Acne, dark spots, and dullness can all be helped by using lemon juice as a home cure. But is it healthy to put lemon juice on your face, and does it work? Let’s see the pros and cons of using lemon juice on your skin, as well as other alternatives that may work better depending on your skin type and desired effects.

The advantages of putting lemon on your skin

The claimed benefits of applying lemon on your face stem from the citrus fruit’s inherent acidity as well as its vitamin C concentration. Lemons are occasionally used for the following purposes:

  • Treatment for acne: Because of its acidic content, lemon juice has astringent properties. However, it is not comparable with advanced acne treatments such as Aviclear, Microdermabrasion, or microneedling.
  • Antimicrobial properties: Lemons also have antibacterial properties that may aid in the control of Propionibacterium acnes bacteria, which cause inflammatory acne.
  • Skin discoloration or hair lightening: Citrus compounds, such as lemon, may also be effective at lightening age spots, acne scars, and facial hair.
  • Treatment for psoriasis and dandruff: Because lemon juice can exfoliate dead skin cells, it is said to help with skin patches caused by psoriasis and dandruff.
  • Collagen production: Some proponents of applying lemon on the face claim that citrus fruit is a natural way to increase collagen in the skin.

Lemon slices with wooden juicer on the table

Possible risks of applying lemon juice on the skin

There is also a negative aspect of applying lemon juice on the skin and here are some possible risks of doing it:

  • Lemon juice is highly acidic and can cause skin damage. It can alter your skin’s natural PH, thereby causing inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and UV sensitivity.
  • Lemon juice, when worn in the sun, can induce chemical burns due to a condition known as Phyto-photodermatitis. This is caused by an interaction between the photosensitizing chemicals in lemon juice and the sun’s UV rays.
  • Lemon juice may be ineffective in treating acne, dark spots, and other skin problems. There is insufficient scientific data to support claims that lemon juice provides astringent, antibacterial, or collagen-boosting properties for the skin.
  • Bottled lemon juice may include unknown or hazardous chemicals for topical use.

Lemons and a lemon juicer on a wooden background

The alternatives to lemon juice for your face

If you’re seeking some lemon juice alternatives for your skincare, you might want to try the following:

  • Lime juice
  • Apple cider vinegar
  • Orange juice
  • Grapefruit juice

Conclusion

lemon juice is a natural and affordable substance that can provide certain skin benefits. however, it may cause side effects such as skin irritation, dryness, and sun sensitivity. As a result, use lemon juice on your face sparingly and always dilute it with water or carrier oil before applying it to your skin. If you are looking for more effective and safe ways to improve the health and appearance of your skin, you may want to consider visiting Celebrity Laser & Skin Care, a professional and trusted skin clinic located in Vancouver that provides a variety of skin care services.