15 DIY Home Remedies For Dark Neck Skin

Dark or Black Neck, also known as Acanthosis Nigricans, is a common skin pigmentation disorder. It is harmless and not contagious, but can knock self esteem and confidence.

Generally it is caused when the top layer of the skin (epidermis), which contains a substance known as melanin. It  gives color to the skin but conditions like sunburn, hormonal imbalance, pregnancy, usage of birth control pills, etc affect the melanin leads to skin discoloration.

Sun exposure and aging are considered the main causes, while diabetes, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), poor hygiene (many people completely forget to wash their neck!), un-balanced diet, genetics, sudden weight gain or weight loss, etc. are other causes.

Home Remedies for Dark Neck Remedies:

There are many effective and natural home remedies to reduce the dark discoloration of the skin. Follow them regularly to get rid of and prevent this problem.

1. Lemon:

Lemon is a common household ingredient that can do wonders for blackened skin due to its amazing bleaching property and natural citric acid. However, don’t go in the sun after using the lemon juice.

Method – 1:

This process can be used by people of all skin types as the rose water reduces the acidic nature of the lemon to prevent irritation, but works amazingly in reducing neck darkness.

Ingredients:

• Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon
• Rose water – 1 teaspoon

Process:

• Stir together the lemon juice and rose water.
• Apply this mixture on the dark neck either with your fingers or a cotton ball
• Gently rub it so it gets absorbed by the skin.
• Leave this for few hours or overnight.
• Wash the neck with water the next morning.
• Follow this process regularly for at least a month.
• This mixture can be stored overnight.
• Note: Try to apply overnight for best results.

Method – 2:

Ingredients:

• Lemon – 1
• Turmeric powder – a pinch

Process:

• Squeeze a lemon and add some turmeric powder.
• Stir it well and apply this on the dark neck either with fingers or cotton ball.
• Massage it for a minute or two and leave for about 10 – 15 minutes.
• Wash it with lukewarm water and repeat regularly.

Method – 3:

Ingredients:

• Lemon
• Cotton ball

Process:

• Squeeze the juice from a lemon and dip in a cotton ball.
• Apply on the affected area.
• If needed, add water to prevent irritation.
• Allow to sit for 10 – 20 minutes.
• Wash with cold water when dry, or when irritating.

Method – 4:

Lemon and honey is always considered as an excellent combination for treating various skin ailments, so use this process regularly.

Ingredients:

• Lemon juice
• Honey

Process:

• Squeeze lemon juice and add few drops to honey.
• Stir well and apply this mixture all over the neck.
• Leave it for few minutes until dry.
• Rinse with water and repeat regularly.

Method – 5:

Ingredients:

• Lemon juice – 2 teaspoons
• Milk – 2 tablespoons
• Honey – 1 tablespoon
• Almond Oil – 1 teaspoon

Process:

• Mix all ingredients together.
• Apply to the affected area.
• Leave it as it is for about 15 – 20 minutes before washing with water.
• Repeat this regularly for best results.

Method – 6:

Both are citric fruits and are rich in vitamin C that effectively lightens the dark area of the neck skin.

Ingredients:

• Lemon juice – 2 tablespoons
• Tomato puree – 1 cup

Process

• Add freshly squeezed lemon juice to tomato puree and mix well.
• Apply to the darkened neck.
• Wash with water after 20 – 30 minutes.
• Repeat this remedy twice daily.

2. Oats:

Oats are good for overall health including treating a dark neck. It acts as a natural exfoliate that helps to remove the dead skin cells in the applied area. The darkness is usually the oil and fine grit deposits that we forget to wash, this is where the oats come in.

Method – 1:

Here the oats will remove the dirt and dead skin cells while tomato pulp will help to lighten up the skin with its natural bleaching properties.

Ingredients:

• Oats (Coarsely ground)
• Tomato pulp
• Water
• Moisturizer
• Small bowl

Process:

• Mix coarsely ground oats powder and tomato pulp into a paste.
• Apply to the entire neck region and massage for a few minutes.
• Let it sit for about 15 – 30 minutes.
• Wet your finger and rub gently in a circular motion.
• Continue for 5 – 7 minutes before washing and patting dry.
• Make sure to moisturise after.
• Repeat 2-3 times a week.

Method – 2:

Ingredients:

• Powdered oatmeal
• Milk
• Bowl

Process:

• Mix finely powdered oats (but not coarse) and milk in a bowl.
• Apply this paste on the neck as mask.
• Leave for 15 – 20 minutes and then wash with water.
• Apply regularly.
• Other oatmeal combinations like using honey or yogurt also work.

3. Yogurt:

Yogurt is considered as good natural cleanser for the skin due to its acidic property. Lime juice has a bleaching effect, so the two are a good combination.

Method – 1:

Ingredients:

• Yogurt – 1/2 cup
• Lemon juice – 1 teaspoon

Process:

• Stir plain yogurt with freshly squeezed lemon juice
• Apply this to the neck.
• Let it sit for about 15 – 20 minutes and wash it with water.
• Repeat regularly.

Method – 2:

Ingredients:

• Yogurt
• Turmeric powder
• Lukewarm water

Process:

• Mix yogurt and turmeric powder in a small bowl.
• Apply this to the neck
• Leave for 15 – 25 minutes before washing off.
• Repeat regularly.

Method – 3:

Ingredients:

• Yogurt
• Milk cream
• Lukewarm water
• Mild soap
• Lime juice

Process:

• Stir yogurt and fresh milk cream together.
• Apply to the neck.
• Massage for 5 – 7 minutes.
• Wash with mild soap followed by lukewarm water.
• Or you can use lukewarm water with lime juice instead of soap.

Note:

• These yoghurt remedies should be used 2-3 times a day.
• Regular application will give you smooth, lighter, even skin.

4. Fruit Masks:

Fruit masks made of fruits like banana, avocado, orange, apple, papaya, etc. will work well in reducing darkness of the neck. They contain natural minerals, enzymes and vitamins that make your neck look whiter and more even than before and have even. Here are a few masks you could try.

Method – 1:

Banana and olive oil mask is rich in anti-oxidants which vanishes fine lines and gives you healthy, glowing skin.

Ingredients:

• Ripe banana – 1
• Olive oil

Process:

• Mash the pulp of a banana.
• Add a small amount of olive oil to and mix.
• Apply this to the neck as mask and leave for 15 – 20 minutes.
• Wash with water and pat dry the skin.
• Try to apply daily.

Method – 2:

Papaya contains an enzyme called papain, helps to remove dead skin cells. Strawberries have antioxidants that repair damaged skin very quickly. This combination will give the essential vitamins and minerals that will nourish the skin cells and lighten it.

Ingredients:

• Papaya – 1 piece
• Strawberries – 2

Process:

• Mash papaya to a pulp and crush strawberries.
• Add a tablespoon or two of crushed strawberries and mix.
• Apply this to the neck and leave for 10 – 15 minutes.
• Wash with water and repeat regularly.

Method – 3:

Papain is an enzyme in papaya which helps to generate new skin cells and this will give a new look to the dull skin of  neck to glow with even skin tone.

Ingredients:

• Raw papaya
• Water
• Fine cloth or sieve

Process:

• Finely grate a raw papaya and squeeze the juice using a cloth or sieve. Add water if needed.
• Apply this juice on the neck and leave for 20 minutes.
• Rinse your neck with water.
• Apply daily for a month or two.

5. Baking Soda:

Baking soda is a natural exfoliant that effectively helps to remove dark patchy skin that was caused due to hyper – pigmentation.

Ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Water

Process:

• Mix baking soda and water into a paste.
• Apply this paste on the neck and leave for 15 – 20 minutes.
• When dried, wash with water.
• Repeat daily until the darkness as gone, then bi-weekly to maintain a good complexion.

6. Natural Oils:

Natural oils contain natural compounds that help to nourishing, moisturise and rejuvenate the skin. Those such as almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, etc. are very effective in removing the darkness from the neck and removing the dead skin layer.

Method – 1:

As well as removing darkness, this improves the blood circulation in the neck region and moisturizes to make your skin glow naturally.

Ingredients:

• Almond oil
• Vitamin E oil
• Lukewarm water

Process:

• Heat almond oil and then mix with vitamin E oil.
• Massage on the neck for about 10 minutes
• Let it sit for another 10 – 15 minutes and wash it with lukewarm water.
• Note: You can apply either warm almond oil or vitamin E oil and massage for 10 – 15 minutes and then wipe with cotton ball daily.
• Continue doing this process regularly.

Method – 2:

Ingredients:

• Almond oil
• Olive oil
• Coconut oil

Process:

• Stir a few natural oils like almond oil, olive oil and coconut oil
• Apply to the neck and massage it for few minutes.
• Leave it for overnight.
• Rinse with water in the morning and repeat this daily for deep moisturisation.

Method – 3:

Ingredients:

• Coconut oil
• Water

Process:

• Mix coconut oil and a little water in a bowl.
• Apply to the affected area and massage gently for a few minutes.
• Leave for few hours and then wash with water.
• Repeat regularly.
• Other oils you could use are: olive oil, chamomile oil, eucalyptus oil and rose oil.

7. Cucumber:

Cucumber has a cooling, exfoliating and soothing effect that naturally brightens the dark neck.

Method – 1:

Ingredients:

• Grated cucumber
• Rose water

Process:

• Finely grate a cucumber.
• Apply onto the neck and leave for 10-15 minutes.
• Rub the neck gently before washing with water.
• Apply rose water to the neck.
• Note: Apply cucumber juice with a cotton ball and leave for 15 to 20 minutes

Method – 2:

Ingredients:

• Cucumber juice
• Lemon juice
• Cotton ball
• Cold water

Process:

• Mix equal quantities of cucumber juice and lemon juice.
• Use a cotton ball to apply this juice all over the neck.
• Let it sit for 10 – 15 minutes before washing it with cold water.
• Repeat daily to lighten the neck skin.

8. Lemon, Honey, Egg White and Olive Oil:

Lemon has an acidic and bleaching property that helps to lighten the skin. Honey is an excellent natural moisturizer that helps to maintain the lighter skin tone. Olive oil moisturizes and nourishes the skin, and finally egg white provides all the essential proteins and nutrients that help to enhance the dull skin cells.

Ingredients:

• Lemon juice – 1 tablespoon
• Egg white – 1 (egg)
• Honey – 1 tablespoon
• Olive oil – 1/2 teaspoon
• Warm water

Process:

• Stir all the ingredients together and apply to the neck.
• Leave for 30 – 45 minutes and rinse with warm water.
• Repeat this process 3 – 4 times a week.

9. Potato Juice:

Potato is a bleaching agent that helps to treat a dark neck very effectively. It contains an enzyme called catecholase that helps to lighten the skin color.

Method – 1:

Ingredient:

• Potato

Process:

• Cut a potato into round slices.
• Rub one on the neck thoroughly for about 5 – 10 minutes.
• Leave for few minutes and then wash with water.
• Repeat daily for at least 2 – 3 months for more effective and visible results.
• Note: You can apply grated potato and massage gently.

Method – 2:

Ingredients:

• Potato juice
• Lemon juice
• Cotton ball

Process:

• Stir potato juice and lemon juice together well.
• Apply to the neck using the cotton ball.
• Leave it for 15 – 20 minutes and rinse with water
• Repeat this process daily.

10. Orange Peel Mask:

Oranges contain vitamin C and anti – oxidants, as well as a bleaching property that effectively lightens the skin. Milk used in this process will work as natural cleanser that makes your skin glow.

Method – 1:

Ingredients:

• Dried orange peel
• Milk

Process:

• Put orange peel in the shade to dry for a few hours.
• When dried, grind to make a powder.
• Add a sufficient amount of milk to make a paste.
• Apply this paste on the neck for15 – 20 minutes or till it dries completely.
• Rinse it with cold water.
• Apply daily to get glowing skin.
• Or mix grated orange peel and orange juice together.
• Apply to the neck and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Massage gently for a minute or two before washing with water.
• Repeat daily.

11. Dry Fruits as Great Scrubbers:

Dry fruits also will act as a great remedy in preventing the dark neck problem. Dry fruits like almonds and walnuts can lighten up the skin tone by clearing the dead skin cells with its natural exfoliate property.

Method – 1:

Almonds are rich in vitamins which gives a new life to the skin. The oil in it acts as a moisturizer to give you soft, supple skin without any dark patches.

Ingredients:

• Powdered almonds – 1/2 teaspoon
• Milk powder – 1 teaspoon
• Honey – 1 teaspoon

Process:

• Grind a few almonds into a powder.
• Add milk powder and honey to make a fine paste.
• Apply this paste to the neck and leave for about 30 – 45 minutes.
• Wash with water and re-apply daily for 2 – 4 weeks.

Method – 2:

Ingredients:

• Almonds – 5 to 6
• Water

Process:

• Soak almonds in water overnight.
• Then grind to make a paste and apply to the neck.
• Scrub it gently for few minutes then wash off with water.
• Repeat this 3 – 4 times a week.

Method – 3:

This almond and honey combination process will show a bleaching effect on the skin and help  to remove the discoloration in about 8 – 10 weeks.

Ingredients:

• Almonds – 12 to 14
• Honey – 1 cup

Process:

• Blend the almond and honey.
• Apply a sufficient amount all over the neck and massage.
• Leave on for 20 – 30 minutes.
• Rinse the applied neck area with water and dry.
• Apply once a day.

Method – 4:

Walnut contains all the essential vitamins and zinc that helps to nourish the skin. Milk act as fine cleansing agent that removes the dead skin cells and other dirt, oil or impurities on the skin to make it glow naturally.

Ingredients:

• Walnuts
• Milk

Process:

• Grind a few walnuts (not to a powder though)
• Add a sufficient amount of milk to make a paste.
• Apply this paste to the neck for about 10 minutes.
• Scrub for 5 – 7 minutes with your fingers.
• Wash with water and repeat 2 – 5 times a week.

Method – 5:

Walnut clears dead skin cells to prevent the dullness of the neck skin and this also helps to keep the skin hydrated and healthy skin.

Ingredients:

• Walnuts – 3 to 4
• Yogurt – 1/2 cup
• Cold water
• Rose water

Process:

• Finely crush walnuts and add to yoghurt.
• Mix well and apply this paste to the neck.
• Scrub it gently for few minutes and then allow it to dry completely.
• Rinse it with cold water and apply a little rose water.
• Follow this process twice a week.

12. Milk Cream:

Milk is a good cleanser and moisturizer to help clear the darkness in the neck region.

Method – 1:

Ingredients:

• Fresh cream
• Yogurt
• Warm water
• Mild soap

Process:

• Add 2 – 3 tablespoons of yogurt to milk cream and stir well.
• Apply to the dark neck and massage gently for few minutes.
• Leave on for another few minutes and wash with warm water followed by mild soap.
• Follow this process daily.
• Or Apply fresh milk cream to the dark neck.
• Rub in for a few minutes and then wash it with warm water.
• Repeat regularly.

Method – 2:

Ingredients:

• Fresh milk cream
• Gram flour – 1 to 2 tablespoons
• Warm water

Process:

• Mix gram flour and a sufficient amount of fresh cream to make a paste.
• Apply this paste to the neck.
• Massage gently to exfoliate and moisturise the neck.
• Let it sit for few minutes and rinse with warm water.

Method – 3:

Ingredients:

• Fresh cream
• Turmeric powder

Process:

• Take fresh cream and add turmeric powder.
• Mix thoroughly and apply to the neck.
• Rub for a few minutes and allow it to sit for 10 minutes.
• Rinse it with water and continue to apply regularly.

13. Chickpea:

Chickpea flour is another good scrubber that helps to treat the dark neck by clearing dullness. Chickpea flour cleanses the skin effectively and the turmeric lightens up the skin to remove its darkness.

Ingredients:

• Chickpea flour – 1 tablespoon
• Turmeric – 1/2 teaspoon
• Lukewarm water
• Water

Process:

• Stir chickpea flour and turmeric powder to a bowl.
• Add water to make a fine paste.
• Apply this on the neck and let it sit for about 30 – 45 minutes or until it get dries.
• Wash with lukewarm water and repeat this regularly.
• Note: Add fresh cream if you have dry skin to moisturize the skin.

14. Aloe Vera:

Aloe vera is a great cleanser that not only diminishes the skin spots but also lightens the skin tone of the neck. It is rich in anti-oxidants and other natural compounds that greatly assists in repairing and reproducing new skin cells to clear the dark pigmentation of the neck.

Ingredient:

• Aloe vera leaf or gel

Process:

• Cut an aloe vera leaf in half.
• Squeeze the gel out from the leaf and apply to the neck.
• Massage it gently for a minute or two.
• Leave it for few minutes.
• Wash it water and repeat the same process daily.

15. Rice Starch Massage:

This rice starch reduces the dark spots on the neck as this one of the inexpensive and health method for the skin in treating the black neck problem.

Ingredients:

• Rice – 1 cup
• Water – 2 cups
• Strainer

Process:

• Heat water and rice over a stove.
• When the rice has cooked, turn off the heat.
• Use Strainer to separate the rice and water. Allow water to cool.
• Rub the neck with the rice starch for about 7-10 minutes.
• Try doing this daily before a bath.

16. Home-made Daily Care:

It’s very important to cleanse and exfoliate your neck. If you neglect the neck while pampering, you may get patchy dark skin.

Ingredients:

• Milk
• Olive oil
• Lemon Juice
• Sugar
• Water
• Moisturizer
• Sunscreen

Process:

• Apply milk to the neck and rub it gently a few minutes.
• The milk acts as excellent cleanser and toner.
• Afterwards, use a natural scrub made with olive oil or lemon juice and sugar.
• Apply this on neck and scrub it gently for few minutes.
• Wash with water and apply some moisturizer to prevent skin dryness.
• Finally apply some sunscreen to the neck and face to avoid dark pigmentation.
• Follow this process daily.

Tips to Prevent the Dark Neck:

The tips below help to achieving a clean and beautiful neck.

• Always apply sunscreen lotion to the neck along with your face whenever you go in the sun to avoid pigmentation.
• Never ever step out in the sun after you applied lemon juice on the skin, as this makes your neck darker than before.
• Make sure to wash the neck every time you wash your face to clear the dirt and impurities.
• Never ever wear allergic metal ornaments and other jewelry that makes your neck skin dark in color.
• Remember to clean the neck before and after using any of these remedies with mild soap and pat it dry.
• Sandalwood powder has soothing effect on the skin and helps you to regain skin glow. You could make a paste with sandalwood powder and rose water and apply.
• Cocoa butter moisturizes the skin to reduce the dark appearance of the neck. So apply this cocoa butter mixed with milk on the dark neck at least twice.
• Drink water as much as possible. At least 10 – 14 glasses of water daily to remove body toxins.
• Eat fresh fruits and vegetables that give you essential vitamins and minerals to brighten and moisturise the skin.
• Never forget to wash your neck with mild soap whenever you applied oil or any hair color.

All these remedies are natural, safe and easily available to remove the dark discoloration on the neck very quickly without any side effects. If any problem persists, then consult dermatologist.

Let us know which remedy worked well for you in treating this black neck problem. Pleases hare your experience with us.