Lemons are full of beneficial vitamins and minerals that can work wonders for our skin. The vitamin C, AHAs and BHAs found in this versatile fruit are what make it so great for our complexions.
AHAs (alpha hydroxy acid) and BHAs (beta hydroxy acid) work on the skin by removing dead skin cells and by removing any dirt and grime from pores. Because of this, they really help with blackheads, acne, acne scarring, discolouration and sunspots. Many people describe using lemons on the face as a (gentle) mini face peel at home, as lemons have the ability to remove dead skin cells while cleansing, leading to a brighter and healthier complexion!
A great addition to a night-time moisturiser
A great way of adding lemons to your skincare regime is to simply add a few drops of lemon in to your moisturiser before applying it at night. When we sleep, our skin regenerates and with the addition of lemon juice, the skin can work even faster to create new glowing skin cells!
*It's important to remember not to use lemons on your skin in the morning. They make the skin more sensitive to the sun, thus becoming more susceptible to damage from the sun's harmful rays.
Fading acne scars and pigmentation marks
- Squeeze the juice of half a lemon in to a small bowl.
- Add a small amount of water to dilute the mixture.
- Dip a cotton pad in to the mixture and sweep over your face.
- Some people like to use this mix without diluting it with water, however it's advisable to start off with a diluted mixture, so as to be more gentle on the skin.
- Rinse off with lukewarm water and follow immediately with a moisturiser.
- Repeat 1-3 times a week.
Exfoliating for brighter skin
- Wet your (cleansed) face with warm water.
- Soak a cotton pad in lemon juice (diluted with some water) and sprinkle a pinch of sugar on top. The sugar will act as your exfoliator.
- Massage the lemon and sugar cotton pad gently around your face. This will buff any dead skin away to reveal brighter smooth skin. The acid in the lemon juice will kill any bacteria and thoroughly "de-clog" pores.
- Repeat once a week.
So there you have it, a few different way to incorporate this amazing piece of fruit into your skin routine! It's important to keep a few things in mind when using these skin 'recipes':
- When you begin to use lemons on your skin, it's best to always dilute any mixture with water, maybe even with a 1:1 ratio, i.e. half lemon juice and half water, at least until your skin builds up a tolerance to it.
- Never use lemons on your face during the day, as they make the skin more sensitive to damage from the sun
- Always use a good moisturiser after any of these skin treats. Lemons are quite acidic and can disrupt the skin's PH level and be drying. However, a moisturiser will prevent this from happening.
Enjoy!
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