Freckles are small brownish spots on human skin, predominantly found on the face, particularly the cheeks and nose. The basic cause of freckles is special cells in the skin that produce a pigment called melanin. Excessive build-up of melanin in one place will result in freckles. Freckles become more prominent when exposed to sunlight because the skin produces extra melanin in sunny conditions.

Efforts to get rid of freckles go back to centuries. Ancient Egyptians used oil of fenugreek to fade freckles and age spots. In more modern cultures, lemon juice was a favorite home remedy. That is what led to modern cosmetics and bleaching agencies do great efforts to help you get rid of freckles, but this might be really painful.

However, you aren't forced to bear such pain, you can simply get rid of freckles at home.

Here are some natural remedies that will help you deal with freckles at home:

Wash your face with sour milk. Lactic acid will provide gentle peeling effect without irritating or drying your skin and Apply sour cream on your face. Do not rinse this mask off completely; gently wipe off with a soft tissue and top it up with a moisturizer. For oily skin - use lemon juice before applying the mask.

Lemon juice is a time proven freckle-fighting remedy. It is not necessary to rub your skin with a piece of lemon. Applying the juice with your fingers will do the job.

Fruit and vegetable masks (apricots, strawberries, cucumbers, red currant), Horseradish juice, and horseradish vinegar are very useful and help effectively in removing freckles.

Take a watermelon, make a hole in its rind and introduce some grains of rice in it. Take out the rice after a week. Grind into a paste and apply on the face.

Onions also can be used for removing freckles and age spots. Slice a red onion in half and rub on the spots twice daily. Continue until the spots fade.

Heat honey slightly and apply to face, tap face gently with your fingers. Wash honey off with warm water then rinse with cool water. Stir in a little quantity of wheat germ into the honey before applying.

Natural parsley juice (or parsley infusion) mixed with equal amounts of lemon juice, orange juice, and red currant juice under your favorite cream will help you keep your freckles invisible

Apply odorless castor oil or vitamin E at night before going to bed.

Therefore, anyone with a hereditary tendency to freckle -- who freckles easily -- should wear sunscreen whenever appropriate and also minimize his or her sun exposure. The aim here is twofold -- to suppress their tendency to produce freckles and, much more importantly, to reduce their risk of developing skin cancer.