Aloe Vera for Hyperpigmentation: How to Use It, Best Types, and DIY Options

• Aloe vera gel has been shown to be a potential treatment for hyperpigmentation.
• It can be applied directly to the skin and is considered safe for all skin types.
• Combine aloe vera with other natural ingredients to enhance skin-lightening benefits.
• Other natural depigmenting agents include turmeric, apple cider vinegar and milk.

Using aloe vera for hyperpigmentation is a common home remedy that may have a scientific basis: specific chemicals in the plant have demonstrated the potential to treat and prevent dark spots. However, only a limited amount of research currently supports this claim.

Hyperpigmentation is the excess production of melanin in the skin, and appears as dark patches or spots. It is caused by sun exposure, aging and hormonal changes. Hyperpigmentation occurs in the form of freckles, age spots, melasma, postinflammatory hyperpigmentation and acne scars. 

Can Aloe Vera Improve Hyperpigmentation? 

Limited scientific evidence attests to aloe vera’s efficacy in lightening hyperpigmentation; no clinical studies have demonstrated that it can lighten existing dark spots or discoloration. 

However the aloe vera plant has been traditionally used to lighten skin in Ayurvedic medicine. 

How does it work? 

Two chemicals in the aloe vera plant, aloin and aloesin, have been shown to lighten skin pigmentation.

Aloin has been demonstrated to break up melanin in the skin, while aloesin prevents melanin formation by inhibiting the activity of tyrosinase, an enzyme responsible for melanin production.

Best Type of Aloe for Hyperpigmentation

You can extract gel directly from the plant or purchase it from pharmacies and health food stores. Gel fresh from the plant is anecdotally considered to have greater skin care benefits than shelf-stabilized products, as many products only contain a small percentage of actual aloe vera. 

If you do use a store product, ensure it contains 100% aloe vera, otherwise it will not be as effective.

How to use it

To extract the gel, cut a leaf from the outer base of a mature aloe vera plant; older plants may contain higher amounts of aloin and aloesin.

Trim the thorny edges of the leaves, then cut the leaf in half down the middle. Scrape the gel from the inside of each half. Excess gel can be frozen in ice cube trays for later use.

To use, apply the gel (whether from a plant or store-bought) directly to areas of hyperpigmentation. As this gel is completely safe for the skin, you can reapply it as often as you like.

DIY Aloe Vera Face Masks for Hyperpigmentation

In addition to its skin-lightening potential, aloe vera is known for its calming anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, and is an effective treatment for sunburns. This gel can be combined with other ingredients to create skin-soothing, moisturizing natural remedies.   

Aloe vera and honey face mask 

This face mask includes unpasteurized honey, which has been used medicinally since ancient times for its antibacterial properties.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp raw, unpasteurized honey
• 1 tbsp aloe vera gel

Directions:

1. Combine ingredients in a small bowl
2. Apply over the face, or directly to hyperpigmented skin, avoiding the eye area
3. Wait 15–20 minutes; rinse off with lukewarm water

Aloe vera and lemon juice face mask 

A mask containing lemon juice is likely more effective than aloe vera on its own for lightening dark patches. Lemon juice contains vitamin C, a natural exfoliant; additionally it interrupts tyrosinase production to inhibit melanin formation in the skin.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 tbsp aloe vera gel

Directions

1. Combine ingredients in a small bowl
2. Apply over the face, or directly to hyperpigmented skin, avoiding the eye area
3. Wait 20–30 minutes; rinse off with lukewarm water

Lemon juice should not be left on the skin for longer than 30 minutes as its acidity can cause skin damage.         

Alternative Home Remedies for Hyperpigmentation

Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric has been demonstrated to reduce hyperpigmentation. Combine turmeric with water into a paste and apply to hyperpigmented skin for 20 minutes a day, until the desired results are reached.

Apple cider vinegar contains acetic acid, which is known to exfoliate the skin and can therefore lighten dark patches of skin by gradually removing the pigmented skin cells. Dilute it with water, apply to the skin and leave on for two to three minutes before rinsing off.

Milk contains lactic acid, an exfoliant used in chemical peels. Apply milk to hyperpigmented areas and leave on for 15–20 minutes before rinsing off.

Takeaway

Aloe vera gel is thought to reduce hyperpigmentation, but further research is necessary to support this claim. You can purchase this gel in a pharmacy or health food store, or extract the gel from the plant. Products that contain a low percentage of aloe vera will not be as effective as 100% gel.

As it is considered completely safe for the skin, you can apply this gel directly to dark patches of skin as often as you like. Skin-lightening alternatives include turmeric, apple cider vinegar and milk.