5 Ways to Naturally Brighten Your Skin
We all know that caring for your skin properly is incredibly important. There are many factors in our daily lives that can negatively impact it, such as pollution, makeup, eating unhealthy foods, stress, and more. These factors can cause side effects such as acne, dryness, red marks, and even wrinkles, but knowing how to take care of your skin can eliminate these and leave your skin feeling smooth and looking bright and healthy.
There are many solutions that can improve the condition of your skin. Here are five natural remedies that will leave your skin bright while providing various health boosts needed to maintain a wonderful, healthy glow.
Lemon Juice
The acidic properties of lemon juice can do wonders for your skin. The acidity helps to cleanse the pores, exfoliating the skin, helping to rid it of pimples and blackheads and preventing them from popping up as frequently in the future. The juice is also packed with antioxidants and vitamins that help to rid the skin of dark spots, resulting in an overall brighter complexion.
Lemon juice can be applied directly to the skin using a cloth or cotton ball. But be cautious when using pure lemon juice because the high acidity can irritate skin. For less potent solutions, mix the lemon juice with some water or make a mask with honey, turmeric, milk, specialized oils, or other ingredients. Leave the mask on for 15 to 30 minutes, then rinse it off.
Green Tea
Green tea has many common health benefits, such as aiding in weight loss, strengthening hair, increasing energy levels, and more, but it can also help you achieve healthy skin. The antioxidants in green tea help rid the pores of bacteria, decreasing inflammation, acne, and symptoms of conditions like rosacea. It also removes dead skin cells and promotes healthier cells, helping them grow and heal more effectively, leading to smooth and younger-looking skin.
Soaked green tea bags can be applied directly to dark spots, but there are also many homemade options that can serve as simple face masks. Some common ingredients that can be used to make a mask include water, oils, aloe, turmeric, sugar, banana, and more, all of which can be blended with green tea leaves to maximize benefits.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is most commonly used to soothe the skin after a sunburn, but it also has many other benefits and can help naturally brighten your skin. Aloe can reduce hyperpigmentation, or dark spots, on the face and other parts of the body with its moisturizing and purifying qualities. The enzymes, vitamins, acids, and other properties in the aloe plant’s gel help fight skin infection and can reduce redness and inflammation.
Aloe in its original form comes in a gel substance from the aloe plant. Aloe vera can be found in various lotions, lip balms, masks, and other products, but the gel can be applied to any part of the body directly from the plant if desired.
Epsom Salt
Epsom salt and similar magnesium products can help exfoliate and draw toxins from the skin, leaving it feeling and looking smooth and healthy. It reduces redness and inflammation and has anti-bacterial properties that soothe itchy skin and reduce infections. For those with atopic dermatitis, or eczema, Epsom salt can be particularly helpful in reducing irritation and lessening the redness of the area.
A relaxing Epson Salt Detox Bath can be taken anywhere from one to a few times a week for a variety of ailments from headaches and sore muscles, to relief from the symptoms of the cold and flu. Add a 1/2 cup of Epsom salts and 1 cup of baking soda to a hot bath and soak in the water. Add lavender oil can also help with relaxation and soothing anxiety.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil provides an incredibly effective solution for many skin types due to the wide range of benefits it provides. This oil has anti-fungal and bacterial properties, strengthens skin, reduces redness, and is a great moisturizer. The many benefits can help relieve the symptoms of various skin conditions, such as the dry, flaky skin associated with psoriasis. Not only does coconut oil protect skin
This natural remedy can be used simply by rubbing a small amount onto the face and body. It may leave an oily appearance directly after application, but the oils will be absorbed. Coconut oil can also be added to face masks and combined with natural substances and lotions for a healthy boost for your skin.
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This article was originally published in 2019 and has been updated for 2022.
