What is a lotion with lemon, what useful functions does it perform, possible contraindications to the use of the product, a list of components, popular recipes, rules for use. Lemon Facial Lotion is an effective home remedy that can help whiten skin, minimize wrinkles, tighten oval, and eliminate laxity. It also fights well with acne, excessive sebum secretion, and has a light peeling effect.
Benefits of lemon lotion
Lemon is a citrus that contains high levels of alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). It is more simply called "citric acid". This substance is included in almost every series of anti-aging cosmetics from leading manufacturers. Citric acid is able to affect the skin structure both at the cellular and molecular levels, and the skin tissue in general. Lemon juice is a kind of home peeling that “burns out” the top layer of the skin. Thanks to this, the epidermis is leveled, pigmentation, small scars, black spots, which are residual effects of acne, are eliminated. For this reason, lemon juice should be treated with caution. This is a rather aggressive environment for the skin. Since lemon juice contains a high concentration of ANA, then, acting on the epidermis, it has the following effect:
- Exfoliation and whitening … The acid weakens the adhesion of dead skin cells (corneocytes). The bonds between them are broken and they peel off. The main layer of the epidermis reacts instantly, which is expressed by the active birth of new cells (keratinocytes). This is how the superficial skin structure is renewed.
- Moisturizing … The face is hydrated due to the birth of young cells. Structures of hygroscopic molecules are formed on their surface. They attract, bind and hold water.
- Tightening and rejuvenation … This effect can be achieved through the active synthesis of elastin and collagen. These elements are the constituents of the fibers that are responsible for the elasticity of the epidermis. Citric acid stimulates the work of fibroblasts - connective tissue cells that bind collagen and elastin proteins. This has a strengthening effect on collagen and elastin fibers.
- Antiseptic effect … The substances that make up lemon juice help kill many harmful microorganisms. Thus, the skin is cleansed, the pathogenic environment for the growth of bacteria that causes acne is killed.
- Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects … The acid, which is part of lemon juice, causes "stress" to the skin. The latter gets a kind of chemical burn. This activates the protective systems of the skin: the internal resource is mobilized, the synthesis of important substances improves. As a result, the epidermis becomes thinner and the dermis thicker. The stratum corneum is strengthened, as intercellular connections are strengthened. As a result, the skin becomes firmer and more elastic. Small wrinkles are smoothed out.
Lemon is actively used in cosmetology, including for the preparation of homemade lotions. Such products regulate the acid-base balance of the skin, solve many specific problems, in particular, whiten the epidermis, reduce oil content, tighten pores, exfoliate dead cells, make the face more matte and smooth, disinfect the surface, and rejuvenate the face.
Contraindications to using lemon lotion
Lemon juice can help solve many skin problems. However, before you start using it in lotions, you need to pay attention to the following: it is a potent acid. It is not as powerful as its industrial counterparts, but it is still capable of leaving a burn on the face. Therefore, lemon lotions should be avoided for women who have delicate, sensitive skin. If you are the owner of a dry epidermis, then the acid will thin and dry it even more. If you need lemon's whitening properties, then limit yourself to using lemon-based products once a week. At the same time, it is recommended to mix the juice with various oils. There is also a warning regarding the interaction of lemon lotions and ultraviolet radiation. The acid activates the birth of young cells of the epidermis, which need special protection from the sun's rays. For this reason, chemical peeling with ANA acid is not recommended during the hot season. In winter, it also does not hurt to combine a lemon-based tonic with day creams with a sun protection factor of at least 10-15 points.
Composition and components of lemon lotion
In addition to citric acid, this fruit contains a whole complex of various vitamins, minerals, and trace elements that provide additional nutrition to cells and also have an antioxidant effect. Such substances have a positive effect on the skin:
- Vitamin C … A powerful antioxidant. Contained in lemon in large quantities. Prevents early aging of cells, the appearance of wrinkles, inflammation.
- B vitamins … They help to moisturize the skin, resist the negative influences of the environment, and improve the complexion.
- Vitamin A … One of the irreplaceable "beauty vitamins", it increases the elasticity of the epidermis, making it softer and smoother.
- Vitamin D … Restores the protective functions of skin cells.
- Vitamin P (citrine) … Increases the elasticity and firmness of the skin, improves its color.
- Pectins and flavonoids … Helps fight the pathogenic environment.
In addition, various components are included in the composition of lotions with lemon, such as honey, eggs, oils, milk, cucumber juice, and various decoctions of plants. The combination of different ingredients enhances their action, helps to solve skin problems in a comprehensive manner.
So, for fatty tonics, tonics containing alcohol or vodka are optimal. And for normal to dry skin, it is better to use products that, in addition to lemon juice, contain various oils. If you want to whiten your face, make age spots or freckles less noticeable, then it is recommended to combine lemon with cucumber, brown, parsley.
Lemon Lotion Recipes for Different Skin Types
There are many recipes for making alcohol lotions and alcohol-free toners with lemon and other ingredients. Let's consider them in groups, in accordance with the problems that these tools are designed to solve.
Lemon lotions for normal skin
Normal skin does not need any specific care. Lemon tonics are great for this purpose.
Homemade lemon lotion recipes:
- Classic tonic … This will require 10-15 drops of lemon juice and half a glass of water. The components need to be mixed, and the lotion is ready, you can use it. It is an effective and simplest astringent, cleanser and antiseptic.
- Lotion with lemon and apple cider vinegar … Mix 4 tablespoons of boiled warm water, a couple of tablespoons of rose water and the same amount of strong freshly brewed green tea. Mix the ingredients thoroughly and add a teaspoon of glycerin and apple cider vinegar. Add 10 drops of lemon essential oil and 5 drops of geranium oil to the composition. Mix the ingredients and pour the mixture into a glass or plastic bottle with a lid. You need to store the product in the refrigerator for no more than 14 days.
- Essential oil tonic … Will nourish and moisturize the skin. The recipe is as follows: we take three drops of essential oils of lemon, lavender, add three teaspoons of boiled water to the mixture. We cook before each use.
- Nourishing Lemon Egg & Honey Lotion … Beat one chicken egg until the mixture is smooth. Add a teaspoon of liquid honey and beat thoroughly again. Pour in a teaspoon of lemon juice. We store the product in the refrigerator for no more than one week.
- Alcohol lotion for normal skin … We cook according to this scheme: squeeze juice from one ripe lemon, add half a glass of fresh cream and one yolk from a chicken egg. Beat the mixture and pour in a quarter glass of vodka. We store the drug in the refrigerator for no more than 10 days.
Lotions with lemon for dry skin
Dry skin is prone to irritation, redness and flaking. Therefore, care products should be as gentle as possible.
Consider a few recipes for lotions using lemon:
- Lemon and linden blossom tonic … We prepare an infusion of linden flowers. To do this, pour one tablespoon of raw materials with a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. Pour 3 drops of lemon juice into the cooled infusion and add a teaspoon of honey. Pour the mixture into a clean bottle and store in the refrigerator for no more than two weeks.
- Lotion for dry skin with lemon, honey and cucumber … Prepared according to this recipe: take a fresh cucumber and cut it into small cubes. In total, we need three tablespoons of raw materials. Fill the cucumber with a glass of boiling water and leave for a couple of hours. We filter and squeeze out the cucumber sediment. Pour a teaspoon of honey and three drops of lemon juice into the liquid. Beat the mixture until foam appears. We store the product in a cold place for no more than 10 days.
- Lemon toner for dry and rough skin … Acts as a mild peeling agent. We prepare it like this: mix a teaspoon of vegetable oil (preferably olive oil) with? a teaspoon of lemon juice, add a teaspoon of honey to the mixture, shake the composition, and it is ready to use.
- Lotion with lemon and sour cream … Mix 0.5 cups of sour cream with one tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add pounded egg yolk to the mixture and? glasses of vodka. Pour the juice from half a lemon into the composition. Such a product is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 7 days in a tightly closed container.
Whitening lotions with lemon for pigmented skin
Lemon juice whitening lotions help reduce skin pigmentation and freckles. There are several recipes. Let's consider the most popular ones:
- Whitening lotion with lemon for all skin types … Take six tablespoons of cucumber juice. Add a tablespoon of rose water and a teaspoon of lemon juice. All components are thoroughly mixed, poured into a transparent container and stored in the refrigerator.
- Lemon lotion for age spots with brown … We cook according to this recipe: add one tablespoon of lemon juice to three tablespoons of boiled water, pour in a teaspoon of honey and the same amount of borax, mix the components and leave to infuse for 24 hours.
- Whitening toner for enlarged pores … Chop the parsley. We need two tablespoons of the plant. Pour raw materials with a glass of boiling water and boil for 20 minutes. Remove from heat and set to cool. When the broth has cooled, add a teaspoon of lemon juice to it. We store the drug in the refrigerator for up to 21 days.
- Lotion for age spots and oily skin … The lotion will help to eliminate not only excessive skin pigmentation, but also increased sebum secretion. Its recipe is simple: mix equal parts lemon juice and mineral water. Regular use of this product will narrow your pores and make freckles less visible.
Lemon lotions for oily skin
Oily skin does not look healthy, various acne breakouts, pimples, blackheads, and sebaceous plugs often appear on it. Lemon juice lotion can help solve these problems. There are several ways to prepare it:
- Lotion for tightening the pores of oily skin … Take half a glass of lemon juice and mix it with a glass of distilled water. We prepare a broth of witch hazel: pour 20 grams of dry raw materials into a liter of water and boil for five minutes. Pour 2/3 cup of broth into the mixture of juice and water. Pour the lotion into a transparent container and store in the refrigerator for no more than 14 days.
- Acne tonic … Acne is a common companion of oily skin. The following lotion will help in the fight against them: take half a lemon and grind it in a blender along with the peel, grind half an orange as well, mix citruses and add to the composition? glasses of alcohol. Filter the mixture through cheesecloth and refrigerate.
- Lotion with lemon and milk … We take half a glass of milk and pour the juice from one lemon into it. Add a couple of tablespoons of vodka to the mixture. We put the composition on fire and bring to a boil. Remove the foam and add a teaspoon of sugar.
We store the finished product in the refrigerator and use it before going outside.
How to use lemon lotions
Make sure to store homemade lotions in the refrigerator. The maximum period is three weeks. Apply the product to cleansed skin after washing. For this we use a clean cotton pad or swab. If you have dry skin, then you cannot use a strong mechanical effect (rubbing, stretching) during application. Lotions usually do not need to be rinsed off after skin treatment. However, if the composition of this or that product includes such components as honey, sour cream, cream, milk, then it can be washed off after a certain time of exposure. As a rule, 15-20 minutes of staying on the skin is enough to achieve the effect. You can use lotions twice a day - in the morning and in the evening. Make sure to also moisturize your skin after applying the lemon cosmetic. If you go outside in direct sunlight, then the cream should contain UV filters. How to make lemon lotion for face - watch the video:
Lemon lotions are homemade cosmetics that can help solve a variety of skin problems. Lemon is rich in natural acid, which has a powerful effect on the epidermis. In this case, it is important not to overdo it, since citric acid can cause a chemical burn to the delicate skin of the face.
