Lemon Juice on the Face for Acne Scars/PIH

FabSascha

I'm prone to problem skin and have tried pretty much everything, having had some success with peels and regularly changing my routine (as my skin builds a very quick tolerance). Recently, since my skin was starting to look good, I did some research on applying lemon juice to the face to fade acne marks. There's not a lot about it, but I thought I'd give it a try, especially considering it's so cheap and it makes sense if you consider that vitamin C is supposed to be great for hyperpigmentation and some peels (the ones I usually use) come from fruit acids.

I've been using it for a couple of weeks now and I cannot believe the difference. Apparently it's better if you use proper lemon juice, but I'm using the bottled stuff. I've been doing my usual cleanse, tone and moisturise, but after I tone I apply the lemon juice (it stung a little the first few times, but didn't go red) and waiting for it to dry before applying moisturiser. I'm doing this about five days a week and having two days where I give my skin a rest, and also twice a week I'm taking a 'peel approach' by rubbing it into my skin, then neutralising it with a cotton pad soaked in water and a little diluted lemon juice, before moistursing.

I've had two very small spots since I've started (two spots a day was good skin for me - apart from the occasional couple of spot-free days which were fairly rare) but the difference to my marks is amazing. I'm wearing much less make-up and people are commenting about how great my skin is. I use a very high SPF (Boots No7 do a anti-dark mark 50+ one which is very light on the skin) and I pay close attention to my skin as if it gets a little dry then I give it a day off, but all-in-all I am thrilled. My mum who does skin-care related stuff for a living is bemused by the result!

Just wanted to share; this method won't be for everyone, especially for those with dryer skin, but if you're like me and have tried everything for acne and the marks that come afterwards then this is definitely worth a shot; you'll notice an immediate difference in your skin texture as it's soooo smooth after the first try. If anyone on here does decide to give it a try then I'd love to hear how they get on

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I was thinking about trying lemon on my skin. I mainly suffer with hyper-pigmentation, so was thinking it would be good for that, especially considering you can lighten you hair with lemon juice.

Do you just use it on the problem areas or all over the face?

FabSascha

I was going to just use it on problem areas, but after the first time I used it it's had such an impact on the overall texture and tone of my skin (it's also made the pores on my cheeks less visible) that I've submitted to using it all over my face. I think it would work really well to spot-treat to though, so it's worth trying if you're worried about dryness or similar. Please let me know how you get on as there's so few reader's experiences and reviews and I'm really keen to know what others think!

ashaput

You know what? I've been looking for this way for so long. Have heard the advantages of applying lemon juice on face in the internet but just couldn't believe it that way. And now I heard the testimonials

FabSascha wrote: »

I'm doing this about five days a week and having two days where I give my skin a rest

Can I do it everyday? Or should I go with your way? Want you to know I have oily skin. Can it also reduce the red scars? I have fresh lemon fruit so I think I'm going to use it. Can't wait it for the first trial :j

jenniewb

Just be careful to stay out of the sun if you do this! Its not a good mix for the sun or any UVA/B rays!!

glowgirl_2

Thanks FabSascha, I was planning to try this as maintenance along with Vit C Serum and other products when I have healed from a tca peel I had 4 days ago, may I ask about the the 50+ factor you have for your face, is it greasy? and is it matte? Does make up stay on over it? I also need very high protection but am fed up with looking like I'm covered in oil:( I've tried Piz Buin and Boots kids stuff so far but hate them all, I went out yesterday with a scarf over my face:eek:

FabSascha

ashaput wrote: »

You know what? I've been looking for this way for so long. Have heard the advantages of applying lemon juice on face in the internet but just couldn't believe it that way. And now I heard the testimonials



Can I do it everyday? Or should I go with your way? Want you to know I have oily skin. Can it also reduce the red scars? I have fresh lemon fruit so I think I'm going to use it. Can't wait it for the first trial :j

I'd say you can do it every day, I think the key is to just check out your skin every morning to see how it's coping and if it starts looking a bit dry then either stop for a day or two or use a moisturising mask in the evening (I've used the sachet that comes with the Sanctuary brightening facial) just to keep skin from getting too dry looking. If you have oily skin then you're in an even better position as it's not so drying that you'll feel like you've drained your skin of moisture, in the same way as a peel feels it kind of slowly dries so you have plenty of time to see what's coming! It's really, really great though; just seen my dad for the first time in two weeks who commented on my skin straight away. It's worth mentioning that a month ago I went from blonde to bright red and he didn't notice that....

FabSascha

jenniewb wrote: »

Just be careful to stay out of the sun if you do this! Its not a good mix for the sun or any UVA/B rays!!

Definitely good advice. I've been really careful with the sun and as I said, I've been using a very high SPF.

FabSascha

glowgirl wrote: »

Thanks FabSascha, I was planning to try this as maintenance along with Vit C Serum and other products when I have healed from a tca peel I had 4 days ago, may I ask about the the 50+ factor you have for your face, is it greasy? and is it matte? Does make up stay on over it? I also need very high protection but am fed up with looking like I'm covered in oil:( I've tried Piz Buin and Boots kids stuff so far but hate them all, I went out yesterday with a scarf over my face:eek:

I'm actually heading in the same direction as I have Vitamin C serum on order You know, the No7 Anti-Mark SPF 50+ is actually really good in that it doesn't look shiny once it's sunk in and it doesn't break me out at all; I was really surprised as I used it alone (without moisturiser) the first day and realised that I actually will need a moisturiser with it. I get very shiny very quickly, so the fact that this stuff didn't make it worse is great. I wouldn't say it's matte as such, but it definitely doesn't look greasy.

Can't believe you had a TCA peel! What strength was it? How did it feel? I had one years ago (only a mild one) and I've been toying with trying it again (although if the lemon keeps working at this rate then I might not need to!) but I was unhappy with the mark-up that the doctors charge. Did you go to a practitioner or did you order your own one online? How's it looking now?

FabSascha

ashaput wrote: »

You know what? I've been looking for this way for so long. Have heard the advantages of applying lemon juice on face in the internet but just couldn't believe it that way. And now I heard the testimonials



Can I do it everyday? Or should I go with your way? Want you to know I have oily skin. Can it also reduce the red scars? I have fresh lemon fruit so I think I'm going to use it. Can't wait it for the first trial :j

Forgot to say, it's having a real impact on the red marks (by red scars do you mean the blemishes left by spots - as in the bits where you look like you have a spot but it's just the remaining mark?) so if this is something you suffer from then definitely give it a go

glowgirl_2

FabSascha wrote: »

I'm actually heading in the same direction as I have Vitamin C serum on order You know, the No7 Anti-Mark SPF 50+ is actually really good in that it doesn't look shiny once it's sunk in and it doesn't break me out at all; I was really surprised as I used it alone (without moisturiser) the first day and realised that I actually will need a moisturiser with it. I get very shiny very quickly, so the fact that this stuff didn't make it worse is great. I wouldn't say it's matte as such, but it definitely doesn't look greasy.

Can't believe you had a TCA peel! What strength was it? How did it feel? I had one years ago (only a mild one) and I've been toying with trying it again (although if the lemon keeps working at this rate then I might not need to!) but I was unhappy with the mark-up that the doctors charge. Did you go to a practitioner or did you order your own one online? How's it looking now?

It was a 25% peel that I did at home, it cost pennies but you have to be really brave and I did a patch test first and prepared my skin for at least six weeks before hand, probably should of been more but I couldn't wait;) It was a bearable hell once on, I would use a different application technique if I were to do it again, and now I look absolutely horrendous, seriously I really would scare small children, the peeling is kicking in today and the swelling and redness has gone down about 80% but I'm very very tight, its early days but I appear to of achieved what I needed to, age spots are peeling off (yes! this was my main problem) before my eyes, pores appear to be refined and fine lines are very much reduced and I still have a looong way to go - thanks for the advice on the sunscreen, I might have to order online at this rate:rotfl:

I do have before, during and eventually after pics which I might put online if I'm feeling brave enough:)