It’s the summer season, where we can flaunt breezy ensembles and smart sunglasses. However, those bright sunny days sometimes do us more harm than good. Say hello to a significant summer tan! When we have unguarded exposure to the sun’s ultra-violet rays, getting a tan is inevitable. The skin tends to amp up melanin production when exposed to the sun. Sometimes, the build-up is more in certain regions of the skin, resulting in unevenly tanned and patchy skin, called hyperpigmentation. Alongside tan accompanies other skin issues such as acne, skin burns, wrinkles and more. Sunscreen comes as a saviour since it slows down the synthesis of melanin. But even if those layers of sunscreen have failed to guard your skin against the tan, coffee is the magic ingredient your skin needs. Coffee is rich in caffeine and has antioxidants that will rescue your dear skin from the tan.
Health Shots got in touch with Dr Navya P, Consultant-Dermatologis, Manipal Hospital, Yeshwanthpur, Bengaluru, to understand how coffee face packs for tan removal work like magic!
Skincare benefits of coffee to remove sun tan
Getting a tan can be annoying. So, if you’re struggling to think how to remove a tan naturally, coffee may be a good remedy. The expert says, “Coffee is a natural and readily available product that has high anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It is a good exfoliant too. Ground coffee beans and coffee powder can be used as a natural remedy for reducing tanning.”
The expert further adds, “Coffee contains chlorogenic acid, which is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-bacterial. Antioxidants are agents, which fight environmental damage, and free radicals that are responsible for the ageing of the skin. The exfoliating action of coffee helps to remove the dead skin cells of the top layer of the epidermis and thereby reducing tan and pigmentation”.
Try out these DIY coffee face packs for tan removal
The expert lists down some easy-to-make coffee face masks that help say goodbye to a pestering summer tan.
1. Coffee and honey mask
Mix 1 tablespoon of coffee powder with 1 tablespoon of honey, and mix them both well. Apply all over your face and leave it for 20 minutes. Post that, wash it off.
Also read: Bring back that glow with these DIY tamarind face packs
2. Coffee and milk mask
Mix 1 tablespoon of coffee powder with 1-2 tablespoons of milk, and apply the paste. Wash it off after 10-15 minutes.
Image courtesy: Shutterstock
3. Coffee and aloe vera gel mask
The coffee powder can be mixed with aloe vera gel in equal parts and applied evenly all over the face. Leave this paste for 15-20 minutes, and wash using cold water.
4. Coffee, sugar and oil mask
Take half a cup of coarsely ground coffee, half a cup of brown sugar, a quarter cup of coconut oil and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix the above ingredients to form a scrub and gently massage onto your skin for 1-2 minutes and wash with cold water. Use this scrub once weekly.
It is recommended to always first test a small amount of these DIYs on the back of your hand or a small portion over the side of your jaw to test for irritation before using it all over your face. If irritation develops or you have known irritation to any of these mentioned ingredients, do not use the DIY, and consult a dermatologist.
