Freckles are flat, round and brown spots of different sizes that appear on the skin. According to the American Association of Dermatologists (AAD), freckles are a sign of skin damage.
Some common causes of freckles are too much exposure to sunlight, genetics and hormonal imbalance. Though freckles could be present anywhere on the body, they appear mostly on areas that are often exposed to the sun’s rays.
There are cosmetic treatments to remove freckles, but they can be very expensive. You can easily get rid of them by trying several natural treatments at home.
Here are the top 10 home remedies to get rid of freckles.
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is a highly effective ingredient for treating freckles as well as brown spots. Lemon juice has skin lightening properties that will nicely bleach the dark spots on your skin.
- Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected skin and gently massage the area. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Do this twice a day.
- Another option is to use a lemon scrub. Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle one-half teaspoon of sugar on it. Gently scrub your skin with it for a few minutes and then wash your skin with water. Do this once or twice a week on a regular basis.
2. Sour Cream
The lactic acid present in sour milk can help a lot to get rid of freckles. It is particularly useful for those with sensitive skin.
- Apply some sour cream on the affected skin and allow it to dry for a few minutes. Instead of rinsing it off with water, you must gently wipe it off with a soft tissue or a towel. Then apply some moisturizer. This remedy will not cause skin irritation or dryness. Do this at least once daily until the freckles go away.
- Alternatively, you can rinse the affected skin with sour milk daily. If you do not have sour milk, use yogurt.
3. Honey
Honey is excellent for fading freckles because it contains enzymes that help lighten skin pigmentation. Plus, being a natural humectant, it is great for moisurizing your skin.
- Mix honey and water and heat it slightly in a microwave. Apply it on the affected area and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Finally rinse the area thoroughly with warm water. Do this daily for a several weeks.
- You can also make an herbal mask by mixing a little wheat germ with warm honey. Apply this mask and allow it to sit for about 10 minutes. Rinse the area with warm water and then wash it again with cold water. Repeat two to three times a week for a couple of months. This is one of the most effective home remedies for freckles.
- Another option is to make a mixture of honey and yogurt, and apply it on the freckles for 30 minutes daily until you get the desired results.
4. Papaya
Papaya juice is another effective remedy to get rid of freckles. Papaya contain papain, a kind of enzyme that can help lighten freckles.
- Apply fresh papaya juice directly on the freckles using a cotton ball and gently massage the area.
- After 10 minutes, rinse the skin with cold water.
- Do this once daily for at least for a few weeks or until you are satisfied with the results.
5. Onion
Onions also can be used to remove freckles and brown spots due to their sulfur content which has exfoliative property. For best results, use red onions.
- Cut one red onion into thick slices and rub the slices gently on the freckles twice daily. Continue this remedy until the freckles fade away.
- Another option is to grate one red onion, extract its juice and apply the juice on the affected skin twice a day. For best results, add one teaspoon of vinegar to the onion juice. Repeat this remedy daily for one or two weeks.
6. Buttermilk
The bleaching property of buttermilk can also help lighten and fade freckles. In addition, it will make your skin smooth and supple.
- Simply apply buttermilk over the freckles, leave it on for 10 minutes, and then rinse it off with lukewarm water. Repeat twice daily for several weeks.
- Another option is to make a thick paste of powdered oatmeal and buttermilk. Apply this paste on the affected area, leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then wash it off with cold water. Do this once daily until you get positive results.
- Alternatively, mix one tablespoon of buttermilk with one teaspoon of lemon juice. Apply it on your skin and leave it on for 10 minutes before washing it off.
7. Castor Oil
Castor oil is another natural remedy to treat freckles at home. It will give you an even skin tone and help freckles fade away.
- Before going to bed, apply castor oil on the affected skin. The next morning, wipe it off with a soft tissue and then rinse the skin with lukewarm water. Continue this remedy daily until you get rid of the freckles. For best results, opt for pure, cold-pressed castor oil which is tasteless and odorless.
- Alternatively, you can use vitamin E oil or olive oil to reduce blemishes and freckles.
8. Horseradish
Being high in vitamin C, horseradish is good for fading freckles and blemishes naturally. It also works an antioxidant to maintain healthy, younger-looking skin.
- Dab horseradish juice on the affected skin and let it sit for 10 minutes. Do this once daily to lighten your freckles.
- Alternatively, add one tablespoon of powdered horseradish root to a cup of milk and boil it. Cool and strain it. Apply this solution on your skin and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before washing it off. Do this four to five times a week until you get encouraging results.
- Another option is to mix one grated horseradish with the juice of one lemon to make a paste. Apply this paste on the affected skin area and allow it to dry. Then wash it off with cold water. Follow this remedy every other day until you see improvement.
9. Eggplant
Eggplant, being rich in antioxidants, can also be used to remove freckles and make them less noticeable.
- Slice one fresh eggplant into thick pieces.
- Place the slices over the affected skin.
- Gently rub the eggplant slices in a circular motion and leave them on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Follow this remedy once daily for about a week to notice improvement in the appearance of your skin. The freckles will be lightened considerably after a few weeks.
10. Sesame Seeds
A combination of sesame seeds and turmeric will also help fade your freckles and promote skin lightening.
- Grind one tablespoon of sesame seeds and one teaspoon of turmeric powder thoroughly along with a little water to make a smooth paste.
- Apply this paste on your skin.
- Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water.
- Do this once daily and soon your freckles will fade away.
Some of these remedies really helped me..thank you!
What ones worked best?
the lemon juice worked for me but it took a while for all of them to disappear.
How long did it take ?
How long does it take for the lemon juice remedy to take affect?
Mine worked within 6-7 days
Does sour cream work
Yes
HELP ME I CANT GET MY FRECKLES OFF AHHHHHH
Holy crap! The lemon one is so painful! It feels like your skin is falling off in a whole 10-15!!
I’m hoping they go away because I look like crap with my freckles!
I think i have to agree i look the worst with freckles! But the lemon is very painful and my face was red after so yea. Hope it works
how long did it take you?! help! SOS! 😐
I never liked my freckles. I did a laser treatment for several times a year and it really worked. But as soon as you get exposed to the sun they return again. My doctor told me I should wear sunscreen as I wear deodorant (everyday, all the time)
I also try to avoid direct exposure. A day at the beach? Not for me. And if I go I always wear 70 SPF sunscreen and the widest hats you’ve ever seen. It sounds like a hassle but you get used to it, just like diabetics get use to live without sugar.
Now, just to keep it under control, I’m gonna try these home remedies. Freckles are sexy, it’s true. I just don’t like being so sexy.
exactly ! I too don’t like being sexy with this freckles ??
I really struggld with names as a child but as a adult some people hate them i feel for them never knowing the freedom of magazines & media liking them i used hair bleech it works fast stings & pale but ages the skin fast only once twice a year b4 winter
the lemon juice is the method I like to use, I still have some freckles but before I had big and dark ones. thanks for the other methods.
How long did it take
is this really works..?.m fed up of my freckels….
A useful tip….and very affordable….thumbs up.
I started using lemon and vinegar, I tell the results are astounding in less that a week big freckles are peeling off. Earlier I was using cream with exfoliation elements did not show good results. But the downside of using vinegar and lemon its painful itchy but as they say no pain no gain.
Goodluck
Do you mix the lemon juice and vinegar, or do it one at a time?
What did you do with the lemon and vinegar and how long did it take to work? Thanks!
How often should I do this?? Please help! I’m in the need to get rid of these freckles!
I’m gonna try the lemon juice and sour cream method once a day for two weeks n take before n after pics ! hope they work
Hope that this is gonna work for me! Extited to try it out, thanks for the tips !
Hello as I constantly struggle (since my teenage years) with a ton of ugly and dark freckles I am really looking forward to trying some of the above methods. Does anyone have a favorite method that really works,that they would recommend???? And if possible if anyone has effective methods can you please tell me not only which method but about how long until it actually worked or until they were mostly gone… May sound a bit odd but I am in my best friends wedding in Sept and am so self conscious of them. I need them all gone! Thanks:-)
The lemon juice works well. I have the same situation as well. I consider myself pretty apart from freckles, and sometimes they look like acne!!!!
Hi there Vikki I know exactly how you feel 🙂 A few remedies
Maria.they embarrass me need them gone.freckles oops!which method works fast.
I’m gonna try the leamon one just to see if it works.
Although wearing sunscreen daily can stop your freckles from going darker in summer and gettin more. I would use SPF15 in winter and a higher factor in summer
since a week i am following lemon juice n onion technique… will that really work.. if yes.. then how much time it would take, that my freckles will totally b removed…
I just started the lemon juice one today, on my two dark freckles on my face,and now i’m gonna try the honey one on the darker and bigger freckle 🙂 I’m hoping they work!!! But I’m wondering how long till the are gone?
Who in their right mind wants to get rid of their freckles? That is what make you unique and beautiful!
Some people just don’t like their freckles because they are afraid it might take over their beauty some people just don’t like them because they are big
I feel like they take away interest from the rest of my face and that they are just too big.
I guess it’s a self confidence thing, and I can’t go out in the sun without doubling the amount of freckles I already have
I hate my freckles! Some people call me freckle face and i hate it i have lots of them and im the only one in my family that has them so i really hope it works pls pls work 😟
i have been applying Onion + vinegar since 3weeks but i cant see any change on my freckles… does that really wo
rk??
Apply lemon juice and honey on your face regularly.
After 15 day its give very high best result on freckles.
try apple cider vinegar
I really want to try one of these I’m taking my I’d picture in 3 days!!! Tried everything except this turmeric thing. I’ll try it and tell u guys if it works!!! <3
Im going to try this remedies. Ive been to dermatologist all the creams they gave me did not work. Im excited
I have freckles all over my arms, face and legs and I’ve tried lemon juice, strawberries, sour cream, honey, olive oil, EVERYTHING!!! my freckles are like what someone with red hair might have and I have had them my entire life:( SOMEONE PLEASE HELP ME!! I feel that they make me ugly and they won’t cover up with makeup. people say they’re beautiful but I would much rather a clear face than one with stupid brown dots covering it:(
I have freckles too and I hate them! I honestly think the lemon method worked best but if you want to get rid of them fast then try getting a lazer appointment
hi i wanna share my experience,i had plenty freckles on my face,i tried using all medicinal suggestions written above but it really don’t work,i tried using pure aloe vera mix with evaporated milk and apply over night, it help me a lot,first i did is every night i wash my face with warm water and soap,next step is i put aloe vera mix with carnation evap milk on affected area over night,in the morning i washed again with warm water,after washing then i apply warm butter on face and leave for 15 min, then rinse,after rinse apply coco butter on face and leave all day, do this everyday until freckles gone,i never use lemon and vinegar to put on my face over night,i was trying but it make my face having more problems,it burn my skin,lemon is good and pure but only if you apply on affected area just leave for about 3 to 5 minutes then rinse afterwards not to get burn…………..freckles does not remove as fast as we expected,it need lots of patient and sacrifice to cure it it depend how we help our self…..no pressure but just try this remedy,hope this helpful to you.
Dear plz help me evaporat milk mean?
Nd tel me carnatin milk?
Omg, thx this really did help a lot I have freakles all over my hands and face and I didn’t know how to cure it I tried everything but they were there and wouldn’t go away but when I tried those steps u said it really did work. At first nothing happend I was super frustrated but I just thought if I keeped going for a few months I would get results and I did. Thx again☺
Hi just wondering with the review you gave. If you used real cocoa butter or the cream. And also is any aleo vera gel fine. With the carnation milk its sweet is that ok. Thank
I’m a red head and I understand you I just plain hate my freckles but I haven’t tried any of these things idk if they work or not
I am excited to try this remedies.I hope to get rid of my freckles.Thanks for the tip!
I have freckles my arms and my face.i use tretinon and hydroquonine.it fades bt not remove all.plz help me I feel that they make me ugly.
I know how u feel. People called me freckle face all the time.A girl that I liked turned me down because I have freckles. 2 years ago I was happy, now I am miserable because people kept calling me ugly freckle face. One year ago, They got to me. I realized that no one would ever like me, so I gave up hope that my freckles would go away.
To Steve,
Don’t feel like that. We are all made unique & beautiful/handsome. I have a lot of freckles and though I always hated them my parents & husband always say they love them. Now that I am getting older I am thinking about trying to reduce the amount of freckles I have. You may not have found her yet, but someone will love you for who you are and for everything about you…including your looks and your freckles. 🙂
Try this method it relly works sourcream,honey,onion,lemonjuce,cucumber,papaya,vinegar,peroxide,baking soda.blind these together and apply on face for 15 to 20 minutes when dry wash off with warm watter do this for 6 weeks. It may sting alittle but its worth it.my freckles are completely gone
what should me the quantity and how long they should be appalied and hoe they should be applied plzzzzz reply me bcoz i m fed up of these frecles.
destiny kindly tell me what should be the quantity of these things i shall be very great full to u for your reply
Thanx destiny i’ll try this hope it will be a good treatment 4 frckls
Really I guess I’ll give it a chance.
wow ! this is everything all the whitening properties , will it be used it everyday for 6 weeks ?
That’s literally all the tips above ?? all mIxed together ??
Ya its better with lemon juice
ive been usin the lemom nd vinegar method is abt 4 week nw .2 tell de honest truth de remedy is workin my freckles are becoming lite nd i hope as tym goes by dey will go away permanent
i kinda agree, they r really annoying
Ive heard dry ice on each freckle for 3seconds
I just started using it today,the vinegar and the lemon juice,your are right it kinda itchy,how many weeks does it works for you?and do you think it has a side effects
I hate my freckles and I think they make me look bad. I have like 1 on my face but I want the ones on my body arms and legs off! I plain hate them! I’m gonna try the lemon juice tmrw. Thanks for he tips tho.
I have freckles too & it made me so insecured. So I tried every available product & acting like a vampire because I keep on staying away frm the suns heat :D. But I’m so happy because my freckles is now disappearing I think its because I’m not exposing my face into the sun 🙂
I will try with the lemon first…i hope it work.
Hello, I am the same. I apply lemon juice every afternoon on my arms for about 30 minutes…… they are gradually fading (getting lighter). I definitely reccomend you try this. If you have already tried lemon juice maybe it didn’t work because you didn’t leave it on long enough, or maybe try applying more. I hope this helps, as I said I am the same and in am slowly noticing a difference.
sandpaper works but very painfulll
Sour cream works best for freckles add a pinch of tumeric powder to the sour cream mix well and apply to freckles
I used to have freckles really bad but in about a week or so if you use this method
just mix honey, salt and lemon juice. 🙂
Guys this really worked for me
You need:
1) Yogurt
2) Lemon or Lime
3) Honey
4) Bowl
5) Spoon
Now you get your bowl and put some yogurt and squeeze one lemon or lime into it and honey now you will need to mix them with your spoon in the bowl now apply it on your freckles and leave it for about 10-15 minutes now after the time passed you go wash your face but as your doing it you scrub your face and then clean it off. If you have left over you can save it for tomorrow or whenever you use it. Also just do it ones a day everyday.
Can we use pure lemon juice in bottle?
Probably not, botteld lemon juice has added preservatives
thx this helps
The best remedy for freckles is Castor Oil and Vitamin E oil
take 100 ml cold compressed Castro Oil and 10 ml Vitamin E Oil mix together and apply on your face every night with in one month you will get result. I am using since three days and I can say that Its work for freckles
Thanx maha i’ll try this remedy hope it works
I have freckles and the thing I use Is cetaphil, Lemon juice, vinegar , black head removals , garlic, plain yoghurt, honey and sugar it really works!!
This seems really helpful!!! I sure hope it works. I always get teased about having freckles and I just want them gone!
My grandma gave me the best when I turned 30 and it works a little hydro peroxide and sour milk dab on spots watch for drips dab off rite away do this on any dark spots on arms, legs, face , hands too any place u see any discolor repeat until its gone and it goes away and when in sun it slowly comes back just take a old lip gloss empty and fill with add sun screen dap everywhere u see brown spots u mite see whiter spots but they fade too
well, I have nothing to say rather than to thank you for a work well done. each time I look into your website I find most of the solutions 2 my problems.thanks for everything, I really appreciate mmmmmmmmuah
today i tried using lemon with honey… naw m feelng realy gud…tnx
^^ add as much honey, syrup and sugar as you would like, and as needed, just simply mix into a bowl until well mixed!! <3
xoxo
~~ Julia Melissa Johnson
I am going to start from today…. I hope it goes within ds month or else am nt flyng. ….
Well mix well- equal part of honey and lemon juice(fresh).Apply on the entire face and neck after cleaning.Wash of after 20-30 minutes.this done regularly…keeps the fcae clean and help fight The Patchy dark spots.
No ones talkng about red onion…. Oh gosh i hp it wrk. … . Anybdy used red onion? I need sme advice plsss
With lemon and sugar
The best remedy is lemon as it will work, you need to have alot of patience.
These comments make me sad…. I love my freckles and can’t wait til spring every year when I can get some sun and they start popping out on my face. You all are fearfully and wonderfully made! God gave you freckles because you are beautiful!! Love yourself!!
This is the best comment I read. I agree. I understand how some ppl might feel they have too many freckles. Just use lots of sunscreen (protect your skin from the sun). Freckles are not always caused from the sun though. I always had lots of freckles, but after having my first child I burst out in millions of freckles the day after birth it must be hormones lol
I am covered with freckles. I don’t have to wait for spring they are always noticeable!! My sister gets a sprinkle on her nose and a few on her arms… which is very cute. Being covered in freckles… it seriously lowers your confidence!! I would be happy with just a sprinkle. But i deal.
You know, my mother told me a simple trick that she says will totally brighten your face AND rid freckles.
Grab some Royal Jelly and apply it generously over your face. Leave it for at least 20 min. for best results. After that, wash it off with some water and apply a thin coat of coconut oil/coconut cream. It might take awhile, but the results are worth it.
Your skin will glow so much brighter!
my mom has freckles covering her from head to toe and iv had mine since forever. I’m a swimmer and a runner and a biker so staying out of the sun isn’t a option for me. I absolutely hate my freckles and they make me feel super selfconscious because they cover my entire face, the cheeks, the forehead, even my chin! I really want to be free of them permanently and they are too dark to cover up with makeup so im gonna try to do the lemon method and see how it works out
Hi Nicole just wanted to say a few remedies which are the fastest 😀
I know a few good ones so yeah
1. Baking soda, honey, one egg, half a lemon. First wet your face with warm water then apply the baking soda, rub in gently all over your face. Next mix the honey, lemon, egg together remember not to use the egg yolk! Mix to make a nice clear mixture! Get a brush and paint your face! Wait until your face feels stiff and dry and wash off!
2. lightly scratch the freckles with a needle it forms a scab. Soon the scab is peel off and the freckle should go with it!
3. Mix lemon and vinegar together to form a strong mixture and apply to face!
ALWAYS wear a strong sun cream to stop the sun from being attracted to your face 🙂 I HOPE this information helps 🙂 all the best xxx-Ava
I try hony and yougert its a very help ful for freckls use it daily for a week.
My freckles are ugly ;-; boys think I’m ugly mine are under my nose and people always stare I’m the only one with them it’s bugging me I’m ugly ._. There on the top lip there’s about 5 on my top lip and it’s annoying this is the reason why I’m single and no one wants me please help me and tell me the best way I want them to be off by the end of summer
Mix honey and lemon. Leave it on your face for fifteen minutes a day, takes a while to go completely but it does work
Don’t worry about the outside, if somebody loves you for what you look like and not if you’re smart or kind, then it’s not love.
Thanks a lot!
I’ve been using a mixture of honey and lemon on and off for a few months now. It’s definitely working. I had really dark brown freckles and now they’re more of a honey colour, some of them disappearing all together.
I tried both the honey and the lemon on their own and the honey didn’t have much effect, where as the lemon made my skin itchy. So I mix half a lemon and four to six teaspoons or so of honey (this lasts me weeks) . Then apply to my face and leave it on for fifteen minutes a day. The honey makes my skin really soft and smooth. So if you’re not sure it’s working it’s worth keeping up for that alone.
Don’t know if this is any help.
I’m allergic to citrus on my skin!
today i ll try lemon juice treatment on y face hope its work
I’m gonna try lemon and vinegar and tomorrow honey and lemon 😀 yay fingers crossed 🙂
i tried lemon and sugar one and all freckles on my were gone.. love this
I will try the lemon juice and see if its gonna work
i have really pale skin freckles and light brown hair i hope these work
Hi,all first of all don’t go for any chemical treatment. Avoid any serum claiming skin whitening or freckles free skin.Avoid Sun ,heat,black outfits,spicy foods & consume plenty of water.Lemon ,honey mix works well for freckles u can add white sugar castor oil to this. Gently massage on affected area for 20 mins wash it with normal water,do it regularly. You can also apply a mixture of orange juice , curd,lemon juice,pinch of turmeric powder.Banana & mint leaves mixture z also helpful. Put rose water on face while sleeping.It depends on your skin which remedy will work.Try and see…hv patience n b hpy alwz. .GUD LUCK.
Comment:My freckles are all over my nose.schoolmates call me with different names and i can’t control my temper..from today i will try lemon juice and honey…i so wish to my freckles gone so that i can be free at school n pass well
I don’t often have lemons available, but I always have limes. Would limes work as well?
Hi gud evening,im alex, im suffering my freckles almost 3years,but now since i discover a herbal onion,.in 3 days using, its lighten,so effective..thank you for sharing this…god bless..
Lemon juice does work. I used it for about two weeks with honey and turmeric and created a mask. It perhaps worked too well. After two weeks I started noticing some bleached looking spots on my face. I had some bright white spots around my eyes. I had never seen these before. Just a word of caution that you might want to err on the safe side and dilute lemon juice with water first and see how that goes.
I tried lemon with honey. ..it worked….bt I didn’t get time fr that so I leaved that was effective method. ..from today I will try again…really that method is effective…bt do it regularly once in a day