Does Lemon Juice Help Acne?
Lemon and its extracts have been extensively used in various skin care products due to their powerful antioxidant potential. In general, antioxidants can help in scavenging free radicals on the skin and boosting collagen levels. Acne is one of the most commonly diagnosed skin conditions in the United States and affects around 9.4 % of the global population (1). While there is a range of over-the-counter treatments available for treating acne, many people are on the lookout for natural methods to deal with the issue. Tasha, a beauty, skincare, and hair blogger, tried a home remedy using lemon and baking soda. Sharing the results, she says, “I’ve used this mixture twice now, and my blackhead problem skin is looking so much better. My cysts and large pimples get smaller with every use, and the redness starts to go away immediately! If you want to go all out, use lemon juice as a toner morning and night (i)!” Anecdotal evidence validates the use of lemon in treating acne-prone skin, whitehead removal, blackhead removal, removing dead skin cells, improving acne marks, and aiding acne scar removal. The properties that may make lemon juice a great option to consider for treating acne are as follows:
Lemon juice is anti-inflammatory (2). It can help reduce swelling, itchiness, and redness associated with acne.
It also exhibits antiseptic and bactericidal activities (3). These activities can help prevent the progression of acne and kill acne-causing bacteria.
Lemon juice dries out your skin due to the presence of citric acid, which helps in sebumi A waxy, greasy substance created by the sebaceous glands in your body that covers, hydrates, and shields your skin. regulation and pore cleansing (4).
Lemon extract is used in various skin lightening and skin brightening products due to its bleaching properties (5). Thus, it can help in lightening hyperpigmentation caused by acne spots and in skin resurfacing.
Here’s how you can use it.
How To Apply Lemon Juice For Acne And Scarring
1. Lemon Juice And Water
You Will Need
1 tablespoon of lemon juice 1 tablespoon of water Cotton pads or balls
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this once daily or every alternate day. Lemon juice can dry out your skin. Hence, it is recommended that you use a non-comedogenici A term used to describe specific beauty products or cosmetics that claim not to clog or block pores. moisturizer after trying out the above remedy for skin nourishment.
2. Lemon Juice And Vaseline
You Will Need
Juice from ½ lemon 1 teaspoon of Vaseline
What You Have To Do How Often You Should Do This You can do this once a week. Anecdotal evidence suggests that petroleum jelly forms a barrier over the skin, allowing the pimple to heal faster. Combined with the antibacterial properties of lemon, it may help manage acne (3). Listed below are some tips that you should remember while using lemon juice for topical treatments.
Tips To Remember While Using Lemon Juice On Your Skin
Do a patch test before applying lemon juice to the affected area.
Always dilute the lemon juice before applying it to your face as it may sting.
Follow up with a moisturizer after using lemon juice topically.
Avoid exposure to direct sunlight after using this remedy as lemon juice can make your skin photosensitivei A disorder where the skin becomes extremely sensitive to sunlight or other UV light sources and is at risk of burning quickly. (6). Always apply sunscreen for skin protection before stepping out.
Use freshly extracted lemon juice for maximum benefits.
There are also a few side effects that may occur when you apply lemon juice topically. They are listed below.
Side Effects Of Applying Lemon To The Skin
Itchiness Redness
Dryness Stinging or burning Killing good bacteria present on the skin
How long does it take for acne scars to go away with lemon juice? Pigmentation caused by acne generally fades in 7 to 10 days. However, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may take anywhere between a few months to even a year to fade completely. However, acne scars that extend into the dermisi The layer of the skin directly beneath the visible and touchable area that is full of capillaries, sweat glands, and hair follicles. will never go away completely. Does drinking water help acne? While consuming water alone will not cure acne, it will help provide skin hydration and also flush out toxins from your body, which can result in healthier skin. Is lemon acidic? Yes, lemons are acidic due to the presence of citric acid. Lemons have a pH between 2 and 3, which makes them very acidic. What happens if we apply lemon on the face and leave it overnight? Leaving lemon on the skin for too long can increase your skin’s sensitivity and make it dry and itchy. How long do pimple marks last? Pimple marks are usually temporary. They may last anywhere between 7 to 10 days before they start disappearing. How do you make homemade vitamin C serum with lemon? Combine 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice with 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel. Pour the mixture into a tiny bottle and allow it to sit overnight before applying it to your skin. This DIY skincare has anti-aging properties that improve the skin tone and skin texture. It also boosts skin repair. Watch this video to learn how to use lemon juice to remove dark spots from your face! Discover the amazing benefits of this natural remedy for you to get skin glowing again.
