If you have skin discoloration, you know it can be incredibly frustrating because those discolored areas can be stubborn. There are so many things that cause dark skin patches. It could be that you were born with them, or maybe they developed over time from a little too much fun in the sun. Whatever the cause, there are some natural ways to treat this problem and restore your skin’s radiant beauty.

 

You may have to play around with some trial and error to find the methods that work best for you. In the end, you (and your skin) will be happy. Always remember best practices when it comes to skincare and patch test even natural methods, especially if you have sensitive skin.

 

So, let’s explore the wild world of skin discoloration to learn how you can fix your frustrations in a healthy, all-natural way that reveals your best skin.

 

What Is Skin Discoloration?

 

The first thing you need to know is that skin discoloration comes in two types: hypopigmentation and hyperpigmentation. Both of these conditions are caused by melanin in your skin. 

 

Melanin refers to the group of pigments called melanocytes produced by the cells deep within the skin. Human skin has three types of melanin: eumelanin, pheomelanin, and neuromelanin. People with darker complexions have higher levels of melanin, whereas lighter-skinned people have lower levels.

 

It's important to know that some skin discoloration can’t really be helped. For example, it is exceedingly difficult to fade freckles or birthmarks naturally. However, spots that appear over time tend to be easier to clear up.

Understanding Why You Have Skin Discoloration 

 

To successfully treat skin discoloration naturally, you first have to know why you have skin discoloration. 

 

• Hyperpigmentation is the most common type of discoloration. This is when the skin darkens in a specific spot due to an excess buildup of melanin. This type of skin discoloration includes freckles, melasma, and age spots.

 

• Hypopigmentation is the opposite problem: when skin discoloration appears as white patches on the skin because there is a lack of melanin production. This can include albinism and vitiligo.

 

Some people are born with it, and for others, it develops it as they age. There is often a combination of factors that lead to skin discoloration, including environmental causes, genetics, and how you care for your skin.

 

Skin gets damaged on a daily basis. We pluck out errant hairs, apply abrasive cleaners, and pop pimples. However, the biggest culprit is sun damage, which can trigger excess melanin production, which rises to the surface of the skin.

 

Now, the good news is that getting dark spots isn’t always your fault. There is no way to avoid all sun damage, all acne, and all accidents. So, while you should try to prevent dark spots as much as possible, what happens when you get some? Thankfully, there are a few different ways to treat skin discoloration. 

 

How To Fix Skin Discoloration Naturally: Turmeric

 

Turmeric is a great way to treat skin discoloration that occurs when there is too much melanin production. Turmeric is a spice native to Southern Asia, commonly used in Indian cooking. It also helps soothe skin conditions, burns, wounds, and tackles liver disorders in Indian medicine. It has also been used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine.

 

Turmeric has a wide variety of benefits for your skin and your overall health, so you may want to start incorporating it into your diet and your skincare.

 

So, how can turmeric help with skin discoloration? It  attacks the problem in a few ways:

 

It can act as a soothing agent. Turmeric contains curcumin, which has been shown to help soothe and keep your skin calm. Even if you get clogged pores, you are less likely to get acne and skin discoloration after it fades when using turmeric.

 

It helps protect skin from environmental factors. Once again, curcumin is the prize here. It helps naturally reduce the skin’s exposure to harmful environmental stressors that lead to unwanted aging effects.

 

Using Turmeric To Treat Skin Discoloration

 

As with all treatments, it will take some time for turmeric to work, so don’t give up if you don’t see results right away. 

 

You can make your own turmeric mask, but some of the ingredients can be a bit difficult to source because you need to get high-quality, all-natural ingredients that are pure.

 

Also, be careful because turmeric can stain your clothing, skin, or even your kitchen when you make masks. Be sure to use older towels and wear older clothes if you are making your own turmeric concoctions.

 

To be safe, we always suggest using a mask that has been tested and created by a brand that you trust. 

 

Other Ways To Naturally Treat Skin Discoloration 

 

Be Sure That Your Skincare Protects Against Environmental Stressors. 

 

One of the best things you can do is ensure that your skincare routine provides ample protection for your skin when it comes to environmental stressors such as chemicals, pollutants, and UV rays. Environmental stressors can cause unwanted skin discoloration and dark spots to form or existing ones to darken or expand.

 

Use Apple Cider Vinegar. 

 

If you are going to apply a clay mask from powder,  using apple cider vinegar has helped some people to fade the appearance of skin discoloration. Just be sure that you don’t leave this on your skin too long as it can cause redness. You can also use diluted apple cider vinegar as a spot treatment.

 

Use Aloe Vera.

 

Aloe contains aloin, a natural compound that many people have successfully used to help prevent and reduce dark spots. It is always best to use fresh aloe from the plant, as you can leave aloe on your skin for a longer amount of time. Just remember to rinse it off afterward. 

 

Use Buttermilk. 

 

Buttermilk has been shown to help some people reduce the appearance of dark hyperpigmentation.  Buttermilk contains lactic acid that you can use directly on discolored patches. Obviously, if you have any sort of dairy allergy, you should avoid this.

 

Opt for Licorice Extract. 

 

You probably don’t have this on your shelf, but it makes for a good hyperpigmentation solution for some people, particularly those who have sun damage. You can get licorice extract in topical creams or use it by itself.

 

Choose Orchid Extract. 

 

If you are looking for a skin discoloration treatment that can reduce the appearance of dark patches and smells great at the same time, consider using orchid extract. It can be hard to find this on its own, but you can find it in different masks, creams, and scrubs.

 

Tea Works. 

 

Another great natural treatment is green tea. You can use green tea to reduce the appearance of dark spots and keep your skin clear. Be sure that you are using green tea and not some sort of synthetic powder or tea, which could make you break out more.

 

If you aren’t a fan of green tea or can’t find high-quality green tea, you can also use black tea. This can help in the same way.

 

For both types of tea, steep the teabag in water for a few minutes and then remove the bag from the water and use it on your spots. You can repeat this as often as you need; just be sure that you don’t scald your skin.

 

Grab Some Tomatoes. 

 

Tomatoes and tomato juice have long been used as a natural solution for many skin issues because lycopene supports the reversal of photodamage in some people. Apply it with a cotton ball, and be careful about staining your skin.

 

How Can I Fix Discoloration That Is Lighter Than My Skin Tone? 

 

Most of the treatments discussed above have been in regard to treating dark spots on the skin. Unfortunately, it is much harder to treat discoloration that is lighter than your skin. There aren’t many proven methods for this issue.

 

However, there are some non-natural medications that you will need to get from a dermatologist that offer some promise. Other treatments that could help naturally are micro-needling or subcision, but those require a good deal of healing and some pain.

  

In Summary

 

In the end, the best way to treat skin discoloration and dark spots naturally is to not get them in the first place. You can do this by wearing a sun protectant every day, even if you don’t think you will be outside. You can get skin damage through windows, so it’s best to be mindful when it comes to protecting your skin.

 

However, if you do have sunspots or other skin discoloration that you’re on a quest to fix in an all-natural way, one of the best ingredients you can start is with turmeric. This superfood is a fabulous starting point for your new skincare regimen, and it’s easy to build around. 

 

So, if you’re working on reducing the appearance of your unwanted skin discoloration, head straight to all-natural remedies that can help you brighten and restore your skin’s natural beauty once again.

Sources:

 

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92752/

 

https://www.pbs.org/food/the-history-kitchen/turmeric-history/

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/apple-cider-vinegar-for-face