There have been numerous acne sufferers who have tried using lemon juice as their natural, inexpensive home remedy to fight acne and improve skin condition with acne marks and scars resulted from continuous pimple problems. Many of them succeeded, while some others experience only a little improvement with their acne or acne scars. In fact, lemon juice has long been researched to have a significant role in improving skin affected by acne marks and scars. Some acne sufferers even gave up manufactured acne care products to replace them with more natural lemon juice.

Does lemon juice help acne?

Lemon juice is a natural remedy which is commonly used for improving skin tone and complexion. This natural ingredient contains citric acid, which works as an essential skin cell stimulator in producing collagen. In addition, lemons are loaded with natural astringent and antibacterial properties that are important for unclogging pores. Therefore, lemon juice can be used as an alternative to various more expensive acne-caring products in the market, especially for mild acne problem. Chronic and acute acne problems may not be as easy as the mild one to treat with lemon juice. You might need consultation with a professional dermatologist, especially if the problem keeps recurring around similar skin spot.

How does lemon juice help acne?

When it comes to mild acne, which is caused by temporary hormonal changes or external dirt penetrating the skin, lemon juice will be very helpful. It is affordable, easy to find, and natural compared to at-store acne products. The juice extracted from one whole lemon can be refrigerate for next uses, making it a very cheap skin solution to try. Lemon juice is a natural antibacterial agent, which is also loaded with citric acid and vitamin C. As an antibacterial agent, lemon juice helps killing bacteria infesting and multiplying on skin pores. These multiplied bacteria, along with dirt and sebum from the skin’s sebaceous glands accumulate around the skin pores, causing clogs. When skin pores are clogged, the accumulated clogs turn into hardened whiteheads or blackheads—whiteheads infected by bacteria and dirt, which are visible on the skin surface. As an antibacterial agent, lemon juice helps killing these bacteria and eventually improve the skin condition.

Lemon juice helps acne in some ways, such as:

Reduces skin inflammation which worsens acne problem

Lemon juice contains a high level of antioxidants, which are helpful in reducing inflammation. This will inhibit acne from getting worse because of the continuing inflammation.

Kills bacteria which may aggravate acne and pimples

Lemon juice contains ascorbic acid—the citric acid, which is essential in killing infesting bacteria in skin pores and thus, inhibit its reproduction and future infestation. When the bacteria is eliminated from the pores, these pores are unclogged. This will improve existing acne, prevent future acne, and minimize the appearance of acne scars.

Controls sebum

Acne is triggered by clogged pores, which is commonly an accumulation of sebum, dirt, and bacteria. As a natural astringent, lemon juice dissolves excess sebum, eliminates oil, and narrows the pores. Thus, lemon juice applied topically will tighten the skin. This is the reason why lemon juice can dry up existing acne and pimples, making them easier to vanish. Citric acid also exfoliates the skin, promoting the skin natural glow.

Promotes new skin cell growth

Lemon juice is enriched with AHA (alpha hydroxyl acid), which remove dead skin cells naturally. Dead skin which is not exfoliated and stays on face may trigger clogged pores. Thus, when these skin cells are removed by the AHA, development of acne can be minimized.

Lemon juice contains vitamin C, which keeps the skin hydrated. Sufficiently-hydrated facial skin will be less prone to acne development.

Can anyone use lemon juice to help acne?