When skin is exposed to the sun, it causes an increase in the production of cells known as melanocytes that increase melanin in the skin, thus turning the skin darker. These dark skin patches are known as brown spots, age spots, dark spots, sun spots and liver spots.
Brown spots generally appear on exposed skin areas like the face, back, neck, chest, shoulders and hands. Some of the main causes of brown spots are sun exposure, aging, and genetics. Factors like stress, pregnancy, vitamin deficiencies, and weak liver functioning may also contribute to this problem.
The spots are usually harmless, but many consider them unattractive. To lighten brown spots, you can try a few easy and natural home treatments.
Here are the top 10 ways to get rid of brown spots on your skin.
1. Lemon Juice
Lemon juice has bleaching properties that can help get rid of brown spots. Plus, it helps maintain soft, clear and beautiful skin.
- Simply apply fresh lemon juice directly on the affected area. Leave it on for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. Repeat this remedy twice daily for about two months to notice positive results. If you have sensitive skin, dilute the lemon juice with water, rose water or honey.
- Another option is to mix enough sugar in lemon juice to make a paste and use it as a scrub on your face, especially on your brown spots. Finally, rinse it off after 5 to 10 minutes. Do this a few times a week. You can also add some oilve oil in this recipe.
2. Buttermilk
Buttermilk contains lactic acid that helps exfoliate the skin to remove blemishes and brown spots without drying out your skin.
- Apply buttermilk on your brown spots using a cotton ball. Leave it on for a few minutes before washing the area with water. If you have oily skin or acne, you can also add some lemon juice to the buttermilk.
- Another option is to mix four teaspoons of buttermilk and two teaspoons of tomato juice together and then apply this mixture on the affected skin.
Repeat either of these remedies once or twice daily until you are satisfied with the results.
3. Castor Oil
Castor oil has strong healing properties and can be used effectively to get rid of brown spots or age spots. Along with castor oil, you can use vitamin E oil, coconut oil, olive oil or almond oil to remove brown spots.
- Use a cotton ball to apply castor oil on the affected area.
- Gently massage the area for a few minutes.
- Leave it on for a few hours and then wash it off.
- Do this once in the morning and once at night to help the brown spots fade and make your skin tone even.
4. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is an effective remedy for a number of skin problems including brown spots. It will help dry out and fade the spots faster.
- Dilute some apple cider vinegar with an equal amount of water. You can also add some honey. Apply this solution on your brown spots and wash it off after a few minutes. Do this once daily for a few days or until you get positive results. You can use straight apple cider vinegar too, but it may sting.
- Alternatively, mix one-half teaspoon of apple cider vinegar in a few tablespoons of orange juice. Apply it on the affected area and leave it on until it dries completely before washing it off. Repeat once or twice daily for four to five weeks.
5. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has healing properties and aids skin regeneration. So, it is excellent for getting rid of brown spots, especially when caused by sun exposure.
- Gently rub fresh aloe vera gel on the spots. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before washing the area with cold water. Repeat twice daily and within a month you should notice improvement.
- If fresh aloe vera gel is not available, you can opt for aloe vera juice that you can readily buy from the market.
6. Sandalwood
Sandalwood is an anti-aging agent and an antiseptic that can helps reduce hyperpigmentation and get rid of brown spots.
- You can make homemade pack with two tablespoons of sandalwood powder, two teaspoons of rose water, and one teaspoon each of glycerin and lemon juice. Apply this pack on the spots and allow it to dry naturally. Use cold water to wash it off. Repeat a few times a week until your brown spots disappear.
- Another option is to add one tablespoon of orange juice, one teaspoon of lemon juice and the contents of two vitamin E capsules in two tablespoons of sandalwood powder. Mix it well and then apply it on your face. Leave it on for about half an hour before washing it off. Do this a few times a week until you see improvement.
- Also, massage the affected area with a few drops of sandalwood oil mixed in one tablespoon of olive oil or almond oil, daily before going to bed and leave it on overnight.
7. Horseradish
Horseradish is a fantastic herb that helps remove age spots and freckles and makes your skin spotless, thanks to its skin lightening properties.
- You can make horseradish paste and apply it directly to the skin. Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off. Use it a few times a week.
- Another option is to grate a four-inch piece of horseradish with mix it in one-quarter cup of apple cider vinegar and allow the mixture to sit for two weeks. After two weeks, strain the mixture. Use a cotton ball to apply it on the affected skin. Follow this remedy three times a day for at least one month.
8. Papaya
Certain enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids present in papaya can help exfoliate your skin and reduce age spots, skin blemishes, acne and other skin problems. It will also give your skin a cleaner and brighter look.
- Rub one tablespoon of fresh grated papaya on the brown spots.
- Leave it on for about 20 minutes before washing the area with lukewarm water.
- Repeat twice daily until the brown spots fade away.
Note: As some people can be allergic to papaya, it is advisable to do a 24-hour patch test before following this remedy.
9. Yogurt
Due to its mild bleaching properties, using yogurt is a safe and easy way to keep your skin glowing and lighten brown spots naturally.
- Apply some plain yogurt directly on the spots. Let it dry on its own for about 20 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. For faster results, apply yogurt on the affected area before going to bed and leave it on overnight.
- Alternatively, you can make a skin pack by combining one tablespoon of plain yogurt, two tablespoons of ground oatmeal and one teaspoon of fresh lemon juice. Apply this pack on the spots and allow it to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing it off with cold water. Then apply some moisturizer. Follow this remedy a few times a week.
10. Onion Juice
Another easy way to get rid of age spots is to apply onion juice. It acidic nature and the bleaching property will help the brown spots fade. In addition to onion juice, you can also try garlic juice.
- Simply slice up some onions and rub the slices over the affected area two or three times a day.
- Another option is to mix one tablespoon of onion juice with two tablespoons of honey and apply the mixture on the affected area. Leave it on for about 15 minutes before washing the area thoroughly so that the strong smell goes away. Do this once or twice a day.
You will need to have patience when using these home remedies. The brown spots will not disappear in a week or two, so you need to follow the remedies for several weeks to notice positive results.
ya, i used lemon but not working instead growing small hair over their… any advices for removing such brown spots…
I have been using Baby Oil with aloe vera already in it and I grate the skin of a lemon or two and put it in the bottle and shake it every day. I was surprised to see the dark spots on my legs slowly fading. I’m so pleased. It takes a long time, but it certainly helps one’s self confidence to see them gradually fading. However, I have read a book that says baby oil, which is mineral oil, does not go into the skin as successfully as vegetable oil, e.g. olive oil, so I’m going to try that. Also, I have tried ground liquorice root added to this mixture and that seems to be working well too. Liquorice is a natural whitener.
By the way, my dermatologist suggested a chemical peel for my lower legs at great expense. You can do a chemical peel yourself on your face or legs. Just look it up on the internet. You can also buy a kit. The clinic did a patch test with laser and chemical peel. The chemical peel worked the best. Be careful and it’s better to do a weak solution first. This is a faster method than the lemon juice, and you can do it over and over again. The chemical peel is done with aspirin tablets and a couple of other ingredients that you will probably have in your cupboard. make sure you use the correct measurements as you could get a nasty burn. I can’t remember all the ingredients (about 3) unless I look it up.
Brown discolorations on the skin can be from certain perfumes used and when those areas are exposed to the sun, they will turn brown. Not all perfumes will do this and it’s better to be safe than sorry, so apply perfume to areas that will not be exposed to the sun.
I used lemon juice beneath my eye, It dried the skin and gave me wrinkles. I’m Just so Mad. Don’t do the lemon juice dry skin is Bad!
Thanks you so much guys for your advices, i will try lemon juice.
Will try the lemon and sugar scrub…
I’m 21 and I’m breaking out in age spots , liver spots , brown spots of every kind !! I’m a lifeguard and I sit in the sun for ten hours and i put pounds of sunscreen on to prevent this but its not working !! I recently just got a brown age mark the size of a quarter on my arm and I’m planning on telling people its just a birth mark. This is not a pretty situation!!!!! HELP!! And god bless everyone with age mark situations! gotta love life!! 🙂
I have got horrible brown spots on my face…below eyes and also in the nose. It seems darker outside more than inside..I feel so bad abt this..tried many remedies but failed..ryt now I’m trying sandalwood. let’s see what it shows…hope it will fee effective. Aloevera & lemon juice has made it litter bit lighter than before..but I’m not happy with the results..
Go at night, go in a hot tub, to get rid of the brown dots on your hand I had them the past nights, and it got the majority of it off, but the rest use your other hand to rub it off.
Use hot water and rub it off
I have many brown spots in my face or nose for quite some time. Kindly suggest a remedy how to remove the same.
I’ve spent hundreds on prescriptions written by dermatologists, including very expensive ‘Blue Light’ painful treatment that promised to remove all actinic kertosis brown spots. Blue Light treatment did NOTHING to dissipate the persistent ‘masque of pregnancy’ brown splotches above my upper lip that I’ve had most of my life; I’m 65. With some time and nothing to lose, I applied ACV directly on facial brown spots, twice a day for a week. After day three it stung a lot but continued for another 4 days. Area progressed from bright red to a brown crusting over – looked very ugly. When I couldn’t stand it any longer, I let the spots heal over and stopped the ACV. It’s tempting to pick at it, but better results if, over time it slowly comes off in tiny flecks when showering. I continued to apply ACV for the next month and after about 6 months, ALL DARK SPOTS ARE GONE, and my skin looks GREAT – NO brown spots. For less than $4.00 accomplished the same as over a thousand dollars spent at dermatologist. Consult dermatologist to make sure you have nothing more severe than surface AK’s and not basal cells. Hope this is helpful! Thank you ACV blogs!!!!!
What is the ACV that BB spoke about? My legs r full of brown spots and I’ve tried those laser treatments for years and nothing worked !!!! Cost me a fortune, had to stop wasting my money, Are there any oils that work?
its apple cider vinegar ?
its apple cider vinegar ACV