A glass of cold lemonade, a bowl of steaming lemon chicken, or real housewives of orange county Fans, you might fit nine in a bowl (what’s up Shannon Beador?!), but did you know there are so many uses for lemons outside of the kitchen?
In fact, your skin and hair love lemon too. Lemon has various beauty effects. The best beauty uses for lemon are:
1. clarifying moisturizer
Lemon has strong antibacterial properties, making it perfect for eradicating breakout-causing bacteria. To DIY your own version, mix a few drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice. Coconut moisturizes the skin while lemon clarifies and brightens the skin. Note: If you have sensitive skin, please do a patch test on your skin beforehand.
2. Elbow and knee lightener
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, a natural skin whitening ingredient. “If you have dark spots on your elbows or knees, rub them with half a lemon,” says Patrice Coleman, owner of Dovelot Beauty. “It’s like magic!”
3. Treatment of blackheads
It may sound too good to be true, but lemon can also help treat blackheads. This is because it contains citric acid, a naturally occurring alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). After cleansing, rub a slice of lemon into the areas with the most blackheads (usually her T-zone) to let the AHAs work their pore-clearing magic.
4. Cleansing wipes
“I like to mix a few drops of lemon and tea tree essential oils in about 6 ounces of distilled water. I recommend using it with a cotton pad as a toner or as a cleansing wipe for problem skin.” , says founder Becky Sturm. Storm Sister Spatik. If you’re not interested in making your own, check out this pre-made version from Clean & Clear.
Clean & Clear Lemon Cleansing Wipes
Clean & Clear Lemon Cleansing Wipes
5. Teeth whitener
Will at-home whitening make my teeth sensitive for a few days? Try this instead. Mix baking soda and lemon juice and apply it to your teeth with a clean cotton swab. Next, use your toothbrush to scrub your teeth and rinse.
6. Skin brightener
Lemon is rich in vitamin C and citric acid, so if you use it regularly, it will brighten and brighten your skin. “Vitamin C is an excellent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and promotes collagen production,” says dermatologist Marina Peredo, MD. In other words, it has the effect of lightening stains. Try this moisturizer from Fresh.
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream
Fresh Vitamin Nectar Moisture Glow Face Cream
However, remember to wear SPF when using lemon juice on your skin, as citrus fruits can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays.
7. Shine Eliminator
The citric acid in lemon juice acts as a natural astringent. If your face gets oily easily, add a few drops of lemon juice to a cotton ball and wipe it on your freshly washed face to prevent oil buildup.
8. Lip exfoliant
Make your own lip scrub by mixing a little lemon juice and brown sugar. The AHAs in lemon juice act as a chemical exfoliant that loosens dead skin cells, and the sugar acts as a physical exfoliant that sloughs them off.
There is one caveat. “If your lips are already very chapped and you have cuts, don’t try this,” says dermatologist Gary Goldfaden, MD.
Check out more skin hacks here:
9. Nail strengthener
Are you applying too much gel manicure? Make a mixture of your favorite cooking oil (such as olive oil) and lemon juice and soak your nails in it. This is a good method if your nails are dry and brittle, but it’s also a great way to repair yellowed nails.
10. Hair lightener
If your hair is already light, use lemon juice to add dye-free DIY highlights. Apply it before exposing your hair to the sun to get a sun-like color. For a trendy ombre effect, concentrate the lemon juice towards the ends of your hair.
If you notice too much orange, use a blue conditioner like Joico to touch up the color. Remember that blue is opposite orange on the color wheel, so the two balance each other out.
Joico Color Balance Blue Conditioner
Joico Color Balance Blue Conditioner
50% off now
