Last Updated on August 10th, 2020
By Dr. Jaggi Rao, MD, FRCPC, Double board-certified dermatologist
Millions of people who have acne around the world can attest to the healing properties of lemon juice, both applied directly to the skin and drunk as a beverage without sugar. 🍋 Undiluted lemon juice, however, can be irritating to sensitive skin.
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There are some acne sufferers who tried everything else and found their skin care solution in lemon juice. Here are some typical testimonies. A man in his mid-20’s writes:
“For the last six years I have been battling moderate to severe acne. It had reached the point that I was 24 years old, just graduated from college, and dreading not just job interviews but even going outside the house.
I tried everything I could buy over the counter. I used scrubbing cleansers, vitamin E, vitamin C, exfoliants, humectants, moisturizers, antiseptics, and even deep ocean sea water that cost $120 an ounce.
Then I heard about lemon juice. I was afraid to try it because eating fruit makes me itchy, but I found out that it’s OK when I put lemon juice on my skin. I start with a skin cleanser, and then I lay a warm moist cloth on my face to open up my pores. Then I squeeze two lemons onto second warm, clean, moist cloth, and let it stay on my face ⏲️ for 5 or 10 minutes.
I can’t believe the difference! It took about three months for my pimples to go away, but now I have nearly acne-free skin!”
Another testimonial might go on the lines of this from a 30-year-old woman:
“I tried every treatment I could think of. I used Oxy, ProActiv, Neutrogena, facial waters, and even green tea and honey. Nothing got rid of my pimples, and I started getting these nasty little knots just below the surface of my skin.
Then I decided to try lemon juice. Twice a day I wash my face with Dr. Bronner’s skin cleanser. Then I squeeze two lemons into a clean bowl. I dip a cotton ball into the lemon juice and blot fresh lemon juice all over my face. I wait 15 to 30 minutes, and then rinse my face with warm water.
Lemon juice started to work right away, and the results were amazing! 🌟 All those knots in my skin started to come to the surface, and most of them would come loose with just a gentle nudge. (The writer is referring to exceptionally large whiteheads.) I knew lemon juice was drawing out the zits, but I had no idea what was underneath the surface.
My face looked totally different after about a week. I’ve been using lemon juice with great results for six months now—and it only costs me about $5 a week.”
Lemon juice is easy, it’s organic, it’s highly unlikely to cause any side effects, and it works—both inside and out. Here’s why.
Lemon juice, as we all know, is acidic. Sometimes the whole problem in acne care is that the skin is not acidic enough for all the other treatments we do to work.
Although it’s popular to talk about alkalizing the interior of the body for health (actually it’s only your urine that needs to be alkaline, the rest of your body is in a very right range of pH balance anyway), the surface of the skin is actually healthier when it is acidic, with a pH between 4 and 5. That’s about the pH of lemon juice.
Lowering the pH of the skin makes it a lot less comfortable for bacteria, including the bacteria that the skin needs as part of its natural “clean up crew.”
Acne bacteria in small numbers perform a useful function by consuming excess sebum. But lowering skin pH makes the pores a lot less hospitable to the bacteria, without causing them to send out the chemicals that trigger an immune reaction that result in inflammation and redness on the skin.
Korean scientists studying Korean citrus fruits have confirmed that applying lemon juice to the skin causes acne bacteria to send out less of the chemical messenger that tricks the human immune system into destroying skin cells (and giving the bacteria an escape route to the surface) by releasing a compound called interleukin-8, or IL-8.
Japanese scientists have discovered that a compound called nobiletin, which is also present in oranges, 🍊 stops excess production of sebum, at least in lab animals. Bitter orange, blood orange, and sweet orange juices (that is, juices from sweet oranges such as those consumed in most the world outside Asia, not orange juice with sugar in it), can also be useful on oily skin.
Many users note that lemon juice stings when it is applied to “active blemishes,” that is, when it is applied to pimples. Normally, anything that causes stinging of the skin is not a good thing if you have acne.
Lemon juice, however, causes a stinging that also slows down inflammatory processes, so that the net effect on the skin is good.
There is one group of people who should not use lemon juice to treat acne. Lemon juice is not beneficial for acne on dark brown or black skin. The reason not to use lemon juice on dark skin is that dark skin contains many melanocytes, cells that make pigment.
Lemon juice stimulates melanocytes to make antioxidants that protect the skin. When they make these protective antioxidants, they also make extra skin pigments. It is possible that lemon juice, like nearly any other “stinging” skin treatment, can cause long-term or permanent darkening of already-dark skin. Any darkening of the skin caused by lemon juice will be more severe when the skin is exposed to the sun. Lemon juice compounds are especially active in the melanocytes when they are activated by the UV-A rays of sunlight. Dark skin will not burn, but it will darken even more when exposed to sunlight after lemon juice treatment.
Lemon juice does not work for everyone. If you would like to try a more traditional acne treatment with a money-back guarantee, 👍🏻👍🏼👍🏿 consider Exposed Skin Care.
it works really well! it works
Glad to hear it!!
I use this product lemon juice it really work on black skin I am very dark skin person, peoples asked me what do I use on my skin They tell me now my skin is beautiful and most of my blackheads are gone. I feel pretty.
Im brown skin ,,,but i was just wondering if it has left you with any light patches on your face and how many times a day or week did u use the lemon juice? Any special techniques you use ?
I have mild acne and I have tried lemon juice for acne. For me it worked wonders. First, I don't have sensitive skin. It's tough. The lemon juice didn't bother me. Second, I applied it at night and left it on my face until my morning shower. Sometimes it felt sticky on the pillow. In one case it literally cleared up a zit overnight. The zit had just formed due to stress and was relatively small. I applied the juice directly to it one night and by morning it was gone.
I have a frightening face because of pimples right now. I am glad to hear about this at the right time and it's the first thing I'll embark on as from today. I hope it works and use it to encourage others.
I am asian ang have moderate brown skin. And I've been using lemon juice for a long time about two years now, and it has been working to reduce my acne. I would say it works with brown or dark skin individuals. : )
I've had acne ever since middle school and have tried so many different things from benzyl peroxide to using some type of alcohol from neutrogena. It's only gotten worse and has even started appearing on the very side of my face which had never happened before. My mom likes using natural things so she suggested Lemon juice to me. She basically cuts a lemon in half and has me put it directly onto my face. I don't rub it into my skin but just put it all over.. For me some 'fresh' zits will sting, but it actually itches for me. The itching only goes on for a minute or two and then it's fine. I leave it on for a while and then wash my face. I can see it helped a bit, it's also helping with acne scars! I'm gonna try to keep using this method, hopefully it works! Fingers crossed!
Hey! I just wanted to know dat if der is any side effct of aaplying lemon juice dirctly on skin?
No it's a 100% natural! So it doesn't have any effects :) But if you don't like the feeling of itchiness on your face then get a papaya and take a cotton swab then, put it on your pimple. Or you could mash up the the papaya and make a mask. This shouldn't sting, if it does take it off imediantly and cleanse your face.
I start using lemon today i hope its work for me . Because i try different kind of pimples treatment.. even going to derma doctor but im still satisfied for the reasult.. i glad to heard all the positive comments.. and start rigth away in my face lemon.. i let you know after 1 week or more the result..
Hi I am using organic lemon juice and even with my first attempt it has worked wonders for me!I can feel and see a difference.I'm hoping it takes away the appearance of my dark spots and mild acne and even after it does,I will definately continue using this product.I strongly recommend it to any viewer battling with the same problem,however,I'm not too sure about dark skin-toned persons as I am very fair...(Hoping the lemon juice has the same effect on everyone else)
Has your skin color changed from when you hadn't used it?
You should only note that most acne is found on dark skinned people so yea...
not, ive seen so many white kids with terrible acne. anyone can get it
I am a dark skin person who have very sensitive skin since and bad acne. Since I started to use the lemon juice. I have been seen some results. The proactive did not work for me but the lemon juice did. I feel better with my face for the pass one week now. No more fear about what people are going to say to me when I'm on the road
Have used lemon juice but it rather worsen my pimple by coming out all my face. Please what should I do?
Like one of the comments said, it will draw out the bacteria as with most treatments, this will happen. I was freaking out because it happened to me. I was told by an aesthetician to us it to get rid of acne and to lighten my acne scars. I am a caramel colored person with a lot of yellow in my skin. I've been using the lemon and cutting it into slices. I squeeze the lemon and rub it on my face, then use a moisturizer after it dries. It does itch for a minute and will sting open acne, but it has made my skin look so much better and even an undereye circle scar is gone (it was not long, but it bothered me) I am 53 and suffered with acne since I was a teen. When Im stressed, I break out. I recommend giving this a try. It also exfoliates which can make some hard scars much softer.
ive been trying lemon with sugar ! All u need to have is cotton balls , lemon , lemon squezzers and sugar , its been 3 days since ive been trying this method , i had acne for 4 years now and i tried every product u can think of , proactive , clean and clear , neutrogena , etc i can give u more then 50 products i have spend so much money for something that didnt work for me , since ive been using this method , i saw a hudge difference in my skin , i usually wear make-up to cover up the dark spots and acne , but every time i was the make - up off , and use the lemon nd sugar i saw my skin was whiter , smoother , a softer , and the pigment of my skin was getting better the marks are going away slowly as i use this method , i usually use this method when im going to bed because my pores are breathing and the antioxidents are helping my skin be cleared , i will be posting further notice on how my skin turns out
Does it work on Hispanic tan people and does it have side affects
How much sugar do you use?
Just found out about this on TV there is no harm in trying because i've battling with my acne since High School and now I am already working I still have it. I've been trying different product but nothing happens. Hope this one works now. I'm on my 3rd day of using it. I know it takes time but I really do hooe it works coz its natural and it doesn't cost that much.
I have pretty dark skin, a dark brown but not black. I use the lemon juice and it does wonders for me. The site says I shouldn't use but I haven't had any problems.
Does the lemon juice gives you a sting. On me, it does. I just started using it like 3 days now and on great thinking if I should stop right away as I have a brown skin also. Asian color. Hope you'd respond. Thanks!
Lemon juice Is !AMAZING! I've been battling with acne since I was 16 and I was fighting a losing battel nothing I tried worked so I gave up now I'm 19 and since I started using lemon my acne has cleared up allot everyone I know has to me my face looks better I wish I'd know about lemon juice years ago
I just started using lemon juice on my face and it gives me sting. Then upon research, I found this. I'm not that dark but I'm not also fair. It's like brown. I wonder if I should stop using it already because my purpose of using it is to have a pretty skin and that would be discarded if it's not suitable for my skin color. :(
Ive been reading alot about lemon juice so i decided to try it about 2 days ago. Unfortunately i didnt have fresh lemons so i used bottled lime juice (please tell me thats safe on the skin) anyway, in like 20mins, a brown spot i had next to my lip became 40% lighter and i was really pleased at the results. But the next day when i awoke the spot had returned to its original darker colour that it was before i used the lime juice. I kept promising myself to by fresh lemons but i havent been able to as yet. But i was wondering if the reason for my spot returning to the original color was either because of the bottled lime juice or my skin color (i am asian-indian, im a light tan) And i do live in a very sunny humid country, but the weird thing is, i havent been out into the sun since i first used the lime juice
the same thing happened to me, i used it and in 2 weeks the marks was gone i was so happy and exited then a week later they same back, i use the bottle one too but i doubt thats the issue becuse i tried this before, anyway now the marks are back and im sad, its been a month with no results
how many times we use lemon luice a week
Hi,i try all products for acne and pigmentation i waste my money and my face irritate.more pimples.but when im using lemon juice morning whole day i see the little bit changes in my face dats y im using 2x a day until i see the good result.. i suggest use lemon juice on ur face twice morning and evening b4 bed.for best result..
Hi, For those of you who have been using fresh lemon juice, i'd like to know how often you apply it. I started using it today, and i'm not sure how many times a day/week i should apply it.
Maybe 2-3 times depending on ur skin type if it dries easily u shld use it less
Also, I don't rinse off. I wash my face in the morning and use it like a toner (as I was told), then before I go to bed, I do the same.
Is it beneficial for oily skin? so many small acne on my face from which I want to get rid of asap...
Yes it helps oily skin when i put it on my oily skin and washed off next day they were less oily c:
I have brown skin and lemon juice works for me just fine. I know other people with brown skin and it works for them as well.
I just used lemon juice and I have pimples all over my face. This happened two minutes after I applied the lemon juice. Is this normal? And how many times a week should the juice be applied. I am middle Asian with fairly dark tan, and I washed my face before I applied it ( that is just xtra info I case it affects the breakout)
The acid in the lemon will temporarily imflamme a pimple (visible or not) so there may be areas of redness where your skin was experiencing minor acne or irritation. one or twice a day should be okay (depending on your skin type e.g oily, dry) for atleast 3 months to see noticeable results.
Hi, I am a Nigerian. I'm not fair and i'm not that either... I'm kindda brown skinned, maybe chocolate in color. I started using lemon juice 2days ago. I squeeze the lemon on a small plate, then use cotton ball to apply on the pimples and black spots on my face. But i'm not seeing any effect. (well, i started using it just 2 days ago) is it that it's not good for my skin or something? I'd like to know what type of skin lemon juice is good for. Please get back to me soon. Thank You.
the purpose of lemon is that it will normally lighten the skins pigments. it will take around 3-4 months to see good results! on top of what was said above it will reduce acne but it will take a while.
Why are so many of you black/brown skinned people confused?? The article clearly states that using lemon juice on YOUR skin will turn it darker... Most people with darker skin do not want their face to become darker. Also, you could possibly look odd with a face that is a darker color than the rest of your body. My personal advice: if you are already very dark, then don't worry. Use the lemon juice; it works wonders. If you are worried about your face getting darker, use some other product to clear acne. I used rubbing alcohol on my oily skin, before I discovered lemon juice.
I want to use this method of lemon juice but can i use the one on bottle also?
I have been using for 3 days now and it is great. clearing my face nicely. I suggest use natural, lemon is inexpensive and works great.
Its better to get the lemon juice from the lemon itself to apply on ur face but if u gonna ise the bottle ones make sure its 100% lemon juice still,its recommended to just slice up a lemon to use on ur skin
my other parts of body is yellowish.....but arms & face is dark...face is oily n acne prone..what to do...should I use lemon..if yes then how,...
Hi! I am an Indian national, so I have light brown skin. I began using this lemon juice on my skin for three days. at first, it itches and make me feel very irritated and uncomfortable for 5 minutes. then it stops itching. i use half a lemon to my face directly then after 10 minutes i wash off the lemon juice from my face. i have some questions guys, 1) should it work on my light brown skin? 2) for how long and for how many days in a week and how many times a day should i use it? please answer my questions. thank you! :)
Yep! it should be fine on any skin type/colour... depending on how oily/dry your skin is, try twice a day (once in morning and once at night) but if there is irritation or excessive dryness then stop and then only use once a day. lemon juice will normally take at least a couple months to see results :)
To everyone who's had success with this method....I just started to try using lemon juice from fresh lemons, but the acne is starting to spread down my neck now. Has this happened to anyone? I was also suggested to mix lemon juice with honey and apply it as a mask overnight. Just wondering if anyone has done this as well and if it works. I have sensitive skin so not sure if the honey would help or worsen it. Thanks!! =)
i've been using for 2 weeks now but i cant see any difference. so i gues it's not working for me
Lemon juice will take a couple months to work, for some it may be quicker but i suggest you continue for a few more months!
Hi! Can I refrigerate the excess lemon juice and use it the next day? Hoping for a response. :)
Yep! Thats what i do and its fine :)
Can i substitute lime juice for lemon? Please reply ASAP
I was just curious. Has anyone used lemon juice that you buy from the store that says 100% lemon juice? And if so, did it work?
That's what I use, and I have very oily skin. It works wonderfully. The label on the product will advise you to use the product soon (within 9 weeks after opening), but I have had my lemon juice bottle for MONTHS. I don't refrigerate it either. It still works for the purpose of cleansing skin. It just isn't in the best condition for consumption.
Just applied undiluted lemon on my skin am African brown (not Asian o sth). I did have staining effect on my few acne.i had applied on the whole face n was planning to sleep with it until I saw not advisable for dark skinned. Then what natural homemade product is advisable for a dark skinned person for acne free smooth glowing skin Ooh n is aveeno lotion on my brown face an option ? :-)
On the above Stinging*
how many days will it take to get rid of acne soon wirh lemons
i need a healthy remedie to get rid of small growing acnes
I've tried it for about less than a month now, good results! Especially for scars, I'd use it twice a day (morning-night). It works pretty well, my small growing acne is loosing, it works really fast (1-3 days). Oh and not to mention that it stings too, but just for a couple minutes.
Everyone with the complains of lemon burning and itching, I don't mean to sound like a know it all, but come on! lemon is going to burn. You are placing acid on acne and most of us that had bad acne, we touch our faces which not only keeps the acne active but feeds it immensely. Bacteria is just sitting on your faces. The burn and itching is VERY common and the skin tone, well I think they are putting that warning out there for overuse. NOW... I love what lemon does for acne and clearing scars and dark spots, but I found that the actual lemon is most effective. If your skin is really sensitive then only use one treatment once a night (while you sleep) or once every other night. Night time is going to be the most effective time because your body is at rest which helps the treatment work better. Yes everyone may be different but the lemon will help to an extent. Now for those people with returning skin issues, this is more likely due to internal issues, which is treated by actual physicians. I had a friend in high school who unfortunately never got the girl because acne COVERED his entire face and he tried everything thing, poor guy. But then his mom took him in and found out that he needed to be treated from the inside out. He started clearing up and man I tell you guys he was so handsome! I was really happy for him because he exuded such confidence afterwards. Good luck to you all, and remember do not overdo it just because the results are quickly noticeable, QUALITY NOT QUANTITY.
i have been using lemon juice in bottles for weeks now and i can see the difference in ma face... So if you have acne problem,use lemon!
I struggle with acne cysts during that lovely time of the month, sometimes I get one other months I can get what feels like 100.. I started using lemon juice during a cystic breakout (a really bad one!) My results were amazing, not only did it clear up the cysts marks I had from previous breakouts, but it cleared the ones just starting to come to the surface. My skin is bright and clear. I use it daily in the morning before I wash my face. Pure lemon juice (real lemons not from a bottle) rubbed all over, leave on for 15 minutes and rinse. I've tried everything you can buy including proactive (which made it worse).. I've probably spent 1000s on creams and face wash etc.. who knew a dollar lemon would do the trick. I highly recommend it, stick with it for a month and you will be plesently surprised
is there an side effect to use lemon continuesly on the ace..because the lemon is an acidic ....please give me an answere......
Are there any side effects after you stop using lemon once the result is achieved? Is there a poosibitiy of more pimples coming up once you stop it?
It changes the PH of your skin to really acidic... you should use a toner after to get it back to normal... then you'll be fine :))
I have applied lemon juice on my skin and it does sting a little bit but I just stood in front of a fan to cool it down and it worked. Should I keep lemon juice on my face all night and wake up in the morning and rinse it off?
I've been using lemon for some days now but no result but I still hope to see a good result
Can lemon juice be used to stop hair growth on my face? Pls answer me
Hello..im asian n got brown colour skin..my skin in super oily n big pores n got blackheads on cheeks.. i put lemon on my face overnight evryday to control my oily skin problems..and it works well.. then i stop lemon for a while n put soda on my face to eliminate blackheads..i reliaze my pores are becoming small though cannot elimibate blackheads... and now im going to apply both. Soda paste on the morning for fee minutes and lemon mask for overnight.. for now i got no problems but i really scared on long term effects..is it too harsh i aply both soda n lemon on my skin everyday.. ?
Does it matter if it's yellow or green lemon?
It itches I have to take it off right away also when I put avacado and eat apples
I have a dark skin which remedy should I use if you say lemon juice is not good for dark skin
Ive tried everything from neutrogena to clean and clear or aveeno, so on my third day of using lemon juice and I can already see the difference in my face, I have severe acne and on the lower side of my face it is already getting clear, I am amazed at the results, will continue to use for couple months as to I still have acne I want to get rid of, totally recommend it for those of you who haven't tried it and want to get clear skin
I have an 11 year old who has tried Aveeno, Neutrogena, Advantage, baking soda, organic raw honey and possibly other things. Her little face looks so full of pimples especially on her forehead. I had her start with lemon juice today. I'm very optimistic after reading so many great results. She has spring break right now and I am hoping she goes back with clearer skin.
How did things go, did she clear up during the spring break? And if it did, is she still doing it?, as its summer break currently...
How many times a day should i put the lemon on my face exactly ?? And is it safe to put it all night long (as someone once told me ).
Also with what should i wash it ?? Is just water enough
its just my 2nd day of using the lemon juice on my face..i have a mild to moderate acne and i had these break outs ..is it normal that my pimples now are like red in color? ...and there are more breakouts when i got up this morning...kinda scared to use it again...hope im using it ryt..
How long can u keep the lemon juice in the fridge before it won't work and what's the best way to store it
My pimple worse when i use lemon, should i continue apply ??
Should I use lemon juice as using lemon juice my skin gets itchy sometimes.
I start using lemon juice on my face from today and just wonder what happens next but excited to try it ! :) cause i love lemons <3
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