Your best friend’s wedding is just a week away, and here you are, sitting with anxious thoughts about your dull and darkened skin tone. All the shopping done under the harsh morning sun and driving in pollution did ruin your complexion! Is there no solution to this, other than camouflaging it up with makeup? There is a way out for you! We will help you learn how to get fair skin in 1 week, using a combo of different techniques.
But before that, let us understand the classification of skin colours to determine your complexion. Each of these tones has different shades that range between light to dark. Here is a basic breakup of human skin tones to make matters easy for you:
- Light Skins – Very Pale to Freckles.
- Fair Skintone – Porcelain (Cool Undertone) To Ivory (Warm Undertone).
- Medium – Light Beige to Light Brown.
- Olive – Light Brown to Medium Brown.
- Tan – Moderate Brown to Brown.
- Brown – Brown to Dark Brown.
- Black – Deep Brown or Black Pigments.
Our natural complexion falls under one of these categories. However, over a period of time, factors like aging, exposure to sun rays, dust, pollution and lack of proper skin care can push your tone into the darker spectrum. The best way to restore your original complexion is to reduce the melanin formation in the skin and clean the accumulated impurities from your pores.
If you are ready for this 1-week fair skin challenge, why the wait? Read on to meet your beauty goals!
How To Get Fair and Glowing Skin In 1 Week?
The 7-day process involves a combination of creams, foods, home remedies and lifestyle tips to decrease skin discolouration, dark spots and uneven skin tone. After the stipulated period, you are likely to notice a visibly lighter and brighter shade of skin tone. Here are the details:
See More: Tips To Become Fair In 2 Days
1. Skin Lightening Creams and Lotions:
You cannot deny the role of a skin lightening product to achieve a fairer skin tone. These creams are packed with Melanin reducing agents to remove pigmentation, spots, uneven complexion and dullness. These products are available in the Day and Night category. The Day creams come with SPF protection to safeguard your skin from the harmful UV radiation, while the night creams repair and rejuvenate the cells to reveal younger, fairer looking skin.
Here are the top 5 Day Creams and Night Creams for Skin Lightening in India:
Day Creams:
- Olay White Radiance Brightening Intensive Cream Moisturizer.
- Lotus Herbal Skin Whitening and Brightening Gel Crème.
- Garnier Skin Naturals White Complete Speed Multi Action Fairness Cream.
- O3+ Professional Whitening Cream.
- Kaya White Lumenis Brightening Day Cream.
Night Creams:
- Olay Natural White Night Nourishing Repair Cream.
- Kama Ayurveda Rejuvenating and Brightening Ayurvedic Night Cream.
- Ponds Flawless White Night Cream.
- L’Oreal Paris White Perfect Night Cream.
- Neutrogena Fine Fairness Brightening Serum.
2. Foods For Lighter Skin tone:
Beauty is not just skin deep! It has to come from within, and the foods you eat make a key difference. Instead of simply relying on topical applications, you must also indulge in a healthy diet that comprises of skin lightening foods. These nutrient-rich foods are loaded with key vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which combat Melanin and give you a clear, glowing skin from the inside. Add them to your weekly diet and see the results yourself:
- Lemons: These fruits contain Vitamin C, which is a natural antioxidant. It fights free radicals that cause oxidative damage to your skin and also encourage the formation of fresh cells. Lemon juice can also work as natural bleach when applied topically on the skin.
- Green Tea: Another powerful antioxidant-rich drink, which can lighten your skin is the Green Tea. It reduces inflammation caused by sunburns, along with lightening your complexion.
- Soya Bean: Soybean is not just an excellent source of protein, but also anti-aging, skin whitening food. It contains phytoestrogens which can suppress the Melanin formation and give you lustrous skin.
- Carrots: Bright coloured foods like carrots contain betacarotene, which can reduce oxidative stress on your cells. When you consume them in a healthy dosage, the carotenoids can leave a healthy tint on your skin.
- Tomato: Cooked tomatoes contain a high percentage of Lycopene which gets easily absorbed by the body. This agent has an anti-oxidant effect on the fair skin 1 week, which protects it from aging and environmental damage. You can also use raw tomato paste to get an instant fair skin in 15 minutes.
3. Homemade Fairness Face Packs:
If you are not ready to burn a hole in the pocket, then your Kitchen can be the ultimate beauty destination for you! Studies suggest that everyday ingredients like Turmeric, Papaya, Lemon, Cucumber, Aloe etc., have a potential anti-melasmic effect on the skin.(1) They are also natural and safe alternatives to expensive drugstore creams. From clearing suntan to remove pigmentation, impurities and dead cells, these nine homemade face packs are sure to lighten your tone by one or to shades in a short time.
Note: Depending on your skin condition, choose a combination of these masks and apply them once or twice a day. You can use one day pack and one night pack every alternate day for best results.
See More: How To Get Glowing Skin In 10 Days
Coriander and Tumeric Face Pack (Normal To Combination Skin):
Coriander has many agents like Vitamin C, antioxidants which can boost your complexion. Turmeric can lighten your fair skin tone and prevent acne 1 week, blemishes which lead to darkness. Just mix 2 tbsp of Coriander paste with 1 tbsp of Turmeric Powder. Apply on your skin and leave it for 30 minutes. Wash off with water.
Besan and Yoghurt Face Pack (Dry Skin):
This age-old remedy is perfect for achieving a fair and glowing skin 1 week. Besan has a powerful cleansing action, which can remove dead cells and impurities from the pores. Yoghurt contains lactic acid, which lightens the blemishes and spots on the skin. Just mix 2 tbsp of Besan with one tbsp of Dahi and add a pinch of turmeric for better results. Apply the besan-dahi paste evenly on the face and leave it for 25 minutes. Wash off in circular motions and rinse with water.
Papaya and Lemon Face Pack (Oily Skin):
Papaya contains Papain which can fight Melanin caused due to suntan. It also has a fading action on dark spots, aging spots, and blemishes. Lemon is a natural bleach that lightens your skin. To get the best of both the ingredients, add 2tbsp of Papaya paste with 1 tbsp of Lemon juice. Mix well and apply it evenly on face. Leave it for 25 minutes and wash well with water.
Orange Peel Powder and Honey (Normal to Oily Skin):
Orange peel powder is prepared from dried orange peels and has a slightly coarse texture. It contains Vitamin C as its principal agent, which is known to give you a lighter complexion. Honey is a bleaching agent, which works on the dark areas of your skin. Just mix 2tbsp of Orange Peel Powder with 1 tbsp of Honey. Apply the mixture evenly on your face and leave for 20-25 minutes. Use circular movements to massage your skin while removing the pack gently. Rinse well with water.
Sandalwood and Rose Water Face Pack (For Sun Burnt Skin):
If you have damaged skin due to sunburns and tanning, Sandalwood powder can be an excellent solution. It instantly rejuvenates your skin and works on the discoloured areas. Adding Rosewater can offer to reduce the burning sensation and offer soothing relief. Add 2tbsp of Sandalwood powder to 1 tbsp of Rosewater. Mix well to form a smooth paste and apply it evenly all over the face. Leave it for 30 minutes and rinse with cold water.
Aloevera and Vitamin E Face Pack (Overnight Repair):
Aloevera is a wonderful anti-pigmentation agent which can leave your skin spotless. It also hydrates your skin and renders a natural glow on your face. Adding a few drops of Vitamin E oil to freshly prepared aloe gel can improve the elasticity of the skin and also fade away the dark spots and scars. To use this pack, add 2 capsules of Vitamin E oil to 1 tbsp of Aloe gel. Mix well and apply it evenly on the face. Leave the mask overnight and wash it off the next morning.
Green Tea Night Mask (For Clear and Glowing Skin)
Green tea offers impressive benefits for your skin. It contains many flavonoids and antioxidants which fight free radicals that scavenge healthy skin cells. Green tea can also reduce puffiness and dark circles when used as an overnight treatment. For this, you need to prepare green tea with one bag. Use a cotton ball to apply the tea all over your face and neck. Leave it all night and wash it off the next morning.
Almond and Milk Face Mask (For Dryness and Dark Spots):
Almonds are rich in Vitamin E, which is a natural skin rejuvenating agent. It can repair the damaged cells and promote a healthy, visibly lighter complexion. Milk contains lactic acid, which is also a whitening agent. Enjoy the benefits of these two agents by whipping up a mask. Make a paste out of 5 soaked almonds and mix 2 tbsp of water in it. Apply it all over your face and leave it overnight. Wash your face with cool water the next morning.
Cucumber and Potato Juice Overnight Face Mask (For Pigmentation and Suntan):
Potato juice is an excellent remedy to treat sunburns, dark spots and blemishes. It contains Niacinamide, which is a skin renewal agent that can give you a fairer appearance. Cucumber juice can hydrate your skin and remove uneven tone due to excessive dryness. Just mix 2tbsp of Cucumber juice with 2tbsp of Potato juice. Apply it all over the face using a cotton ball. Leave it all night long and wash it with cold water in the morning.
4. Professional Skin Lightening Treatments:
If you have a stubborn tan that refuses to go away with natural remedies, it may the right time to seek professional help. Here are some of the most popular treatments that promise a whitening effect on the skin in 7 days:
Laser Treatment: In this procedure, a laser is sent into layers of skin to destroy the melanin cells. You can see quick results, almost immediately after the process. After 1-2 sittings, you can are likely to achieve a fairer skintone. However, it is an aggressive method and may lead to side effects like redness, burning sensation and infections.
Chemical Peels: In this method, chemical peeling agents like Alpha-hydroxy Acids are applied to the skin to exfoliate the top layers. The result is a visibly smoother, fresher and lighter skin tone. Depending on the amount of pigmentation, you can go for 1-2 applications. However, many people experience extreme sun sensitivity after this treatment.
Dermabrasion: This procedure is performed by a trained doctor in a clinic and involves the removal of the epidermis and dermis layer. An exfoliating tool is gently run across the skin to get rid of the pigmented and dark layers of the skin. If you have naturally fairer skin, the results can be almost immediate. For medium and hyper-pigmented skin, it might take about 7-8 weeks to notice the difference.
Note:
See More: Tips For Glowing Skin In Winter
Additional Tips to Lighten Your Complexion in 7 Days:
Apart from diet and external applications, you must also make simple changes in your lifestyle to maintain a healthy, even skin tone. Follow these effective yet easy tips to achieve a radiant complexion in 1 week:
Follow The CTM Rule Every Day:
Cleanse your skin twice a day and follow it with a toner. Use a moisturiser immediately to replenish the skin.
Exfoliate Regularly:
Use a mild to moderate scrub to exfoliate the dead cells and impurities on your skin. Do it once or twice a week.
Use a Sunscreen:
Whether it is summer or winter, sunscreen is a must before you step out of your home. Choose a mineral-based product with a minimum SPF 30 to protect your skin from harmful UV radiation.
Hydrate Your Skin:
The best way to deal with a dull and uneven complexion is to keep your skin hydrated. Drink plenty of water and choose products that contain hydrating agents like Hyaluronic acid.
Remove Makeup Before Bedtime:
No matter what time of the night is it for you, it’s essential to remove any traces of makeup completely before hitting the bed. Use cleansing milk to clean the surface of your skin, followed by a foaming cleanser. Once dry, apply a night cream and massage for 1-2 minutes.
Sweat it Out:
Exercising is not only good for your body, but also for your skin. Activities like jogging, walking, CrossFit, etc., can release the toxins inside the system through sweat. Sweating can clean up the pores and give a toned appearance to your skin. Alternatively, you can also use steam to dissolve the impurities for a bright, glowing face.
We hope this article has shed light on the methods to achieve a fair skin tone in 1 week. However, you must note that the word “fair” indicates a lighter shade in your natural complexion. It is not possible to achieve a dramatic difference in your skin tone within 7 days. So, set realistic expectations and slowly act towards achieving a health tone than striving for unnatural fairness.
Frequently Asked Questions & Answers:
1. Which Pigment is Responsible for Making Skin Dark?
The colour of your skin is determined by many elements, out of which Melanin has a significant contribution. It is a type of pigment which is produced by the skin cells called Melanocytes. Factors like race and genetics regulate the production of Melanin, which is why we see a very dark brown complexion in Africans and Pale tone in the English and Western countries. (2)
2. What Are The Reasons for Skin Discoloration?
The main reason for skin darkening is due to an increase in Melanin. Our skin produces an excess of this pigment when exposed to sunlight. This leads to a tanning, uneven skin tone and pigmentation of the skin, which ends up making you appear darker than your natural complexion. Other factors which contribute to increased Melasma are:
- Melasma
- Pregnancy
- Reactions of Drugs
- Ageing Spots
- Hormonal Changes
3. Are There Any Side Effects of Skin Whitening Creams?
Most drugstore creams and lotions which promise instant fairness are harmful to the skin. They contain hazardous chemicals like Mercury, Hydroquinone and other industrial bleaches that dry out your skin and destroy the healthy cells. You must never believe in these fake claims and must look out for safer and natural alternatives. So, before you invest in a skin lightening cream, check for the ingredient list and avoid the product if you notice these names!