Home Remedies for Freckles
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Home Remedies for FrecklesFreckles are caused by an increase in melanin, the pigment that adds color to skin. The increase in melanin can be caused by stress, over-exposure to sunlight, heredity, hormonal changes, and other factors. Both men and women affect by freckles. They are not harmful but a sign of skin damage.

Freckles are two types, ephelides and lentigines. Mostly fair complex people will be affected by freckles.

There are many treatment options for those who want to get rid of freckles and get smooth, even-toned skin. These include chemical peels, cryosurgery, bleaching, and laser treatments, among other methods. But these treatments are expensive and can cause lasting damage to the skin. You’re about to learn how to fade freckles safely and affordably, using methods that require basic ingredients you probably already have at home.

Home Remedies for Freckles:

These at-home remedies will give you visible, long-lasting results without unwanted side effects. Let’s get started!

1. Lemon

The citric acid in lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent. If you have sensitive skin, mix lemon juice with water or plain yogurt. Avoid going out in the sun for 30 minutes following lemon juice treatments. You can also use any citrus fruits like lime, grape, tomato and oranges.

Process 1: Lemon, Honey, and Salt

Lemon bleaches the skin, honey moisturizes, and salt exfoliates to remove dead skin cells.

  • Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh-squeezed lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of honey and a pinch of salt to make a paste.
  • Apply to freckles, making sure to avoid contact with eyes.
  • Leave on 20 minutes, then rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily.

Process 2: Lemon Juice and Yogurt

  • Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice with ½ cup of plain yogurt.
  • Apply to freckled skin and leave on 20 minutes.
  • Rinse with water, pat dry, and apply moisturizer.
  • Repeat daily.

Process 3: Lemon and Sugar

  • Cut a lemon in half and sprinkle ½ teaspoon of sugar on one half.
  • Use it to scrub your skin for 2-3 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat 2 times a week to treat freckles.

2. Sour Milk or Sour Cream

Sour milk and sour cream contain lactic acid that lightens skin by inhibiting production of the tyrosinase enzyme, which causes over-pigmentation.

Process 1: Sour Milk

  • Wash your face with sour milk.
  • After sometime wash your face with water.
  • Repeat 3 times a day.

Process 2: Sour Cream

  • Apply sour cream to freckled skin.
  • Leave on 20 minutes.
  • Wipe with soft towel or tissues, pat dry, and apply moisturizer.
  • Apply sunscreen.
  • Repeat once a day for a week, then reduce to twice a week once the freckles are fading.
  • Follow this for a couple of months to clear freckles.
  • Note: You can replace sour cream with yogurt.

3. Buttermilk

Buttermilk also has lactic acid and natural bleaching properties, and it has effects similar to a skin peel. Drink buttermilk daily and follow the processes below.

Process 1: Buttermilk and Cheesecloth Mask

  • Take a cheese cloth which has multiple layers.
  • Cut holes in a sheet of cheesecloth for your nose, mouth, and eyes.
  • Wash your face with mild soap and water and don’t dry the face.
  • Dip the cheesecloth mask in buttermilk and apply it to your face without wringing.
  • Let dry for 7 minutes, re-soak, and repeat 4 times.
  • Do this once a week.

Process 2: Plain Buttermilk

  • Use a cotton ball to apply buttermilk to freckled skin.
  • Let dry and leave on 15 minutes.
  • Rinse with water and pat dry.
  • Repeat 2 times a day.

Process 3: Buttermilk and Oatmeal

  • Mix buttermilk and powdered oatmeal to make a paste.
  • Apply to freckled skin and leave on 30-45 minutes.
  • Rinse with cool water.
  • Repeat once daily.

Process 4: Buttermilk and Lemon Juice

  • Mix 1 tablespoon buttermilk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
  • Apply to skin and leave on 15 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat once a day to get rid of freckles.

Process 5: Buttermilk and Potato

  • Slice a potato into rounds.
  • Soak one potato slice in buttermilk for 15 minutes.
  • Rub the soaked slice on skin for 5 minutes.
  • Let dry, then rinse with cool water.
  • Repeat 3 times a week to get fair, smooth and young skin.

4. Banana-Mint Mask

Bananas contain many vitamins and minerals that benefit skin, and they contain salicylic acid, which helps to shed the uppermost layer of skin in order to reveal healthy new skin. Mint contains vitamins A and C, various B vitamins, anti-oxidants, and folate, which helps to lighten the complexion.

Process:

  • Crush a handful of fresh mint leaves to make a paste.
  • Mash a banana and mix it with the mint paste.
  • Apply this mixture to freckled skin and leave on 5 minutes or until it begins to melt.
  • Rinse with water and pat dry.
  • Repeat 3 times a week.

5. Papaya

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, which exfoliates the skin to remove dead cells. It also inhibits tyrosinase, stopping melanin production and the appearance of new freckles. Raw, green papaya contains more papain. For best results, use it in the processes below.

Process 1: Ripen Papaya

  • Mash ripen papaya and apply it to skin.
  • Leave on 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily.

Process 2: Raw Papaya and Lemon Juice

  • Use a blender to puree papaya.
  • Mix in 1 teaspoon of lemon juice.
  • Apply to skin and leave on 15 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily o get clear skin.

Process 3: Papaya Juice

  • Use a juicer or food processor to make fresh papaya juice.
  • Use a cotton ball to apply it to skin.
  • Leave on 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
  • Repeat daily.

6. Horseradish

Horseradish contains anti-oxidants which lighten dark spots, and it is high in vitamin C, or Ascorbic acid, which reduces the appearance of scars and dark spots by inhibiting melanin production.

Process 1: Horseradish and Apple Cider Vinegar

  • Grate ½ cup of horseradish root.
  • In a jar, mix grated horseradish with 1 cup raw, organic apple cider vinegar.
  • Put a lid on the jar and let it sit for two weeks, shaking once a day.
  • After two weeks, strain the vinegar.
  • Use a cotton ball to apply the horseradish-infused vinegar to skin twice a day.
  • Repeat regularly for few weeks.

Process 2: Horseradish Milk

  • Boil 1 cup of milk and stir in 1 tablespoon of horseradish powder.
  • Remove from heat and let cool.
  • Strain and use cotton ball to apply to face.
  • Leave on 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily.

Process 3: Horseradish Juice

  • Chop a horseradish root.
  • Use a blender or juicer to extract juice.
  • Use a cotton ball to apply juice to skin.
  • Leave on 15 minutes, then rinse with water.
  • Repeat once a day to lighten freckles.

Process 4: Horseradish and Lemon

  • Grate 1 horseradish root.
  • Mix it with the fresh-squeezed juice of 1 lemon.
  • Apply to skin and leave on until dry.
  • Rinse with cool water.
  • Repeat every other day.

7. Honey

Honey moisturizes skin, and it contains enzymes that help to lighten pigmentation, while its natural humectants give skin a natural glow.

Process 1: Honey and Water

  • In a bowl, mix honey with water to make a thin paste.
  • Heat it slightly in the microwave.
  • Apply to skin and leave on until dry.
  • Rinse with warm water.
  • Repeat daily.

Process 2: Honey and Wheatgerm

  • Mix warm honey with enough wheatgerm to make a paste.
  • Apply to skin and leave on 15 minutes.
  • Rinse with warm water, then rinse with cold water to close pores.
  • Repeat 3 times a week for couple of months.

Process 3: Honey and Yogurt

  • Mix equal quantities of honey and yogurt.
  • Apply to freckled skin and leave on 30-40 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat once a day.

8. Licorice Root Extract

Licorice or or glycyrrhiza glabra root extract contains glabridin, which inhibits tyrosinase production to prevent over-production of melanin pigmentation. When mixed with jojoba oil it becomes a natural skin-lightening agent.

Process:

  • Mix ½ teaspoon of licorice root extract with 4 teaspoons of jojoba oil.
  • Store in bottle at room temperature.
  • Once a day, use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to freckled skin.
  • Leave on 30-45 minutes, then rinse.
  • Repeat regularly to get rid of freckles.

9. Uva Ursi

Uva ursi, also known as Bearberry, contains a natural hydroquinone that lightens skin. It also contains Arbutin, a phenolic glycoside that inhibits tyrosinase to prevent over-production of melanin.

Process:

  • Mix equal quantities of uva ursi with licorice root extract.
  • Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to freckled skin.
  • Massage gently and leave on until completely absorbed into skin.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat 2 times a day.

10. Almonds

Almond oil contains unsaturated fatty acids, minerals, vitamins E, B2, B6, PP, and phytosterols which help to smooth wrinkles, remove blemishes, and protect skin from sun damage. Almond oil doesn’t clog pores or cause breakouts.

Process 1: Almond Oil

  • First you must warm the almond oil using indirect heat.
  • Boil water in a soup pot.
  • Pour 1 teaspoon of almond oil into a metal bowl.
  • Place the metal bowl into the boiling water.
  • Once warm, apply almond oil to skin.
  • Massage gently for 15minutes and Leave on few hours.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Or allow the oil to absorb completely into skin, leave on overnight, and rinse in the morning.
  • Repeat once a day for about 3 – 4 weeks to see best results.

Process 2: Almonds

  • Soak 7-10 almonds in ¼ cup milk overnight.
  • In the morning, grind or blend almonds to make a paste.
  • Apply paste to skin and leave on 30 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily for 10-20 days to reduce freckles.

11. Onion

Onions contains sulfur, which exfoliates to remove dead skin cells while lightening dark spots and freckles. For best results, use red onion.

Process 1: Plain Onion

  • Slice a red onion.
  • Rub one slice over freckled skin for 2-3 minutes.
  • Allow juice to dry on skin.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily.

Process 2: Onion and Vinegar

  • Mince a red onion.
  • Strain through cheesecloth to extract juice.
  • Mix onion juice with 1 teaspoon of vinegar.
  • Use a cotton ball to apply the mixture to freckled skin.
  • Allow to dry, then rinse with water.
  • Repeat 2 times a day for 2 – 3 weeks.

12. Eggplant

Eggplant contains various vitamins, minerals, and anti-oxidants that brighten skin tone and lighten dark spots and freckles. It also contains Anthocyanin, a phyto-nutrient that protects cell membranes from damage by free radicals. Eggplant also inhibits tyrosinase to prevent over-production of melanin.

Process:

  • Slice a fresh eggplant which has juice.
  • Rub a slice over freckled in a circular motion till the juice of the slice has completed..
  • Take another slice and rub on skin for 5 – 10 minutes.
  • Leave juice on skin for 15 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily for 7-10 days.
  • It is one of best remedy to give fast results.

13. Mulberry Extract

Mulberry extract has arbutin which inhibits melanin production. You can use either pure or any extract form.

Process:

  • Mix equal quantities of mulberry extract and licorice root extract.
  • Store in bottle at room temperature and shake well.
  • Every day, use fingers to massage the mixture into skin for 10 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat regularly for effective results.

14. Sake (Rice Wine)

Kojic acid, commonly used in skin-lightening products, is created through the process of fermenting or malting rice. That’s how sake, or rice wine, is made, so it contains kojic acid, which inhibits tyrosinase and reduces melanin production. Sunlight causes kojic acid to lose its potency, so store it in a dark bottle or a dark location. It also moisturizes skin with its anti-aging and anti-oxidant properties.

Process:

  • Mix 1 teaspoon each of sake, honey and yogurt.
  • Mix in 3 teaspoons powdered oatmeal to make a paste.
  • Apply to freckled skin and leave on 30 minutes.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily.

15. Cucumber

Cucumber is a natural bleaching agent, and it contains phenylalanine which prevents melanin from being stored in the skin. Cucumber seed oil contains omega–3 linoleic acid, vitamin E, oleic acid, and phytosterols, which help to repair damaged skin. Massage cucumber seed oil to skin daily and leave for few minutes, or follow the methods below.

Process:

  • Blend a fresh cucumber and apply the pulp to freckled skin.
  • Leave on 5 minutes, then rinse.
  • Or, juice a cucumber and apply the juice to freckled skin.
  • Leave on 5 minutes, then rinse.
  • Repeat either method daily.

16. Turmeric and Sesame Seeds

When combined with sesame seeds, turmeric powder lightens skin and helps fade dark spots and freckles.

Process:

  • Grind 1 tablespoon of sesame seeds.
  • Mix with 1 teaspoon turmeric powder and enough water to make a paste.
  • Apply to freckled skin and leave on 20 minutes.
  • Rinse with cool water.
  • Repeat once a day to fade freckles.

17. Tomato

Tomatoes contain vitamin C, which helps fade freckles and dark spots, and it naturally bleaches skin and reduces pigmentation.

Process:

  • Put a tomato in a blender to make a pulp.
  • Use fingertips to massage pulp into skin for 5 minutes.
  • Leave on 15 more minutes, or until dry.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat twice a day or few weeks to lighten freckles.
  • Do not use soap for 3 hours after this treatment.

18. Castor Oil

When used regularly, castor oil evens skin tone and helps fade freckles and dark spots.

Process:

  • Before bed, apply pure or organic, cold pressed castor oil to freckled skin.
  • Leave on overnight.
  • In the morning, wipe off with tissues.
  • Rinse with warm water.
  • Repeat nightly.
  • For better results, mix castor oil with vitamin E oil.

19. Molasses

Glycolic acid removes dead skin cells to reveal healthy new skin, and it contains alpha–hydroxy acids commonly used in commercial skin-lightening products. Sugarcane is a natural source of glycolic acid, and molasses is a type of unrefined brown sugar derived from sugarcane. If you have sensitive skin, use white sugar instead.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons molasses Sugar or white sugar for sensitive skin people
  • 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
  • 2 drops of your favorite essential oil
  • 1 teaspoon almond or olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon brewed chamomile or mint tea

Process:

  • In a bowl, mix molasses, yogurt, and essential oil, making sure molasses doesn’t completely dissolve.
  • Apply to freckled skin and leave on 10 minutes.
  • Wet fingertips with warm water and massage skin in circular motions for 5 minutes.
  • Mix chamomile or mint tea with water and use it to wash your face.
  • Apply almond oil or olive oil as a moisturizer.

20. Jojoba Oil

Jojoba oil is a natural bleaching agent that lightens freckles and dark spots.

Process:

  • Mix 2 teaspoons of jojoba oil with ½ teaspoon of olive oil.
  • Apply to freckled skin and leave on 20 minutes.
  • Wipe away excess oil with soft tissues.
  • Rinse with water.
  • Repeat daily to treat freckles.

Other Tips for Treating and Preventing Freckles and Dark Spots

  • Grind cucumber and strawberries. Add olive oil and use this as a face mask for better results.
  • Use sunscreen with a high SPF.
  • Also try orange peel and apricot masks.
  • Avoid spending lots of time outside when the sun is at its peak.
  • Drink plenty of water to keep hydrated and detoxify the skin.
  • Eat fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains that has vitamins A, B complex, C, E which are needed for healthy skin.
  • Wash your face with mild soaps that do not contain harsh chemicals.
  • Wear hats and clothes that cover skin when going out in the sun.
  • Eat foods with vitamin C, like citrus fruits, apples, black and red currant, green onions, and rosehip tea.
  • Eat foods with vitamin B5, like eggs, cabbage, milk, wheat germ, and nutritional yeast.
  • Grind yellow mustard with milk and use it as an overnight mask.
  • If none of the above remedies work for you, consult a dermatologist.
  • All of these remedies are safe and effective, but consult a dermatologist before use.

Have you tried any of these remedies for freckles and dark spots? Do you know of other methods we haven’t mentioned? Share your experience with us!

18 comments
    1. Try above mentioned methods. Apart from that drink plenty of water, use sunscreen before going out and consume nutritional diet rich in vitamins.

  1. I have a hug freckle problem and don’t get me wrong I hate them. I get bullied, I get called ugly, fat and stupid just because of the way I look. It’s like being me isn’t good enough please help me I’m begging anyone for information on how to remove my freckles ❤️?

    1. Try the methods mentioned above in the article. Apart from that dink plenty of water to detoxify. Avoid harsh chemical based soaps, cover your face while out in the sun and include fresh fruits and vegetables in your daily diet.

    2. I have the same problem i hate freckles too i have them only on the nose area .I want to get rid of then too but im not going to change who i am for other people .It does not matter what they think of u i bet many people love u just the way u are .They are just jelous that u are pretty .I know i dont understand really i dont get bullied .But dont change for them .

    1. Yes, you can use lime instead of lemon. It will have the same effect like lemons. If you have sensitive skin, it may sting a little. If so you can dilute it with water and use it.

  2. Do you have an estimated time on how long it will take for the freckles to fade/go away using the methods above?

    1. It’s is difficult to mention the exact time frame as everyone’s skin is different. So try the remedies regularly without fail to achieve quick results.

  3. I have a medium amount of freckles, but want them to go away completely, what should I do, and which remedie is the most affective?

    1. Try any remedy mentioned above in the article. Apart from that, apply sun screen lotion before going out in the sun, Include foods rich in vitamin C, B5 and A in your daily diet and avoid using soaps or face wash with harmful chemicals.

    1. For people with sensitive skin, cinnamon can cause skin irritation and burning sensation. So, it is better to combine honey with yogurt. This mixture not only lightens the freckles but also provides natural glow to your face.

  4. How can I preserve the mixture of lemon honey and salt as 2 tablespoons are pretty enough to be used by me for
    almost a week

    1. You can store the mixture in an airtight container and refrigerate it. Use the mixture within a week.

    1. It is difficult to tell that because it depends on the level of severity, skin type and other factors. So, we recommend trying the method regularly until you achieve the results. However, you can observe improvement in a month or two.

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