Natural Skin Care: Lemons

Lorraine Sabbia is a professional makeup artist and freelance writer based in Florida. She will be contributing a series of articles on natural skin care in the upcoming weeks. Welcome, Lorraine!

Guest Post By Lorraine Sabbia

Skin care is a multi-billion dollar industry and, with the world’s desire to put their best face forward, it is growing every day. Nature has provided us with all the solutions for our skin woes. However, many skin care products that include natural ingredients also include a big price tag. A trip to your local farmer’s market or health food store may be all you need to quench your skin’s thirst and hold on to that hard-earned cash.

In my experience, the most common skin ailments and complaints include: premature aging, skin discoloration, blemishes, and dryness. My favorite go-to products that help aid in the treatment of these symptoms are: lemons, honey, grapeseed oil, avocados, and oats. In beauty treatments, the best products to use are in their rawest form, the way nature made them, without any artificial components. While these tips and tricks are meant to inform and help certain skin conditions, they are not cures. Have fun testing new recipes and enjoy the radiant results!

Lemons

The leading citrus fruit–thanks to its inviting color, aroma, and health benefits– the lemon can prove to be quite a beauty treatment. Before you pucker up, keep in mind that lemons do contain acid, so sensitivity and allergic reaction can occur. Always do a patch test and avoid sun exposure just prior to and after any lemon treatment.

Benefits

This little bundle of yellow goodness is packed with vitamin C, B, calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, protein, and citric acid. With these potent levels of antioxidants and vitamins, lemons are able to do the work of a plethora of expensive beauty agents. Exfoliating, toning, brightening, and clearing are among the benefits lemons can do for your skin.

Uses

The acids in lemons work as a gentle, mild peel to aid in exfoliation of the outermost layer of the skin. The antioxidants absorbed during this process will also help prevent wrinkles and maintain skin elasticity. For a radiant glow, rub a cut lemon dipped in sugar over your face for a few minutes. This will remove those dead skin cells revealing shiny new ones.

Lemons are highly antiseptic with antibacterial properties. To reduce blackheads, rub pure lemon juice over problem areas before bed, then rinse and moisturize in the morning. Along with clear, youthful skin, it will help in reducing shine and oiliness in problem areas.

Lemons are an easy way to fade freckles, age spots, and scars. Simply rub ½ a lemon on your face or any dark areas, like elbows. Repeat a few times a week until desired results are reached. To make this process even more convenient, try freezing lemon juice mixed with a little water into ice cube trays. When you are ready to use, just wrap the ice cube in a washcloth and massage over skin. It’s even more refreshing this way! Be sure to avoid sun exposure and use sunscreen whenever treating pigmentation issues. The sun can have the reverse effect on all the hard work the lemons put in to fade the discoloration.

Lemons can actually maintain the pH balance of the skin. The high amounts of potassium help to neutralize the acid, allowing your skin to stay balanced. For a refreshing toner, fill a spray bottle up with water, squeeze ½ a lemon and add a few thinly sliced cucumbers strips. Spray face evenly and gently press toner into skin. Once it has absorbed, rinse with cool water.