Lots of products claim to safely lighten your skin a few shades, but most contain harsh chemicals that can actually damage or darken your skin over time—are there any gentle, natural solutions? As it turns out, you probably have a ton of items in your kitchen right now that can brighten your complexion without harm. In this article, we’ll walk you through the best natural, DIY methods to whiten your skin safely. If you’re ready to get started, read on!

Things You Should Know

  • Apply mixtures with natural lighteners like lemon juice, honey, turmeric, or papaya to your face and skin. Rinse with lukewarm water after 20 minutes.
  • Keep your skin exfoliated and moisturized and use sunscreen to keep your skin from getting darker or duller.
  • Remember that all skin shades are beautiful! Healthy, radiant skin looks great in any color.
1

Lemon Juice

  1. Dab your skin with equal parts lemon juice and water. Squeeze 1 whole lemon into a bowl, then add an equivalent amount of water. Stir the mixture and dab a cotton ball into it. Rub the cotton ball on your face or any other area of your skin and let the juice sit for 20 minutes. Rinse it away with water (no soap).[1]
    • Do this 3-4 times a week to lighten your skin, fade dark spots, and even out your skin tone. You’ll start seeing result in 3-4 weeks.
    • If the lemon juice is irritating, dilute the solution with more water.
    • Lemon juice might react to sunlight and cause irritation, so make sure it’s thoroughly rinsed off before you go outside.
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3

Yogurt and Honey

  1. Make a hydrating yogurt and honey mask 1-2 times a week. Mix 2 US tbsp (30 mL) of plain, unflavored Greek yogurt and 1  tsp (4.9 mL) of raw honey in a bowl. Then add 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of fresh lemon juice and stir thoroughly. Rub a thin, even layer all over your face and leave it for 20 minutes, then rinse it off with cool water.[3]
    • Moisturize your skin afterwards if it feels dry.
    • Use extra honey to make the mask even more moisturizing.
    • Wear this mask 1-2 times a week and give your skin a break for a few days or weeks if you notice any irritation.
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4

Gram Flour and Curd

6

Potato

  1. Use potato juice on large areas or target dark spots with potato slices. Grate a small potato and squeeze all of the juice out of the little bits. Use a towel or cotton pads to rub the juice onto your face, neck, or other areas, then wait for it to dry completely. Afterwards, rinse the area with lukewarm water. Potato is very mild, so repeat this up to twice a day.[7]
    • Alternatively, cut your potato into thin slices and wet them with a few drops of water. Place the slices over spots you want to lighten for 10 minutes daily.[8]
    • The starches and sugars in potatoes act as exfoliants. They also have vitamins C and B6, potassium, zinc, and phosphorus to boost your collagen.
7

Cucumber and Aloe Vera

  1. Blend a cucumber with aloe vera and lemon juice for a soothing remedy. Throw a whole cucumber (sliced), 0.5  tsp (2.5 mL) of aloe vera, and 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of lemon juice in a blender and mix it all into pulp. Apply it to your skin with your hands and leave it for 30 minutes, then wash it away with water (no soap).[9]
    • Use this mixture daily until you start seeing results. Cucumbers have a high water content and lots of vitamins and minerals that fight skin discoloration.
    • To target dark spots, slice up a cucumber and rub the juice on dark pigmented areas. Leave the slices on each spot for 20 minutes.
    • Aloe vera is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and B12, all of which are helpful for skin lightening (especially when combined with cucumber).[10]
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9

Orange Peel Juice

  1. Put the juice from orange peels directly on your skin. Save up your orange peels and run them through a juicer to make orange peel juice. Use a cotton pad to dab the juice directly onto your skin, especially on age spots or dark spots. Let the juice sit and dry for about 20 minutes, then rinse your skin with water.[12]
    • Alternatively, place orange peels over dark pigmented areas to draw toxins and impurities out of your skin.
    • Orange peels have lots of vitamin C, calcium, and antioxidants that rejuvenate skin and fight free radicals, which helps create new skin cells.
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11

Rice Flour

  1. Nourish and de-tan your skin with a rice flour paste 2-3 times a week. Combine 2 tbsp (15.6 g) of rice flour with 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of milk and 3-4 strands of saffron in a bowl. Mix until the ingredients are fully blended and then set the paste aside for 5-10 minutes. Then, rub the paste onto your face, neck, or other areas you want to lighten.[15]
    • Leave the paste on for about 20 minutes, then rinse it away with lukewarm water. Pat your skin dry.
    • Use this mixture 2-3 times per week until you see results and moisturize after each use if your skin feels dry.
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Expert Q&A

  • Question
    How can I stop my skin from darkening?
    Lydia Shedlofsky, DO Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine.
    Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
    Dermatologist
    Expert Answer
    If you don't want your skin to darken, use some sort of photoprotection against sunlight.
  • Question
    Is rose water good for our skin?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    It sure is! Rose water soothes, tones, and moisturizes, and it is very gentle on the skin. It's great for your hair, too.
  • Question
    How do I protect myself from sun damage?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    Wear protective clothes and sunscreen. Examples of protective clothing are hats, tracksuits and closed shoes.
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Warnings

  • If you notice chronic dryness, redness, or irritation after using a home remedy, stop using it and let your skin rest and recover. Try a milder method when your skin is healthy enough for lightening again.[20]
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  • Avoid bleach, ammonia, or harsh chemical lighteners. They might lighten your skin in the short term, but may cause lasting damage and darkening if overused.[21]
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  • Some whitening products may contain toxic substances like mercury or hydroquinone that inhibit your body’s ability to make and move protective melanin.[22]
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  • Be wary of marketing terms like “lightening” or “brightening” that aim to make you feel self-conscious about your skin or promote colorism in the beauty industry. Embrace your skin and remember it’s beautiful no matter what shade it is![23]
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About This Article

Lydia Shedlofsky, DO
Co-authored by:
Dermatologist
This article was co-authored by Lydia Shedlofsky, DO and by wikiHow staff writer, Dan Hickey. Dr. Lydia Shedlofsky is a Resident Dermatologist who joined Affiliated Dermatology in July of 2019 after completing a traditional rotating internship at Larkin Community Hospital in Miami, Florida. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology at Guilford College in Greensboro, North Carolina. After graduation, she moved to Beira, Mozambique, and worked as a research assistant and intern at a free clinic. She completed a Post-Baccalaureate program and subsequently earned a Master's Degree in Medical Education and a Doctorate of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine. This article has been viewed 2,930,678 times.
21 votes - 98%
Co-authors: 94
Updated: October 25, 2022
Views: 2,930,678
Article SummaryX

If you want to naturally whiten your skin at home, mix one part lemon juice to one part water, then dip a cotton ball in the solution and apply it to your skin. Rinse off the mixture after about 15 minutes, and repeat 2-3 times a week. To lighten the skin on your whole body at once, pour a cup of full-fat milk and the juice from a whole lemon into a bathtub full of warm water, then soak in the tub for about 20 minutes. Rinse off in the shower, then gently dry your skin. Repeat this once a week. Keep reading to learn how exfoliating and moisturizing can make your skin look brighter!

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