Benefits of Lemon on Skin
Let’s start with the reported benefit of lemon for the skin. According to some, lemon juice offers several theoretical benefits when used topically. However, don’t just go slathering on the lemon cocktail and just hope for the best. The bad may outnumber the good, especially when used incorrectly. But in case you’re curious, here are those supposed benefits.
Exfoliation
Number one, it exfoliates dead skin cells. Lemon juice contains alpha hydroxy acids, such as glycolic acid. Such acids are commonly used in skincare as they increase the cell turnover and slough away those dead skin cells.
As a result, many folks use lemon juice in the hopes of reducing that dullness and brightening of the skin. I should note here, obviously I have my AHA cream as I mentioned, but understand you would need hundreds of lemons to get to the concentrated dose. Not to say using it won’t achieve some exfoliation, but understand the concentrated acids that are used in skincare, for example glycolic acid creams, are going to be about 10% concentrate within the cream itself. It would take many, many lemons on the order of hundreds to equal the same concentration. But nevertheless, it does exfoliate.
Promotes Even Skin Tone
Number two, it promotes even skin tone. Due to potential exfoliating properties of the lemon juice, people use it to reduce hyperpigmentation. Stay tuned on that hyperpigmentation because there’s a caveat when I tell you the five precautions.
Exfoliation can help remove pigmented cells and even out the skin tone. Lemon juice contains citric acid and vitamin C, which can lighten the skin. Remember again though, the concentration of vitamin C in the lemon juice will be much smaller than in a peel, but also than in vitamin C that you’re putting on in terms of a cream.
Reduces Oil Production
Number three, it decreases oil production. Lemon juice is often hailed as a godsend for oily skin. That’s because it’s an astringent, meaning it tightens pores, controls excess sebum, and that’s due to the lemon juice’s acidity as well. Again, it’s AHA content.
One thing you’ll see in AHA creams, most of them contain a BHA (Beta Hydroxy Acid) too, such as salicylic acid, which really helps oily skin, acne and pores. So again, if you’re considering it, an AHA cream would cover that for you if you didn’t want to use the lemon juice.
Increases Collagen Production
Number four, increases collagen production. The body needs vitamin C to synthesize collagen, the main structural component in skin. We talk so much why people are taking collagen powders. When we inject things to stimulate collagen and people do PRP and PRF, it’s to get more collagen.
Using vitamin C rich ingredients can help support that intake of the nutrient and ultimately, of course, collagen production.
Antioxidants
Number five, of course, antioxidants. We all know vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, meaning it can help fight oxidative stress. It’s noteworthy because oxidative stress can lead to inflammation, sagging and faster skin aging. Study the half-life limit. However, lemon juice may help stave off these effects because it contains that antioxidant in the form of vitamin C.
