The itching and rough texture is the annoying problem faced by people suffering from dry skin. Cold weather, dry wind, harsh soaps and frequent hot baths soaks out the moisture from the skin and makes it dry. Apart from that, certain medical conditions like menopause, thyroid disorder also lead to dry and brittle skin texture.
Leaving this condition untreated can cause peeling, irritation and inflammation. The commercial treatments used to treat dry skin contain harsh chemicals that can reduce skin’s immunity power. But with natural DIY home remedies like lemon, oatmeal, coconut oil and other kitchen ingredients you can get rid of dry skin safely.
Is Lemon Useful for Dry Skin?
- Citric acid present in lemon dissolves the dead skin cells and smoothens the rough texture of dry skin.
- Lemon is also a good source of potassium that helps to moisturize and rejuvenate dry skin.
- Vitamin C present in lemon juice promotes collagen production in the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines – two of the common problems associated with dry skin.
How to Use Lemon for Dry Skin?
Lemon can be used in various ways to treat dry skin. For your convenience, we have listed the remedies with a detailed description.
1. Lemon
Process 1: Lemon Juice
- Dilute juice of 1 lemon in equal amounts of water.
- Using a cotton ball, apply it all over your face.
- Wait for 10 minutes and then wash it off with water.
- Apply a cream or moisturizer all over your skin.
- Follow this process 1 to 2 times in a week.
Process 2: Lemon Oil
- Soak a cotton ball in water and squeeze out the excess water from it.
- Add few drops of lemon essential oil on the wet cotton ball.
- Use it to wipe your face, neck and arms.
- Follow this process every other day.
2. Lemon and Glycerin Massage
Glycerin is a natural humectant that attracts moisture onto the skin and helps to keep it moisturized. It also forms a protective layer over the skin and prevents moisture loss.
- Take 1 tablespoon each of glycerin and water in a bowl.
- Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to it and mix with a spoon.
- Apply this mixture all over your face and leave it on for 15 minutes.
- Wash it off with water and pat dry with a towel.
- Repeat this remedy every other day.
3. Lemon and Honey Pack
The natural humectant properties of honey attract moisture onto the skin and help to retain it within the epidermal layer of the skin.
- Mix 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey.
- Apply this mixture all over your face and leave it on for 20 minutes.
- Wash it off with water and dry with a towel.
- Reapply this remedy 2 to 3 times in a week.
4. Lemon and Sugar Scrub
The fine granules of sugar help to remove dry and dead skin cells in a gentle manner. Glycolic acid, a type of alpha hydroxyl acid present in sugar maintains the perfect oil balance in the skin and prevents it from over-drying.
- Take 3 to 4 tablespoons of lemon juice in a bowl.
- Add 2 tablespoons of sugar to it and stir with a spoon.
- Apply this mixture all over your face.
- Massage for 5 to 8 minutes with your fingertips.
- Leave it on for another 15 minutes and rinse off with lukewarm water.
- Follow this procedure 1 to 2 times in a week.
5. Lemon and Curd Pack
Mineral zinc present in curd acts treats the skin dryness caused by sun damage. Lactic acid present in curd breaks down the dry and dead skin cells. Calcium present in curd promotes cell renewal and regeneration.
- Take 2 to 3 tablespoons of fresh curd in a bowl and whisk it with a fork.
- Add a tablespoon of lemon in to it and mix it with a spoon.
- Apply this mixture evenly all over your face and wait for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse off the application with lukewarm water and dry with a towel.
- Follow this procedure once in 2 days.
6. Lemon and Tomato Pack
High levels of lycopene present in tomatoes help to protect the skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
- Blend a medium-sized ripe tomato to make a paste.
- Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to it and mix with a spoon.
- Apply this mixture all over your face and wait for 15 minutes.
- Take a shower and pat dry with a towel.
- Apply a cream or moisturizer to your skin.
- Follow this process 2 to 3 times in a week.
7. Lemon Juice and Olive Oil Massage
Vitamin E present in olive oil is a potent antioxidant that protects the skin against sun damage, dry wind and other environmental factors. Healthy fats present in oil moisturize the skin and forms a protective layer that prevents moisture loss.
- Take 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a bowl.
- Add a tablespoon of lemon juice to it and mix with a spoon.
- Apply this mixture all over your face and massage for 5 to 8 minutes.
- Leave it on for another 15 minutes and rinse off with water.
- Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times in a week.
8. Lemon Juice and Oatmeal Pack
The humectant and emollient properties of oatmeal helps to keep the skin well-moisturized and prevent moisture loss.
- Take 1/2 cup of cooked oatmeal and add 2 tablespoons of lemon juice to it.
- Mix it with a spoon thoroughly.
- Apply this mixture all over your face and massage for 5 minutes.
- Leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes and wash it off with water.
- Follow this process 3 to 4 times in a week.
9. Lemon and Cucumber Pack
The composition of cucumber is 95% water which helps to hydrate dry skin and keep it well-moisturized. Anti-inflammatory properties of cucumber help to rejuvenate the dry skin caused by sun exposure.
- Take 1/2 of a medium-sized cucumber and grate it.
- Add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice into it and mix with a spoon.
- Apply this mixture all over your face and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse it off with water and dry with a towel.
- Reapply this remedy 2 to 3 times in a week.
10. Lemon and Egg Pack
The healthy fats, proteins, vitamin E and A present in eggs help to moisturize and nourish the skin. The nutrients in egg also boost collagen production which slows down the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines.
- Combine 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
- Whisk it thoroughly until the ingredients get incorporated.
- Apply it all over your face and let it dry out on its own.
- Rinse off with water and mild cleanser to get rid of the egg smell.
- Repeat this remedy 2 to 3 times in a week.
Tips and Precautions:
- Lemon juice has a pH of 2-3 which makes it highly acidic in nature. Applying undiluted lemon juice may irritate the skin and cause burning, itching and redness.
- People with sensitive skin are recommended to apply lemon juice in diluted form to avoid skin irritation.
- One should never go out in the sun after applying these treatments containing lemon juice. Bergamot present in lemon juice reacts with the UVA rays of the sun resulting in phototoxic reaction that might burn the skin.
- It is recommended to use fresh lemon juice for all remedies because the level of vitamin C in lemon decreases with time.
- Don’t use hot water for baths and showers, use lukewarm water instead.
- Don’t use alcohol-based cleansers and toners to treat your skin.
- Use oil-based moisturizers or creams to moisturize your skin twice in a day.
- Don’t forget to apply a broad spectrum sunscreen to your skin before stepping out in the sun.
Was the information provided in this article helpful for you? Do you have any other remedy that works better than above mentioned? Share it with us in the comment section below.
2 comments
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