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. 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.
Anecdotal evidence validates the use of lemon in treating acne and improving the scarring caused by it. The properties that may make lemon juice a great option to consider for treating acne are as follows:
- Lemon juice is anti-inflammatory. It can help reduce swelling, itchiness, and redness associated with acne.
- It also exhibits antiseptic and bactericidal activities. 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 reducing sebum production
- Lemon extract is used in various skin lightening products due to its bleaching properties. Thus, it can help in lightening hyperpigmentation caused by acne spots.
Here’s how you can use it.
How To Apply Lemon Juice For Acne And Scarring
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of water
- Cotton pads or balls
What You Have To Do
- Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with a tablespoon of water.
- Apply the mixture to your face and neck using a cotton pad or ball.
- You can also apply this mixture as a spot treatment.
- Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with water.
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-comedogenic moisturizer after trying out the above remedy.
Listed below are some tips that you should remember while using lemon juice topically.
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 photosensitive (6). Always apply sunscreen before stepping out.
- Use freshly extracted lemon juice for maximum benefits.