In comparison to formulated, exfoliating products, yogurt doesn’t exactly come up to snuff. It contains about . 9% free acid; it’s Alpha Hydroxy Acid levels are considerably lower than most other alternatives. [2] X Research source It won’t hurt you, but it may not give you the results you’re looking for. At the very least, certainly not quickly.

Baking soda is used as an exfoliant. It won’t lighten the skin you’re in, but it can remove sun-damaged skin cells that have darkened.

One cheap and effective homemade exfoliant is brown sugar mixed with honey. On its own, honey can make skin feel remarkably soft; coupled with the gritty sugar texture, the two make for a very effective scrub. As a bonus, honey is an antibacterial agent[4] X Research source that can help keep you from breaking out.

Baby powder can do this, too. It’s light enough to fill in your pores like a powder foundation, but heavy (and white) enough to subtly affect your skin tone. Make sure not to apply too much, though, or you’ll end up looking like an 18th-century Geisha.

Bearberry (Beta-Arbutin) and kojic acid are also recent trends in skin lightening. However, recently bearberry has been linked to hydroquinone and has also been deemed unsafe[5] X Research source ; kojic acid, on the other hand, has passed its tests. Used at levels of 2% (no higher) in cosmetic products, it’s safe. [6] X Expert Source Kimberly TanLicensed Esthetician Expert Interview. 28 August 2019. Note: in lab testing, skin lightening results were seen at 4%. [7] X Trustworthy Source PubMed Central Journal archive from the U. S. National Institutes of Health Go to source

Don’t forget your lips! Slather on a lip balm that has built in SPF 15 in addition to your daily moisturizer.

Don’t smoke. It causes a sallow, uneven skin tone that can easily show up in young people. The habit can also increase the likelihood of developing sun spots, a mark usually reserved for the elderly. [10] X Research source Keep a nutritious, healthy diet. In particular, up the vitamin C. It’s key to the production of collagen, a protein that aids in the growth of cells and blood vessels and gives skin its firmness and strength. [11] X Research source

In addition, they can debunk the myths that abound about skin care and provide knowledge that no website can parallel. Talk to your doctor before you take any serious action.