Lemon juice has astringent qualities due to its acidic level, which can help decrease inflammation and oil that may contribute to the formation of acne. Citric acid, a type of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) found in lemon, can help break down dead skin cells that lead to noninflammatory forms of acne, like blackheads. Lemons also have antimicrobial effects, which may help tame Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that lead to inflammatory acne. However, applying lemon or lemon juice to your face can have side effects that further damage your skin. Here are some of the positive and negative aspects of using lemon for acne:
Positive:
- Astringent qualities can help decrease inflammation and oil that may contribute to the formation of acne.
- Citric acid can help break down dead skin cells that lead to noninflammatory forms of acne, like blackheads.
- Antimicrobial effects may help tame Propionibacterium acnes bacteria that lead to inflammatory acne.
Negative:
- Applying lemon or lemon juice to your face can have side effects that further damage your skin.
- Lemons high acidity can disrupt your skins natural pH balance.
- Lemon juice can irritate the skin, which may aggravate existing acne.
- Lemon juice is best used as either an astringent or a spot treatment, and should not be applied directly to the skin.
Its important to note that there is no scientific proof that lemon is an effective treatment for acne. If youre thinking about using lemon to treat acne, its best to consult with a dermatologist first. They can give you some tips and also discuss any individual risk factors, such as a history of hyperpigmentation.
