Dark skin complexion or dark pigmentation on the skin can be quite depressing in a country obsessed with fairness. Darkening of skin can be blamed on the harmful sun rays and the ever growing stress of modern life. For all those troubled by pigmentation concerns, lighten up your life by lightening your skin tone. Make use of this 5-minute quick fix guide to a glowing skin.

Mask it up with honey and lemon

  • Lemon, a storehouse of vitamin C, is a natural skin bleaching agent. It contains alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) that act as a natural exfoliator i.e. it scrubs of the outer dead skin cells and exposes the lighter skin that lie beneath. The citric acid in the lemon is a mild bleaching agent which naturally whitens the skin.­ 
  • Honey, this naturally available delicious product is a soother and moisturiser for dehydrated, dry, pigmented skin. It helps to undo the lemon's drying effect on the skin. It helps to keep the skin soft and smooth.

Steps to follow:

  1. Squeeze 2-3 lemons in a bowl.
  2. Take half a spoon of honey and add to the lemon juice in the bowl.
  3. Add 1 tablespoon of crushed oats to it.
  4. Mix all of them well.
  5. Apply this paste on your face. You can apply it on any other body part that you wishto lighten as well.
  6. Let it stay on to the face for 15-20 mins.
  7. Wash off with cool water. As you start to wash off the mask, move your finger tips gently in a circular motion. The crushed oats act as a scrub.

For dry skin:

For those who have dry skin, use cucumber to substitute the lemon juice.

  1. Mix equal quantities of crushed cucumber and honey in a bowl.
  2. Apply it on face and body.
  3. After letting it stay for 15 minutes, wash it off with cool water.

For oily skin:

  1. Mix 3 tablespoons of cucumber juice with 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar in a bowl.
  2.  Soak a cotton in the mixture and dab it on your face.
  3. Leave it on for 2-3 minutes and then wash off with cool water.

Apple cider vinegar makes the skin firm and controls the oil. Cucumber gives the shine and glow to the skin.

Use this simple, under 5 minute quick and effective hacks twice a week and let the mirror reflect a fairer and glowing skin.