Whether or not you should rub lemon juice on your face is a nuanced question, as it can have both benefits and risks.
The Potential Benefits of Lemon Juice on the Face
Some people use lemon juice on their face for its potential benefits, which include:
- Reducing sun tan: Lemon juice is sometimes used to help reduce the appearance of sun tan. (3)
- Soothing itching: It has been found to help with soothing itchy skin. (4)
- Lightening skin tone: Lemon juice is sometimes used to lighten the skin tone for people with normal skin. (3)
The Risks of Applying Lemon Juice to the Face
It's critical to understand that lemon juice is highly acidic.
- Acidity: Pure lemon juice has a pH of around 2.35. (2) This high acidity can cause severe skin damage, especially for those with sensitive skin. (2)
Considerations Before Applying Lemon Juice
Before considering applying lemon juice to your face, consider the following:
- Skin sensitivity: If you have sensitive skin, proceed with extreme caution. The acidity of lemon juice can cause irritation, redness, and even burns.
- Dilution: Always dilute lemon juice with water before applying it to your face. Never apply pure lemon juice directly.
- Patch Test: Before applying to the entire face, do a patch test on a small area of skin to see how your skin reacts.
- Sun exposure: Lemon juice can make your skin more sensitive to the sun, increasing the risk of sunburn. So if you use lemon juice on your face, avoid sun exposure afterward.
- Type of skin: The benefits are for those with normal skin, so people with sensitive skin should not try this at all.
Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Potential Benefits | Sun tan reduction, itch relief, and skin lightening (for normal skin) |
| Risks | Severe skin damage due to high acidity, especially on sensitive skin |
| Considerations | Skin sensitivity, dilution, patch testing, and increased sun sensitivity |
It's generally best to err on the side of caution. If you have sensitive skin, it's likely best to avoid this method altogether. If you have normal skin, use it with care after performing a patch test and diluting it well.
