Lemon juice is loaded with healthy vitamins so it is useful as both a food and as a home remedy for many disorders. What is less well known is that lemon juice also has many benefits when applied directly to the skin. What are those benefits? How to apply lemon juice for optimum results?
Health Benefits Of Lemon Juice.
The acids in the juice may be irritating to some people so be sure to dilute lemon juice with water before applying it to your skin. Some of the benefits of lemon juice on skin include:
1. Diminishes scars and age spots
The discoloration caused by scars, certain skin disorders and age spots can be diminished by applying lemon juice to the discolored area. It may be helpful to apply at bedtime and leave the lemon juice on the skin over night.
2. Heals acne
Lemon juice has natural antibacterial properties that make it a good choice to help cure acne and prevent further breakouts. Using lemon juice on blackheads has been shown to reduce the frequency and severity of blackheads. If you leave lemon juice on the acne and blackheads over night, be sure to wash it off in the morning.
3. Exfoliates
Lemon juice is a natural exfoliant since the citric acid acts as a gentle "skin peel" that removes the top layer of dead skin cells. This will result in a smooth complexion when used regularly.
4. Other benefits
Other benefits of using lemon juice on the skin may include brightening or lightening the skin, moisturizing and toning oily skin, and fighting wrinkles.
How to Use Lemon Juice on Skin
1. Fade age spots
Use lemon juice or diluted lemon juice directly to the age spots at bedtime. Wash it off in the morning. If you have age spots on multiple areas of your body, run a warm bath and add 1/2 cup of lemon juice. Soak in the bath for 15-20 minutes. It is not necessary to rinse after this bath unless your skin is excessively dry.
2. Brighten the skin
If you have discolored or rough skin on your knees, elbows and heels, try using fresh lemon juice on the affected area. Leave the lemon juice on your skin over night.
3. Remove blackheads
For removal of occasional blackheads, rub straight lemon juice on the blackheads every night until they disappear. Be sure to rinse the lemon juice off with cool water in the morning.
4. Moisturize your skin
If you have excessively dry skin, you can use lemon juice, olive oil and honey to moisturize your skin. Mix equal amounts of the ingredients and apply to the dry areas. Leave the mixture on for 10-15 minutes then rinse with warm water.
5. Tone oily skin
Mixing lemon juice with vodka, water and witch hazel will produce a solution that will help tone oily skin. Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, 1-tablespoon water, 2 tablespoons vodka and 1 teaspoon of witch hazel. Mix well and apply to the oily areas of your skin. Rinse with cool water.
6. Exfoliate
Using a lemon cut into quarters, dip a piece of lemon into a small amount of sugar. Rub the cut lemon over your face to help remove the top layer of dead cells. You can also combine lemon juice, sugar and water into a paste and apply the paste. Rinse with cool water.
7. Fight wrinkles
Add a few drops of lemon juice and a drop of almond oil to a teaspoon of honey and mix well. Put this mixture on your face for 15-20 minutes then rinse off with cool water. Use this over several days to remove the fine wrinkles around your eyes, but do not get the mixture in your eyes!
8. Cure acne
Finally, use lemon juice on your skin to fight acne. As a natural antibacterial, lemon juice can fight the bacteria that cause acne. Apply full strength lemon juice directly to the acne or dilute with water if the juice stings. The antioxidant L-ascorbic acid in lemons is the active ingredient in other acne products -- at a fraction of the cost! Use about 2 teaspoons of lemon juice and apply to the acne. Leave it on your skin for about 30 minutes or overnight if you can. Be sure to wash it off with cool water.
Tips and Warnings for Using Lemon Juice on Skin
There are some tips and warnings for using lemon juice on your skin:
1. Stinging sensation
Lemon juice may produce stinging due to the citric acid in the juice. Mix the lemon juice with some water if you cannot tolerate the burning and stinging. Start by mixing the lemon juice and water in a half and half solution and then adjust the mixture based on how your skin feels.
2. Dry skin
Lemon juice applied to already dry skin can actually make that condition worse. If you do have dry skin, be sure to use a good moisturizer after applying lemon juice to your skin. Lemon juice and honey also make for a good antibacterial and moisturizing combination. If your skin is oily, try combining the lemon juice with some cucumber juice.
3. Interference with topical treatments
Although lemon juice has been shown to have antibacterial properties, be sure to consult your healthcare provider if you are using any other topical skin treatments. Lemon juice may actually interfere with other medications you are using on your skin.
4. The right frequency
Using lemon juice on your skin every day may lead to dry, broken skin that is more susceptible to infection. Until you know how the lemon juice affects your skin, use it on your skin no more than every other day. The effect you are looking for may take a little longer, but you will be less likely to suffer some of the side effects.
5. Keeping off sun exposure
When using lemon juice on the skin, be sure to stay out of the sun and use a high SPF sunscreen when you must be outside. Lemon juice on the skin will make your skin more prone to sunburn and the resulting damage that can occur.
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