Lemon juice is a popular skincare ingredient for its brightening and exfoliating properties. Its citric acid and vitamin C content help remove dead skin cells, reduce oil production, and decrease acne.
But using lemon juice on your face can have some serious side effects. Some people have even developed hypopigmented patches after using lemon juice for a long period.
1. Excessive Acidity
Lemon juice has been hailed as a beauty wonder for its antibacterial, acne-fighting properties. Many DIY skincare recipes and beauty blogs extol its benefits as a treatment for pimples, scars, and other skin conditions.
However, while lemon juice does have some good qualities for the skin, it also has some serious drawbacks. One of these is the excess acidity that can occur when using it on your face.
Unlike most other fruits and vegetables, lemons are extremely acidic. This means they are much stronger than your body’s natural acids, ranging from 4.5 to 5.5.
That’s why it’s important to keep a close eye on your intake of lemons and other citrus fruits. You should avoid drinking too much lemon juice, or any fruit or vegetable that is naturally acidic, as it can hurt your body’s pH balance. The pH of your body’s blood is generally maintained between 7.35 and 7.45, which is considered normal.
This can have a detrimental effect on your teeth. It is believed that the citric acid in lemon juice can erode the enamel of your teeth, which could make them more susceptible to tooth decay.
In addition, lemon juice may cause heartburn or GERD symptoms if you have these conditions. It’s thought that the acidity of lemon juice may activate the inactive pepsin molecules in your throat and esophagus, causing heartburn.
If you’re suffering from a burning sensation in your chest or pain after meals, talk to your doctor to find out what the cause of your reflux is. While plenty of over-the-counter medications are on the market to treat it, addressing the underlying issue can be far more effective.
2. Photosensitivity
A lot of people don’t realize that lemon juice can increase the risk of sunburn or other skin damage. This is because some essential oils are photosensitive and can cause a reaction in your skin when exposed to sunlight.
Several essential oils, including limonene and citronella, are known to cause this kind of reaction. They can also cause an inflammatory response to your skin. This can lead to redness, itching, and even burns or blisters on your skin.
You can prevent this from happening by avoiding lemon juice and other essential oils with potential photosensitizing properties. You should also use sunscreens when going out in the sun, and you should always wear protective clothing.
Another thing to consider is that some citrus fruits and celery can also cause a skin sensitivity condition called phytophotodermatitis, which occurs when dripping juice from these substances comes into contact with the skin.
You should talk to a healthcare professional if you have concerns about this condition because they may recommend avoiding certain citrus fruits and other plants.
The condition can also occur when people with leukoderma (a rare disorder that causes patches of white de-pigmented skin to develop) use citrus substances on their skin. They may then be more likely to develop sunburns or other skin rashes when they are out in the sun, as these spots will not contain the melanin that gives them their natural color.
In some cases, these reactions are hereditary, so they can affect males and females of all ages. They can also be related to a medical condition, such as porphyria or systemic lupus erythematosus.
Medications, especially those taken by mouth or injected, may also trigger a photosensitivity reaction. Taking doxycycline and tetracycline can increase the chance of this type of reaction occurring, so it’s best to avoid these medications if possible.
A doctor will determine the cause of your photosensitivity by evaluating your skin, which usually involves a patch or reaction reproduction test. They can also do a blood test to look for an underlying condition, such as porphyria, which is known to cause these kinds of reactions. If they find that your medication or a medical condition doesn’t cause it, they will help you develop a plan to avoid the problem.
3. Dryness
If you have sensitive skin, avoiding lemon juice on your face is best. The acidic nature of the juice can cause severe dryness, and it may also irritate your skin.
Before applying it to your face, you should do a patch test to ensure that your skin will not react badly to the application. If you are experiencing any side effects, stop using it immediately.
If your skin is very dry, use a moisturizer to replenish the moisture levels. You can find many moisturizers that are specifically designed for dry skin. These moisturizers will help you achieve a soft and healthy-looking complexion.
Some of the ingredients in these moisturizers include shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera. The shea butter helps your skin retain its natural oils, while the coconut oil and aloe vera hydrate your skin to prevent it from drying out.
You can also try mixing lemon juice with milk or aloe vera to make a natural hydrator for your skin. Mixing lemon juice with turmeric powder is another effective option for your skin. This combination can treat acne, itchiness, and inflammation.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can improve your skin’s appearance. It can also help prevent signs of aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. It is one of the main reasons many people have started incorporating lemon into their skincare routine.
Aside from the vitamin C in lemons, it contains other beneficial nutrients for your skin. These nutrients include alpha hydroxy acids and citric acid, known for their exfoliating properties.
These acids can help remove dead skin cells and regenerate new ones. They also have antibacterial and antifungal properties, which can help keep your skin free from infections.
The alpha hydroxy acids and citric acid in lemons can also help lighten your skin tone. This effect is only temporary, however. Using lemon juice on your skin is not recommended if you want a permanent change in your complexion.
If you do decide to use lemon on your skin, it is important to do a patch test first to see how your skin will respond to the treatment. Then, you can use a small amount of lemon juice on a small area of your skin.
4. Irritation
Lemon juice is commonly used to lighten dark spots and reduce blemishes, but it can also irritate when applied directly to your skin. That’s because the high acid content weakens and damages the protective barrier of your skin, causing it to become more prone to irritation.
This can result in various symptoms, including peeling, redness, flakiness, and dryness. Those with sensitive skin may experience more severe reactions.
You can avoid this by diluting the lemon juice in water, yogurt, honey, or aloe vera gel. You can also try a DIY face mask made with these ingredients or pre-formulated formulas that contain lemon in safe concentrations.
The main reason for irritation is citric acid, which can strip away the layer of dead skin cells that normally protect your complexion from harmful UV rays. This can clog pores and lead to acne.
Using lemons on your hair can also lead to irritation, as the acids in lemons may make it more prone to drying and tangling. That’s why you should only use a small amount of lemon juice on your scalp if you have dry or oily hair.
If you decide to use lemons on your skin, dermatologists recommend doing a patch test first to ensure no adverse effects. They advise that you apply a small amount to the inner arm or behind your ear, wait 24 hours, then see if you have any skin irritation.
Another way to prevent irritation is to avoid lemon altogether, especially if you have sensitive skin. Dermatologists warn that it can worsen hyperpigmentation and lead to a condition known as chemical leukoderma, which can leave you with white patches on your skin.
A woman from Melbourne, Australia, tried to treat her freckles and dark spots with a homemade toner that contained lemon, alcohol, and glycerine. Unfortunately, it made her suffer from a chemical leukoderma condition, which left her with uneven, white spots on her face that could be permanent.
Before using lemon on your skin, do a patch test on the inside of your elbow or inner arm to see if it causes any irritation. Then, follow your dermatologist’s recommendations and always remember to use sunscreen whenever possible, as the sun’s rays can cause the same conditions.
