In an age of ozone layer depletion and green house effects, the intensity of heat rays from the sun on our skin is devastating especially in tropical regions like Africa, where the temperature high could sometimes be between 30-40 degree Celsius
It is therefore important to learn the natural and healthy ways of preserving, protecting and improving the complexion of one's skin. Black is beautiful - how many times have we thus consoled ourselves about our dark complexion? We cannot change the color we were born with or the amount of melanin(black pigment) we have, though we can definitely remove all the darkening and shadows formed over the years of sun and exposure. Sunlight, tanning and stress are factors due to which the tone of our skin has darkened –but our skin tone can again become rosy and flawless with a glowing complexion.
Lightening skin color can take a long time so patience is the key ingredient along with consistency and hard work.
Even before you start working on your complexion, there are a few things you will need to pay attention to - dealing with exposure to the sun comes first in the list. Always use a sunscreen before you leave home, an SPF 30, and if you are indoors you can use a SPF 15 sunscreen cream. Reapply at midday.
Drink enough water - at least 8 glasses a day to keep your skin well hydrated and sound sleep with some exercise to make you perspire and open your pores. Cleanse your face wellafter a long day of work. Do this by using an oil or cream to remove make-up and wash your face with a gentle face wash. It is very important to moisturize your skin - use oil or cream of your choice, Aloe Vera gel is ideal for a dry skin. Exfoliate the skin on a daily basis by using face scrubs. For a dry skin mix some salt and sugar and gently massage the skin with this till it melts, the hydroxyl acid present removes blemishes and dark spots also.Use a face mask after a scrub - but not after a fruit mask after a salt and sugar scrub, as it can aggravate the skin and make it very sensitive.
HOME-MADE REMEDIES TO LIGHTEN THE SKIN
In 1 tablespoonful of yogurt add 8-10 drops of lemon juice. Mix well and apply as a night cream. You can add a drop of Lavender or Rose oil to this. Apply on the neck as well. Lemon juice is great for lightening skin, if your skin cannot tolerate lemon juice use tomato puree instead.
Take a small slice of ripe papaya and mash it well with a fork. Add a spoonful of fresh cream or yoghurt to this, squeeze a few drops of you lemon juice and mix well. Apply on the face and neck for 20 - 30 minutes.
Crush 2-3 fresh strawberries; add a drop of honey to this and a few drops of lemon juice. Leave on the face and neck for 15 - 20 minutes and wash off.
Extract the juice of half an orange - around 2 teaspoons, mix a teaspoon of thick cream or milk powder to this and apply for 20 minutes before washing off.
Apply a thick layer of mashed bananas, leave it on the neck and face for 20 minutes before washing with tepid water.
Take 1tablespoon of cooked oats - well mashed, to which a teaspoon of lemon juice is added. Let this paste dry on the face before washing off it in a scrubbing motion. It makes the skin lighter and rejuvenated.
Add a pinch of turmeric powder to a tablespoon of gram flour with a few drops of lemon juice. Mix well and apply. Wash off in half an hour.
Make a paste with 1 tablespoon of milk powder, half a teaspoon of honey and a few drops of lemon juice. Mix well and apply on the face and neck. Wash well after 20 minutes.

The water got from a tender coconut is very good when used to rinse the skin. It removes scar marks and blemishes too. Rinse your face with this water morning and evening – leave it for 15 minutes before washing.
Boil 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds in a glass of water. Cool. Rinse face and neck with this concoction for a glowing complexion.
When you don’t have time for any of the above, halve a lemon and gently rub in a circulation motion on the face, arms and legs. Wash after half an hour.
EAT THE RIGHT VITAMINS
Eat foods rich in vitamin C as this lightens skin tone as well as maintains suppleness of the skin. Citrus fruits like lemons, oranges and gooseberries are great for the skin. Strawberries, sweet peppers, tomatoes, cantaloupes and green peas are good sources of vitamin C.

Vitamin A is also beneficial in keeping the skin healthy tight and clears up tan and blemishes, foods which contain beta-carotene help by minimizing effects of the sun. Foods rich in vitamin A include carrots, watermelon, papaya and tomatoes. Foods like oysters, egg yolk and non fat milk are also good sources of vitamin A.
Lightening and making the skin look fairer takes very long - a few months. Consistent facials and patience is all that it takes. Added to this, a healthy diet, proper exercise and enough sleep should work wonders.
DID YOU KNOW?
A red blood cell can circumnavigate your body in under 20 seconds. Nerve Impulses travel at over 400 km/hr (249 mi/hr). A sneeze generates a wind of 166 km/hr (100 mi/hr), and a cough moves out at 100 km/hr (60 mi/hr).
QUOTE OF THE DAY
There is only one way to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing. – Aristotle
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