12 Best Face Packs For Skin Lightening

Even your skin tone by turning to your pantry and picking the best ingredients.

Medically reviewed by Dr Jovana Majstorovic, MD Dr Jovana Majstorovic Dr Jovana MajstorovicMD facebook_iconlinkedin_iconinsta_icon
Written by , BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Edited by , BTech Anjali Sayee BTech linkedin_icon Experience: 7 years
Fact-checked by , MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) Monomita Chakraborty MA (Journalism & Mass Communication) linkedin_icon Experience: 4 years
Last Updated on
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An elegant woman with beautiful skin

Image: Shutterstock

With age, you may notice changes in your skin. Several issues like blemishes, dark spots, and pigmentations begin to appear on your skin, and it often turns dull. That is when using the best homemade face packs for skin whitening may help. Though your skin color is not a measure of your beauty, you need to combat these issues to keep your skin healthy, happy, and bright. Here, we have listed 12 face packs to help you solve skin troubles and restore your natural skin tone. Keep reading!

Best Homemade Face Packs For Skin Lightening

1. Milk Powder Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Homemade milk powder face pack for skin lightening
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 1 tsp Powdered Milk
  • 1-2 tsp Fresh Orange Juice
  • 1 tsp Colloidal Oatmeali  Kernel of oats ground into a fine powder, often used to soothe scaly and dry skin conditions.

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time
15 minutes

Method

  1. Mix all the ingredients until they are well combined.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. With clean fingers, apply the mask to your face and neck.
  4. Leave it on for about 10-15 minutes.
  5. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Milk powder contains lactic acid which has strong bleaching properties. This face pack helps peel off the dull, dead skin cells, to expose a layer of new and healthy skin cells. The vitamin C content of orange juice also possesses skin lightening properties which will help fade dark patches and marks (1), (2).

2. Curd Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Homemade curd face pack for skin lightening
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 1 tbsp Curd
  • 1 tbsp Tomato Juice
  • 1 tbsp Oatmeal

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time
20 minutes

Method

  1. Mix all the ingredients until they are well-combined.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. With clean fingers, apply the mask onto your face and neck.
  4. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
  5. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

2-3 times a week.

Why This Works
Curd helps moisturize your skin while the tomato and oatmeal in this pack help exfoliate and lighten your skin. Tomato, especially, has excellent skin lightening properties which work well to remove tan and fade acne marks (3), (4).

 3. Mint Leaves For Skin Lightening

Mint leaves for homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • A handful of Mint Leaves
  • Water (if needed)

Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time
20 minutes

Method

  1. Grind the mint leaves to a thick paste. If the mixture is too thick, add some water and grind again.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. With clean fingers, apply the mask to your face and neck.
  4. Wait for 20 minutes until the mask dries.
  5. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works
Mint is a strong and refreshing astringenti  A chemical substance that may cleanse and tighten the skin and control excessive oil production. with purifying properties. It helps fade a tan and blemishes while evening out your skin tone (5).

4. Gram Flour (Besan) Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Gram flour or besan for homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 2 tbsp Gram Flour
  • 1/4 tbsp Turmeric
  • 2 tbsp Milk

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time
20 minutes

Method

  • Mix all the ingredients until they are well-combined.
  • Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  • With clean fingers, apply the mask onto your face and neck.
  • Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

Gram flour or Besan helps lighten acne scars and pigmentation to a great extent. This helps restore your skin tone and leave your face with a luminous glow.

5. Banana Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Bananas for a homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 1 ripe Banana
  • 1 tsp Honey
  • 1 tsp Lemon Juice

Prep Time

5 minutes

Treatment Time
15 minutes

Method

  1. In a bowl, mash the banana until it is completely free of lumps.
  2. Mix all the ingredients until they are well-combined.
  3. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  4. With clean fingers, apply the mask onto your face and neck.
  5. Leave it on for about 15 minutes.
  6. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works

This face pack is made up of three powerful ingredients which help hydrate, brighten, and lighten your skin. It helps fade dark spots, remove blemishes, and leave your skin with a glow (6), (7), (8). You can also use papaya instead of bananas.

6. Turmeric Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Turmeric for a homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 1 tbsp Turmeric
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice (or Cucumber Juice for dry skin)

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time
15 minutes

Method

  • Mix all the ingredients until they are well combined.
  • Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  • With clean fingers, apply the mask to your face and neck.
  • Leave it on for about 15 minutes.
  • Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

Every day.

Why This Works

This face pack helps get rid of pigmentation, dark spots, and blemishes to help even out your skin tone. It also controls excessive melanin production, maintaining your skin’s natural complexion. This is also an effective remedy that helps lighten your underarms (9). You can also add aloe vera to this face mask as it can help treat hyperpigmentation (13).

Audrey Victoria, a YouTuber, used a turmeric face mask for a week and shared her observation in a video. She said, “My skin looked amazing I just had such a nice glow and I think the main thing that I noticed first of all was that my acne almost went down overnight (i).”

7. Orange Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Oranges for a homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 2 tbsp Orange Peel Powder
  • 1 tbsp Fuller’s Earth
  • 1 tbsp Sandalwood Powder
  • 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
  • 2 tbsp Water

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time
20 minutes

Method

  1. Mix all the ingredients until they are well-combined.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. With clean fingers, apply the mask to your face and neck.
  4. Leave it on for about 15-20 minutes.
  5. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

Once a week.

Why This Works

This powerful orange face pack is specially made for people with oily and acne-prone skin types. It helps draw out impurities from your skin while also helping even out your skin tone (10).

protip_icon Quick Tip
Individuals with sensitive skin should practice caution when using lemon juice as it may cause skin irritation. If you experience any side effects, stop using it immediately.

8. Rice Flour Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Rice flour for a homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 1 tbsp Rice Flour
  • 1/2 tbsp Gram Flour
  • 1 1/2 tbsp Curd
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric

Prep Time

2 minutes

Treatment Time
10 minutes

Method

  1. Mix all the ingredients until they are well-combined.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. With clean fingers, apply the mask onto your face and neck.
  4. Leave it on for about 10 minutes.
  5. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works
Rice flour is an effective skin-lightening ingredient. It not only helps clear an uneven skin tone, but it also boosts skin health with its rich content of vitamin C and para-aminobenzoic acidi  An organic compound found in foods and grains that absorb UV rays and is used in cosmetics to protect the skin. (11).

9. Potato Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Potatoes for a homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need
1 Medium Sized Potato

Prep Time
5 minutes

Treatment Time
20 minutes

Method

  1. Wash and peel your potato and then proceed to cut it into half-inch slices.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. Use the potato slices to gently massage your cleansed face for a couple of minutes.
  4. Leave the juice from the potato on for about 15 minutes.
  5. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

1-2 times a week.

Why This Works
Potatoes are a rich source of the catecholase enzyme which helps fade blemishes, acne scars, and dark spots. It also contains essential vitamins and minerals which facilitate healthy skin cell formation and reinforce the efficiency of the skin barrier. Its mild bleaching properties help control the production of melanin, lightening your skin.

10. Saffron Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Saffron for a homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 2-3 strand of Saffron
  • 1 tbsp Milk
  • Cotton Pad

Prep Time

3 hours

Treatment Time
20-30 minutes

Method

  1. In about a tablespoon of milk, soak 2-3 strands of saffron for 3 hours.
  2. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  3. Using a cotton pad, dab the saffron-infused milk onto your face and neck.
  4. Leave the milk on for 20-30 minutes.
  5. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

Every day.

Why This Works
Saffron has long been used for its skin-lightening properties. It helps fade blemishes and even out your skin tone. Saffron can also be taken internally to improve skin health (12).

11. Turmeric And Tomato Face Pack For Skin Lightening

Tomatoes for a homemade skin lightening face pack
Image: Istock

You Will Need

  • 1 Tomato
  • 2 tbsp Turmeric
  • Prep Time
  • 5 minutes
  • Treatment Time
  • 20 minutes

Method

  1. Blend the tomato until you get a smooth paste.
  2. To the tomato puree, add 2 tablespoons of turmeric and mix well.
  3. Wash your face with a cleanser and pat dry.
  4. With clean fingers, apply the mask onto your face and neck.
  5. Leave it on for about 10 minutes.
  6. Wash off with cool water.

How Often?

Twice a week.

Why This Works

Tomato is a go-to de-tanning ingredient which helps exfoliate and lighten your skin. It possesses mild bleaching properties which help restore your skin tone with regular use (4), (9).

12. Cinnamon And Honey Face Pack For Skin Lightening

You Will Need

  • 1 tsp Cinnamon Powder
  • 2 tbsp Honey
  • 10-15 drops of Coconut Oil

Prep Time

  • 5 minutes

Treatment Time

  • 20 minutes

Method

  1. Mix cinnamon powder and honey in a small bowl.
  2. Add coconut oil to the mixture and blend well.
  3. Apply the mixture evenly to your face.
  4. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
  5. Rinse it off with warm water and pat your skin dry.
  6. Follow it up with a moisturizer.

How Often?
Twice a weekWhy This Works

The cinnamic acid in cinnamon inhibits the tyrosinase enzyme and affects melanin production. It also can reduce UV-B-induced hyperpigmentation and may even be effective as a lightening agent (14). Additionally, honey helps hydrate and soothe the skin (7).

protip_icon Quick Tip
Avoid applying DIY home remedies to burns and wounds. Those with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis should consult a doctor before doing so.

Infographic: Minimalist Face Packs For Glowing Skin

Amongst the various face packs you can make to brighten your skin tone, some are incredibly convenient to create and need no more than 2 to 3 ingredients. Check out the infographic below to find the best face packs which you can make with just a handful of easily available ingredients.

minimalist face packs for lightened skin (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

With aging, the healthy of the skin is also affected. Blemishes, dark spots, dryness, and pigmentation may make it look dull. Here is where you can rely on face packs for skin lightening. These face packs slowly reduce the appearance of blemishes and leave you with glowing skin. These packs can be made with milk powder, yogurt, mint leaves, gram flour, bananas, turmeric, orange, rice flour, and potatoes. You can apply these face packs once or twice a week for the best results. Include these homemade face packs in your skincare regimen to reap their wonderful benefits!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which face pack is best for skin brightening?

All the face pack recipes discussed above are effective for skin brightening and can be among the various ways to lighten your skin tone naturally. However, understand your skin type, allergies, and issues before using them. If you do not see any visible changes after using it for more than 3 months, consult a dermatologist to understand the reason behind your dull skin.

Which homemade ingredient is best for skin brightening?

Ingredients like turmeric, lemon, curd, and gram flour are some commonly used remedies for skin brightening. They help exfoliate dead skin cells to minimize uneven skin tone. Always do a patch test before applying it to the face.

How long does it take to see results from a homemade skin-lightening face pack?

It varies according to individuals and their skin type. Anecdotal evidence suggests that it may take up to a few weeks to a few months of consistent use to notice visible results.

Can a homemade skin-lightening face pack replace commercial skin-lightening products?

This depends on your personal preference and needs. While homemade packs are easy to make, gentle on the skin, and affordable, commercial ones are formulated with potent active ingredients that may show quicker results.

Are there any additional steps or precautions you should take when using a homemade face pack for skin lightening?

Always apply a face pack after conducting a patch test. Ensure you wash it off thoroughly and no residue is left behind. While consistent usage is recommended, avoid overuse as it may irritate your skin.

Key Takeaways

  • Face packs with natural ingredients like milk powder, curd, mint leaves, gram flour, milk, banana, rice flour, potato, saffron, lemon juice, tomato juice, honey, and turmeric can help skin whitening.
  • Regular use of these face packs reduces dark spots and pigmentation, brightens the skin, evens out skin tone, and provides youthful skin.
  • Perform a patch test before using such packs regularly.

Illustration: Best Face Packs For Skin Lightening

Homemade Face Pack for Skin Whitening_illustration

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Transform your skin with these magical DIY face and body brightening masks! Check out this video to learn how to make them and get glowing and radiant skin at home.

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. I Used A TURMERIC MASK Every Day For One Week And THIS HAPPENED!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RoAEZMXvS9A

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. The Effects of Topical L(+) Lactic Acid and Ascorbic Acid on Skin Whitening
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1046/j.1467-2494.1999.196561.x
  2. Topical Vitamin C and the Skin: Mechanisms of Action and Clinical Applications
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5605218/
  3. Clinical efficacy of facial masks containing yoghurt and Opuntia humifusa Raf. (F-YOP)
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22152494/
  4. A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized trial of skin-lightening cream containing lycopene and wheat bran extract on melasma
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.13799
  5. Inhibition of melanogenesis by β-caryophyllene from lime mint essential oil in mouse B16 melanoma cells
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ics.12224
  6. Skin whitening agents: medicinal chemistry perspective of tyrosinase inhibitors
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6010116/
  7. Honey in dermatology and skin care: a review
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.12058
  8. Natural skin-whitening compounds for the treatment of melanogenesis (Review)
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7271691/
  9. Curcumin Inhibits Melanogenesis in Human Melanocytes
    https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ptr.3517
  10. Hesperidin A Popular Antioxidant Inhibits Melanogenesis via Erk1/2 Mediated MITF Degradation
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4581251/
  11. Evaluating the Antioxidants Whitening and Antiaging Properties of Rice Protein Hydrolysates
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8231118/
  12. Critical review of Ayurvedic Varṇya herbs and their tyrosinase inhibition effect
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4623628/
  13. On the novel action of melanolysis by a leaf extract of Aloe vera and its active ingredient aloin, potent skin depigmenting agents
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22495441/
  14. Inhibitory effects of cinnamic acid on melanin biosynthesis in skin
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18451524/
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Dr Jovana Majstorovic
Dr Jovana MajstorovicMD
Jovana Majstorović is a board-certified dermatologist with 10 years of experience. She is also the founder and owner of Derma Style in Belgrade, Serbia. She is also a fellow of the European Academy of Dermatology. She believes that the skin is the main mirror of an individual’s overall health.

Read full bio of Dr Jovana Majstorovic
Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Anjali Sayee
Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor
Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee
Monomita Chakraborty
Monomita ChakrabortyBeauty & Lifestyle Writer
Monomita has a graduate degree in mass communication and video production from St. Anthony's College, Shillong, and a master’s degree in journalism and mass communication from the Royal Global University, Guwahati. She is also a certified skincare coach with a keen interest in skin, hair, tattoos, nail art, and lifestyle trends.

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