body oil massage can help keep the skin from drying, opens up the pores in the skin and keeps it supple. It helps absorb the goodness of the oils and the ingredients into the body.

C) Face packs or Lepas

After the steam, you can apply Ayurvedic face packs, called Lepas in Sanskrit made from select ingredients that work on your skin pigmentation.

You can use ingredients that go well with your Dosha constitution. For example-,

-For those with Vata Dosha, can add milk in their Lepas,

-Pitta Dosha people can apply pastes made with the base of rose water or milk.

-For Kapha, honey is a good ingredient.

IMPORTANT INGREDIENTS-Ayurvedic lepas or formulations for facial packs can include some of these herbs that reduce pigmentation and discoloration-wild turmeric, aloe vera, lemon juice, common madder (Manjishtha in Sanskrit), chick pea flour, curd, and red sandalwood

Please note, if dryness in the skin refuses to go, then body butter or body lotion can be applied after wiping off the lepa.

3) Some Of The Combinations Of Ingredients From The Kitchen Table Which Are Good For An Anti-tan Home Treatment

a)A mix of lemon juice, ground split green gram and wild turmeric powder applied evenly on the affected area has amazing anti-tan and anti-pigmentation effect.

b) A blend of curd, oats and wild turmeric is a magical cure for skin tan.

c) Paste made from ground fenugreek seeds. Fenugreek seeds have excellent skin lightening, and skin toning properties.

Fenugreek paste for skin

1) Put the fenugreek seeds in a mixer and mix it well.

2) The powder can be poured into a small bowl.

3) Mix some curd or milk with the fenugreek powder to a medium consistency. It shouldn’t be too thick or too watery either.

4) Apply it evenly all over the face and neck and tanned patches of the skin

5) Let it dry completely. Wash it off with water.

d) Pulp of Aloe Vera can also be lightly spread over the tanned area.

(