Lemon juice is highly acidic, so when applied to acne for a long time, it can cause irritation, making the skin more sensitive when exposed to sunlight.
Lemon juice offers many skin care benefits, but there is currently no evidence that it can lighten acne or scars. Below are the reasons why you should not treat acne or acne scars with this type of water.
Astringent and antibacterial
Lemon juice has mild astringent properties so it can help reduce oily skin. Lemon also has antibacterial properties thanks to creating an acidic environment. However, these are not enough to get rid of acne.
Skin irritation
Human skin is naturally slightly acidic, with a pH between 4.5 and 5.5. Lemon juice is much more acidic, with a pH of about 2. Each step down in pH corresponds to an increase in acidity of 10. The high acidity of lemon juice can be 100 times higher than that of skin. If you dab lemon juice on pimples, especially popped pimples, it will cause burning pain.
Due to its low pH, this type of water can also lead to contact dermatitis and even skin burns.
Sunburn easily
Applying lemon juice and other citrus fruits makes the skin more sensitive to sunlight, making it easier to get sunburned when outdoors.
Citrus fruits can also cause a type of rash called phytodermatitis, which is skin irritation caused by plants and light. Lemons and some other fruits, vegetables, and plants contain furocoumarin. These compounds are harmless, but exposure to sunlight can damage cell DNA, causing a rash that resembles a severe burn. Even sunscreen cannot completely protect the skin from this risk.
Lots of vitamin C
One of the benefits of lemon for the skin is its high vitamin C content, an ingredient used in many skin care products. Vitamin C has effective anti-aging and antioxidant effects, brightens skin and reduces wrinkles. It is also an important vitamin that helps create collagen.
However, applying lemon juice to the skin is not a way to provide vitamin C to the skin. Instead, drink fresh lemon water every day.
Alpha Hydroxy Acid
Lemons also contain citric acid, which belongs to a group called alpha hydroxy acids (AHA). Like vitamin C, alpha hydroxy acid is a popular skin care ingredient, used to exfoliate the skin, leaving it smooth and bright. The AHAs in skin care products have been balanced to ensure effectiveness and safety.
Lemon juice can also exfoliate the skin but should be used with caution. If used too often on the face, it can lead to dryness, irritation or peeling.
Inability to treat acne scars
Applying this type of water cannot remove pitted or pitted scars, nor will it flatten keloid scars. These types of scars need to be treated by a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
Lemon juice is a popular folk remedy for fading post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is dark spots on the skin after acne healthy. Alpha hydroxy acid has the ability to speed up cell regeneration, so it can reduce PIH. However, the amount of AHA in lemon juice is often much lower than in over-the-counter products. Therefore, this type of water is not very effective in fading dark spots.
To take advantage of the benefits of lemon juice, while avoiding the risk of skin damage, you should note the following:
Do not apply lemon juice to your skin if your skin is sensitive because it may cause irritation.
Avoid sunlight, always wash lemon juice off your skin before going out during the day.
Mix lemon juice with another ingredient instead of applying it directly to the skin. Try mixing it with yogurt, oatmeal, honey or just dilute it with water.
Don't leave lemon juice on your skin for too long, no more than 5 minutes.
Using it a few times a month can be effective. Using too often causes dryness, irritation and possibly peeling of the skin.
Do not apply on large and deep bruises, only use on dark spots pimples on the surface and rinse off after a few minutes.
Discontinue use immediately if irritation or rash occurs. See a doctor if irritation is severe or persistent.
