How to Make a Natural, Home Made Skin Lightening Face Mask

We all know that exposure to the sun can wreak havoc on our skin. It not only leads to wrinkles down the road, but also causes immediate damage to skin cells. This damage appears in the form of freckles, age spots and uneven skin tone with skin noticeably darker in some places on the face. What many people do not realize is that skin cell damage caused by the sun happens in winter as well as summer. This problem is compounded because many people do not wear sunscreen during the winter.

Routine use of a facial moisturizer containing a minimum of SPF 15 (SPF 30 or higher is optimal) is the best way to prevent sun damage and keep your skin tone looking fresh and even. However, if winter sun damage has caught you by surprise this home made skin lightening mask is an excellent, inexpensive and natural way to erase the signs of sun damage and even out your skin tone.

This recipe calls for three inexpensive ingredients so it is simple and easy to prepare.

You will need the following ingredients to prepare this skin lightening face mask: one large and very ripe cucumber; one small lemon and one tablespoon of baking soda.

You will also need the following implements and utensils to prepare this skin lightening face mask: blender or potato masher; sharp knife; medium size mixing bowl; one tablespoon; large wooden spoon for stirring.

Begin preparing the skin lightening face mask recipe by peeling one large and very ripe cucumber. After peeling the cucumber chop it into small pieces and puree the cucumber in a blender, until the cucumber mixture is homogenous. Ideally, the cucumber will be a little pulpy still when it is ready. If you do not have access to a blender, you can use a potato masher to mash the cucumber.

Cucumber serves several purposes in the skin lightening face mask. The cucumber will provide substance to the lightening face mask helping it stay on your skin. Cucumber also has natural astringent properties helping kill any bacteria that may b contributing to redness or irritation that is helping your skin tone look uneven. Cucumber is also naturally lightening so its presence in the skin lightening face mask will help lighten dark patches, freckles and age spots on your skin.

After preparing the cucumber and pouring the puree into the medium sized mixing bowl, slice one small lemon into six or eight wedge shaped slices. Squeeze each slice of the lemon into the medium mixing bowl, taking care to remove any seeds until all of the lemon juice is in the bowl. Then stir the skin lightening face mask blend until it is uniform.

Lemon juice contains a high amount of citric acid, which is naturally astringent and will gently bleach your skin helping even out your skin tone by lightening dark patches, freckles and age spots. Lemon juices high vitamin C content will also help the skin lightening mask leave your skin glowing after use, it will also help tighten your skin helping reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Once you have added the lemon juice to the skin lightening face mask add one tablespoon of baking soda to the mixing bowl and stir the mask until it is well blended. Baking soda will help lighten areas of your skin darkened by the sun and age. Its presence in the skin lightening face mask recipe will also add abrasiveness to the mask helping remove dead, dark and sun damaged skin cells from your skin.

Prepare to use the skin lightening face mask by first cleansing your face gently with your favorite cleanser. Apply a thick layer of the skin lightening face mask to your face, then lie back and relax while the mask lightens your skin for about 15 minutes. Use a soft washcloth to massage the mask into your skin, using gentle circular motions. Finish by removing the mask with lukewarm water.

For best results use straight lemon juice on your skin as a follow-up toner. Pay special attention to freckles and darkest tan skin areas. Leave the lemon juice on your skin for about 10 minutes before rinsing it off for best results. Then moisturize your skin very well.

Use extra sunscreen after this treatment as the vitamin c content and lightening action will leave your skin more sensitive to the sun. This mask is gentle so you can use it daily for several days in a row. Store any unused skin lightening face mask in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to four days.