Contents:
- Medical Video: Put an End to Adult Acne
- Can you use lemon for zits?
- Lemon can cause skin irritation
- Tips for safely using lemon for the skin
Medical Video: Put an End to Adult Acne
Lemon, the bright yellow wry fruit has health benefits that have no doubt, including for beauty. Many people apply lemon directly to their skin to remove acne scars and black spots. However, is it true that lemon for acne is an effective treatment? Find out the answers in this article.
Can you use lemon for zits?
The various compounds contained in lemons make it the right choice for skin care. Natural astrigent contained in lemons can help reduce oil on the face.
The citric acid contained in the lemon acts as an exfoliant substance to remove dead cells (which cover the pores and often cause infection and irritation) in the outer layer of the skin. Lemon also has antibacterial properties that make it able to create an acidic environment so that bacteria do not multiply.
In addition, lemon is also rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C or ascorbic acid is often used in many skin care products. Vitamin C is an amazing antiaging and antioxidant ingredient. Because, vitamin C can help fight free radicals that cause inflammation, brighten the skin, and reduce wrinkles on the face. Not only that, vitamin C is also an important vitamin that helps produce collagen for skin that is more soft and supple.
Not only that, lemon also has antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that are good for skin health. However, do not carelessly use lemon for zits. Instead of getting skin that is smooth and clean, lemon can actually make your acne worse, even making your skin more damaged.
Lemon can cause skin irritation
Unfortunately, using lemon juice directly on the skin is not the best way to get all the benefits of lemon as mentioned above, including to treat acne. Remember, even though lemon is a natural ingredient, it doesn't mean that lemon is safe for your skin.
Lemon contains high acid with pH 2. Even though the natural pH of the skin of a human face ranges from 4, -5.5 only. That is why lemon is acidic from the pH of the skin, and can actually be 100 times more acidic than your skin. How come? At a decrease in one pH scale, the acidity of a compound will also increase to 10-fold.
This low pH of lemon can cause chemical burns. Even if you don't burn your skin, lemons are also at risk of causing contact dermatitis, rashes and skin irritation.
Not only that, lemons and all citrus fruits will basically make your skin more sensitive to the sun. Lemon can trigger a type of severe rash called phytophotodermatitis. Phytophotodermatitis is a condition that occurs when chemicals contained in certain types of plants cause the skin to burn or become inflamed when exposed to sunlight.
Apparently, furocoumarins contained in lemons can indeed cause skin damage if exposed to ultraviolet A (UVA). Besides lemons, these substances are also contained in other fruits and vegetables such as carrots, celery, sweet potatoes, citrus fruits (eg mandarin oranges, limes, lime, and grapefruit), certain essential oils, even grass and weeds.
Tips for safely using lemon for the skin
Lemon may not be the natural acne medicine you are looking for. But if used with caution, you can feel a variety of benefits for the health of your skin. For skin care, follow the following security instructions:
- Don't use lemon or other citrus fruits if you have sensitive skin. Because lemon is very easy to irritate your skin.
- Do not apply lemon juice directly on your skin because exposure to sunlight afterwards can cause conditions as described above.
- Always wash hands with soap and water thoroughly after cooking, spending time outdoors, or gardening. Hand washing is the best way to remove chemicals contained in plants from the skin.
- If you want to use lemon for zits, mix lemon with other ingredients to reduce side effects. You can use honey, rose water, yogurt or oatmeal.
- Don't use lemon to face too often. Several times a month may still be safe. However, using lemon too often can cause dry skin and prone to peeling.
- Stop using immediately if you notice any irritation or rash.
Basically, the best way to deal with your zits is to use treatments that have proven effective to overcome them. If you have a skin problem related to acne, consult a dermatologist to determine the right treatment according to your condition.
