How To Reduce Melanin in Skin

best ways to reduce melanin in skin

Hey, guys, Maria from the Health Base Team here. Today I'm going to be focusing on the issue of melanin and the problems it can cause to our skin.

Abnormal melanin levels can negatively affect our complexions in many ways. One of the main problems comes in the form of discoloration.

Now, it's an unfortunate fact that discolored skin doesn’t just go away on its own - if only! So, therefore, you will need to take certain steps to prevent it from becoming a serious problem. One of these steps - regardless of the actual cause of your discolored complexion - is to regulate and lower your levels of melanin.

Fortunately, there are a number of methods that you can use to achieve this. This will then help you achieve a more balanced color tone.

It goes without question that if want to your complexion to look its best, it's very important that you find out what some of these aforementioned methods are. There are plenty of natural ways to eliminate areas of discolored skin, many of which work quite well for most people.

This article will focus on these methods.

 Readers: Click here to find out the best product to reduce melanin on the market in February 2025.

Importance of Melanin

Before I launch into the methods that are effective at lowering this type of pigment, let me first briefly explain what it is and why it's important to our bodies.

In terms of a definition, melanin is a pigment that is dark brown or black in color. It is present in our hair, skin, and the iris of our eyes. It's also present in these body parts of animals as well. The main job of this pigment is to tan skin that is exposed to excessive sunlight and to provide protection.

So, while it is very useful fin a number of ways, melanin is mostly known for protecting us from the powerful UV rays given off by the sun. It can make a person’s complexion appear light or dark, depending on the level. Thus, due to this, when you then reduce the amount of melanin in your body, the end result will be that'll you effectively lighten up your skin tone.

This therefore means that those people who are looking have a fairer complexion in terms of color will need to make a point of getting their melanin level down. But what are the best ways of achieving this? Yes, a top rated skin lightening cream is a great option, but there are also others. Let's have a look. 🙂

Some Natural Solutions

You will find that there are lots of natural solutions that are available for people with areas of discolored skin, and lots of them have been proven to work well in general.

Not all of these remedies work for everyone with this sort of skin issue, but they are still worth looking into. The best thing about natural remedies is that you don’t have to worry about any side-effects.

The other great element about natural remedies is that, for the most part, they're relatively cheap.

Below are some of the some of the most common options that have been tried, tested, and proven to be effective.

Natural Ingredients

1 - Potatoes

While it might seem a bit strange, potatoes have actually shown quite a bit of promise when it comes to healing damaged skin. Potatoes have a special enzyme that can lighten up a person’s complexion. Most people who use this method make a paste out of a potato and apply it directly to the areas of skin they want to lighten. You should do this on a daily basis to get the best possible results.

And, of course, a super benefit of this particular method is that not only are potatoes quite cheap, you can also eat whatever remaining potato that you haven't used! Fried potato skins is a particular favorite of mine. 🙂


2 - Lemon Juice


Another good natural remedy to consider for lightening up your complexion is lemon juice.

This type of juice contains lots of vitamin C, which can work wonders on dark discolored areas of skin and even light scars. 

Mix the lemon juice with some honey to create a paste that you can apply to the areas you wish to treat. Make sure that you keep the paste on for at least five minutes so it can work its magic.

lemons

Also, it's worth mentioning a warning to be careful of getting lemon juice in your eyes. Lemons are quite firm and the juice can easily squirt you in the face when you're trying to extract it. I speak from personal experience....it stings!! 🙁


3 - Cucumbers

Cucumbers are also known for their incredible healing abilities when it comes to our skin. This definitely isn’t a quick solution, but it can work well if you are patient enough. Simply take a slice of cucumber and rub it directly onto the discolored areas. You can also blend the cucumber in order to  make a paste so as to rub it on. There both much of the same so it comes down to personal preference.

Cucumber is naturally a cool, refreshing vegetable, so it's very soothing in its administration. Also, just like potatoes, it's edible.


4 - Tumeric

Tumeric has been used as a natural skin remedy for many years in different parts of the world, and it has been shown to achieve some rather impressive results.

In terms of application, take some turmeric powder and mix it with water to create a paste. Then, simply spread the paste on the affected areas and leave it on for a minimum of fifteen minutes before thoroughly washing it off.


Tumeric

5 - Tomatoes

Tomatoes are another sort of miracle food when it comes to improving the overall quality of one’s complexion. The high amounts of vitamin C and powerful antioxidant properties of tomatoes make them perfect for those who want to remove discolored areas and even acne. It doesn’t take very long to make this food into a paste, and it can be very effective.

I personally use my NutriBullet in which to blend a tomato or two into the required consistency. I've also experimented a bit by blending  tomato, some cucumber, and a few drops of lemon juice. It's hard to judge how much this improves the overall treatment, but it certainly doesn't hurt its effectiveness.

6 - Aloe Vera

Aloe vera has also been regarded as a great solution for discolored and damaged skin by many people for a very long time now. It possesses natural soothing and antibacterial properties that make it ideal for any type of complexion issues.

If you have dark areas of your skin that you’d like to lighten up, it is highly recommended that you take the time to look into this particular solution. This plant can actually reduce the amount of melanin your body produces, which in turn will help you lighten up your skin in a noticeable way. 

aloe

To get the best out of this method, simply apply the aloe paste to the areas of skin that your want to lighten until the aloe has dried completely. Any part of the plant that you're not using, you can store in fridge to keep it fresh. Otherwise the exposed inside of the plant will dry up.


7 - Vitamin A

Any foods that are high in vitamin A can potentially help you with your discoloring problems. A lot of people use Retin-A to exfoliate their complexion - this substance is essentially just a synthetic form of vitamin A. If this isn't to your fancy, then there are many delicious foods that you can eat to get this vitamin. These include carrots, spinach, broccoli, apricots, squash, sweet potatoes, and many more such delicious foods.

Lots of people have benefited from increasing their vitamin A intake with regards to lightening skin pigmentation. It might take a bit longer than some other benefits, but this countered by the fact that this method is 100% healthy and nutritious. It can also be quite delicious if you're a whiz in the kitchen! 🙂

8 - Vitamin C

Eating more foods with lots of vitamin C is also a good idea if you want to improve the quality and appearance of your skin. Some of these foods include red peppers, tomatoes, broccoli, collard greens, cabbage, and kale.

We all need a healthy amount of this vitamin in our bodies, but it is especially important for the skin. You can of course take a vitamin supplement, but there are plenty of foods that you can get it from as well.

Vit C Serum guide

Another attractive option when it comes to this super orange agent is a top quality serum. These serums have been scientifically designed and proven to be the best method of supplying Vit C to the human body. Click on the image above to learn more about this method.


9 - Vitamin E

While we might not hear a lot about the importance of vitamin E, it is absolutely essential when it comes to maintaining good skin. Some of the foods that you can get this vitamin from include sweet potatoes, corn, broccoli, eggs, margarine, and fortified cereals.

In terms of what exactly it is, vitamin E is a fat-soluble agent that is found in many foods, such as the ones mentioned above. It serves to protect the cells of our bodies from damage that can be caused from many sources. It also works as an antioxidant to keep our bodies healthy.

 

10 - Reduce Your Exposure to UV Rays

One of the most effective and natural ways to prevent further skin damage is to reduce the amount of time you spend outside in the sun.

You should also take the proper precautions when you know you’ll be outside in the sun for a while, such as applying a strong enough sunscreen.

Make sure that you cover any areas of your body that will be exposed with sunscreen so you can prevent even more damage. Spending time in the sun can be very beneficial to our overall health, but all good things in moderation.

Sun

It’s only when we spend too much time in the sun that bad things start happening. Investing in a quality sunscreen lotion is therefore something that is essential if you plan on spending your time outdoors during the day. 


11 - Sandalwood and Rose Water

Mixing together sandalwood essential oil and rose water can make for a good natural skin remedy as well. You will need to combine one to two tablespoons of sandalwood with an event amount of rose water to form a paste. Make sure that you apply the paste evenly to the affected areas, letting it sit for 10-15 minutes.

This is actually one of the more effective natural paste remedies out there because of the sheer number of people that it has been proven to work for. There are tonnes of online testimonials and reviews of people who swear by this option.

12 - Mint Leaves

If you have become frustrated because you cannot seem to get rid of the dark areas on your skin, try making a paste out of mint leaves. All you need is a few of these leaves to create a paste that could work wonders on your skin in a matter of days.

Mix the leaves with water to form the paste, and leave it on your skin for 15 minutes each day. This should help with reducing dark spots fairly quick.

Peppermint

Another great way availing of a mint based solution is to use some Peppermint essential oil - this oil has tonnes of health benefits, as is the case with all EOs. 


13 - Almond Paste

Almonds have a lot to offer as well when it comes to treating damaged skin. The paste that you make from almonds can also help with reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. If you want to remove discolored areas while also turning back the clock a little bit, then almond paste is a great option to try out.

This nut source is is loaded with vitamin E which I've already covered. Furthermore, almonds also possess a number of amino acids that are important for maintaining healthy skin.


14 - Honey and Sour Cream

It might seem like a bit of an odd combination, but mixing honey and sour cream together can make for one very effective paste to help with discolored areas of skin. You will need to mix together a single tablespoon of honey and two tablespoons of sour cream. Apply the resulting paste to your face for a minimum of 15 minutes but not more than 20. This should give you some fairly noticeable results within the first week or two.


Some Scientific Solutions

15 - Home Microdermabrasion Machine

A lot of people with discolored skin can also benefit from undergoing microdermabrasion. This treatment involves removing the very top layer of skin, which in turn can be effective in removing discolored areas as well as sunspots. This method is fairly painless and comes with minimal side-effects. 

The great thing about this method is that, in the modern world, the technology is available so that you can actually avail of this treatment from the comfort of your own home. Home microderm kits are commonplace and are superb at helping with a whole host of skin ailments. For more on these marvelous machines, click on the image located below.

Microderm guide


16 - Chemical Peel

A chemical peel uses highly abrasive chemicals like salicylic acid and glycolic acid to remove discoloration on the top level of the skin. One of the drawbacks associated with this option is that it doesn’t work well for people of all skin types. It is an extremely powerful method and can remove even deep pigmentation though, so you will definitely want to look into it. If you have a tendency to scar easily, you probably want to avoid this particular method.

There are different types of chemical peels, such as deep chemical peels that go into the lower layers of the skin. Make sure that you know exactly what you are getting yourself into before getting one of these procedures done. Those who suffer from hypopigmentation can definitely benefit from this method, though it does come with its fair share of risks.


17 - IPL (Intense Pulsed Light)

Laser light therapy has done some truly amazing things for people with discolored skin. Those who have skin that has been damaged by the sun will definitely want to look into this option because of just how effective it can be. One of the great things about this approach to lightening complexions is that it is completely painless, and most people don’t have a negative reaction to it whatsoever.

You can expect some flaking to occur with the areas that are treated, but it’s a normal part of the healing process. You will most likely need to go through numerous sessions to get permanent results, but it’s well worth it for many people.

However, a real downside of this particular option is that it can be quite expensive, exacerbated by the fact that it takes multiple sessions to see any benefits.


18 - Laser Surgery

While laser surgery for the treatment of damaged skin is certainly nothing new, it can be very effective for many people.

This type of procedure targets specific areas that are damaged or discolored with powerful lasers that can increase collagen production significantly. These procedures can come with some side-effects, so it is important that you know what they are before making a final decision either way. It’s a good idea to get a consultation before making up your mind.

laser treatment

Standard laser treatments for areas of discolored skin can last up to 45 minutes, but there isn’t any pain involved. Some people feel a slight amount of discomfort, but it’s certainly nothing that requires an anesthetic of any kind. Lots of people have claimed that these laser procedures helped them tremendously, while others regret making the choice to go through with it.

If you decide to get one of these laser treatments, you can expect the targeted areas to become red and even swollen temporarily. The swelling and redness will eventually go away completely, but it’s important that you stay out of the sun while your skin is healing. The more you learn about these procedures, the better of a position you will be in to make the right choice.Commonly used by various celebrities.

Always Consult Your Doctor

Anyone who sees a change in skin pigmentation should see their dermatologist right away. A sudden area of skin getting lighter or darker can be a sign of something serious, which is why you will need to consult your physician.

Your dermatologist can also recommend certain treatments and provide you with useful information and resources to help you.

We at the Health Base also recommend that you visit the relevant health specialist if you believe there is anything at all amiss with your health. 

Doctor


Final Thoughts

Getting rid of dark area on your skin is definitely a process that can take a while, so patience is something that is definitely required. Also, as noted already, it's important that you consult with a dermatologist or doctor before it you believe that there is something going on with your skin, or indeed your health.

When it comes to our recommendation for the quickest way of treating skin issues such as the ones mentioned in this article, then a top rated cream is what stands out as the top option in our opinion. Although it can be really difficult to find the correct one amongst the myriad of options that are out there, we've done a bit of the legwork for you by compiling a list of the top 5 products on the market in 2019. Hopefully you will find something that you like the look of. 🙂


Take Care & Be Well,

Maria

thehealthbase
Maria
 

My name is Maria and I'm the Senior Editor here at The Health Base. I'm a mother to 2 beautiful boys, have a masters in Health Science and I'm always willing to test out/research new products. If you would like to get in touch please feel free to do so here.

>