Lemon for Acne

Acne or Acne Vulgaris is one of the common beauty complaints. Though it can develop at any age, teenagers are more prone to it. Hormonal changes, genetics, stress and poor diet are some reasons for the development of acne. All these factors lead to excess oil secretion which clogs the pores.

The clogged pores trap the impurities which helps the bacteria thrive and cause acne. The best way to reduce acne is to maintain the oil secretion balance. This is possible with proper diet and hygiene. In order to treat present acne, you can resort to home remedies like lemon, apple cider vinegar, aloe vera and baking soda. In this article, let’s learn lemon for acne in detail…

The Beneficial Properties of Lemon for the Skin

The problem of pimples and acne can be solved right in your own kitchen. Instead of resorting to artificially cultured drugs for pimple and acne treatment, one can easily use lemon. Not only will lemon be a cheaper alternative to cosmetic drugs, it will be without the threat of any side effects. One does not need to bother about skin types before applying lemon. Some of the most beneficial properties of lemon for the skin include:

• The juice of lemon can be used to treat any type of skin. Rich in citric acid, lemon helps to exfoliate the skin and unclog the pores. Dabbing lemon juice on the skin helps not only in clearing the excess sebum from the pores, but also reduces the redness of the skin, caused by the acne.
• Lemon helps to whiten the skin and get rid of blemishes after the pimple has been popped. It is highly rich in vitamin C, which in turn helps in giving the skin the requisite anti-oxidant protection.
• Lemon also acts as an astringent, contracting any part of the blemish that may have left a mark even after the pimple has been treated. It can be used alone or in combination with other substances to treat the skin. The irritation caused by the inflammation of the skin will also be taken care of by the lemon.

Is Lemon Effective for Treating Acne?

• Lemon contains anti-bacterial and antimicrobial properties which fight the bacteria causing acne. The phytoncides and vitamin P in lemon juice prevent the growth of bacteria.
• Lemon’s critic acid acts as chemical exfoliate which removes the dead cells and oil that clog pores resulting in infection.
• The L-ascorbic acid present in lemon contains astringent properties which shrink and constrict the skin pores. It also dries out the acne lesions.
• Lemon is full of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that fights against free radicals causing breakouts.
• Lemon juice helps balance the skin’s pH levels.
• It reduces redness and inflammation caused by acne.

How to Use Lemon to Treat Acne

Lemon can be applied in many ways to reduce acne. We have mentioned them below for your reference. As lemon application dries out the skin, make sure to apply moisturizer after each treatment. Here are the best moisturizers meant for acne prone skin which don’t clog the pores.

1. Lemon

• Wash your face with mild soap and warm water.
• Using a cotton ball, apply freshly squeezed lemon juice to the affected areas.
• Leave it overnight.
• In the morning, rinse it off with cool water and pat dry with a soft towel.
• Repeat the process daily before going to the bed.
• Note: If you have sensitive skin, dilute lemon juice with water.

For added benefits: Squeeze juice of one lemon in a glass of water and drink it. This helps to flush out the toxins from the body.

2. Lemon Juice with Yogurt

Yogurt has a soothing effect on inflammation. It also absorbs the excess oil present in the skin pores.

• Wash your face with water and cleanser that contains acne fighting ingredients.
• Mix two parts of fresh lemon juice and one part of yogurt.
• Apply the mixture to the affected area using a cotton ball.
• Leave it on for 15 – 20 minutes.
• Rinse it off with cool water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat regularly to get rid of acne.

3. Lemon Juice with Honey

The antibacterial properties of honey fight with the bacteria causing acne. It soothes the redness, irritation, and inflammation.

Process 1:

• Wash your face and take a steam or dip a clean cloth in warm water and place it on the face.
• Extract juice from half lemon and add a teaspoon of honey.
• Spread a thin layer of the mixture on the face.
• Leave it on for 30 minutes.
• Rinse it off with cool water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat 2 times in a week to observe the results.

Process 2: With Olive Oil

• Mix equal quantities of lemon juice, honey, and olive oil.
• Apply the mixture on the face as a mask.
• Leave it on for 20 – 30 minutes.
• Rinse it off with warm water followed by cool water and pat dry.
• Apply moisturizer and repeat the process daily to get rid of pimples.

4. Lemon with Milk

Milk softens the skin and cleanses the pores. Honey soothes the inflammation and irritation caused by pimples outbreak.

Process 1:

• Wash your face with clean water and pat dry.
• Mix 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice, 2 teaspoons of honey, and 3 teaspoons of milk.
• Stir well and apply on the clean skin as a mask.
• Leave it on for 30 – 40 minutes, rinse with warm water and pat dry.
• Repeat once in 2 days.

Process 2: With Yeast

• Mix 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of yeast, and ½ cup of warm milk.
• Brew it for about 5 – 7 minutes.
• Apply on the face and gently massage for few minutes.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes, rinse with cool water, and pat dry.
• Repeat regularly.

Process 3:

• Mix fresh lemon juice and one cup of milk.
• Wash your face with this mixture daily.

5. Lemon Juice with Sour Cream

This process provides better results to the people with dry skin.

• Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice with 2 teaspoons of sour cream.
• Use fingertips to gently massage mixture into the skin.
• Leave it on for 25 minutes, rinse it off with cool water, and pat dry.
• Repeat 3 times in a week.

6. Lemon Juice with Cucumber

As cucumber contains 90% of water, it keeps the skin hydrated and moisturized. This process helps to clear pimples in 2 weeks.

• Blend 1 cucumber to puree.
• Add juice of 1 lemon into it and mix well.
• Apply the mixture on the affected areas.
• Leave it on for 20 minutes.
• Rinse it off with cool water and pat dry.
• Repeat the process daily.

7. Lemon Juice with Cinnamon

Cinnamon acts as antioxidant which kills the harmful bacteria causing acne.

• Mix 2 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
• Using a cotton ball, apply the paste to the affected area.
• Leave it on for 15 – 20 minutes or overnight.
• Rinse it off with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat the process regularly for best results.
• Note: The application may cause mild burning sensation while it is a positive sign that it is killing the bacteria. If the burning sensation is unbearable then rinse off the application immediately.

8. Lemon with Rosewater

Rose water contains natural antibacterial properties. It also lightens the skin and reduces the acidic nature of the lemon.

• Wash your face with mild soap and warm water.
• Mix equal parts of fresh lemon juice and rose water.
• Using a cotton ball, apply the mixture to the affected area.
• Leave it on for 15 – 30 minutes.
• Rinse it off with cool water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat 1 – 2 times daily for best results.
• For added benefits: You can add apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, honey, olive oil, tea tree oil, olive oil, green tea, or lavender oil into the mixture.

9. Lemon Juice with sandalwood

Sandalwood soothes the irritation and reduces the redness of acne lesions. It also absorbs the excess oil from the skin.

• Mix 1 to 3 teaspoons of fresh lemon juice with ¼ teaspoon each of sandalwood and ground cinnamon.
• Apply the mixture on the breakouts.
• Leave it on to dry completely then rinse it off with cool water and pat dry.
• Apply oil-free moisturizer.
• Repeat regularly

10. Lemon Juice with Pomegranate Peel

The pomegranate peel absorbs the excess oil and removes the impurities that clogged the pores.

• Roast and grind pomegranate peel to make powder.
• Mix it with sufficient amount of fresh lemon juice to make a paste.
• Apply it to the affected areas.
• Leave it on to dry completely.
• Rinse it off with water and pat dry.
• Repeat the process daily before going to bed for effective results.

11. Lemon with Sea Salt

Sea salt kills the bacteria, balances the pH levels of the skin, restores oil balance and removes the impurities from the skin pores.

• Wash your face with a non-exfoliating cleanser.
• Mix a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice and ½ teaspoon of sea salt to make a paste.
• Gently scrub the affected area for 30 – 45 seconds, depending on skin sensitivity.
• Now, leave it on for 5 – 10 minutes.
• Using a warm wet washcloth remove the application.
• Apply gentle toner and moisturizer to reduce the stinging.
• Repeat the process 1 – 2 times weekly to prevent acne.

12. Lemon with Sugar Scrub

Sugar exfoliates the dead skin cells and unclogs the skin pores which helps to prevent and treat acne.

• Mix fresh lemon juice and a tablespoon of brown sugar.
• Wash your face with mild soap and warm water.
• Using your fingers, apply the mixture on the affected areas and gently massage for few minutes.
• Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Apply toner and moisturizer.
• Repeat regularly for best results.

13. Lemon Juice with Baking Soda

Baking soda restores the skin’s pH balance while exfoliating the toxins from pores. It also lightens scars and removes bacteria.

• Mix 1 teaspoon each of fresh lemon juice and baking soda.
• Gently exfoliate the affected area with the mixture.
• Rinse with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat the process 2 – 3 times weekly for best results.
• If you have a sensitive skin then 1 1/2 teaspoon of water into the mixture.

14. Lemon Juice with Aspirin

Aspirin has anti-inflammatory properties and contains salicylic acid, which kills the bacteria causing breakouts.

• Dissolve 6 non-coated aspirin pills in fresh lemon juice and stir well to make a paste.
• Wash your face and apply the paste to the breakouts.
• Leave it on for 15 minutes.
• Rinse with a solution of baking soda and water.
• Rinse again with lukewarm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat regularly to cure acne.

15. Lemon Juice with Chickpeas

• Add a tablespoon of chickpea powder to freshly squeezed lemon juice.
• Mix the ingredients well to make a fine paste.
• Apply this on the affected area. Leave it on for few minutes.
• Wash your face with warm water and pat dry with clean towel.
• Apply any moisturizer.
• Repeat the process 1 or 2 times in a week.
• Note: You can also add milk or water.

16. Lemon with Egg White

The vitamins, proteins and amino acids present in egg white encourage the production of new and healthy skin cells. It also absorbs the excess oil from the skin.

• Wash your face with mild soap and pat dry.
• Add few drops of fresh lemon juice to egg white.
• Mix well and apply it as a mask on the affected areas.
• Leave it on for 10 – 15 minutes.
• Rinse it off with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Apply moisturizer and repeat regularly to treat acne.

17. Lemon, Tomato, and Oatmeal

 Tomato reduces oil production and balances the pH levels of the skin. Oatmeal helps to remove the impurities and dead skin cells from the skin pores.

• Combine enough amounts of lemon juice, cooked oatmeal, and tomato juice.
• Wash your face with mild soap and warm water.
• Apply the mixture to the face.
• Leave it on for 20 – 25 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat regularly to reduce acne.

18. Lemon Peel

Lemon peels have natural skin lightening properties which even out the skin tone. The lemon acid dissolves dead skin cells and promotes new skin cell growth.

• Dry a lemon peel in the sun for 30 minutes.
• When dried, grind into a fine powder and add water to make a paste.
• Apply to the affected area or acne scars prone area.
• Leave it on for 5 – 7 minutes.
• Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
• Repeat the process 1 – 2 times in a week for the best results.

19. Lemon Toner

Lemon toner acts as a cleanser, evens the skin tone, and treats breakouts by killing the bacteria.

• Mix ¼ cup each of fresh lemon juice and water in a spray bottle.
• Spray the mixture regularly to the affected areas.
• Store it in the refrigerator for 1 month.

20. Lemon Balm

Lemon balm contains rosmarinic acid, it helps to reduce the oil production to clear the acne. It also contains anti-inflammatory properties that reduce the swelling and redness. Lemon balm leaves are astringent and anti-bacterial in nature which helps to cleanse the skin pores and reduce the formation of acne, pimples, blackheads, zits, etc.

• Take a facial steam by adding lemon balm leaves to boiling water.
• You can also take it in the form of tea or supplements.
• Note: kids, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers should avoid lemon balm.

Tips and Precautions:

• Always apply any moisturizer after following lemon juice treatments.
• Leaving lemon juice on the skin longer than recommended may cause extreme dryness.
• Regular consumption of lemon juice can damage tooth enamel.
• If you have dry or sensitive skin, always dilute lemon juice with water.
• Avoid applying lemon juice around the eyes. If juice gets in the eyes, wash them with cool water immediately.
• Avoid applying lemon juice to open wounds or cuts.
• Use lemon essential oil in skin tonics, steam treatments, and blemish lotions to prevent acne.
• If you don’t have time to prepare natural remedies, then you can try face masks that are meant to treat and prevent acne.
• If you are trying any of these methods for the first time, patch test before applying it to the affected area.
• Lemon juice makes skin sensitive to sunlight. Avoid sun exposure for at least an hour and wear sunscreen to prevent negative effects. Or follow the lemon remedies at night time.
• If a stinging sensation persists with redness and inflammation, immediately wash off the lemon application with cold water.
• Mix equal quantities of lemon juice and ground oil. Apply on the pimples and wash it off with lukewarm water to get rid of the problem.
• Consult a dermatologist or health care provider if you didn’t experience any improvement.

Have you tried using lemon juice to treat and prevent acne? Which DIY methods for acne worked best for you? Share your experience with us!