If you've ever walked down the skin care section of the supermarket, you know how costly acne treatments can be. However, the same can be said for going to the dermatologist, and in many cases, the cost is even higher. If you're looking for a home remedy for your acne, consider using lemon juice. While best suited for mild cases, it can reduce breakouts and heal current blemishes.
Causes of Acne
There is no one cause for acne. In fact, it's often caused by a variety of things, from hormones to skin that's slow to shed skin cells. Excess oil production may also be to blame, according to AcneNet. When bacteria combines with dead skin and oil, they collect in the pores and form blemishes of various degrees of severity. Noninflamed lesions, called blackheads and whiteheads, are the ones most receptive to lemon juice as a treatment.
Lemon and Your Skin
According to Cure Guide, lemon juice is an anti-inflammatory agent due to its vitamin C content. When applied to the skin, it can reduce irritation and kill the bacteria that causes acne. While you can buy skin care products that contain vitamin C, you can save money by trying the at-home version with pure lemon juice.
Function
Lemon is a citrus fruit, which means it contains an acid called alpha hydroxy. This acid is an exfoliant, which means when applied to the skin, it helps dead skin cells shed faster and prevents them from clogging the pores. When used regularly, products containing this acid allow current blemishes to heal and prevent new ones from forming. Lemon juice is an inexpensive alternative to products containing this ingredient.
Application
To apply lemon juice to your acne, simply squeeze some lemons. After washing your face well, apply the juice all over your skin, like a toner. This will remove dirt, oil and dead skin cells. Leave on for up to 15 minutes before rinsing. Splash your face with cold water afterward to tighten and close your pores.
Caution
Although it's normal for the lemon juice application to make your skin sting a bit, it shouldn't burn or hurt immensely. If it does, pure lemon juice may be too strong for you. To remedy this, mix lemon juice with equal parts water. If this is still too strong, consider using a different treatment, as the lemon juice may just irritate your acne further.
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