HOW TO USE LEMON SCRUB FOR OILY, DRY, AND NORMAL SKIN

Can a person use lemon scrub for the skin? Herein is about using lemon scrub for oily, dry, and normal skin, including; ingredients, why it is good, and tips and precautions.

Some people strive to get soft, supple, flawless, and radiant skin. Some people utilize various cosmetic and over-the-counter topical treatments to scrub off dead cells from their dry or oily skin to achieve the best results. Those who opt against this option often resort to considerably inexpensive and easily accessible household ingredients to make homemade exfoliants. Thus, of the ingredients available in the household, lemon juice is often utilized as a key part of lemon-based skin exfoliants. Lemon is rich in vitamin C, making it a perfect ingredient in the skincare routine for starters because it promotes the skin's natural glow by boosting the epidermal turnover rate and lightening the skin tone. Lemon juice contains considerable amounts of citric acid that removes the outermost layer of dead skin cells. However, if you want to try a homemade lemon-based recipe to incorporate into your weekly skin care regimen, here is how to use lemon scrub for exfoliating oily, dry, and normal skin.

For Oily Skin: Baking Soda, Honey, and Lemon Scrub

Oily skin may require extra care than the usual toning, moisturizing, and cleansing routine. Engler & Arndt (2010) suggested that scrubbing the skin with lemon scrub helps remove dead but unseen skin cells from the surface, hence, unclogging pores. Folks with oily skin may need to scrub at least twice weekly to ensure sebum doesn't build up.

Pimples and blackheads can be frustrating. Cates (2017) suggested that oily skin is associated with pimples and acne breakouts; no one wants to experience that; a perfect exfoliating tool would be a lemon scrub to achieve a glowing shine on your skin. Folks with oily skin can make the perfect lemon scrub by mixing baking soda, honey, and lemon juice. The combination contains deep cleansing properties to unclog the skin. For instance, baking soda is a natural cleanser, honey is anti-bacterial, while lemon acts as a natural astringent that cuts down on sebum build-up. Below is how to go about it.

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
• Half a tablespoon of baking soda.
• 1 tablespoon of honey.

Steps

• Add all the three ingredients to a bowl and mix into a well-blended paste.
• Apply the paste on your face or body using fingers and massage gently for 5 minutes.
• Rinse the scrub using cold water and pat it dry with a towel.

For Dry Skin: Sugar, Coconut Oil, And Lemon Scrub

The main hiccups folks with dry skin run into are itching and rough texture. Luckily, sugar, coconut oil, and lemon scrub can help. These three ingredients will come to your rescue, and the dry, flaky skin will be a thing of the past. According to Happy et al.(2021), lemon softens the skin, while coconut oil will boost skin tone and restore moisture to dull skin.

Mostly, dry skin is a product of cold weather, harsh soaps, exposure to dry winds, or frequent use of hot showers. Other causes of dry skin could be medical conditions such as thyroid disorder or menopause. However, whatever the cause of your dry skin, leaving it unattended could result in irritation, peeling, and inflammation. Unlike commercial treatments containing harsh chemicals, lemon scrub and other home skincare remedies will safely exfoliate your dry skin.

Why Lemon Is Useful For Your Dry Skin

• Lemon is a rich source of potassium essential in moisturizing and rejuvenating dry skin.
• Lemon juice contains many citric acids that dissolve dead skin cells to eliminate dry texture.
• The abundance of vitamin C in lemon juice boosts collagen production in the skin. It enhances elasticity and cuts back on the appearance of wrinkles, which is a major concern with dry skin.

Ingredients

• 6 tablespoons of coconut oil.
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice.
• 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Steps

• Put these ingredients in a deep bowl and mix to form a homogenous blend.
• Apply the oil scrub on the face and gently massage for about 8 minutes.
• Rinse off the scrub with warm water and tap to dry your face.

For Normal Skin: Sugar and Lemon Scrub

The ideal scrub for normal skin utilizes a combination of sugar and lemon. Suryawanshi (2011) revealed that lemon is excellent for its rich source of vitamin C that boosts skin tone. Sugar is a natural exfoliator that removes dead skin cells. This particular scrub is also great at eliminating dark spots from the skin.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of sugar.
• 6 tablespoons of lemon juice.

Steps

• Add these ingredients into a bowl.
• Mix them into a consistent paste and use your fingers to apply it to your skin.
• Rub gently in a circular motion and leave it for a few minutes.
• Rinse off the scrub and wash your face with warm water.

Why Lemon Is an Excellent Exfoliant

Unlike most commercial cosmetic products with harsh ingredients, lemon is a natural ingredient you can use on your facial skin without any side effects. An oily, dry, or patchy skin can frustrate you at times. However, lemon is a handy household ingredient that can restore the glow to your skin. It comprises various health-enhancing benefits such as skin care, hair, and overall health.

100g of lemon serving packs 53 grams of vitamin C, considered a skin-friendly nutrient. This composition of vitamin C, alongside ingredients such as sugar and honey, makes it a perfect exfoliant for your skin.

Lemon Scrub: Tips And Precautions

• Lemon juice packs a PH of between 2 to 3. This is considered highly acidic. Apply diluted lemon juice to avoid burns, itching, redness, or irritation.
• Don't walk straight into the sunlight immediately after applying treatments containing lemon juice.
• Freshly squeezed lemon juice is recommended since it has the highest vitamin C level.
• Avoid alcohol-based creams, moisturizers, and cleansers to treat your skin.
• Avoid broad-spectrum sunscreen when busking in the sun.

The Bottom Line

Lemon is a common household ingredient used in exfoliation. It is highly preferred because it is rich in vitamin C and citric acid – two main components responsible for smooth-textured and glowing skin. Vitamin C boosts collagen production from the skin to enhance its elasticity. Citric acid dissolves dead skin cells from the surface, making the peel seamless. Lemon helps the skin to retain moisture making it smooth and tender. Lemon scrub helps maintain the skin tone. Use the correct quantity of ingredients when preparing lemon scrub for better results. Ensure to mix the ingredients properly when making a lemon scrub.

References

Cates, T. (2017). Clean Skin From Within: The Spa Doctor's Two-Week Program To Glowing, Naturally Youthful Skin. Fair Winds Press.

Engler, N., & Arndt, K. A. (2010). Skincare And Repair. Harvard Health Publications.

Happy, A. A., Jahan, F., & Momen, M. A. (2021). Essential Oils: Magical Ingredients For Skin Care. J. Plant Sci, 9, 54-64.

Suryawanshi, J. A. S. (2011). An Overview Of Citrus Aurantium Used In The Treatment Of Various Diseases. African Journal Of Plant Science, 5(7), 390-395.