Lemon juice is often promoted as a natural and effective acne treatment, but how safe is it for our skin?
Before torturing our skin with so-called natural treatments, perhaps it would be better to take a look at the conclusions offered by specialists, who know best what is good and what is not for our skin.
Why it is not good to use lemon juice to get rid of acne
People dealing with acne, sensitive skin and scars should not use lemon juice, doctors say, because lemon is very acidic and can worsen the symptoms.
Although it has astringent and antibacterial properties, lemon has a very acidic pH of 2, which means that it can excessively dry the skin, favoring the appearance of irritations and chemical burns.
Also, lemon juice can increase the risk of contact dermatitis, which is manifested by eczema and itching.
Not everything that is natural is also beneficial for our skin!
Also keep in mind that lemon juice can increase the skin’s sensitivity to the sun, due to a compound called furocoumarin, which triggers DNA damage. In other words, if you apply it to your skin and then expose yourself to ultraviolet rays, it is very possible to face serious burns.
The beneficial effects of lemons on the skin
On the other hand, lemons are rich in vitamin C (ascorbic acid), which is found in many skin care cosmetics. This vitamin has excellent antioxidant and antiaging properties, fights free radicals and prevents the appearance of wrinkles.
Lemon also contains citric acid, which is used in cosmetic products to exfoliate the skin and remove dead cells. Be careful though, because overuse of these products can cause irritation or dryness.
Also, vitamin C has an important role in the formation of collagen, a protein that helps the normal functioning of bones and ensures skin elasticity.
However, it is not recommended to apply lemon juice directly to the skin, but to choose cosmetics that contain vitamin C and other beneficial compounds that potentiate the antiaging effects and reduce the oxidative process of cells.
Another way to provide the body with the optimal dose of vitamin C is to drink plain water with lemon juice every day. But don’t expect lemon water to cure your acne, because there is currently no study to confirm this theory.
How to use lemon juice for skin care
If you decide to use lemon juice, keep the following recommendations in mind:
- do not apply lemon juice to sensitive or irritated skin
- avoid the sun after a lemon juice treatment (it is best to apply it at night, before going to bed)
- never use lemon juice alone (mix it with some oats, yogurt, honey and water)
- do not leave the lemon juice on for too long (no more than 5 minutes)
- use the lemon juice treatment only occasionally, only 2-3 times a month, not every day
- don’t apply lemon juice on “scaly” pimples, because you only make the irritation worse
I believe that the best way to cure acne is the drugs specially designed for this, recommended only after a dermatological consultation!
