Can Lemon Juice Cure Acne & Lighten Your Skin?

When I used lemon juice on my face for the first time, I ended up with dark brown spots on my cheeks 🙁

I was trying to lighten my skin tone, it did not work as it supposed to be, but I learned a lot from that experience; here is what I have learned…

Lemon juice contains two lightening ingredients which are: vitamin C and citric acid (citric acid is one type of AHA’s, also known as chemical exfoliants).

                                                                           Copyright: srapulsar38 

To find out if the lemon juice has the power to cure acne and lighten your skin tone, let us start with the basics…

Vitamin C and citric acid benefits for your skin

1. Vitamin C repair the damage made by free radicals (the ones that pollution and sunlight form in our skin). Free radicals damage the collagen in our skin while vitamin C repairs that damage and prevent further damage. Therefore, vitamin C helps protect our skin from premature aging.
2. Citric acid is a natural chemical exfoliator that gently exfoliates your skin. By removing dead skin cells, it reveals new healthy skin from beneath, and that is why exfoliating get rid of dull skin and gives you glowing skin.
3. Vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammation agent that helps cure acne.
4. Both vitamin C and citric acid are two great anti-aging ingredients.

On the other hand, lemon juice can be irritating because of its acidity. I have learned that the hard way when I applied fresh lemon juice directly to my whole face. I don’t know what I was thinking of at that moment, but I was hoping that it would lighten pigmentations on my face.

The result was itchy, irritated red face!

Side Effects of Lemon Juice:

• Lemon juice can be too harsh on sensitive skin (and even on all skin types) because of its acidity; it can cause redness, itching, and sometimes inflammation.
• Your skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight after treatment using lemon juice, and this may lead to pigmentation

Can you still use lemon juice on your face?

If are planning to apply lemon juice to your face, remember the following:

• Never use lemon juice alone on face directly. Lemon juice stings. The best way to apply lemon juice to your face is by diluting it by using, for example, water, rose water, or you can mix it with yogurt, or maybe honey, depending on what you are using it for.
• Lemon juice increases your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, use lemon DIY remedies at night. And apply a sunscreen for the next few days (though you should always wear a sunscreen 😉 )

How to Use Lemon Juice in a Facemask?

If you wish to use lemon juice to lighten your skin tone, mix it with yogurt (full recipe here) if you have oily skin, or mix lemon juice with honey (full recipe here)  if you have normal to dry skin.

The only time you can apply lemon juice directly onto your skin is for lightening elbows and knees. You can also add some brown sugar for exfoliating your skin, but you need to scrub gently in circular motion and rinse after 10-15 minutes. And If your skin gets irritated, wash it off immediately.

The bottom line is that lemon juice is a great natural treatment for acne and slightly lightening your skin tone. On the other hand, lemon juice might cause sunlight sensitivity, so try to stay away from direct sun for a few days after applying the face mask. I make mine in the middle of the week since I usually go out on the weekends. And always remember to wear a SUNSCREEN.