Acne is something we all have dealt with at some point in our life, some of us still are fighting with those stubborn inflammations. It seems impossible to get rid of those swollen, painful, reddish pores. And even if the skin inflammation disappears it leaves behind hideous looking scar.
Numbers of expensive commercial products are out there which promises to cure acne and acne scars, but often causes side effects. Before you rely on some over-the-counter drug to treat your acne, let’s find out easily available natural solutions for treating.
One of those highly effective solutions is lemon juice. Here, we are discussing how to use lemon juice on acne to get rid of those infections. But first let’s dig little deeper, to understand why and how does it work?
How Does Lemon Reduce Acne?
Lemon juice has ascorbic acid in it, which is a potent anti-oxidant and promotes healing of acne and cleanses skin.
- Lemon juice as a disinfectant: Lemon contains, anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties which fight bacteria causing acne. The acidity in lemon juice makes it a strong disinfectant that destroys acne-causing bacteria.
- Lemon juice act as an exfoliate: Critic acid in Lemon acts as a chemical exfoliate, which helps to remove dead skin cells. These dead skin cells actually clog pores, resulting infection and irritation. Due to its acidic property, it eliminates excess oil. Other than these lemon has natural astringent properties which squeeze excess oil and dirt out from the pores, prevent those pores from getting clogged and causing acne.
- Skin lightening property of lemon juice: Acidity of lemon has skin lightening properties. After that stubborn acne finally disappears, they leave behind scars and pigmentation. Lemon juice can make these scars real quick. As lemon juice contains mild bleaching properties which reduce pigmentation and inflammation. Lemon is full of vitamin-C, a powerful antioxidant that fights against free radicals, which cause acne breakouts.
Other than these, Lemon juice also contains ascorbic acid, phytoncides, and vitamin P, which altogether reduce the growth of bacteria internally and topically. Lemon juice balances the skin’s pH levels.
Different Studies Prove Lemon’s Effectiveness
Researchers have already done a lot of studies to exactly point out lemon’s effectiveness on our various skin related problems.
- In one Chinese study, the citrus extract was found to be helpful for a red scar. Scientists proved that citrus extract worked on the scar by preventing extra cell growth and degenerating collagen buildup.
- According to another Italian researcher, essential oils in lemon juice allows vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B6 and vitamin A to penetrate the upper layer of our skin better and result in a better healing acne. They also found anti-inflammatory properties in lemon extract.
- Researchers also found a flavonoid called hesperetin in lemon juice. This hesperetin protects skin against damage from harsh rays of the sun and reduces the accumulation of melanin pigments. That means less skin damage altogether.
- A team of Florida researchers found that citrus acid is able to fade reddish purple marks called senile purpura by 50%. Citrus is a proven bleaching agent too.
- So after knowing all these facts, we think you are quite convinced about lemon’s effectiveness on acne and other acne related problems.
Lemon for Acne | Prevent And Cure Acne
Lemon juice can be used alone or with other ingredients to prevent and cure acne and acne scars. Here, we are listing some methods to treat acne. Try all of them and choose the best one for you.
— Lemon Juice
- Squeeze fresh lemon juice.
- Use a cotton ball to apply it mainly on affected areas.
- Leave on 5 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat daily.
— Diluted Lemon Juice
- Take required amount of lemon juice and mix it with few drops of water.
- Clean your face and use a cotton ball to apply this mixture on your face.
- Leave on for 30 minutes and rinse with water.
- Repeat regularly.
— Lemon Juice With Egg White
Egg white removes toxins from pores and tightens them.
- In a blender, make a smooth paste of lemon juice and egg white.
- Clean your face and apply the mixture all over your face evenly.
- Let it dry and rinse it with lukewarm water.
- If possible leave it overnight.
- Repeat daily.
— Lemon Juice and Honey
Honey is good natural anti-bacterial ingredient. It will help to reduce acne while soothing skin.
- Mix 2 teaspoons of raw honey with 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Apply the mixture on your clean face.
- Leave on until dry, rinse with water.
- Repeat twice daily for best result.
- For added benefit, mix 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil.
— Lemon Juice with Almond Oil
Almond oil nourishes and moisturizes skin, leaving it smooth and clear.
- Mix 1 tablespoon each of fresh Lemon Juice ,raw honey and almond oil.
- Add this mixture in 2 tablespoons of milk.
- Apply this face on your clean face.
- Leave for 20 minutes or until dry.
- Rinse with water.
- Repeat daily.
— Lemon Juice with Baking Soda
Baking soda restores the skin’s pH balance and olive oil moisturizes and detoxifies your skin.
- Mix 2 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice with 2 teaspoons of baking soda.
- Apply this mixture on your clean face.
- Leave on until dry.
- Rinse with water.
- For added benefit massage olive oil gently into skin.
- Leave on 1 hour.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat twice daily.
— Lemon Juice and Sandalwood Powder
Sandalwood powder has anti-bacterial properties and it also lightens scars and other dark spots.
- Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder and 1 tablespoon of sandalwood powder.
- Apply this mixture on your clean face.
- Leave on 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water.
- Repeat regularly.
— Lemon Juice and Rosewater
Rosewater fades scars:
- Mix required amount of rose water with lemon juice.
- Apply this mixture on your clean face.
- Leave overnight.
- In the morning rinse with cold water.
- Apply moisturizer.
- Repeat nightly.
— Lemon Juice and Cucumber Juice
Cucumber juice lightens scars and dark spots and helps to tighten pores and make skin smoother.
- Put a cleaned chopped cucumber in blender and blend until turns into smooth paste.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of blended cucumber.
- Apply this paste on your clean face.
- Leave on 20 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Repeat daily.
— Lemon Juice, Basil, and Honey
Basil nourishes skin and protects skin against toxin formation.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice with 1 teaspoon of raw honey and 4-5 fresh basil leaves juice.
- Apply this mixture on your clean face.
- Leave on 30 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Repeat twice a week.
— Lemon, Sugar, Olive oil and Honey
The glycolic acid in sugar is natural skin lightener; vitamin E in olive oil nourishes skins and triggers rejuvenation of the skin. Honey has anti-bacterial properties.
- Take ½ of a lemon and squeeze juice out of it, take ½ cup of sugar, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of raw honey and make a smooth paste. You may add a little water to make the paste smooth.
- Apple the paste evenly on your clean face.
- Leave it on for 5-0 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water and apply light moisturizer.
- Repeat twice a week.
— Lemon, Honey and Aloe Vera
- Aloe Vera nourishes skin and reduce redness, swelling and prevents the formation of scars.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of raw honey, 1 teaspoon of aloe Vera gel and ½ teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Apply the mixture on your clean face.
- Leave on for 15 minutes.
- Repeat twice weekly.
— Lemon Juice, Sugar and Sea Salt
- Mix 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon of warm water, and ½ teaspoon of sugar or sea salt or both until smooth.
- Apply this mixture on your clean face.
- Leave on 10 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Repeat three times a week.
— Lemon and Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a great anti-oxidant, killing harmful bacteria which cause acne.
- Mix 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon with 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice.
- Apply this paste to the affected areas of your clean face.
- Leave for 20 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat regularly for best results.
Note: you may experience light burning sensation, but don’t panic, that’s supposed to happen.
— Lemon Juice With Pomegranate Peel
- Roast and grind pomegranate peel to make a powder out of it.
- Mixed the required amount of pomegranate peel dust with fresh lemon juice to make a paste.
- Apply to affected areas on your clean face.
- Leave until dry.
- Rinse with cold water.
- Apply oil free moisturizer.
- Repeat daily.
— Lemon Juice With Aspirin
- Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties and contains salicylic acid, which kills acne-causing bacteria.
- Dissolve 6 non-coated aspirin pills in fresh lemon juice and make a paste.
- Apply the paste evenly on your clean face.
- Leave for 15 minutes.
- Rinse with a solution of baking soda and water.
- And then rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat regularly.
— Lemon Juice With Chickpeas
- Take required portion of fresh lemon juice and add 1 tablespoon of chickpea powder in it. Make a fine paste.
- Apply the paste on your clean face. Leave for few minutes.
- Wash your face with lukewarm water.
- Repeat once or twice per week.
— Lemon, Tomato, and Oatmeal
Oatmeal can reduce redness and scarring and tomato is good for skin’s overall health & and it also reduce oil production.
- Soak 2 Tablespoons of oats in a mixture of water and tomato juice.
- When completely soaked, blends the oats with a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Apply the mixture on your clean face.
- Leave on for 20-25 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat regularly.
Lemon Scrubs For Acne Reduction
1. Lemon and Sea Salt
- Wash your face with mild non-exfoliating cleanser.
- Take 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of sea salt, and make a paste.
- Gently scrub that on your face in a circular motion for 20-30 minutes, depending on the skin sensitivity.
- Leave for another 5-10 minutes.
- Take a washcloth and soak it in warm water and remove the scrub with that.
- Apple a mild toner and light moisturizer.
- Repeat 1-2 times weekly.
2. Lemon And Sugar Scrub
- Sugar is a gentle exfoliate. It removes dead skin cells, unclogs skin pores thus reduce acne.
- Mix fresh lemon juice with 1 tablespoon of brown sugar.
- Clean your face with mild cleanser.
- Then with this mixture massage your face in a circular motion for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Apply toner and light moisturizer.
- Repeat regularly for the best result.
Using Lemon Peel To Get Rid Of Acne
Lemon Peels are natural skin lightener. Citric acid in lemon dissolves dead skin cells thus open clogged pores and also works for cell rejuvenation.
- Dry lemons peel in the sun and then grind it to make a fine powder.
- Take required amount of lemon peel powder and add water to make a paste.
- Apply this paste on your clean face.
- Leave for 5-7 minutes.
- Rinse with lukewarm water.
- Repeat 1-2 times weekly
How to Use Lemon for Acne Scars
We know lemon acts as natural bleach which lightens scars and blemishes. Lemon juice contains ascorbic acid, which is a natural anti-bacterial agent. So, lemon not only prevents acne outbreak but it also dulls acne scars.
As lemon is acidic in nature, and has low ph level. It will exfoliate your skin naturally and control excessive oil formation in your skin.
Followings are some remedies to lighten acne scars:
Remedy-1
- Wash your face with mild cleanser, which is soft on your skin.
- Squeeze out juice out of one lemon.
- Apply the juice on your face with a cotton ball.
- Leave it on overnight.
- In the morning wash your face cold water and mild cleanser.
- It can cause aggravation or tingle sensations on your skin, in that case, dilute the juice with rose water.
Remedy-2
- Mix cucumber juice, with rose water and lemon juice.
- Clean your face with mild water, and apply the solution on your face.
- Leave it for 10 minutes.
- Rinse it with cold water.
Benefits Of Using Lemon Oil For Acne Scar
Lemon oil has all the benefits of lemon juice. It can be hard on your skin as it’s very potent, so you must dilute it with water or carrier oils before use.
It’s a natural astringent and it detoxifies pores to prevent acne scars. Lemon’s essential oil lightens skin tones and removes excess oil.
Following are some remedies with lemon oil:
Procedure-1
- Mix 5 drops of lemon oil with ½ teaspoon of any almond, coconut, olive or jojoba oil.
- Clean your face with mild cleanser, and apply this oil mixture on acne and acne scars with a cotton swab.
- Leave on for 30 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water and apply mild moisturizer.
- Repeat daily to reduce scars.
Procedure-2
- Mix 3 drops each of lemon, lavender and frankincense oil.
- Stir this oil mixture in 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil.
- Shake this oil mixture really well.
- Store it in a bottle.
- Every night clean your face with mild cleanser and take 1-4 drops and massage it on your face in circular motion.
- Leave on overnight.
- In the morning, wash it with cold water.
- Repeat nightly.
How To Make Lemon Toner?
Lemon is a natural cleanser and astringent. It reduces acne scars, other dark spots, and blemishes.
After these treatments you must apply a toner, to tone your skin pores, to make a natural toner with lemon juice follow these steps:
Process
- Take ¼ cup of lemon juice without any seed.
- Take a completely clean glass container to store the toner. Pour the juice in it.
- Add ¼ cup of water with the juice in the container.
- Keep this water-juice mixture in fridge or icebox for around one month.
- Your toner is ready; use it after treating acne with above-mentioned remedies.
Who Shouldn’t Use Lemon for Acne?
- Lemon is highly effective in treating acne, but for some of us, it’s not a really good idea, to use lemon juice. If you are new at using lemon on your skin. Always perform a skin test before start using lemon treatments. And if you experience, itchiness, redness, swellings, discomfort, consult your dermatologist.
- In addition, anyone with naturally dark skin tone shouldn’t use lemon juice. As Lemon juice makes your skin look darker. Melanin is the substance that causes our skin to be darker. This melanin is produced by melanocytes cells. Lemon juice cause these cells to produce more melanin thus make your skin darker. And it also darkens your acne scars and other dark spots. So, for people with a dark complexion, using lemon on the skin isn’t recommended.
Few ‘Take Home’ Tips
Here we are listing some commons tips and precautions, about lemon treatments for acne.
- To avoid excessive dryness, apply mild moisturizer after each session of mentioned treatments.
- Lemon titillates melanin-producing cells in the skin, so to avoid skin darkening, don’t go out in the sun for 30 minutes after use.
- Lemon is acidic in nature. So excess use, can disrupt skin’s pH balance.
- Discontinue application of lemon juice, if allergy or other side effects appear.
- Never apply lemon juice on wounds.
- To get the noticeable and permanent change you need to use lemon juice regularly, for at least 8 weeks.
Your First-Hand Experience With Lemon And Acne
Have you used Lemon for acne? We would love to hear about your experience. Share your good or bad experiences with use in the comment section below.
If you have any question-related acne, feel free to ask us in the comment section.
