Is Lemon Juice Good for Acne and Acne Scars?

Specialty: Ayurveda

Dr. Babita Sharma, an Ayurveda specialist, has 10 years of experience. She is currently working as MD and Consultant at Atharva Ayurveda Ayurdhama Hospital Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. She completed her Bachelor’s degree in Ayurveda, Medici... more

Many skin care products use lemon as their active ingredient to help deal with skin conditions like acne and hyperpigmentation. This is because of its high antioxidant content. Lemon is packed with vitamin C, which helps fight free radicals in the skin and boost collagen. It also contains other essential minerals and antioxidants that may improve the health of your skin.

However, there are potential side effects of using lemon that may damage your skin further. This article discusses how you may use lemon for acne and acne scars. Make sure you do a patch test before trying it out. Read on to learn more.

Note: There is no direct study to establish the efficacy of lemon juice in treating acne. However, you can give it a try after consulting your dermatologist.

  • Does Lemon Juice Help Acne?
  • How To Apply Lemon Juice For Acne And Scarring
  • Tips To Remember While Using Lemon Juice On Your Skin
  • Side Effects Of Applying Lemon To The Skin

Does Lemon Juice Help Acne?

Lemon and its extracts have been extensively used in various skin care products due to their powerful antioxidant potential. In general, antioxidants can help in scavenging free radicals on the skin and boosting collagen levels.

Acne' target='_blank' rel='noopener noreferrer' >Acne is one of the most commonly diagnosed skin conditions in the United States and affects around 9.4 % of the global population (1). While there is a range of over-the-counter treatments available for treating acne, many people are on the lookout for natural methods to deal with the issue.

Anecdotal evidence validates the use of lemon in treating acne and improving the scarring caused by it. The properties that may make lemon juice a great option to consider for treating acne are as follows:

Here’s how you can use it.

How To Apply Lemon Juice For Acne And Scarring

You Will Need

  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon of water
  • Cotton pads or balls

What You Have To Do

  1. Mix a tablespoon of lemon juice with a tablespoon of water.
  2. Apply the mixture to your face and neck using a cotton pad or ball.
  3. You can also apply this mixture as a spot treatment.
  4. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes and rinse it off with water.

How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily or every alternate day.

Lemon juice can dry out your skin. Hence, it is recommended that you use a non- comedogenic moisturizer after trying out the above remedy.

Listed below are some tips that you should remember while using lemon juice topically.

Tips To Remember While Using Lemon Juice On Your Skin

There are also a few side effects that may occur when you apply lemon juice topically. They are listed below.

Side Effects Of Applying Lemon To The Skin

The bottom line is, lemon juice can cause side effects if not applied with caution. Although anecdotal claims support the use of lemon juice in treating acne and acne scars, there is no scientific evidence to back this up. But you can always try this remedy out after consulting your dermatologist and see if it works for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for acne scars to go away with lemon juice?

Pigmentation caused by acne generally fades in 7 to 10 days. However, post- inflammatory hyperpigmentation may take anywhere between a few months to even a year to fade completely. However, the acne scars that extend into the dermis will never go away completely.

Does drinking water help acne?

While consuming water alone will not cure acne, it will help flush out toxins from your body, which can result in healthier skin.

Is lemon acidic?

Yes, lemons are acidic due to the presence of citric acid. Lemons have a pH between 2 and 3, which makes them very acidic.

What happens if we apply lemon on the face and leave it overnight?

Leaving lemon on the skin for too long can increase your skin’s sensitivity and make it dry and itchy.

How long do pimple marks last?

Pimple marks are usually temporary. They may last anywhere between 7 to 10 days before they start disappearing.

Read more on: acne, scars