How to Get Rid of Tan Lines with Items Found in Your Kitchen

We all love being tan, but bad tan lines? Hard pass.

You may think there’s no realistic way to get rid of them, but it’s totally possible—and the solution is right in your kitchen. No, seriously: That’s exactly where you’ll find the answer to your get-rid-of-my-tan-lines-stat problem.

So, bookmark this page for later (when you inevitably get them) to quickly reference these six effective, all-natural tan line eliminators.

MORE: The Best Self-Tanners for Bronzing Your Body

Lemon Juice

A natural exfoliant, lemon juice is perfect for sloughing off dead skin cells and diminishing the appearance of obvious lines. Just don’t use it alone, as the strong acidic properties could potentially give your skin a minor burn. Instead, mix equal parts honey (for hydration and protection) and lemon juice, leave on your tan lines for 25 minutes, then rinse.

Cucumbers

The naturally high water content and vitamin C in cucumbers are perfect not only for nourishing the skin, but also for reducing tan lines. Cut a cucumber into slices, purée it into a paste, and leave on the affected area for 20 minutes before washing off.

Potatoes

Just as a potato can heal a gnarly sunburn, it can also help with tan lines. Slice a raw potato and place the slice (or slices) where needed, and leave on for 15 minutes.

MORE: The 13 Best Self-Tanners for Your Face

Baking Soda

Baking soda makes a wonderful natural exfoliant for shedding tan lines. Mix one cup of baking soda with a tablespoon of sugar and half a cup of water, and use the resulting blend as an exfoliating score in the shower.

Black Tea

If your tan line is more of a burn line (we’ve been there), then this tip is extra-useful. Make a cup of iced black tea, pour it into a spray bottle, and spritz yourself down with it after a shower. Not only will it soothe aggravated skin, but it’ll also help fade those lines faster.

Milk Cream

Something you may not know: Milk cream nourishes, moisturizes and brightens skin. To get rid of tans lines, mix milk cream with 1/2 tablespoon of turmeric and make a consistent paste. Leave it on for 20 minutes, and wash off with lukewarm water.

How to Get Rid of Tan Lines: 6 All-Natural Methods That Work |@stylecaster

A version of this article was originally published in May 2016.