How to Naturally Lighten Sun Spots

Monday, April 29, 2013


Sun spots or hyperpigmentation is very common.  Almost all women experience some sort of hyperpigmentation (areas of the skin that is darker than the rest).  The most common causes are sun damage, hormonal issues and acne scarring.  Athought there is no overnight solution to treating sun spots, there is pleanty of remedies that can help lighten them.  Today I am sharing a tried and true natural remedy that if used consistently can help make a difference in those pesky spots. 

Why this works:
Apple cider vinegar contains natural alpha hydroxy acids, which are known to help lighten sun and age spots.  Lemon juice contains citric acid which can also help lighten darkened areas of the skin.  

What you will need:
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Fresh lemon juice
  • Cotton pads
What to do:
-Every night saturate a cotton ball with about 1/4 tsp of apple cider vinegar and 1/4 tsp of lemon juice.  Starting at forehead and working down apply evenly all over face.  It is normal to experience a little redness or stinging at first (just like you would with a toner).  If you have sensitive skin, or if it feels too strong dilute with water.  For best results do not rinse and leave on overnight.  Also, make sure you wear sunscreen everyday since this treatment will make you more sensitive to sun exposure. 

Please keep in mind this is a natural remedy and you will need to use this consistently for at least 6 weeks to see a difference.  You can also use this with the diy vitamin C mask for ultimate results.

If you try this, please keep me posted on your progress!


For more ways to use apple cider vinegar see:
How to use apple cider vinegar topically for acne
Sweetened raw apple cider vinegar elixir
The many benefits of raw apple cider vinegar 


43 comments:

Briley said...

Could making a mix of this help or does it need to be made freshly every time you use it?

Lindsay @ Delighted Momma said...

Briley- yes, you can make a small batch of it. I would make just enough for a week or so at a time and make sure to keep it in the fridge :)

Alexa said...

And another fantastic option with apple cider vinegar! Thank you Lindsay! :)

Lindsay said...

Umm this is amazing! MUST remember this one :)

Ashley said...

Thanks. I have hyperpigmentation and always struggled with finding something that works for me. I will give this a try!

Hanna said...

I love apple cider vinegar. It's like a miracle cure for everything:)

Anonymous said...

Nice tip :) Can we use this while pregnant ?? Also please do a post on pregnant skin care routine..I guess many would like it too :)

Rachael said...

Great idea – although I'm headed to the beach in a couple weeks so I won't be doing myself any favors ;) Going to hang onto this remedy!

Anonymous said...

Wow- thats it?? So simple and light! :D

Dawn said...

This is so smart! Thank you for sharing! :) I hope to use this in the near future! Pinning! ^-^

Mich Trenholm said...

wow..thanks so much for this natural remedy! years of under-protection against UV rays (sunscreen tends to give my extremely oily and acne prone skin breakouts) has given me countless sun spots. Vitamin C serums for some reason cause me breakouts too, so I'd be keen to try this apple cider concoction!

Unknown said...

Thank you for sharing! I need to try this!

Melinda Latas said...

Would this work on darker spots that are a result of acne scarring as well? Or just sun-related dark spots?

LaurieS said...

Another old fashion skin lightener is "plain yogurt". Put it on skin at night after cleansing, just slightly, not so your face is white. It also takes a little bit of time to see results.

lothlorienoads said...

This sounds good. I'd like to try it. Just one question though. I use a nightly serum with retinol and other ingredients from Osmosis skin care. Do I put the spot remedy on first and then the serum?

Anonymous said...

will this work on my pregnancy spots on my forehead? lol

citychick27 said...

i have a wealth of limes at the moment. Can I use lime juice instead of lemon juice?

Lindsay @ Delighted Momma said...

Melinda- if you are consistent it can help with acne scarring.

lothlorienoads- Spot remedy first and then serum :)

Anonymous- yes, this can help with pregnancy induced melasma (dark spots).

citychick27- For this recipe to be effective it does need to be lemons.




Anonymous said...

Hi there...I'm thinking that the ACV and lemon juice are supposed to be combined to use this correctly? And if so, and used to stay on overnight, should I use a moisturizer afterwards? Also, can I use this along with the Oil Cleansing Method that I use for my cleansing routine? Thanks so much!

Jones said...

does this work on depigmentation?
xx

Anonymous said...

Been using this for two weeks and see results already. Thank you so much!!

Anonymous said...

I have a very ugly face,I hate my face and don't like to be in public. My face is full of dark spots I have a very sensitive skin,I must try this. I tried only lemon juice but it makes my face red and burning.

Anonymous said...

This concoction is burning my skin and causing red irritation. Shouldn't this be diluted with some water?

Anonymous said...

it bleaches the areas you do NOT want bleached.

enaytee said...

I've been doing this for three consecutive nights before bedtime and have kept it on through the night...I'm already seeing a very noticeable difference! THANK YOU!

Charlie said...

If I make a batch ahead of time to store in the fridge, do I just do equal amounts of vinegar and lemon? Thanks!

Unknown said...

I Don't Have Apple Cider Vinegar. But I Do Have Distilled White Vinegar. Is It Fine To Use?

Unknown said...

It's very drying to my skin even when applying moisturizer afterwards.... Any suggestions?

Anonymous said...

I hope this works!

Jackie said...

I have been always trying to lighten those dark spots on my face (while those spot lightening products are kind of pricey). This apple cider vinegar+lemon juice is so simple, natural and exactly what I'm looking for. Will definitely try it, thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Will only acv help I clearing pigmentation/melesma, lime tends to burn my skin

Anonymous said...

I use distilled white vinegar and lime juice every other night. I can see the diference my dark spots are getting lighter. It works great!

Anonymous said...

Most of you are thanking her for the suggestion and say that you will try it. Does it work? If so, how long before seeing noticeable results?

Anonymous said...

do you apply the mixture to the whole face or just on the sun-spots? I have very sensitive skin also, any tips?

Anonymous said...

Can this be used all over the body ?

Anonymous said...

Any updates? .....

Anonymous said...

I have the same question on applying to the whole face or just spots?

Anonymous said...

hello, anyone there? please answer the last few posts

Anonymous said...

I am going to try this. I have sensitive skin will update progress of results soon. Tx for recipe...Florida girl.

didem said...

Hi! Isn't this too strong for every night use? I also don't understand how I should use it. After I wash my face I should apply the mix and leave it for all night. But if I don't use moisturizer, my face will get dry and burn. Can you help me with this?

Unknown said...

yes, probably this could work...but i don't understand how i should use it i also don't understand when you said " For best results do not rinse and leave on overnight" because you did not suggest how it should apply then ... let me understand

Anonymous said...

I've never used it with lemon juice but the acv water combo I use as a toner has dramatically reduced my acne scarring!!! I'll have to try adding in the lemon juice to see if that helps even more!

Anonymous said...

Hope this works! :)

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