Whether you are trying to regain your skin’s original skin tone after a long day in the sun or you are just looking for ways to get lighter skin because you want to, we can all admit that it is not an easy feat.

Today, there are so many methods you can try to lighten your skin; maybe you’re not sure which one you should use.

If you are looking for tips on how to get lighter skin and or even prevent your skin from darkening, you have come to the right place.

This complete guide will let you in on all of the things you need to know to end up with fairer skin.​

Why Do Some People Have Light Skin?

Skin color is a matter of genetics, but on a molecular level, light skin is caused by the presence of melanin in your body. The more melanin your body contains, the darker your skin color will be.

Previous research has shown that melanin acts as a form of protection for your skin. So if you were born in a place with a tropical climate, you’d be more likely to have darker skin.​

Whereas people who are born in places with colder climates have less melanin in their bodies, they don't need it as much as people in warmer climates do.

However, some people can be born with a skin condition where their skin is too light: they are referred to as albinos.​

Such people completely lack melanin in their body, making them have very light skin that can’t be darkened even when subjected to the sun.

What Causes Skin To Get Darker​

Before learning about how to get lighter skin, it’s worth having a look at what causes your skin to darken.

There are plenty of factors that can cause dark skin. Knowing each of these factors can help you do a better job at maintaining your light skin.

One thing that can cause darkened skin is hyperpigmentation.

It’s a condition where dark patches will appear on your skin due to the overproduction of melanin in your body.

If you are currently suffering from hyperpigmentation, the best course of action is to seek medical help.

Another significant factor that can cause darkened skin is exposure to the sun’s heat.

With today’s current climate conditions, even a couple of minutes under the sun can leave you with dramatically darkened skin.

When your skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, your skin's melanin absorbs the energy from the UV rays to protect your skin, ergo, darker skin.

Hormones can also play a role in skin tone changes. A woman’s pregnancy, for one, can cause sudden hormonal changes that can lead to both light or dark patches of skin.

However, darkened skin due to hormonal changes does not really last long, and can subside once the hormones have come back to their natural level.

How To Get Lighter Skin

Knowing what causes darkened skin is one way to prevent it.

But if you really want to maintain your current skin tone, you must go the extra mile and try a couple of regimens to keep your skin safe.

To completely stop your skin from darkening once you’ve gotten lighter skin, we recommend you to try these simple methods.

Method 1: Use SPF Protection Products​

Consider SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, your skin’s new best friend. Use products that contain SPF to fully protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

When using such products, do not forget to cover your nose, ears, scalps, lips, and eyelids.

People often forget to put product on these parts, forgetting that sunscreen or other SPF products only protect areas that they are completely applied to.

Method 2: Switch to Makeup with SPF

If you often use makeup on your face, you ought to switch to makeup products that come with UV protection. Try to choose makeups with at least 15 SPF.​

Do take note that since makeup is normally used at the beginning of the day, you will need to retouch frequently throughout the day to keep your skin protected.

For total protection, we suggest putting a thin layer of sunscreen as your base before applying your makeup.

Method 3: Choose The Right Clothes​

Try to wear clothes which completely cover your skin.

The best kind of clothes that will help you get the job done are ones with long sleeves and light colors that reflect the sun's rays.

You may also want to try out clothes that come with a UPF rating of 30.

Method 4: Keep Your Face Covered​

Your face has the most sensitive skin on your body, which is why keeping it protected should be one of your priorities.

Try to wear a hat with a wide brim or veils that can cover your ears and the back of your neck.

If you’re not really into hats that come with a brim, you may want to try pairing a baseball hat with a bandana or a hooded jacket to cover other unprotected areas.

Method 5: Keep Away From Reflective Surfaces​

If you think the sun is the only thing you should avoid, you’re missing one more thing: reflections.

Reflective surfaces can also cause you to have darkened skin since it can fully transfer that sun's heat onto your skin if you're within its reflection.

Try to avoid staying close to reflective surfaces such as large metal objects, cars, and even white painted walls.

How to Prevent This?

If you are really determined to maintain a lighter skin tone for all parts of your body, try to practice these following tips:

1. Know When To Stay Out Of The Sun​

The sun is a great source of certain vitamins, but sun exposure is not healthy at all times.

The sun’s rays emit energy the strongest between the hours of 10 in the morning up until 4 in the afternoon.

Try to avoid hanging out during this time (even if you're in a cool place) or at least put on some extra skin protection if you need to go out.

2. Use An Umbrella​

If there’s no shade in sight, make some of your own. Try to bring an umbrella with you at all times.

It can be added weight to your baggage, but having one can go a long way even under the scorching, noon sun.

We recommend that you try to get yourself an umbrella that comes with UV protection.

Get yourself a nice black umbrella with a UPF of at least 50 for protection on hot sunny days.

3. Eat Dark Chocolate​

Dark chocolate is full of skin health enhancing antioxidants like catechins and flavonoids.

Try to eat at least 2 ounces every day to help your skin enhance its own protective functions against the sun.

Do take note that milk chocolate does not do the same.

In fact, you should try to avoid eating dark chocolate with milk in it since the milk contents only make it more difficult for your body to absorb the healthy antioxidants.

4. Eat Lycopene-Rich Food​

Foods that are rich in lycopene can also help boost your skin health. Try to eat red colored foods such as peppers and tomatoes for healthier and softer skin.

Do take note that when eating such foods, you should not use too much oil as it completely absorbs all of the lycopene contents of the food.

Want Lighter Skin? Try These Steps!

So now you know exactly what causes your skin get darker and how to prevent your skin from darkening, let’s talk about how to get lighter skin.

As I've mentioned earlier, there are a lot of methods you can try to get lighter skin. For the best results, you can follow these simple steps stated below:

Step 1: Start A Sunscreen Habit

The first thing you should to is to try and make it a habit of putting on sunscreen or any product with SPF protection every day.​

Whether it's hot out or not, you should always wear sunscreen as long as the sun is out.

Step 2: Keep Your Skin Moisturized​

Another critical factor that you should never forget when it comes to getting lighter skin is moisturizing.

Keep your skin completely moisturized by putting on lotions, creams, or even sunscreens.

One thing people often overlook is the simple act of drinking plenty of water. Try to drink at least 6 glasses of clean water every day to keep your skin hydrated at all times.

Step 3: Always Keep Your Skin Clean​

Start keeping your skin clean by trying to wash your face at least twice a day; first in the morning, and then once more before going to bed.

Also, try to use exfoliating creams that will remove the dead skin cells on your body.

But do take note that you shouldn’t exfoliate every day. Try to exfoliate at least once a week for best results.

Step 4: Maintain A Healthy Diet​

Your skin’s health significantly relies on your diet. This is why it’s important to start and maintain a healthy diet full of vitamins and nutrients.

Try to include fresh fruits and vegetables that are high in vitamins A, C, and E to your diet to completely nourish your skin.

Step 5: Try Skin Whitening Products​

Another thing you can do to get lighter skin is trying out certain skin whitening products such as oils, lotions, creams, kojic acid, vitamin C, or bearberry extract.

However, before you go out and try such products, we recommend that you consult a dermatologist first to ensure the overall safety of your skin.

Step 6: Try Organic Skin Lighteners​

If you're not into artificial skin lighteners, you may want to try natural remedies for darkened skin.

Another thing you can try is to apply fresh lemon juice to areas where you want lighter skin.

To do so, try cutting a lemon in half and squeezing all of its juices into a bowl. Using a cotton ball or a clean face towel to soak up the fresh lemon juice and apply it onto areas you wish to lighten.

Leave the lemon juice on your skin for approximately 15 up to 20 minutes, and rinse it off with clean water.

For best results, try this at least two to three times a week.​

Do remember to keep the lemon juice away from your eyes to avoid pain and irritation.

If you get some in your eyes accidentally, make sure you rinse your eyes out under a faucet for a couple of seconds or until the pain subsides.

If you think that the lemon juice is too hard on your skin, or if you’re experiencing any discomfort whatsoever, stop immediately.

Step 7: Practice Skin Safety​

The last and most important thing you should do when it comes to getting lighter skin is practicing skin safety.

Once you find a skin whitening product or a skin regime that you want to follow, make sure that it's the best for your skin.

Be aware of products that may cause skin allergies, skin discolorations, or any exacerbating effects.

Also, try to live away from products that contain Mercury since it can be very poisonous to the body.

The Bottom Line​

There you go, a step-by-step guide on how to get lighter skin.

We hope that this article will help you to get one step closer to the lighter skin you crave.

Remember that you can always prevent getting darker skin by making SPF application a habit, keeping away from the sun, wearing protective clothes, and maintaining a healthy diet.​