Top 22 Tips On How To Get Rid Of Hyperpigmentation On Face, Neck & Body Naturally

The economy is growing, which entails industrial parks and factories springing up more and more. Along with that, the number of vehicles on the road also rises up, all of which contribute to environmental pollution, and the two most prominent are air pollution and water pollution. Changes in the living environment affect directly to the human in diverse sides, without the exception of health and beauty. In the field of beauty, the worry about skin care is no longer a new issue. One of the conditions that no one willing to face is defects on the skin, which we can immediately mention blemishes, age spots, sunspots, dark circles, and so on. These defects have one thing in common: Most of the time, they appear darker than the color of the overall skin. This is the reason why they are typically known as types of hyperpigmentation. The existence of one or more dark patches on the face or any other part of the body tends to have a great influence on your confidence in public. Therefore, finding solutions to this situation is something that cannot be delayed. Today’s article will give you the best ways on how to get rid of hyperpigmentation, from the beneficial diet to several natural home remedies. Keep reading and adding to your beauty handbook tips that you see most useful.

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How To Get Rid Of Hyperpigmentation On Face, Neck, & Body Naturally

The recipes we've focused on are traditional home remedies, so always consult your doctor and check out your health condition regularly to know if a remedy is working for you.

I. What Is Hyperpigmentation And What Causes It?

1. What Is Hyperpigmentation?

Let’s take a closer look at hyperpigmentation. This is the condition in which patches of skin become darker. These patches can be small as a pea-size, but can also be so large that cover almost the surface of your skin. Although hyperpigmentation is not really harmful to health, it may be an implicit sign of other health problems. Hyperpigmentation has chances to develop anywhere, but most familiar is the face and neck^[1].

2. What Causes Hyperpigmentation?

The primary cause of hyperpigmentation is the overproduction of melanin by melanocytes – specialized skin cells of the body. Loads of factors lead to the abnormal functioning of melanocytes, including:

• Sun’s Rays

Exposure to the sun for a long period will make the skin darker, this is the fact that no one can deny^[2]. This situation is actually how the skin reacts to the impact of UV rays, more specifically, it reacts by allowing melanocytes to release melanin as a protective shield. The more exposure to the sun, the more active the melanocytes will be, as a result, the more melanin will be produced. Unfortunately, tanning usually does not satisfy you with a uniformly colored skin but makes you enraged with a patchy one.

• Skin Injuries

Any injury to the skin from physical, chemical or biological agents can activate the inflammatory response. This then stimulates the activity of melanocytes and of course, the formation of pigmentation. Besides, when the skin is injured, new skin tissues will generate to replace the old ones, but the new skin layer is still thin and not healthy enough to resist environmental factors, making them more prone to dark tan.

• Medications

Some medications have hyperpigmentation as a side effect. 10 to 20 percent of all hyperpigmentation cases recorded is due to drug use. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), retinoid, tetracycline, antipsychotic drugs, and chemotherapy drugs are most likely to give rise to hyperpigmentation as they make the skin more susceptible to sunlight, facilitating the performance of melanocytes.

• Hormonal Changes

Changes in levels of estrogen and progesterone during pregnancy are believed to be a reason for hyperpigmentation and melasma is a representative example. Melasma occurs when the fluctuation of estrogen and progesterone promote the formation of melanin^[3]. This condition may disappear after the mother gives birth, but in many cases, it still remains and becomes even worse.

• Endocrine Diseases

Addison’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that attacks the adrenal glands, causing them to make less cortisol, which then results in a peak of melanocyte-stimulating hormone level, forming pigments on the skin.

• Genetic Factors

Hyperpigmentation is hereditary since the UV radiation may create changes in the sequence of genes of a person, turning them into gene mutations. Those genes then are capable of passing on to the offspring, and they will end up with hyperpigmentation. If your family members suffer from hyperpigmentation, you may have a higher chance of getting it.

II. What Food Should And Should Not Eat For People With Hyperpigmentation?

1. What To Eat?

Eating habits bring significant changes to the skin condition, including the ability to ward off hyperpigmentation. Here are some food groups that people with hyperpigmentation should consume:

• Food Rich In Vitamin A And Its Precursors

Dark green, leafy green vegetables and red fruits represent this group as they contain beta-carotene, a precursor of vitamin A, which has powerful antioxidant properties helping repair skin tissues and reduce oxidative stress caused by UV rays and other harmful agents.

Dark green and leafy green veggies: Kale, spinach, collard, lettuce, broccoli, Brussel sprouts, green bell pepper, etc.

Red fruits: Carrot, tomato, watermelon, papaya, guava, etc.

• Food Rich In Vitamin C

Similar to vitamin A, the antioxidant properties of vitamin C also make it a vital molecule for skin health^[4]. It can neutralize free radicals and protect the skin from UV rays. Vitamin C also plays a role in collagen synthesis that helps restore damaged skin cells and brings the skin a glowing appearance.

It is not difficult to find rich sources of vitamin C from the foods in your kitchen, such as black currant, kiwi, citrus fruits, grapefruit, berries, pineapple, mango for fruits, and red bell pepper, parsley, cabbage, sweet potato, squash for vegetables.

• Food Rich In Vitamin E

It is impossible to evaluate if vitamin E or vitamin C is more important in the field of skin care since they have the same mechanism of action. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that also works to synthesize collagen and fight against free radicals causing types of hyperpigmentation like age spots or sunspots^[5] [6]. Apart from that, vitamin E has an effect on boosting the formation of elastin, increasing skin elasticity and slowing down the aging process.

Vitamin E is present in most foods, but those with the highest proportion are cooking oils, seeds and nuts, some kinds of fruit and meat such as avocado, goose meat, salmon.

• Food Rich In Vitamin B12

One of the skin manifestations related to vitamin B12 is hyperpigmentation^[7] [8]. This is more common in people with dark skin. Enough vitamin B12 intake allows it to interact with other B vitamins to maintain solid skin by managing the formation of melanin.

You can get vitamin B12 from animal foods and dairy sources such as egg, milk, cheese, beef liver, oily fish, and poultry.

• Food Rich In Folic Acid

Not many know that folic acid, or vitamin B9, possesses high levels of antioxidants, which help prevent the skin from oxidative effects of UV rays and free radicals, bringing you a hyperpigmented-free skin^[9]. Whole grains, nuts, dried legumes such as beans, chickpeas, lupines, lentils, and dark green vegetables like spinach and broccoli are great natural sources of folic acid that you should add to your daily meals.

2. What To Avoid?

There are foods that are good for the healing process of hyperpigmentation, otherwise, there are some that aggravate the situation. Pay attention to:

• Seafood

Seafood is a host of nutrients that if you are not suffering from hyperpigmentation, it will provide you with a healthy body. But on the other side, seafood can cause irritation and develop allergic reactions, which are disadvantages for the hyperpigmentation condition to get better. Therefore, you need to exclude this kind of food from your diet during treatment regardless of how much you love it.

• Red Meats

In general, red meats help a lot in strengthen and firm muscles because they are super high in protein. But red meats are what people with hyperpigmentation should stay away from if they do not want dark patches to spread more.

III. Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Hyperpigmentation

1. Lemon

Lemon is a natural bleaching agent, which may promptly help you slip out from skin hyperpigmentation^[10]. It also contains vitamin C with antioxidant capacity that is a trump card when confronting with UV damages. Honey in this recipe helps to balance the acidity of lemon, ensuring it does not dry or irritate the skin.

Direction:

• Squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into a small bowl.
• Add to the juice 2 teaspoons of raw honey and stir well.
• Apply the mixture to the affected areas.
• Wait for fifteen minutes and rinse off with warm water.
• Repeat twice a day.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Due to astringent properties, apple cider vinegar (ACV) acts to reinstate the skin’s color. It also possesses acetic acid that may help reduce melanin deposits, thus removing pigmentation^[11]. The citric acid and beta-carotene involved in its components can help prevent your skin from the damage of free radicals and the sun's rays leading to hyperpigmentation.

Direction:

• Dilute 1 teaspoon of ACV with 2 tablespoons of water.
• Apply the solution to the skin with hyperpigmentation.
• Let it stay for 5 minutes, then wash off with warm water.
• Reduplicate during the day.

3. Turmeric:

Turmeric owns curcumin, a chemical compound that has strong antioxidant properties. Curcumin permits turmeric to reduce hyperpigmentation and even out skin tone^[12].

Remedy 1: Turmeric & Lemon Juice

• Mix equal parts of turmeric powder and lemon juice.
• Apply the mixture to the skin and leave for 15 minutes.
• Cleanse with warm water.
• Do this once a day, ideally before going to bed.

Remedy 2: Turmeric & Milk

• Blend turmeric powder and milk together with the ratio of 1:2.
• Use the mixture to massage the affected skin for a while and then leave it on for 15 more minutes.
• Wash off with warm water.
• Also, perform this once daily.

4. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory abilities, which helps the skin battle against infections caused by open wounds – the premise of hyperpigmentation^[13]. It also guards the skin against UV rays and diminishes dark patches^[14]. Taking aloe vera capsules may help to eliminate melasma in pregnant women^[15].

Direction:

• Peel an aloe vera leaf for its gel, combine the gel with a tad of honey and let the mixture to sit for about 10 minutes.
• Apply it to your skin and wait for 20 minutes before rinsing.
• Do this method once a day.
• Alternatively, you can directly apply aloe vera gel to the hyperpigmented skin before going to bed and rinse off the next morning.

5. Raw Potato

The existence of catecholase – a copper-protein enzyme complex – in raw potato is the reason why this vegetable is widely used to treat hyperpigmentation. This enzyme works to inhibit the activity of melanocytes, thereby control melanin production.

Direction:

• Cut a potato in half and sprinkle a few drops of water on the cut side.
• Rub the half potato on the affected skin in slow circular motions for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Wash with warm water.
• Continue doing 3 to 4 times a day for 1 month.

6. Red Onion

Being an antioxidant that is rich in vitamin C, red onion is well-known as an effective remedy for hyperpigmentation^[16].

Direction:

• Cut a red onion into slices, take 1 slice and rub it on one affected area. Then, in turn, do the same with other skin areas.
• Wait for 10 minutes and cleanse thoroughly with lukewarm water.
• You can also choose to extract the onion juice and dab on your skin with a cotton ball.
• Repeat the procedure twice a day.

7. Cucumber

Cucumber has cooling and soothing properties that make it a reliable medication for hyperpigmentation of all skin types. It may also hydrate and rejuvenate the skin, bring you a younger and fresher appearance^[17].

Direction:

• Prepare  1 tablespoon each of cucumber juice, lemon juice, and honey, and blend to form a smooth mixture.
• Apply the mixture to the hyperpigmented areas and leave for 10 minutes.
• Rinse off with warm water.
• Do this twice every day until you notice changes.

8. Sandalwood

Sandalwoods works perfectly against the harmful effects of UV rays^[18] causing hyperpigmentation, as evidenced by the fact that manufacturers utilize it extensively in their natural sunscreen products. It is the safest remedy for hyperpigmentation since till now, it has not provided users with any unpleasant outcome.

Remedy 1: Sandalwood & Rosewater

• Mix the same amount of sandalwood powder with rosewater.
• Apply the mixture to your affected skin and leave it to stay there for half an hour.
• Wash off with lukewarm water. Repeat twice a day.

Remedy 2: Sandalwood, Turmeric & Milk

• To speed up the healing process, create a paste from 2 tablespoons of sandalwood powder, 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder, and 4 tablespoons of milk.
• Spread the paste over the affected skin and allow it to dry naturally before washing.
• Follow this as a daily remedy.

9. Avocado

With vitamin C and E, beneficial enzymes and fatty acids (especially oleic acid), avocado is a favorite ingredient for treating hyperpigmentation and many other skin issues.

Direction:

• Mash an avocado into a paste. If desired, add 2 teaspoons of honey and 1 teaspoon of milk.
• Cover the affected areas with the avocado paste and wait for 30 minutes or until it dries out.
• Rinse off with warm water.
• Do this method once to twice a day for at least 1 month.

10. Papaya

An enzyme called papain in papaya enhances skin exfoliation process and encourages new skin cells to grow^[19], which helps treat hyperpigmentation.

Direction:

• Cut a piece of papaya into small cubes and finely mash them.
• Mix two tablespoons of papaya pulp with one tablespoon each of honey and milk.
• Apply the mixture to your skin and let it sit for around 30 minutes.
• Use lukewarm water to rinse.
• Perform this twice a day.

11. Banana

Banana acts as an exfoliator that aids in blurring defects on the skin. It is full of potassium, which your skin needs to be supple and shiny. Therefore, bananas are not only advantageous for eliminating hyperpigmentation but also for the whole complexion.

Direction:

• Mash half a banana and add to it a quarter teaspoon of honey and 1 teaspoon of milk.
• Use this mixture as a mask for your affected areas.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes before washing off with warm water.
• Rehash twice a week and stick with this remedy for at least 3 weeks.

12. Yogurt

Yogurt helps lighten dark patches and deeply clean the skin on account of the presence of lactic acid in its composition. It also quickens the recovery of skin cells. Every 3 days, thinly apply a layer of plain yogurt to the affected areas and rinse off with warm water after 20 minutes. You will soon see the difference.

13. Tomato

Tomato has bleaching properties, and this fruit or veggie is extremely effective in emolliating and moisturizing the skin owing to its 95% water content. Tomato comes with lycopene that may lower the effects of photodamage on your skin and fade spots and pigmentation^[20].

Additionally, lactic acid of yogurt and peeling characteristic of oatmeal with the ability to exfoliate dead skin cells and regenerate new ones makes this combination a top choice to get rid of hyperpigmentation.

Direction:

• Blend juice of 1 tomato, 2 teaspoons of oatmeal, and half a teaspoon of yogurt altogether.
• Apply the mixture to the skin with hyperpigmentation.
• Wait for 20 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
• Do this once a day.

14. Green Tea

There is a high capability in antioxidant that allows green tea to conflict with damages caused by sunlight to the skin, sunspots – a part of hyperpigmentation – are one of them^[21]. Green tea can also reduce swelling, puffiness, and dark circles under the eyes due to the caffeine and tannins content.

Direction:

• Soak green tea bags into boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Remove the bags and squeeze all excess solution.
• After green tea bags cool down a little bit, place them on the affected areas.
• Repeat this once to twice daily.

15. Almond

Almond is a house of vitamin E, B, A, and fatty acids. These components all help clear and tighten pores, exfoliate dead skin cells, and moisturize and brighten the skin. As a result, you will gradually escape from hyperpigmentation condition.

Direction:

• Soak some almonds in water overnight or at least 5 hours.
• Take the almonds out of the water and crush them.
• Add enough milk to form a paste, followed by 1 teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice.
• Apply the mixture to the affected skin and leave it there as long as possible.
• Rinse off with cool water.
• Follow this method every day for the first two weeks and then reduce to twice a week.

16. Essential Oils

Many essential oils with certain compositions can lend you a hand to evacuate hyperpigmentation from many parts of the body. Here are five remedies with the ingredients that everyone has no difficult to find to begin the fight with hyperpigmentation:

Remedy 1: Castor Oil

Castor oil contains omega-3 fatty acid, ricinoleic acid, and antioxidants that help deal with dark pigmentation by piercing the damaged tissues and fill them out, alongside accelerates the growth of new skin tissues and gives you a clear smooth skin^[22].

Direction:

• Put some castor oil in the fridge for half an hour and take out.
• Soak a cotton ball into the cold oil and dab on the affected areas.
• Massage your skin in a circular motion and leave the oil on for 10 minutes.
• Wash off with clean water and apply moisturizer.
• Do this twice a day.

Remedy 2: Tea Tree Oil & Olive Oil

With antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant abilities, both tea tree oil and olive oil are effective to get rid of hyperpigmentation and keep you away from new defects to appear. Diluting tea tree oil in olive oil is the simplest and most convenient way to avoid any burn or irritation caused by pure tea tree oil.

Direction:

• Combine two drops of tea tree oil with some drops of olive oil.
• Apply the oil mixture to the hyperpigmented skin.
• Leave it on all night and wash off the next morning.

Remedy 3: Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is an excellent moisturizer for the skin. It helps treat post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and brighten up the skin after healing thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties^[23]. You will receive quick results when using jojoba oil for hyperpigmentation treatment because it penetrates easily into your epidermis by opening pores.

Direction:

• Use your finger to gently massage the affected skin with moderate quantity of jojoba oil for 5 minutes.
• Let the oil sit for 30 minutes and rinse off.
• Practice this once every day.

Remedy 4: Lavender Oil

Lavender oil has soothing and anti-inflammatory qualities^[24] that do great jobs in many skin conditions, including hyperpigmentation. A combination of lavender oil and a carrier oil is one of the best approaches to fade away ugly blemishes.

• Add about two drops of lavender oil to any carrier oil having antioxidants.
• Apply the mixture to your skin and massage for a few minutes.
• Rinse it off after drying.
• Repeat this 2 to 3 times a day.

Remedy 5: Neem Oil

Neem oil acts to restrain the production of melanin, prevent the development of hyperpigmentation, and even out the overall skin tone.

Direction:

• Immerse a cotton ball into one bowl of neem oil and smear on the affected areas.
• Start massaging for 2-3 minutes and wait for the oil to get deep into your skin for 30 more minutes.
• Rinse with a mild cleanser and pat your skin dry.
• Repeat the process every day.

IV. How To Prevent Hyperpigmentation?

• The most crucial thing to remember when faced with any skin disorder is to supply enough water to the body during the day. Drink around 8 cups of water a day, apply toner or moisturizer daily are ways to keep your body and skin always hydrated.
• Cover up your skin with sunblock, wear long-sleeve shirts and pants whenever going out to avoid direct exposure to the sun. Also, do not stay under the sun from 11 am to 3 pm because UV rays are most active in that period, which impacts adversely on your skin.
• Build yourself a healthy diet and stay away from stimulants.
• Beside consuming vitamin C and vitamin E-rich foods, you can also supplement these vitamins in the form of synthetic tablets.

Hyperpigmentation can be an obsession if you do not have proper treatment, but with this article, surely you have already found something worth to solve the problem. Feel free to leave us a comment to share your experience, and visit our main How To page for more helpful knowledge. Plus, share with us if you know other useful tips on how to get rid of hyperpigmentation.

All contents provided are for informational and educational purposes. We recommend you consult a healthcare professional to determine which method is appropriate for you.