Lemon juice is often used to make lemonade, which gives us much respite from the summer heat. However, lemon juice can be used for so much more than just summer refreshment! Scientific studies have revealed that it can be useful in treating several ailments. Some people suggest using lemon juice for acne. But does it help?
Acne is defined as skin ailments, which are associated with symptoms like pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, etc. Acne scars and blemishes are also seen in patients suffering from acne. According to studies, 80% of cases are due to genetic causes.
Smoking and unhealthy lifestyle can also be possible causes. Research has also shown that the excessive growth of the bacterium Propionibacterium acnes is also a significant cause of acne
So, does using lemon juice for acne help you to combat these causes? Let us take a look, shall we?
Is Lemon Juice Good for Acne?
Using lemon juice for acne is recommended by many. So, if you go by what people say, lemon juice for acne scars(1) might be a useful treatment technique.
So, what makes people recommend this so strongly? Well, lemon juice does contain some characteristics which might help in treating acne. Some of them are explained below.
Acne is primarily caused when your skin pores are clogged with sebum (oil naturally excreted by your skin). Lemon has citric acid and that citric acid helps in the drying of the sebum.
Another thing which makes using lemon juice for acne so useful is its antibacterial properties. The antibacterial properties of lemon juice help in killing Propionibacterium acne and other such bacteria which cause acne.
The Vitamin C present in lemon juice also makes it an effective antioxidant. This helps in removing dead skin and pollutants from the skin pores, which might cause acne.
Unfortunately, not much scientific research has been conducted on the efficacy of using lemon juice for acne.
However, a large number of people from across the world have reported having got excellent results after applying lemon juice for treating their acne. So, it would be safe to surmise that using lemon juice for acne is a pretty good option!
[Also Read: Natural Ways to Treat Acne]
Does It Help to Use Lemon Juice for Acne Scars?
A lot of people who suffer from acne face a lot of issues with acne scars. Acne scars usually result from blemishes, and they can easily last for several months. In extreme cases, they can even last for years if you don’t treat them on time.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, people with dark skin face more significant risks due to acne scars. They will have a higher chance of hyperpigmentation if they suffer from acne scars.
Using Lemon juice for acne scars is effective as lemon juice has anti-inflammatory properties. This helps in reducing the redness of the scars and also helps in eliminating the acne scars, and that too within a short duration of time.
[Also Read: Lemon Peel Benefits ]
How to Use Lemon Juice for Acne?
Now that we have seen that using lemon juice(2) for acne is a good option, let us take a look at some of how you can use it.
Preparing a Lemon Juice and Milk Face Wash: To prepare a lemon juice and milk face wash, you need to squeeze the juice of one lemon and add it to a tall glass of boiled milk. You need to cool it down before applying it to your face. Wash it off with warm water.
Lime Juice Wash: This is the simplest way to use lemon juice for acne. Just clean your face with soap and warm water and then dip a cotton ball into a bowl of freshly squeezed lemon juice. You would need to put that cotton ball on areas that are affected with acne. You would need to keep it on for 10-15 minutes, to allow it to dry off. After that, you need to rinse it off with cold water.
According to Dr. Jerome Z. Litt, a dermatologist, based in Cleveland, Ohio, lemon juice is strong enough to peel off the upper layer of your skin. Therefore, it would be able to peel off the blemishes and acne scars quite effectively.
[Also Read: Baking Soda for Acne]
FAQ’s
1. Are There Any Side Effects of Using Lemon Juice for Acne?
In some instances, lemon juice might cause the following side-effects:
- Dryness
- Itchiness
- Burning
- Redness
- Stinging
- Lemon juice can also kill good bacteria
Therefore, it is recommended that you consult your physician before trying this method out. You can also test the effect of lemon juice on a small patch of your skin before putting it on your whole face.
2. How Long Would It Take to Have an Effect?
In most cases, you would be able to see positive changes within 2-3 weeks of using lemon juice. If you don’t see any positive change within this time, consult your doctor.
3. Would Commercially Available Lemon Juice Work?
Most commercially available lemon juices contain additives and preservatives. They are also made from concentrate. All this reduces the efficacy of the ‘actual’ juice. So, it is better to use only freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Using lemon juice for acne is a good option for those looking for a natural remedy. Lemon juice contains all the characteristics that make it an ideal treatment.
A good number of people have got excellent benefits, and hence, you can get it too! However, before using lemon juice for treating your acne scars and other such symptoms, we would recommend that you get in touch with your doctor as lemon juice might have specific side effects in some cases.
As they say, it is better to be safe than to be sorry! We hope that you got the information that you were looking for. We wish you all the best in your fight against acne!
