Lemon Water & Acne

Although acne treatment often centers on topical remedies, making changes to your diet may help to treat acne from the inside out. Lemon water may be beneficial due to one of its main nutrients. However, scientific research on the benefits of using lemon water for acne is lacking. It's best to consult a dermatologist for advice on solving this skin problem, especially if you've been battling it for a while with little success.

Vitamin C And Acne

Lemons are rich sources of vitamin C, a nutrient that's essential for making two of the major building blocks of skin, collagen and elastin. It's also an antioxidant, which enables it to protect skin from free radicals. Boosting your intake of this nutrient through drinking lemon water can help to remedy this deficiency.

Topical Use of Lemon Water

Applying lemon water directly to your skin might help, considering that topical products containing vitamin C are effective for treating various inflammatory skin conditions, including acne, according to a study published in the "Journal of Drugs in Dermatology" in 2008. However, the researchers point out that the formulations of vitamin C products determine their effectiveness, so don't expect acne to miraculously clear up because you've applied lemon water.

Toxins And Inflammation

Toxins can damage cells and increase the amount of inflammation in your body. Inflammation is one of the key causes of acne; the more you have it, the worse your acne will be. Vitamin C in lemon water increases the production of glutathione, which is the main antioxidant your liver relies on during detoxification. As a result, it enhances the removal of toxins from your body and helps to lower inflammation.

Precautions

Drinking too much lemon water may cause acid reflux or heartburn in some people. Also, if you apply it to your face directly, it may cause burning or stinging. If you are allergic to citrus fruits, it's best not to use lemon water to treat acne. Keep in mind that trying to use natural remedies at home to treat acne may be a hit-or-miss ordeal. A dermatologist can recommend treatments that tackle all the causes of acne, including the buildup of dead skin cells, clogged pores and the bacteria Propionibacterium acnes.

Considerations

Keep in mind, that acne can take several months to clear up and requires ongoing treatment to keep it under control. The only known cure for acne is isotretinoin, a synthetic form of another nutrient, vitamin A. You must be under a doctor's supervision to take isotretinoin.