Quick Take
A social media post suggests that drinking milk mixed with powdered makhana, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, black pepper and cinnamon can make the skin “fair like milk”. We fact checked and found the claim to be false.
The Claim
A post on Instagram suggests that roasting or grinding makhana, walnuts, almonds, sesame seeds, black pepper and cinnamon into a powder and consuming it with milk regularly can make the skin brighter and “fair like milk”.
Fact Check
Can this powdered mixture make the skin fairer?
No. There are no reliable human studies showing that this particular mixture can make the skin fairer or permanently change a person’s natural complexion.
Skin colour is determined primarily by melanin, a natural pigment produced by cells called melanocytes. Genetics largely controls the type, amount and distribution of melanin in the skin. Sun exposure, hormones, inflammation, certain medicines and some medical conditions can also affect pigmentation.
A nutritious drink cannot remove melanin or override the genetic processes that determine natural skin colour. Scientific reviews confirm that melanin is the main factor responsible for differences in human skin colour, with smaller contributions from blood flow and pigments such as carotenoids. Research on human skin pigmentation supports this understanding.
Does drinking something white make the skin white?
No. The colour of a food or drink does not get transferred to the skin.
Milk appears white because its fat droplets and casein protein particles scatter light. Once milk enters the digestive system, it is broken down into nutrients such as amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals. Its white colour does not enter the blood or bleach the skin.
Similarly, eating dark-coloured foods does not make the skin darker. Food colour and human pigmentation are controlled through entirely different biological processes.
Can almonds help reduce skin pigmentation?
Possibly in a limited context, but they cannot be called a fairness treatment. Almonds provide vitamin E, healthy fats and antioxidant plant compounds that may support skin health.
A small randomised trial involving 56 postmenopausal women found that consuming almonds as approximately 20% of daily energy intake was associated with reduced facial pigment intensity and wrinkle severity after several months. However, the participants mainly had lighter Fitzpatrick skin types I and II. The study examined signs of photoageing and uneven pigmentation—not whether almonds could make someone fairer than their natural skin tone. The almond study cannot be applied to all ages, complexions or to the small amount of almond present in a mixed powder.
Reduced pigment unevenness should not be confused with skin bleaching. More diverse and larger clinical trials would be needed before making broader claims.
Do makhana, walnuts and sesame lighten the complexion?
No evidence currently proves that they do. These foods are nutritious, but their nutritional value does not establish them as skin-lightening ingredients.
Walnuts contain unsaturated fats, plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and polyphenols. Sesame seeds provide healthy fats, protein, minerals and antioxidant compounds known as lignans. Makhana mainly provides carbohydrates, along with smaller amounts of protein and minerals.
These nutrients can contribute to an overall balanced diet. However, controlled human studies have not demonstrated that eating makhana, walnuts or sesame reduces normal melanin production or changes a person’s genetically determined skin colour.
Can black pepper and cinnamon improve skin colour?
There is no convincing clinical evidence that they can. Black pepper contains piperine, while cinnamon contains compounds such as cinnamaldehyde. Laboratory studies have investigated their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, but laboratory findings do not prove that consuming these spices will visibly lighten human skin.
Black pepper is sometimes claimed to improve the absorption of other plant compounds. Even if absorption is increased, it does not mean that the absorbed substances will reduce melanin or whiten the skin.
Cinnamon should also be used in small culinary quantities. Cassia cinnamon contains coumarin, which may affect the liver when consumed regularly in large amounts, particularly in sensitive individuals or those with existing liver disease. Safety information from the NCCIH recommends caution with prolonged or high-dose cinnamon consumption.
What can genuinely help prevent darkening and uneven pigmentation?
Consistent sun protection is more effective than beauty drinks. Ultraviolet radiation stimulates melanin production and can worsen tanning, melasma and dark marks left behind after acne or skin irritation.
Using a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, seeking shade and wearing protective clothing can help prevent further pigmentation. Tinted sunscreen containing iron oxides may provide additional protection from visible light, which can worsen dark spots in some people. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sun protection as an important part of managing pigmentation.
We spoke to Dr Rashi Soni, a dermatologist at Rashi Hospital in Hingoli, Maharashtra, to understand how acne and pigmentation can be managed effectively. She explains, “Keep your skincare routine simple and consistent. Use a gentle cleanser, followed by salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide for acne, as appropriate for your skin. Choose a moisturiser suited to your skin type. Ingredients such as vitamin C and niacinamide may help improve pigmentation, while daily sunscreen is essential to prevent dark spots from worsening. A balanced diet, adequate hydration and stress management may also support skin health. Improvement takes time, so patience and consistency are important.”
So claim that makhana, walnuts, almonds, sesame, black pepper and cinnamon powder mixed with milk can make the skin “fair like milk” is false.
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