There is no escape from the sun, whether it is the intense summer heat or the piercing winter rays that peek through the clouds. Furthermore, even if applying a thick layer of sunscreen will shield you from damaging UVA and UVB radiation, delicate skin types are still susceptible to tanning and sunburn. As new ways to remove tan naturally, that might help you if you want to speed up the process and restore your natural complexion.
We assure you that these homemade remedies will help you endure the heat without resulting in sunburn, skin discoloration, or sun spots. Above all, however, you should bring some much-needed sunscreen. Apply a generous amount to shield your skin from damaging UV radiation. We suggest using it again every two hours. I mean, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
Here are some efficient home treatments to get rid of tan from your face, hands, and feet if you’ve boldly braved the blazing sun without any protective clothing. See our comprehensive list of the top face cleansers, lotions, oils, creams, scrubs, sun tan removal packs, and more for more help!
Tips To Remove Tan Naturally

1. Lemon Juice and Honey
Our main ingredient, lemon, is highly acidic, so we advise against using it on its own, especially before heading outdoors in the sun, due to its potential to cause photosensitivity. This can lead to skin irritation or sunburn. These natural acids provide ways to remove tan naturally by gently removing the outermost layer of dead skin cells, helping to fade dark spots and reverse sun damage over time.
However, lemon juice can also be quite drying, which is why it’s essential to combine it with honey, a natural humectant that helps retain moisture. This combination not only prevents excessive dryness but also enhances the brightening effects of lemon, making it one of the best at-home remedies for treating facial tans and achieving a glowing, even complexion.
2. Tomato
Whether you call it a tomato or something else, there’s no denying why this red fruit is so widely loved and highly regarded. It is loaded with antioxidants that help combat the damage caused by free radicals, which can lead to premature aging and various skin issues.
One of its key components, lycopene, acts as a natural sunscreen, protecting against harmful UV rays. Lycopene helps reduce the appearance of dark spots, redness, and overall skin damage, making it a powerful ally in maintaining healthy, radiant skin.
However, the key to unlocking its full potential lies in acting quickly. As soon as you get home, slice a fresh tomato in half and gently massage the pulp over the affected areas. Allow the mineral-rich juices to work their magic, nourishing and revitalizing the skin. With consistent use, tomatoes’ natural properties will help restore your complexion and keep your skin looking fresh and youthful.
3. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera, often hailed as the most versatile of all beauty ingredients, is widely recognized as a natural beauty elixir. This pulpy plant is packed with vitamins, minerals, and enzymes that answer how to remove tan naturally. If you find yourself with extra pulp, you can store it in the freezer for up to a week, ensuring you always have a fresh supply on hand.
For a longer-lasting treatment, you can dilute the pulp with water and add a few drops of essential oils, such as lavender or tea tree, for an extra boost of rejuvenation. This DIY tan removal pack works wonders not only in fading tans but also in soothing skin inflammation, reducing redness, and replenishing the skin’s natural moisture levels. It’s a simple, natural solution that keeps your skin calm, hydrated, and glowing.
4. Raw Papaya
For centuries, the beauty industry has celebrated the incredible benefits of papaya, elevating this common fruit to a status of natural wonder. To reap its full benefits, simply scoop out the pulp, mash it, and apply it generously to your face, hands, and legs. The enzymes in papaya, particularly papain, work wonders on the skin.
Papain gently exfoliates the outermost layer of dead skin cells, revealing a smoother, more even texture beneath. This process helps remove pigmentation, lighten sun spots, and reduce the appearance of discoloration.
It also helps unclog pores, making it an excellent choice for those dealing with acne or dull skin. For a more targeted approach, you can mix papaya pulp with other ingredients to create your own at-home tan removal pack, providing your skin with a rejuvenating, natural glow.
5. Cucumber Extract
Cucumber is an excellent remedy for soothing sunburned and tanned skin and one of the ways to remove tan naturally. Known for its cooling and hydrating properties, cucumber can help alleviate the discomfort caused by sun exposure and aid in fading tan lines. Its high water content provides the skin with much-needed moisture, which is essential for healing.
To use cucumber for tan removal, simply shred the cucumber and squeeze it to extract the juice. Once you have the fresh juice, take a cotton ball and apply it evenly to the affected areas of your face or body. Allow the juice to dry on the skin before washing it off, as this gives it time to work its magic.
For even greater benefits, you can enhance the mixture by adding a few drops of lemon juice, which contains natural acids to help exfoliate and brighten the skin. This simple yet effective treatment can help restore your skin’s natural glow and reduce the appearance of tan.
6. Potato Juice
Potatoes are a powerful and natural solution for tackling dark circles under the eyes, thanks to their potent whitening properties. Not only are they calming for the skin, but they also help lighten pigmentation and brighten the delicate skin around the eyes. To use potatoes for tan removal, squeeze the juice of a raw potato and apply it directly to the affected areas of the skin.
This juice works wonders in reducing the appearance of a tan by gently lightening the skin. Alternatively, you can use thin slices of potato and place them directly on the eyes or other tanned areas of the face. The natural enzymes and antioxidants in potatoes work to reduce puffiness, dark circles, and discoloration.
Allow the potato slices to sit on the skin for 10 to 12 minutes, giving them enough time to dry and take effect before washing them off. This simple yet effective treatment can leave your skin looking refreshed and rejuvenated.
7. Oatmeal And Buttermilk
Oatmeal is widely recognized for its excellent exfoliating and skin-cleansing properties, making it a popular answer to how to remove tan naturally. It gently removes dead skin cells, unclogs pores, and leaves the skin feeling smooth and refreshed.
When combined with buttermilk, which contains lactic acid, this mixture can improve and soften the skin’s tone. Lactic acid helps to exfoliate the skin further, promoting a more even complexion and adding a natural glow.
To make a revitalizing skin treatment, combine two to three teaspoons of fresh, unsweetened buttermilk with two tablespoons of oats that have been soaked in water for five minutes. Apply this paste to the face, neck, and arms, and leave it to dry for about 20 minutes. Once it has dried, wash it off to reveal brighter, softer, and more refreshed skin.
8. Milk Cream And Strawberries
Strawberries are packed with vitamin C and alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), both of which are known for their ability to naturally lighten the skin. Vitamin C helps to brighten the complexion by reducing pigmentation, while AHAs gently exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells and revealing fresh, radiant skin.
When combined with the rich, creamy texture of milk cream, which deeply hydrates and nourishes the skin, this mixture offers a powerful combination for a smooth, healthy glow. To create this nourishing treatment, simply take a handful of ripe strawberries and crush them vigorously to release their juices.
Next, stir in two tablespoons of fresh milk cream, mixing until a smooth, lump-free paste forms. Apply this paste generously to your face and any tanned areas of your skin, leaving it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Once the time is up, rinse it off with cold water to reveal refreshed, hydrated, and visibly lighter skin.
9. Pineapple Pulp And Honey
Pineapple is a powerhouse of skin benefits, primarily due to the enzyme bromelain, which helps reduce inflammation and fights free radicals that can damage skin cells. This enzyme also works to gently exfoliate the skin, removing dead cells and promoting a smoother, brighter complexion.
Pineapple is also rich in antioxidants and essential vitamins such as A, C, and D, all of which contribute to repairing UV damage and maintaining an even skin tone. Vitamin C, in particular, helps brighten the skin and reduce pigmentation caused by sun exposure. To create a skin-brightening treatment, combine one teaspoon of honey with five to six cubes of freshly chopped, ripe pineapple.
Blend the mixture on high until it forms a smooth, creamy paste. Apply this paste generously to the tanned areas of your skin, ensuring even coverage. Leave it on for about 20 minutes, allowing the mixture to work its magic. Rinse off with lukewarm water to reveal fresher, glowing skin.
Types Of Tan
Despite the ways to remove tan naturally, three main categories of tans exist:
Delayed Tanning: Delayed tanning happens a few days after being exposed to the sun, as the term implies. This occurs because it takes a few days for melanin synthesis to increase, which causes a more gradual and permanent shift in skin tone.
Immediate Pigment Darkening: On the other hand, tanning that happens immediately after being exposed to the sun is known as instantaneous pigment darkening (IPD). It’s a more transient skin color shift that goes away really soon.
Persistent Pigment Darkening: One kind of tan that intensifies with frequent sun exposure is called persistent pigment darkening (PPD). Your body uses PPD as a natural defense to prevent more UV damage to your skin.
FAQ
Q: Does tanning disappear by itself?
A: Indeed, a natural tan will go away on its own since your skin will naturally shed the brown cells and grow new ones in a few weeks.
Q: Is tan eliminated by peeling skin?
A: Yes, as our skin exfoliates, a tan will eventually go on its own. The human skin produces and loses millions of cells every day, which may not be the most pleasant thing to consider. Your body will eventually revert to its natural color as fresh, untanned skin cells replace the tanned ones.
Q: What is the duration of a fake tan?
A: Your skin typically keeps the self-tanner for five to seven days, but there are a number of variables that may affect how long it lasts. Among them are skin categories, sensitive skin, and expired self-tanning creams.