This Is How You *Actually* Have To Use Lemon For Acne

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When life gives you fresh lemon juice… Should you use it as an acne treatment?

Picture this: You wake up in the morning, roll out of bed, and take a closer look in the mirror to see that you have two brand new pimples on your face. Ugh.

Panicking, you do the typical Google search "how to get rid of acne fast?", you start reading thousands of DIY tutorials... And there is it: Lemon for acne, the miraculous anti-pimple superhero ingredient that you can find in your house and apply directly to your face!

But, wait, is it really safe to use fresh lemon juice in existing acne scars or active pimples? No! Put that lemon down right away!

Let’s get this straight: Lemon juice is a natural astringent and antibacterial agent, so it can help dry out pimples and get rid of bacteria, however, using this citrus fruit on your face is not as good as you think.

So you want to know how to use lemon for acne? There's more to it than just squeezing the juice onto your skin! That’s why, in this post, we'll tell you everything you need to know about successfully using lemon as an acne treatment!

Lemon juice on face: Yes or No?

Acne affects millions globally, influencing not just skin appearance but also mental well-being. As natural remedies gain popularity, many turn to lemon juice, heralded for its potential benefits. However, understanding both the advantages and pitfalls is essential before trying this home remedy. According to a study published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, nearly 40% of individuals with acne turn to natural remedies, including lemon juice.

Many scientific references consider that lemon can be good in treating acne because it’s a natural antiseptic and astringent. This means that it can help to kill bacteria, dry out pimples, and tighten pores. Moreover, lemons are a great source of vitamin C, which is essential for healthy, dark spots-free skin.

DIYs claim that lemon for acne is a godsend because it contains citric acid. Citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid that works by loosening and removing dead skin cells from the surface, promoting cellular turnover and helping to clear clogged pores that lead to acne breakouts. Additionally, lemon juice has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe the skin and reduce redness.

However, it's important to note that while lemon juice can be beneficial for some people with acne, it can also aggravate the condition for others and even worsen other skin conditions they may have, which is why it is better to avoid using fresh-squeezed lemon juice on your face without proper precautions.

Just like oranges, grapefruit, and other citrus fruits, lemon juice is citric acid, and when applied to your face, it can cause skin irritation, redness, and dryness. In some cases, it can even lead to chemical burns. So, if you have skin sensitivity, or if you’re prone to acne, using lemon juice on your skin is a bad idea. For those who choose to experiment with lemon juice, it’s crucial to dilute it with water or mix it with a carrier oil to reduce concentration and potential skin irritation.

Then, why do many home remedies claim that applying lemon is so great? Because the fact that it is not safe doesn’t mean that lemon doesn’t have amazing skin benefits!

Does lemon help acne? Our fave benefits

Acne is the most common skin condition that people of all ages suffer from. If you're one of the millions struggling with acne, you understand how frustrating it can be to find a solution that works. You've probably tried every skincare product on the market, and while some may have helped, you're still dealing with breakouts.

That’s where lemon juice, when used properly, comes in! Here are the most amazing benefits of lemon for acne:

1. Jam-packed with vitamin C

Vitamin C is something we are all crazy about. It helps to protect the skin from damage and brightens the complexion by treating dark spots and acne scars. As an antioxidant, it can fight free radicals and heal acne scars while evening out skin tone.

2. Astringent properties

Lemon is also an astringent, which can help shrink pores and reduce oil production. These properties are beneficial for individuals with acne, as excess oil often contributes to pimples and blackheads.

3. Antibacterial properties

The all-natural citrus acids in lemon have antibacterial effects, also known as antimicrobial properties, which can help kill acne-causing bacteria. Research published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment suggests that while citric acid offers exfoliating advantages, it also poses risks of irritation in sensitive individuals.

4. Anti-inflammatory effects

The anti-inflammatory properties in lemon juice may assist with acne by reducing the redness and swelling of pimples.

5. Exfoliating

The citric acid can help to exfoliate the skin, removing dead cells and revealing fresh, healthy ones underneath. These positive effects can also aid in treating acne by diminishing acne scarring.

Alternative Recommendations for Acne Treatment

Tea tree oil: Known for its antiseptic properties, it can effectively reduce acne.
Aloe vera: This soothing natural remedy reduces inflammation and aids healing.
Salicylic acid: A widely available over-the-counter treatment that helps exfoliate and clear acne.

Always consult with a dermatologist before trying new skin treatments, especially if you have sensitive skin or severe acne. They can guide you towards evidence-based treatments tailored to your skin type.

But, what would happen if you use lemon juice on face?

With so many benefits… What’s the worse thing it can happen if you apply lemon juice to your skin Well, a lot can happen when you use lemon on your entire face every day!

Let us enlighten you:

Lemon juice is very acidic, and it can get your skin dry if you use it too much
If you have sensitive skin, you could be allergic to the acid and end up with irritation and redness instead of helping you to fight acne
Using lemon juice can make your skin sensitive to UV rays, which means that you can develop dark spots, blemishes, and even chemical burns during sun exposure.
Yes, lemon can kill acne-causing bacteria, but it also kills the good bacteria that protect your skin from external damage.

So, do you really think that applying lemon juice is such a good idea? Cause we don’t! But that doesn’t mean you can’t add lemon to your skincare routine in other ways!

**How to use actually lemon for acne scars and not die trying**

Now that you know all the health benefits of lemon and understand why you shouldn’t be applying lemon juice on your bare face, it’s time to talk about how to include this ingredient in your skin care products.

There are a few different ways that you can use lemon skincare products for acne. One way is to apply a lemon-based cleanser directly to your face. This will help to remove dirt and oil from your skin, while also helping to kill any bacteria that may be causing your acne breakouts.

Another way to use lemon skincare products for acne is to find lemon-based toners or moisturizers that have lemon essential oil and other antioxidants, like ascorbic acid *aka vitamin c*. They will help you brighten and moisturize your skin while fighting off acne-causing bacteria.

On the other hand, you can find acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide, aloe vera, or salicylic acid, which also have sliced lemon or lemon juice as one of the main ingredients.

If you want to get the most out of lemon products for acne, be sure to use them on a regular basis. This way, you’ll see the best results in terms of clearing up your skin and preventing future breakouts.

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What to do if you decide to apply lemon juice on face?

“Mix lemon juice with baking soda”, “add lemon and olive oil to a cotton ball for reduced redness”... And the list of DYI recipes goes on and on. But what can you do if you decide to ignore our warnings and use freshly squeezed lemon juice as an acne treatment? Here are a few tips:

1. Dilute lemon juice

Since lemon is a citrus fruit, its acid can cause irritation and redness during any topical application. To avoid this, always dilute lemon in water or in non-comedogenic essential oils, like rosehip or jojoba oil, to counteract the drying effects of the fruit.

After that, you can apply the mix to your skin with a cotton swab.

2. Avoid hot water

What do you get when you mix lemon with hot water? A face as dry as the Sahara Desert!

Both hot water and lemon juice have drying effects on the skin, which can worsen acne scars and active pimples, so it is better to wash your face with warm water before using lemon on your face.

3. Don’t mix it with other drying ingredients

When used as a DYI spot treatment, many skincare influencers always recommend applying this acid with ingredients like bicarbonate, since they can dry out not only the pimple you want to get rid of but also your whole face.

Instead, choose to mix it with aloe vera, honey, and essential oils before putting it in your skin.

Note: Always consult with a board-certified dermatologist or other healthcare professionals before putting any of these tricks into action!

Lemon skin care products: Where to find them

So there you have it! Lemon is a great choice for your skin care routine, but only if you use it wisely. Be sure to follow all our tips and visit Asian Beauty Essentials to get some lemon-rich products for yourself.

From acne-fighting products with lemon essential oil to products with lemon peel, we have everything you need to get clear, bright, and acne-free skin

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