Sufferers of facial skin maladies such as acne, cold sores and dermatitis may find relief in preparations made from lemon oil and witch hazel. These simple astringents, when used in moderation, can be effective for your skin issues, but less drying than harsh ingredients like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid.
Acne
The astringent effects of witch hazel and lemon oil can help to dry up acne blemishes and excess sebum. Mothernature.com suggests adding lemon oil to a toner made of witch hazel and vinegar to cleanse oily skin. For people with dry skin prone to blemishes, commercial astringents may lead to flaky, scaly skin. Witch hazel is gentler, allowing you to treat your blemishes without excessive drying.
Dermatitis
According to the Mayo Clinic, witch hazel compresses can help to soothe the itching of dermatitis, a condition in which inflammation leads to dry, irritated skin. Scratching skin inflamed by dermatitis worsens the condition, leading to a vicious cycle of itching and temporary relief. To make a witch hazel compress, soak gauze pads in the solution, squeeze out the excess liquid and lay the gauze over your skin. For added itch relief, add a drop of lemon oil or a squeeze of lemon juice to a bottle of witch hazel and keep it in the refrigerator between uses.
Other Skin Issues
The University of Maryland Medical Center states that patients who applied lemon balm cream to cold sores caused by the herpes simplex virus experienced relief from swelling and redness after just two days. Lemon oil also acts as an exfoliant, helping to slough off dead skin cells. Makeup artist Shalini Vadhera suggests applying witch hazel compresses to puffy eyes for five minutes to help reduce swelling and dark circles. Both diluted lemon oil and witch hazel can be used to clean minor cuts on the skin.
Considerations
Any astringent can irritate and dry your skin, so you should always use witch hazel and lemon oil in moderation. If you experience irritation and itching after using either, discontinue their use and stick to a gentle facial cleanser. Because lemon oil is highly concentrated, you should dilute it in water or a carrier oil before using it on delicate facial skin. If you have any adverse reactions to or concerns about the effects of lemon oil or witch hazel, consult a dermatologist.
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