Home Remedies to Remove Dark Spots on Face with Lemon Juice

Exposure to the sun, harsh chemicals, or pollution can damage our skin and cause dark spots. These spots could be difficult to treat. Most often, OTC creams and lotions may not give the desired results. Lemon juice is a popular remedy for skin spots due to its vitamin C content. In studies, vitamin C was found to be effective in treating hyperpigmentation (1).

  • How Is Lemon Juice Effective In Removing Dark Spots?
  • 9 Natural Ways To Use Lemon Juice For Treating Dark Spots

How Is Lemon Juice Effective In Removing Dark Spots?

Our skin produces melanin, a pigment responsible for its characteristic color. Certain factors cause this pigment to be produced in excess, leading to pigmentation and dark spots. One major cause of pigmentation is excess exposure to sunlight (2). Other factors like hormonal imbalance, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, gastrointestinal disorders, and stress can also lead to dark spots.

Lemon juice is a natural ingredient that can be used alone or in combination with other ingredients to help lighten dark spots. The juice has similar bleaching properties as other OTC products. Its natural acidity makes it work as an organic bleaching agent, which can reduce dark/brown spots gradually.

The vitamin C in lemon juice works by inhibiting melanin production (also called melanogenesis). The nutrient is often used to treat skin hyperpigmentation and age spots (3).

Lemon also acts as an astringent, antioxidant, and antimicrobial agent (52431/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >4), (5). In the following section, we have discussed certain natural home remedies that use lemon to help treat dark spots.

Note: As per anecdotal evidence, using lemon in excess could dry your skin out. Hence, do a patch test on your elbow before using it on your face. If you experience itching or skin irritation after a few hours, do not proceed with these remedies. Also, lemon juice can make your skin photosensitive. Hence, apply sunscreen before you step out.

1. Turmeric And Lemon Juice

Turmeric can enhance the complexion. A study showed that the topical application of a moisturizing cream containing Tumeric extract reduced the appearance of facial spots, fine lines, and wrinkles on human facial skin (6).

You Will Need

  • 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon of milk

What You Have To Do

  1. Mix all the ingredients to get a thin paste.
  2. Apply the paste to the affected areas and let it dry for about 10 minutes.
  3. Wash your face with lukewarm water.

How Often You Should Do This

Use this pack 2-3 times a week.

2. Coconut Oil And Lemon Juice

The antioxidants present in coconut oil reduce the skin damage caused by sunlight and pollution. Coconut oil also protects the skin from UV radiation and improves skin barrier function (7). The oil also moisturizes the skin and hydrates it.

You Will Need

  • 2-3 drops of coconut oil
  • 2-3 drops of lemon juice

What You Have To Do

  1. Mix both the ingredients and massage the affected area with the mixture.
  2. Let it sit for 20-25 minutes.
  3. You can either rinse it off with tepid water or use a soft napkin dipped in warm water to wipe it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this once every day.

3. Apple Cider Vinegar And Lemon Juice

Apple cider vinegar is believed to have toning and exfoliating properties. They may help slough off the cells on the skin surface, lightening the dark spots.

You Will Need

  • 1/2 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon of water
  • Cotton ball

What You Have To Do

  1. Mix the vinegar and lemon juice with water.
  2. Dip the cotton ball in this liquid mixture and apply it to the dark spots.
  3. Leave it on for 8-10 minutes and then rinse it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this a few times every week until the dark spots fade away.

4. Parsley And Lemon Juice

Parsley, like lemon juice, is rich in vitamin C. It may play a role in lightening dark spots on the face (91/' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >8), (1). In another study, parsley was found to be equally effective in reducing dark spots as hydroquinone cream (9).

You Will Need

  • 1 cup of chopped parsley
  • 2 cups of water
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • Cotton ball

What You Have To Do

  1. Add the chopped parsley to a teapot with the water. Boil for 15 minutes.
  2. Strain the infusion of parsley and add lemon juice to it.
  3. Let the liquid cool. Apply it to the dark spots using the cotton ball.
  4. Leave it on for around 30 minutes and then rinse with plain water.
  5. Refrigerate the leftover parsley and lemon juice infusion.

How Often You Should Do This

Apply it daily to your face to lighten the brown or dark spots.

5. Cucumber And Lemon Juice

Cucumber contains antioxidants and silica that help in the gradual lightening of the dark spots (10). The fruit may also rejuvenate your skin.

You Will Need

  • 1 tablespoon of cucumber juice
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon of honey

What You Have To Do

  1. Extract fresh cucumber juice and add lemon juice and honey to it. Mix well.
  2. Apply the mixture to the dark spots and let it sit for 10 minutes.
  3. Wash it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this 1-2 times a day.

6. Olive Oil And Lemon Juice

If the dark spots are caused due to prolonged exposure to UV rays, olive oil can help. In a study, the SPF (sun protection factor) of olive oil was found to be the highest among the oils tested (11).

You Will Need

  • 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon of lemon juice

What You Have To Do

  1. Mix the oil with the lemon juice and apply to the dark spots.
  2. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes and then rinse off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this 2 times a day.

7. Yogurt And Lemon Juice

Studies show that facial masks containing yogurt may improve skin brightness and moisture (12). This may help lighten dark spots over time, though more research is warranted.

You Will Need

  • A few drops of lemon juice
  • 3-4 tablespoons of plain yogurt

What You Have To Do

  1. Apply lemon juice to the dark spots and let it dry.
  2. Apply the yogurt on top of the dried lemon juice and cover the dark spots.
  3. Leave the yogurt on for 10 minutes and then wash it off.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

8. Tomato Juice And Lemon Juice

Tomato contains lycopene and beta-carotene, antioxidants that are known to protect the skin from sun damage (13).

You Will Need

  • 1 teaspoon of tomato juice
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice

What You Have To Do

  1. Mix the two juices and apply the mixture to the dark spots.
  2. Leave this on for 10 minutes.
  3. Rinse off with water.
  4. Pat dry and apply a suitable moisturizer.

How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily.

9. Baking Soda And Lemon Juice

Anecdotal evidence suggests that baking soda can act as a good exfoliator. The grainy texture of baking soda can help exfoliate the top layer of the skin that has the spots. In the process, it could reveal the lighter part of the skin present below it.

You Will Need

  • 1 teaspoon of baking soda
  • A few drops of lemon juice

What You Have To Do

  1. Add some lemon juice to the baking soda powder to get a paste.
  2. Apply this paste on the dark spots.
  3. Leave it on for 3-4 minutes and then wash your face.

How Often You Should Do This

Repeat this every day.

You can try using lemon juice in any of the multiple ways to help treat dark spots. Ensure you always use fresh lemon on your skin. Bottled versions of the juice may contain preservatives that may harm the skin.

Also, avoid going in the sun with lemon juice over your skin. It may make your skin too sensitive to the UV rays (14).

If you experience any adverse reactions or find no change in the symptoms, please visit your doctor.

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