13 Home Remedies for Your Freckles

Freckles are caused by exposure to sunlight. The exposure to UV-B radiation activates melanocytes to increase melanin production, which can cause freckles to become darker and more visible. This means that one who has never developed freckles may develop them suddenly following extended exposure to sunlight. Freckles are predominantly found on the face, although they may appear on any skin exposed to the sun, such as arms or shoulders. Heavily distributed concentrations of melanin may cause freckles to multiply and cover an entire area of skin, such as the face.

Photo by Lawrson Pinson on Unsplash

Freckles do not form without exposure to sunlight. So, therefore avoiding too much exposure to sunlight will help lighten your skin and lessen the melanin production. But if you have freckles already then you can apply some of these treatment options available to diminish the appearance of freckles, including skin-lightening creams, pigment lasers, and chemical peels. I have listed here in the article some home remedies that you can use to help with your freckles. 

1. Turmeric

Research shows that curcumin, the primary component of turmeric, inhibits melanogenesis. This means that it may reduce the excessive deposition of melanin in the skin that causes freckles.

Prepare the following:

1 teaspoon turmeric powder

1 teaspoon lemon juice

Preparation:

• Make a fine paste of turmeric powder and lemon juice.

• Apply this paste on the freckled areas and wait for it to dry.

• Rinse off thoroughly with water.

Application:

Do this once every week.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Prepare the following:

1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon honey

Preparation:

• Mix the honey and vinegar, and apply on the freckles. You can also apply this mixture to the entire face.

• Leave it on for 15-20 minutes.

• Rinse with lukewarm water.

Application:

Apply this once every day on your freckles. If you are applying it on your entire face, repeat every alternate day.

3. Kiwi Fruit

Kiwi fruit contains flavonoids like quercetin that may inhibit tyrosinase activity. This may lead to a reduction in any skin pigmentation, including freckles.

Prepare the following:

1 kiwi fruit

2-3 strawberries

Preparation:

• Make a thick paste of the two fruits by blending them.

• Apply this fruit pack on the areas with freckles.

• Leave it for about 20-25 minutes before rinsing it off.

Application:

Do this two times a week.

4. Lemon

Lemon is a rich source of vitamin C. Vitamin C exhibits photoprotective and anti-pigmentary properties that help protect the skin from the harmful rays of the sun. It reduces melanin production to decrease pigmentation on your skin.

Prepare the following:

Juice of a lemon

Cotton pad

Preparation:

• Squeeze a lemon and collect the juice in a bowl.

• Using a cotton pad, apply the juice on the area with freckles.

• Leave it on your skin for 15-20 minutes and rinse off.

Application:

You can do this two times a week. but we advise to not follow this home remedy if your skin is sensitive as lemon juice may cause irritation. Also, ensure you apply sunscreen before you step out in the sun as lemon juice makes your skin photosensitive.

5. Aloe Vera

The topical application of aloe vera gel triggers the production of metallothionein in the skin, which prevents UV-induced damage. It can also inhibit tyrosinase activity. Thus, it may decrease melanin deposition in the skin, leading to lesser freckles.

Prepare the following:

Fresh aloe vera gel

Preparation:

• Apply some fresh aloe gel on the freckles and massage for 2-3 minutes.

• Leave it on for 10 minutes and then rinse it off.

• You can also leave it on overnight.

• How Often You Should Do This

Application:

Repeat this every day.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt contains lactic acid. Lactic acid inhibits tyrosinase activity, suppresses melanin formation, and reduces hyperpigmentation. These effects may help reduce the appearance of freckles.

Prepare the following:

2-3 tablespoons of yogurt

Preparation:

• Apply yogurt on the freckled areas.

• Massage in a circular motion for about 15-20 minutes.

• Wash off with water.

Application:

Apply this daily.

7. Honey

Honey contains phenolic and flavonoid compounds that may help inhibit tyrosinase activity (9). This controls the excess production of melanin in your skin, which, in turn, may reduce the occurrence of freckles.

Prepare the following:

1 teaspoon of lemon juice

1 tablespoon of fresh honey

Preparation:

• Make a thick paste of honey and lemon juice.

• Apply this paste on the areas with freckles.

• Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing it off. 

Application:

Do this two times a week.

8. Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil is an essential oil that is widely used for its pharmacological properties. Eucalyptus oil inhibits tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis, which helps reduce hyperpigmentation. Thus, it may help in reducing freckles.

Prepare the following:

2-3 drops of eucalyptus oil

A few drops of carrier oil 

Preparation:

• Dilute two to three drops of eucalyptus oil with a carrier like sweet almond oil.

• Apply this on the freckled areas and leave it on for about 20 minutes.

• Wash off using a washcloth.

Application:

Do this once every day before going to bed.

Note: Do not try this remedy if you have hypersensitive skin.

9. Pomelo Essential Oil

Pomelo oil is known to exhibit anti-melanogenic and antioxidant properties. This means that it decreases the synthesis of melanin and may reduce the appearance of freckles.

Prepare the following:

2-3 drops of pomelo essential oil

A few drops of carrier oil

Preparation:

• Take two to three drops of pomelo essential oil and dilute it with a carrier like sweet almond or jojoba oil.

• Apply this to the freckled areas.

• Leave it on for 20 minutes before rinsing off with water.

Application:

Repeat this daily before going to bed.

10. Shea Butter

Shea kernels have been found to inhibit melanogenesis. Shea butter may help decrease melanin synthesis and reduce the occurrence of freckles.

Prepare the following:

1-2 teaspoons of shea butter

Preparation:

• Heat one to two teaspoons of shea butter until it is warm.

• Massage it gently into the areas with freckles.

• Leave it on overnight and rinse it off in the morning.

Application:

Repeat this every night for 3-4 weeks.

11. Eggplant

Eggplant is rich in bioactive compounds, such as vitamins, phenolics, and antioxidants. These compounds exhibit photoprotective properties that may help prevent skin damage on exposure to UV rays of the sun. This may help reduce freckles.

Prepare the following:

1 fresh eggplant

Preparation:

• Cut the eggplant into slices.
• Rub these slices on the freckles in a circular motion.
• Let the juice from the eggplant be on your skin for 15 minutes.
• Wash thoroughly with water.

Application:

Repeat this once every day.

12. Banana Peel

Banana peel contains bioactive compounds that can inhibit melanogenesis and, thus, reduce freckles.

Prepare the following:

A ripe banana peel

Preparation:

• Rub the peel of a ripe banana on the freckled areas of your skin.

• Leave it on for 20 minutes

• Wash it off.

Application:

Do this once every day. 

13. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter contains bioactive compounds, including polyphenols, that offer photoprotection and can reverse the effects of UV-induced skin damage. Thus, it may prevent the development of brown spots caused by freckles.

Prepare the following:

1-2 teaspoons of cocoa butter

Preparation:

• 1. Take one to two teaspoons of cocoa butter.

• 2. Apply on the freckles and massage it gently into your skin.

• 3. Leave it on overnight and wash off with a cleanser the next morning.

Application:

You can repeat this every night before going to bed for 2-3 weeks.