Lemon essential oil is one of the common ingredients in many skin care products. It is an essential oil that Indians used to treat highly infectious diseases. This oil has a refreshing scent and a vibrant yellow color. It also contains many natural compounds, including alcohols, aldehydes, terpenes, and sterols. It also contains fat-soluble phytonutrients. People make it using lemon zest and olive oil.
To make this oil at home, grate the peels of one lemon. Add olive oil to the grated lemon peel and then place the mixture in direct sunlight. Leave the mixture there for a few days and then transfer it to an airtight container.
Lemon Essential Oil Benefits for Skin
Lemon essential oil has different properties that make it good for the body and skin. For instance, it has antimicrobial properties that make it a perfect oil for acne-prone skin. This oil usually kills P. acnes, the bacteria that causes acne. It also helps unclog skin pores.
If you intend to use this oil for acne scars or acne, you should mix it with a non-comedogenic oil. Apply the mixture to the affected area of your face using a cotton ball. Leave it there for about three to six minutes, and then clean the area. You can also mix this essential oil with your everyday face wash. Below are more details on lemon essential oil benefits for skin.
Lemon Essential Oil Can Cleanse Your Skin
Lemon essential oil is a common ingredient in face washes and face cleansers. This oil can help cleanse your epidermis, preventing skin breakouts. To add this oil to your washing routine, put a small amount of face wash in your hand. Add one drop of lemon essential oil to this face wash and use the mixture to wash your face. You should, however, moisturize your face well after using this mixture. You should also ensure that you use this oil once a day to avoid having dry skin.
Lemon Essential Oil Can Tighten Up Your Skin
Wrinkles are completely natural. People usually associate them with aging and increased exposure to UV light. The breakdown of the skin’s connective tissue, collagen, causes these skin creases. This tissue gives the skin elasticity and is responsible for skin cells regeneration.
Lemon oil can help prevent the appearance of these creases. This oil contains vitamin C that helps fight against the free radicals that damage collagen. That, in turn, prevents the occurrence of wrinkles and fine lines.
Lemon oil Can Help Treat Hyper-pigmentation
Hyper-pigmentation is a skin condition characterized by dark patches on the skin. Stress, certain medications, and acne treatment products can lead to this skin condition. Lemon oil for skin can lighten black or brown spots.
Lemon oil contains high amounts of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant. This vitamin can prevent hyper-pigmentation. It also contains citric acid, which usually acts as a bleaching agent. This acid can break down melanin pigmentation and prevent the overproduction of melanin.
To treat black spots on your face using lemon oil, mix one tablespoon of this oil with baking soda or turmeric. Apply the mixture to the dark spots. Let it sit there for around four minutes, and then wash the affected area using lukewarm water. You should do this at least twice a week. You will start seeing results after three to four weeks.
You can also add this essential oil to your moisturizers or blemish treatment serum. However, before applying this oil to your face, do a patch test to check whether your skin is allergic to it. Mix the oil with carrier oils such as sweet almond, jojoba, or grapeseed oil if your skin is sensitive.
Lemon Oil Can Neutralize Sebum
Sebum protects and moisturizes your skin. It also transports vitamin E and other fat-soluble antioxidants to your skin surface. These antioxidants prevent oxidative skin damage. It is usually a waxy and oily substance that your sebaceous glands produce. It is usually acidic and prevents bacteria from penetrating your skin.
Overproduction of this oily substance can result in oily skin. Oily skin usually appears shiny and greasy. The pores on this skin may also appear larger. An overproduction of sebum may also lead to breakouts. How? Excess sebum may combine with dead skin cells forming keratin plugs. These plugs may block skin pores which, in turn, can lead to pimples and blackheads. Bacteria and viruses may get trapped in these plugs, resulting in skin inflammation.
Lemon essential oil for skin can prevent the overproduction of sebum. This oil contains citric acid that can control the production of this oily substance. It also has antiseptic properties that help restore the skin’s balance.
Lemon Essential Oil Can Treat Acne Scars
You may get acne scars if you have reddish, swollen and painful acne nodules and cysts. You may also get these scars if you squeeze, pop or pick your acne pimples, nodules and cysts. Failure to treat your acne breakout may also lead to these scars. The scars may last for months or even years if you fail to treat them.
If you already have these scars, you should apply lemon essential oil to them. Ensure that you apply this oil only on the scars and not your whole face. If your skin is sensitive, you should wash the affected area a few minutes after applying the oil.
Lemon Oil Can Help Remove Dead Skin Cells
One of the lemon oil benefits for skin is that lemon helps remove dead skin cells. This oil contains alpha hydroxyl acid. This acid can help you get rid of dead skin cells and promote the growth of new skin cells. To remove dead skin cells using lemon oil, mix it with sugar and apply it to your face. Massage your face in circular motions until all the sugar is dissolved.
Lemon Oil Can Help Revive Dry and Dull Skin
If your skin is dry and dull, mix one tablespoon of lemon oil with ten tablespoons of coconut oil. Apply the mixture to your face and massage your face for around 20 minutes. Rinse this product off your face. The lemon oil in this mixture will make your skin glow and moisturize your dry skin.
FAQ
Lemon oil can remove dark spots. It contains citric acid and vitamin C that can help lighten any dark spots on your skin. You should, however, ensure that you mix this oil with a non-corrosive carrier oil.
If you want to use lemon oil to lighten your skin, mix it with equal parts of water. Use a cotton ball to apply the resultant mixture to the part of your skin that you want to lighten. Let this mixture sit on your skin for twenty to thirty minutes, and then rinse it off with cool or lukewarm water. You should do this several times a week until you get the intended skin tone. You should, however, ensure that you do not go outside after applying this oil. Otherwise, UV rays will damage your skin.
You should never leave lemon oil on your face overnight, especially if you have sensitive skin. You should use this oil during the day since, during the day, you can monitor how your skin will react to it. Let it sit on your skin for 30 minutes, and then rinse it off.
Milk
Glycerin lotion and rose water
Honey
Egg-white
Carrier oils such as coconut, argan or jojoba oil
Lemon essential oil benefits for skin. That is a common topic that many people who have a skincare routine discuss. When you research this topic, you will find out that lemon oil can help treat acne. It can also treat hyper-pigmentation, cleanse your skin, tighten up your skin and prevent the overproduction of sebum. You should, however, avoid sun exposure after applying this oil to your skin. Otherwise, UV rays from the sun will irritate your skin. Also, you should mix this oil with carrier oils such as coconut oil and jujube oil before applying it to your skin especially if you have sensitive skin. These oils will dilute the lemon oil, ensuring that it does not irritate your skin.
