Lemon face mask: homemade or ready-made?

We say “vitamin C” – we mean “lemon”. Although this, as it turned out, is not the most “ascorbic” fruit, its benefits for health in general and for the skin in particular are undeniable. Let’s talk about the beneficial effects of this citrus on the skin in more detail.

The benefits and effectiveness of lemon masks for facial skin

Lemon is rich in vitamins and acids that help fight various skin blemishes and have an antibacterial effect.

For example, the well-known citric acid is one of the alpha hydroxy acids (fruit, AHA). It cleanses the skin of dead cells, helps to get rid of excess sebum. And vitamin C (ascorbic acid) has a wide range of effects:

  • brightens the skin;

  • restores, stimulating the synthesis of collagen;

  • has powerful antioxidant properties.

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Homemade mask or ready-made cosmetic product?

Vitamin C is a popular ingredient in facial cosmetics. But what is better to choose, a composition developed in the laboratory or a mix of products from your own refrigerator?

Compare homemade and ready-made masks

Homemade

Purchased

composition

The availability of ingredients for a homemade mask is captivating. However, when working with a seductively simple recipe, it is easy to break the proportions. In addition, we will never know the true concentration of a particular substance in a single lemon.

The complex chemical composition of a cosmetic product may seem incomprehensible, and some ingredients are “superfluous”. However, it was developed by experts in the laboratory, which means that each component plays a role and contributes to efficiency.

Efficiency

In the case of lemon masks, it is easy to spoil everything by choosing metal utensils for cooking. One of the main misconceptions of lovers of homemade cosmetics is the safety of the resulting composition. Due to the fact that homemade masks are difficult to prepare, observing the exact proportions, they can be simply dangerous – citric acid in high concentration can cause a burn.

In addition to studies proving the effectiveness of purchased funds, you can also refer to reviews.

And if you have sensitive or problematic skin, it’s best to avoid home remedies altogether so as not to expose your skin to the risk of injury from active ingredients such as lemon.

Elena Eliseeva

“If you do not have the qualifications of a cosmetologist or biotechnologist, it is better to prefer ready-made cosmetics. A fruit rich in acids and vitamins is not a harmless “sour cream” (which, by the way, is also allergic). Without due care on your part, it can do harm. In general, cosmetologists perceive the spa from the refrigerator as Russian roulette: on average, in one case out of six, an allergic reaction is provoked.

Convenience

At first glance, a home remedy seems more convenient: the ingredients are at hand, no need to rack your brains over the choice of special cosmetics.

Ready tool saves time and effort. No need to invent anything, turning your own skin into an experimental testing ground. Yes, and after a cosmetic session, you only need to wash your own face, and not a mountain of dishes.

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Lemon face mask: choosing recipes and remedies

We have collected popular folk recipes for lemon masks and alternative ready-made remedies with vitamin C.

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Masks with lemon for wrinkles

The most popular components of masks in addition to lemon are honey and vegetable oil.

Option 1. Mask with egg and lemon

Result: moisturizing, leveling the tone and relief of the skin, increasing elasticity.

Ingredients:

  1. a quarter of a lemon;

  2. 1 teaspoon of honey;

  3. 1 teaspoon of olive oil;

  4. 1 egg yolk;

  5. 1 teaspoon of oatmeal.

How to cook:

  1. pour oatmeal with 1-2 tablespoons of boiling water and leave covered for 15 minutes;

  2. squeeze the juice from a quarter of a lemon;

  3. mix all ingredients thoroughly.

How to use:

  1. cleanse the skin of the face;

  2. apply a mask;

  3. keep the product until it hardens;

  4. remove with a damp towel;

  5. wash with warm water;

  6. Wipe your face with tonic and apply a moisturizer.

Option 2. Mask with lemon and honey

Result: smoothing wrinkles, increasing skin elasticity, smoothing and brightening the tone.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 a tablespoon of lemon juice;

  2. 1 a tablespoon of honey;

  3. a pinch of table salt;

  4. 1 egg white.

How to cook:

  1. beat the protein with salt;

  2. mix the ingredients thoroughly.

How to use:

  1. cleanse the skin of the face;

  2. apply a mask;

  3. keep the composition for 15 minutes;

  4. rinse with warm water;

  5. wipe your face with tonic and apply a moisturizer;

  6. do the course – 10 times, every other day.

Editorial opinion. Theoretically, such compounds can give a certain effect. But this is just a theory, which will literally have to be tested “on one’s own skin”. Meanwhile, our expert assures: “Basically, such an aggressive component as lemon is used for combination and oily skin: for dry and dehydrated it may be too hard. Cosmetics, in our opinion, are much more reliable, and besides, they are adapted for different skin types.”
Vitamin C10 Antioxidant Skin Renewal Serum, La Roche-Posay with a rejuvenating effect helps to increase skin elasticity, smoothes wrinkles, evens out tone. Thanks to its pleasant texture, it is well absorbed and makes the skin radiant.
Serum Force C, Helena Rubinstein improves skin elasticity, restores its radiant, healthy appearance and reduces wrinkles. This product has been formulated over 20 years and includes three types of vitamin C, including a sustained release form. The thermoactive formula helps fluid optimize your daily beauty routine. Apply to cleansed skin at the beginning of the day.

Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Concentrate with 12,5% ​​Vitamin C, Kiehl’s used as a serum before applying the main cream. Two types of vitamin C, hyaluronic acid and lemon peel oil even out the relief and color of the skin, smooth wrinkles with regular use.

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Mask with lemon for blackheads

In cleansing masks with lemon, of course, you can’t do without clay.

Result: deep cleansing, leveling the tone and relief of the skin, narrowing the pores, eliminating acne marks.

Ingredients:

  1. half a lemon;

  2. 1 tablespoon of cosmetic clay;

  3. 1 tablespoon honey.

How to cook:

  1. squeeze the juice from half a lemon;

  2. mix ingredients thoroughly until smooth.

How to use:

  1. wash yourself;

  2. slightly steam the skin, for example, by applying a hot towel to your face;

  3. apply an even layer of the mask, bypassing the area around the lips and eyes;

  4. keep 30 minutes;

  5. Rinse gently with warm water using a sponge.

Editorial opinion. Such experiments are fraught with overdrying of the skin and even burns, despite the obvious and seemingly useful ingredients. After all, it is very important to keep the proportions. In addition, not lemon, but clay is responsible for cleansing the pores in the recipe. We recommend other remedies for blackheads.
Face Scrub with Charcoal “Clean Skin Active”, Garnier directly aimed at combating black dots. In addition to charcoal, which draws impurities from the pores, it also contains exfoliating citric acid.

Serum for problem skin with age-related changes Blemish & Age Defense, SkinCeuticals simultaneously corrects imperfections, post-acne, age-related changes. Purifies and tightens pores, eliminating blackheads, stimulates exfoliation thanks to a complex of alpha and beta hydroxy acids, including citric acid.

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Lemon brightening mask

Result: renewed, soft, smooth skin without oily sheen; more even color and relief.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  2. 1 spelled kiwi.

How to cook:

  1. mashed kiwis;

  2. mix puree with lemon juice.

How to use:

  1. cleanse the skin of the face;

  2. apply the mixture;

  3. keep the mask for 15 minutes;

  4. rinse with warm water and wipe your face with tonic;

  5. apply a soothing cream.

Editorial opinion. Perhaps this is a composition for the most desperate experimenters. Both ingredients are perhaps the most caustic in the entire palette of homemade cosmetic ingredients. Ready-made products are much safer and more effective.
Mineral peeling mask “Double Radiance”, Vichy possesses hypoallergenic composition, which includes both soft fruit acids and exfoliating particles for mechanical peeling. As a result, the complexion is evened out, skin cells are renewed.

BB-cream “Secret of perfection” for normal skin, Garnier not only masks minor defects, but also cares for the skin. One of the “secrets of perfection” is vitamin C, which is included along with grapefruit extract and carefully selected pigments. Has a sun protection factor.

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Whitening mask with lemon

Result: whitening effect, reduction of manifestations of hyperpigmentation, more even skin tone and relief.

Ingredients:

  1. 1 teaspoon lemon juice

  2. 1 egg yolk;

  3. 2 teaspoons of honey.

How to cook:

whisk all the ingredients.

How to use:

  1. cleanse the skin of the face;

  2. apply the mixture;

  3. keep 10-15 minutes;

  4. rinse with warm water;

  5. apply a light moisturizer.

Editorial opinion. It is naive to expect that a home mask will get rid of a pigment spot – this is the prerogative of cosmetology. Although, to combat not too deep hyperpigmentation, it is quite possible to use home peels and concentrates. The main thing in their composition is exfoliating acids and vitamin C, which has a brightening effect. Lemon also has them, but the question of concentration remains open.
Antioxidant serum for oily and normal skin Phloretin CF, SkinCeuticals Designed for normal to oily skin. Contains vitamin C at a high concentration of 10% and antioxidants: ferulic acid and phloretin. As a result, it corrects wrinkles and enhances skin protection.
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Rules for use and precautions

Lemon and other citrus fruits in homemade recipes are aggressive ingredients that, on the one hand, can correct some problems, for example, with pigmentation, but on the other hand, they can seriously damage the skin up to a burn.

  • Choose carefully the products that are right for your skin type. If after a homemade mask the skin turns red, then this recipe is definitely not suitable for you.

  • Any products with acids require the mandatory subsequent use of sunscreen. That is why home peels, as a rule, are recommended to be done before going to bed and still apply sunscreen in the morning.

  • Avoid getting pure lemon juice on your skin – you can get a chemical burn.

  • Don’t use lemon juice in your home remedies during the summer or at the beach – exposure to the sun will exacerbate hyperpigmentation.

  • Before using any new products (both homemade and commercial) containing harsh ingredients such as lemon, it is necessary to check the reaction of the skin on the back of the hand or on the wrist. Only after making sure that there is no negative reaction, you can continue the application.

Since lemon contains fruit acids, if you make a mask in the evening, sun protection is required the next morning.

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