Wherever you look, there seems to be a new use for lemons. As people gravitate towards more natural ways of living, the many uses for lemons become more and more apparent.
Lemons have long been used throughout history around the house, on the body, and of course in food, but temporarily were ignored when modern products containing bleach and other chemicals came onto the market. The acidic nature of lemons makes them perfect for lightening virtually anything— just as effective (if not more so) than bleach, without the toxic smell.
When it comes to your body, you want to be extra careful about what you are use in your daily routine. Many products can have a similar effect to lemons, but use harsh chemicals or other lab-manufactured ingredients. Lemons are inexpensive, can be found everywhere, and most importantly, are completely natural!
There is absolutely no worry about parabens, sulfates, phthalates, or other toxic ingredients when you grab a lemon. Below you will find some simple ways to add lemons to your beauty routine, from head to toe.
Hair
Color — Lemons are perfect for creating a summer-kissed look to your hair. Squeezing some lemon juice into your hair before you go outside will help you get natural highlights without going to the salon. The sunlight naturally reacts with the lemon juice to gently lighten your hair.
Dry Scalp — Lemon juice can also help clear up your dandruff and dry scalp. Try applying lemon juice directly onto your scalp and allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing.
Skin
Color — The citric acid and Vitamin C in lemons is perfect for brightening your skin. Vitamin C is really important for your skin’s health, as it helps to boost collagen production as well as neutralize free radicals. Increased collagen production means that your skin will work to correct age spots and dark spots on its own.
If you use lemon juice on your skin, make sure you apply sunscreen before going outside, since the citrus will make your skin more susceptible to the UV rays (the same way your hair can be lightened by the sun after applying lemon juice).
Moisture — Used on its own, lemon juice can help to brighten your skin. When combined with a moisturizer like coconut oil, you can multitask and accomplish two tasks in one. The coconut will moisturize your skin while the lemon clears and brightens it. You can also mix lemon juice with a little water and tea tree oil to make a cleansing and toning mixture. Just dip a pad or cotton ball into the mixture and swipe it across your face for moisturized, clear skin.
Fighting Breakouts — Lemons are known for their antibacterial properties, which is why they have been used as a cleaning product for many years. Those same antibacterial properties can be useful for your skin as well.
If you have blackheads or other acne issues, then try applying lemon juice to your breakouts. The juice will help combat the bacteria while clearing up your skin. Not only will it fight your breakouts, it can also help reduce excess oil on your face, which can prevent breakouts from happening in the first place.
Mouth
Teeth — If the idea of having your teeth professionally whitened is terrifying or not in your price range, or you are concerned about the chemicals in at-home whitening kits, try using lemon juice for an inexpensive and safe way to whiten your teeth.
Mix a few drops of lemon juice with baking soda to make a thick paste, then brush your teeth as normal. If you want, you can leave the paste on your teeth for a few minutes to let the mixture really do its job. Don’t leave it on too long though, especially if you have sensitive teeth. Be sure to rinse your mouth after you do the treatment.
Canker sores — While the thought of putting lemon juice on canker sores might not sound appealing, it can be very effective in helping your sores heal faster. Yes it will sting, but the temporary pain could save you a few extra days of having the sores. The antibacterial properties of the lemon will help it heal faster.
Lips — The citric acid naturally found in lemons is a great resource for exfoliating your lips. Try rubbing a bit of lemon juice onto your lips before bed. In the morning when you wash off the lemon juice, you are also likely to rub off old dead skin cells and dried skin. However if you have severely chapped lips then this will not be a good practice for you. But for lips that are only slightly dry, lemon juice can be a great option.