Is Lemon Juice Good For Acne And Acne Scars?

Tips and methods to use lemon water for clean, clear, and acne-free skin.

Medically reviewed by Vd. Babita Sharma, BAMS Vd. Babita Sharma Vd. Babita SharmaBAMS facebook_icon
Written by Arshiya Syeda, BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma linkedin_icon Experience: 8 years
Edited by Ramona Sinha, MA (English Literature) Ramona Sinha MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 11 years
Fact-checked by Swathi E, MA (English Literature) Swathi E MA (English Literature) linkedin_icon Experience: 3 years
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Women Suffering From Acne Treating With Lemon Juice

Image: iStock

Several skincare products include citrus fruits such as lemon for their high antioxidant properties. Using vitamin C-rich lemon juice for acne and scar fading is a great idea as it helps fight free radicals and stimulate collagen production. It also contains important vitamins and minerals which improve your overall skin health. Even though lemons have been used for treating skin conditions for years, there might be some potential side effects of using lemon which can cause further damage to our skin. Currently, no study demonstrates the efficacy of lemon juice for acne treatment. Hence, you should consult your dermatologist before doing so. In this article, ex explores how to apply lemon on your face along with a few side effects one should be aware of. Scroll down to know more!

Does Lemon Juice Help Acne?

Lemon juice for acne
Image: Shutterstock

Lemon and its extracts have been extensively used in various skin care products due to their powerful antioxidant potential. In general, antioxidants can help in scavenging free radicals on the skin and boosting collagen levels.

Acne is one of the most commonly diagnosed skin conditions in the United States and affects around 9.4 % of the global population (1). While there is a range of over-the-counter treatments available for treating acne, many people are on the lookout for natural methods to deal with the issue.

Tasha, a beauty, skincare, and hair blogger, tried a home remedy using lemon and baking soda. Sharing the results, she says, “I’ve used this mixture twice now, and my blackhead problem skin is looking so much better. My cysts and large pimples get smaller with every use, and the redness starts to go away immediately! If you want to go all out, use lemon juice as a toner morning and night (i)!”

protip_icon Did You Know?
Lime juice is a perfect alternative to lemon juice for managing acne and almost offers similar benefits to the skin as lemon juice and works great for exfoliation.

Anecdotal evidence validates the use of lemon in treating acne-prone skin, whitehead removal, blackhead removal, removing dead skin cells, improving acne marks, and aiding acne scar removal. The properties that may make lemon juice a great option to consider for treating acne are as follows:

  • Lemon juice is anti-inflammatory (2). It can help reduce swelling, itchiness, and redness associated with acne.
  • It also exhibits antiseptic and bactericidal activities (3). These activities can help prevent the progression of acne and kill acne-causing bacteria.
  • Lemon juice dries out your skin due to the presence of citric acid, which helps in sebumi  A waxy, greasy substance created by the sebaceous glands in your body that covers, hydrates, and shields your skin. regulation and pore cleansing (4).
  • Lemon extract is used in various skin lightening and skin brightening products due to its bleaching properties (5). Thus, it can help in lightening hyperpigmentation caused by acne spots and in skin resurfacing.

Here’s how you can use it.

Key Takeaways

  • Lemon juice can reduce inflammation and kill infection-causing bacteria. This helps treat acne.
  • It also has natural depigmenting properties that can lighten your acne scars.
  • It is advisable to dilute lemon juice with water before applying it to prevent skin sensitivity.
  • Lemon juice makes your skin sensitive to light, so a suitable sunscreen is essential before stepping out into the sun.

How To Apply Lemon Juice For Acne And Scarring

Woman applying lemon juice for acne and scarring
Image: Shutterstock

1. Lemon Juice And Water

You Will Need

  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon of water
  • Cotton pads or balls

What You Have To Do

  1. Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with a tablespoon of water.
  2. Apply the mixture to your face and neck using a cotton pad or ball.
  3. You can also apply this mixture as a spot treatment.
  4. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily or every alternate day.

Lemon juice can dry out your skin. Hence, it is recommended that you use a non-comedogenici  A term used to describe specific beauty products or cosmetics that claim not to clog or block pores. moisturizer after trying out the above remedy for skin nourishment.

2. Lemon Juice And Vaseline

You Will Need

  • Juice from ½ lemon
  • 1 teaspoon of Vaseline

What You Have To Do

  1. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon into a bowl.
  2. Add the Vaseline to the bowl.
  3. Mix the ingredients for a thick and even paste.
  4. Apply the mixture to your face with a brush.
  5. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
  6. Rinse it off with a regular cleanser.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once a week.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that petroleum jelly forms a barrier over the skin, allowing the pimple to heal faster. Combined with the antibacterial properties of lemon, it may help manage acne (3).

Listed below are some tips that you should remember while using lemon juice for topical treatments.

Tips To Remember While Using Lemon Juice On Your Skin

  • Do a patch test before applying lemon juice to the affected area.
  • Always dilute the lemon juice before applying it to your face as it may sting.
  • Follow up with a moisturizer after using lemon juice topically.
Woman applying moisturizer after using lemon juice topically
Image: Shutterstock
  • Avoid exposure to direct sunlight after using this remedy as lemon juice can make your skin photosensitivei  A disorder where the skin becomes extremely sensitive to sunlight or other UV light sources and is at risk of burning quickly. (6). Always apply sunscreen for skin protection before stepping out.
  • Use freshly extracted lemon juice for maximum benefits.
protip_icon Quick Tip
Lemon juice can be added to face masks or face packs and can be applied to the skin thrice a week to effectively aid acne breakout prevention and promote skin rejuvenation.
Person squeezing fresh lemon juice
Image: Shutterstock

There are also a few side effects that may occur when you apply lemon juice topically. They are listed below.

Side Effects Of Applying Lemon To The Skin

  • Itchiness
  • Redness
Woman with skin redness after applying lemon
Image: Shutterstock
  • Dryness
  • Stinging or burning
  • Killing good bacteria present on the skin

Infographic: 4 Reasons To Use Lemon Juice For Acne

Acne scars are a major skin concern for women. While they are harmless, they feel unattractive and mar your overall appearance. So, it’s time to handle them with a simple DIY hack – lemon juice. The infographic below explains how it may help reduce acne and what safety measures you must follow to ensure it doesn’t damage your skin. Take a look!

pointers for lemon juice application(infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

The high antioxidant properties of lemon juice make it one of the popular ingredients in several skin care products. Though there is not enough evidence to prove its efficacy, anecdotal claims support using it for acne and scar treatments and for skin regeneration. It is believed to soothe the skin, help reduce itching, redness, and swelling, and treat hyperpigmentationi  A harmless disorder where patches of skin are darker than the surrounding skin due to excess melanin production. . The article here discusses how to use lemon juice for acne and scarring. Following the tips mentioned above will help you reap maximum benefits. However, it may cause side effects if not applied with caution.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for acne scars to go away with lemon juice?

Pigmentation caused by acne generally fades in 7 to 10 days. However, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may take anywhere between a few months to even a year to fade completely. However, acne scars that extend into the dermisi  The layer of the skin directly beneath the visible and touchable area that is full of capillaries, sweat glands, and hair follicles. will never go away completely.

Does drinking water help acne?

While consuming water alone will not cure acne, it will help provide skin hydration and also flush out toxins from your body, which can result in healthier skin.

Is lemon acidic?

Yes, lemons are acidic due to the presence of citric acid. Lemons have a pH between 2 and 3, which makes them very acidic.

What happens if we apply lemon on the face and leave it overnight?

Leaving lemon on the skin for too long can increase your skin’s sensitivity and make it dry and itchy.

How long do pimple marks last?

Pimple marks are usually temporary. They may last anywhere between 7 to 10 days before they start disappearing.

How do you make homemade vitamin C serum with lemon?

Combine 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice with 2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel. Pour the mixture into a tiny bottle and allow it to sit overnight before applying it to your skin. This DIY skincare has anti-aging properties that improve the skin tone and skin texture. It also boosts skin repair.

Watch this video to learn how to use lemon juice to remove dark spots from your face! Discover the amazing benefits of this natural remedy for you to get skin glowing again.

Personal Experience: Source

StyleCraze's articles are interwoven with authentic personal narratives that provide depth and resonance to our content. Below are the sources of the personal accounts referenced in this article.

i. Home Remedy Review – Lemon Baking Soda Mask!
https://glossandliner.wordpress.com/2013/06/19/home-remedy-review-lemon-baking-soda-mask/

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Tan, Jerry KL, and K. Bhate. “A global perspective on the epidemiology of acne.” British Journal of Dermatology 172 (2015): 3-12.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25597339
  2. Maria Galati, Enza, et al. “Anti-inflammatory effect of lemon mucilage: in vivo and in vitro studies.” Immunopharmacology and immunotoxicology 27.4 (2005): 661-670.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16435583//
  3. DE CASTILLO, Marta Cecilia, et al. “Bactericidal activity of lemon juice and lemon derivatives against Vibrio cholerae.” Biological and Pharmaceutical Bulletin 23.10 (2000): 1235-1238.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11041258//
  4. Sato, Takashi, et al. “A citrus polymethoxy flavonoid, nobiletin inhibits sebum production and sebocyte proliferation, and augments sebum excretion in hamsters.” Journal of investigative dermatology 127.12 (2007): 2740-2748.
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17597820
  5. Smit, Nico, Jana Vicanova, and Stan Pavel. “The hunt for natural skin whitening agents.” International journal of molecular sciences 10.12 (2009): 5326-5349.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2801997/
  6. Mioduszewski, Margaret, and Jennifer Beecker. “Phytophotodermatitis from making sangria: a phototoxic reaction to lime and lemon juice.” CMAJ 187.10 (2015): 756-756.
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4500699/
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Vd. Babita Sharma
Vd. Babita SharmaBAMS
Dr. Babita Sharma, an Ayurveda specialist, has 10 years of experience. She is currently working as MD and Consultant at Atharva Ayurveda Ayurdhama Hospital Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda, Medicine and Surgery (BAMS) from Rajiv Gandhi University of Health Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, in 2008.

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Arshiya Syeda
Arshiya SyedaCo-Editor-in-Chief
Arshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.

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Ramona Sinha
Ramona SinhaEditor
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Swathi E
Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer
Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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