Like sunshine in a bottle, lemon extract grants impressive assets to our skin. Discover its nine health benefits below.
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In this article:
- Increases Collagen in the Skin
- Fades Dark Spots and Blemishes
- Lightens Dark Elbows and Knees
- Hydrates Skin
- Helps Get Rid of Oily Skin
- Fights Off Blackheads
- Helps Reduce Acne
- Aids in Removing Acne Scars
- Exfoliates the Skin
9 Perks of Lemon Extract for the Skin
What Is Lemon Extract? This is made by soaking the lemon peel in neutral tasting alcohol, like vodka, to infuse the latter with essential oil from the fruit peel.
1. Increases Collagen in the Skin
Collagen is responsible for the skin’s elasticity. As you age, collagen production also slows down, producing saggy skin and unwanted wrinkles.
Lemon extract, being an excellent source of vitamin C, may help repair damaged skin cells and promote the synthesis of collagen. This, then, helps get rid of fine lines and wrinkles.
When combined with purple tea extract, the vitamin C in lemon makes a good skincare ingredient for acne-prone and oily skin. You can try making your own DIY lemon-banana-purple tea face mask!
You can also try the Purple Tea Firming Eye Cream. It contains natural derivatives which boost and protect the skin’s collagen in the eye area:
- Lemon
- Passionfruit
- Aloe vera
- Cucumber
- Purple tea
- Grape
- Pineapple
2. Fades Dark Spots and Blemishes
A fresh and bright skin complexion comes at the price of a lemon! Yes, lemon is essential in helping remove dark spots and blemishes thus giving you clear and even-toned skin.
Vitamin C, which may be found in lemon extract, also plays a key role in rejuvenating the facial skin from within. It helps lighten dark spots and flushes out toxic compounds in the bloodstream which cause inflammation and breakouts.
3. Lightens Dark Elbows and Knees
The intent in skin lightening is not to whiten your whole skin but to only lighten the dark areas like knees and elbows. According to research, vitamin C in fruits and vegetables may help decrease melanin formation to even out skin tone.
Here’s how you can lighten dark corners of the skin using lemon extract:
- Soak a piece of cotton ball or swab in a teaspoon of lemon extract.
- Gently apply on your knees and elbows.
- Let it dry and seep in for a few minutes before rinsing with warm water.
4. Hydrates Skin
The combination of lemon extract and honey make a good natural and antibacterial face moisturizer.
Try this DIY honey lemon face mask to keep your skin hydrated.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon extract
- 1 1/2 tablespoon honey
How to make and use:
- Stir in the ingredients in a mixing bowl.
- Apply on the face using your fingertips or a face brush, and let sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Rinse with cold water.
Get added hydration for your skin cells by doing a lemon water detox.
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5. Helps Get Rid of Oily Skin
Lemon extract has astringent properties which help remove grime and acne-causing dirt from pores and the epidermis. The same properties also aid in minimizing pores and balancing sebum production.
Epidermis Definition: The first and outer layer of the skin
6. Fights Off Blackheads
It might seem hard to believe, but lemons can also help diminish your blackheads. This is because lemon extract contains citric acid, which is an organic form of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA).
Alpha Hydroxy Acid Definition: This refers to an organic acid derived from plant and animals which contains a hydroxyl group. A number of this compound is applied in skin-care products for their exfoliating properties.
After cleansing your face, gently apply lemon extract on the oiliest spots of your skin and where blackheads usually appear. Let the citric acid work its natural pore-cleansing magic overnight.
For people with dry skin, add olive oil to the extract to prevent further drying.
7. Helps Reduce Acne
A disruption in the skin’s pH balance can cause acne. A not so acidic skin, or not acidic at all, is prone to acne and breakouts.
A study concluded that an acidic skin pH of 4-5 is beneficial for its resident flora. This is where the acidic nature of lemon extract comes into play.
Try using a mixture of aloe vera and lemon extract to get rid of pimples.
8. Aids in Removing Acne Scars
A mixture of pure lemon extract, organic honey, and turmeric powder is potent in clearing away acne scars. Mix equal parts of these ingredients and gently apply the mixture to your entire face like a mask.
Rinse the mask off with cold water after 15 to 20 minutes.
9. Exfoliates the Skin
The alpha hydroxy acids in lemon extract also exfoliate dead skin cells, aiding in faster cellular turnover. The result is rejuvenated young-looking skin.
Mix together lemon extract, olive oil, and brown sugar to make a body scrub. Apply gently on your skin and massage in small circular motions to slough off dead skin cells.
Rinse with slightly warm water and pat dry.
How to Make Lemon Extract at Home
Ingredients:
- Lemon peels from 2-3 lemons
- Vodka
- *Food-grade glycerin
- *Water
To Make Lemon Extract:
1. Wash and dry the lemons.
2. Separate the peels from lemons and place them in a small glass jar.
3. Cover the peels with vodka and seal tightly.
4. Allow this extract to rest for 4 weeks before discarding out the peels.
*To Make Lemon Extract Without Alcohol:
1. Remove the peels from lemons and place them in a small glass jar.
2. Cover the peels with a mixture of 3 parts food-grade glycerin and 1 part water.
3. Allow the extract to rest for at least 2 months before using.
Note: These extracts don’t need to be refrigerated and should last for up to 5 years.
Lemon extract is ideal for your DIY skincare recipes needing botanical ingredients. The ingredients to make it are even easy to find in the market.
Make it a part of your regular beauty regimen, and try it with the super health and wellness ingredient, purple tea!
Do you have your own lemon extract skincare recipe? Share your beauty masterpiece with us in the comments section below!
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