Friday 13 / December / 2024
There are so many things you can do with lemons. Yes, juggling them could be one (that’s a skill in itself) but let’s talk more beauty than skill, shall we? The beauty benefits of lemon are innumerable, whether applied topically on its own or mixed with other organic ingredients. This issue we’ll go over some popular skin and hair remedies with lemon.
For skin
The most popular use of lemon is to lighten the skin as it works as a natural bleach. Whether a scar from a stubborn pimple that you didn’t handle too well or a tan that you didn’t intend, applying lemon juice is an excellent way to counter skin darkening. Here are two homemade remedies you can try.
Lemon juice with yoghurt and honey — Take a tablespoon or two of each and mix well to get a liquid-like consistency. Apply all over your face and neck and leave on for 15-20 minutes. The mix ensures your skin retains its moisture while giving it a fresh glow. Though it takes a few applications for the skin to lighten, doing this repeatedly helps clear the skin of blemishes eventually giving it a fairer, more refined, and even tone.
Lemon juice with cucumber juice and rose-water — We are prone to tanning every day; but this simple home remedy ensures you have a way to counter that which is as easy as applying sunscreen (which we tend to forget more often than not). Mix an equal proportion of each ingredient and apply it all over your tanned areas. After 10 minutes wash it off with cold water. You can do this every day if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
A less known use of lemon is for your nails and it can come quite handy (no pun intended) if you want to get rid of the yellowish tinge on your nails.
To whiten nails, simply soak your fingers in a bowl of lemon juice for a minute or two. Alternatively, you can dip a cotton ball in lemon juice and apply it from base to tip. Doing this also lightens the area around the nails, making your hands look prettier.
For hair
Rich in vitamins, minerals, and folic acid, lemon is an excellent solution to counter common hair problems like dandruff, hair fall, and dull hair.
A simple, inexpensive and quick way to get rid of dandruff is by massaging the scalp with lemon juice and washing it off with an anti-dandruff shampoo after 10 minutes. But if you want to take it a notch higher, add some coconut and camphor oil to the concoction and let your hair soak it in overnight before washing off.
Lemon oil with a little olive and castor oil is excellent for hair growth if applied once or twice a week. Massage into the scalp and leave it overnight before washing it off with an organic shampoo. Not only does it help growth, but it also makes hair stronger and more lustrous.
The bleaching properties of lemon can even be used on your hair. Wondering why people scrub lemon on their hair and soak in the sun? Well, the heat opens up hair cuticles letting the lemon juice seep in, lightening each strand as it does. Now you know how it works.
For highlights, single out your desired locks and apply the juice of a freshly squeezed lemon. Alternatively, if you are looking for a complete coverage, mix some lemon juice with a small amount of essential oil in a spray bottle and spurt generously all over your hair (don’t forget the roots). Step out in the sun and let the transformation begin!
Tip: Even though lemon is a natural way of bleaching hair, our advice is to practice a little caution while doing this as lemon juice and heat can make the hair very dry. Despite the essential oils, make sure you moisturise your hair well with a hair mask, especially if you’ve spent too much time outdoors.
Antara Bose is a model turned fashion and beauty consultant. A popular blogger, anchor, and voice over artist, she maintains a deep connection with the local fashion industry and is passionate about discovering and celebrating aspiring talent as well as promoting animal rights. For fashion updates with a side of humour and sarcasm follow Antara on instagram @antarabose and on Facebook: Antara Bose.
