- By Bornika Das
- Wed, 09 Jul 2025 10:29 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
Lemon Juice For Face: When it comes to natural skincare remedies, one thing that tops the list is lemon. Packed with vitamin C, citric acid, and natural bleaching properties, lemon juice is believed to lighten dark spots, even out skin tone, reduce tan and provide a glowing complexion. However, the question that lingers in the mind of skincare enthusiasts is, “Can you bleach your face at home with lemon juice?” The answer to this is ‘yes,’ but only when used in the right way; otherwise, it will do more harm than good. Although this fruit holds undeniable skincare potential, it is essential to understand the benefits and limitations of skin bleaching with lemon.
In today’s world of DIY beauty, people are turning to their kitchen ingredients to get glowing, healthy skin. Using lemon juice as a natural bleach may sound easy to use, affordable and chemical-free. Understanding how lemon affects the skin, the risks of using it raw and safer ways to incorporate it into the skincare routine without damaging your skin barrier are important. Here’s everything you need to know about how lemon juice acts as a bleach for the face to get glowing skin.
Why Is Lemon Good For Skin?
Lemon is rich in Vitamin C and natural acids that help fade pigmentation, brighten the dull skin and exfoliate dead skin cells. Since it is acidic in nature, it is important to dilute it and be gentle.
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How To Use Lemon Juice For Face As A Bleach?
Ingredients:
Half a lemon
A tablespoon of water
Optional: honey or aloe vera gel
Moisturiser SPF
Step 1: Patch Test
Do a quick patch test. Take a bit of the lemon-water mix, dab it on your jawline or inner arm and wait. If nothing weird happens in 24 hours, then you’re good to go. If your skin shows redness or tingling, then do not use the lemon. The critic nature of lemon juice does not suit all skin types.
Step 2: Mix It Up
Squeeze that lemon and mix it with equal parts water. You can also add a drop of honey for moisture and an anti-bacterial powder or a bit of aloe vera gel for that soothing effect.
Lemon Juice For Glowing Skin At Home (Image Credits: Freepik)
Step 3: Clean The Face
Wash your face with your regular cleanser. There should be no makeup or dust left on the skin. Then, dip a cotton pad or your fingers in the lemon mix and gently dab it on the face. Focus on dark spots, uneven tone or areas that need brightening. Keep it for 5-10 minutes.
Step 4: Rinse And Moisturise
After keeping the lemon juice for 5-10 minutes, rinse off with cool water. Pat the face dry. Moisturise right after, as lemon can dry out the skin a bit, as the skin needs a hydration boost. And if going out, do not forget to apply SPF, as the skin becomes sensitive to the sun after applying lemon.
Step 5: How Often To Use?
Lemon juice should not be used daily on the face. Apply once or twice a week or maybe up to three times (max).
When Not To Use Lemon Juice On Face?
If the skin is super dry or sensitive, you must not use lemon juice at that time. Also, after you have just waxed or shaved the face, or have open cuts or pimples, lemon juice can cause a burning sensation or if the skin turns red, stop immediately.
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DIY Lemon Bleach Face Mask For Glowing Skin
You can level up the lemon face mask by adding yoghurt (contains lactic acid), a pinch of turmeric (contains anti-inflammatory properties) and a little papaya mash (for gentle exfoliation).
Precautions When Using Lemon Juice As Bleach
While using lemon juice as a face bleach, remember to dilute it, not to overuse it and moisturise the face right after rinsing off the lemon mask. Also, it is extremely crucial to use SPF while going out in the sun, as the skin becomes super sensitive and can burn the skin.