A natural essential product is obtained from the peel of the fruit of the lemon plant - a hybrid of bitter orange and citron, by cold pressing or distillation (steam distillation). The aroma of the ether is bitter, fresh, cold, with a clear lemon note, the texture is dense and viscous. The color of lemon oil is yellowish-green, turning into brown over time.
Lemon essential oil for face, body and hair is a remedy that can significantly improve the appearance and health of hair and skin. Most often, lemon oil is used on aging, sagging, problematic, oily and combination skin; it has a rejuvenating effect and helps fight acne and pigmentation.
What are the benefits of lemon oil for the face?
The usefulness of citrus ester for facial skin is determined by the combination of organic compounds in the composition of the product, where each element is valuable in itself, and in a complex ester composition the beneficial qualities of one component are complemented by the healing properties of another.
- Citral and citronellal are characterized by antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. They are used to treat skin diseases, but in large quantities they can cause skin irritation.
- Phellandrene, camphene and geraniol have bactericidal and antiseptic properties. The first two components contain coumarin, which stimulates blood circulation and restores the walls of blood vessels, thereby improving complexion.
- Limonene is a strong antiseptic, imparts a characteristic aroma to citrus oils and esters of parsley, mint, fennel, etc. Cleanses the skin well and protects against bacteria.
- Vitamins E, PP, group B.
However, lemon oil for the face and body is distinguished not only by its antiseptic and deodorizing properties, it can regulate sebum secretion, increase blood flow, cleanse and refresh the skin, help blood vessels remain elastic, restore, exfoliate and rejuvenate the epidermis.
On a note
Citrus essential oil can be used both for mature and aging skin, at the first signs of aging at the age of 30+, and in adolescence to get rid of acne and post-acne.
- Indications for use
Depending on the type of epidermis, natural lemon oil can help cope with many problems associated with facial skin. So:
For normal skin types, it is useful to add lemon ether to finished skincare products to maintain tone and prevent age-related changes. For the same purpose, you can use various vegetable oils as a base.
On oily and problematic skin with acne, enlarged pores and comedones, the ester normalizes the activity of the sebaceous glands, the production of sebum (sebum), and has an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and local anesthetic effect on the skin (which is especially important for teenagers).
For dry skin with flaking, itching and pallor of the skin, citrus extract is useful because by increasing blood flow, it improves complexion, exfoliates dead cells and eliminates itching.
For aging facial skin, lemon essential oil stimulates cell renewal. Due to the content of antioxidants in the product, it protects the epidermis from harmful external influences (ultraviolet radiation, toxins, viruses, bacteria, dust, etc.), provides a natural effect of toning and rejuvenating the skin.
In the presence of pigmentation, freckles, post-acne, ester, due to the presence of limonene and natural acids, has a whitening effect on the epidermis, helps lighten age spots, acne spots and scars, stimulating skin renewal and exfoliating dead cells.
If there are infectious skin diseases, herpes and rashes, lemon oil, due to its astringent, antiviral, antiseptic, and disinfectant properties, disrupts the vital activity of harmful organisms, dries out pustules, and treats ulcers and wounds.
For example, adding lemon oil to your nightly face cream can slow down the appearance of wrinkles, and spot application over several days can help cure herpes. And if you mix lemon and lavender esters with ½ liter of warm water and make compresses for the skin of the face, you can heal minor scratches and infections on the skin, including acne. Lemon helps with healing and lavender soothes the epidermis.
You can also add citrus essential oil to a base oil suitable for your skin type in a ratio of 1:20 to tone, moisturize and cleanse the skin.
To summarize, we can clarify for what skin problems it is advisable to use lemon essential oil:
- Pigment spots, freckles and post-acne.
- Decreased skin elasticity, emerging wrinkles.
- Enlarged pores, oily shine and acne.
- Cuperosis (spider veins).
- Bad complexion.
This is interesting!
It is estimated that approximately 3,000 fruits are needed to obtain a liter of lemon ether.
Reviews
Everyone who uses lemon ether for cosmetic purposes notes its exceptional ease of use and accessibility.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bjyR84y-RxU
Using it in dry skin care products gives excellent results. Some note its softening, moisturizing and even protective properties when used in winter.
According to reviews, oil masks with lemon perfectly eliminate age spots and whiten facial skin.
Homemade cosmetics containing lemon essential oil receive the greatest number of positive reviews. It can be added to almost any masks and homemade creams.
Useful properties and uses of lemon ether:
- Yulia, 36 years old: I use essential oil regularly for all skin blemishes. One drop per single serving of face cream or toner is enough. This is a real boon for any skin type, it cleanses, brightens, heals and rejuvenates without pain or complications. The main thing is to maintain proportions so as not to overdo it. Thank you for teaching me how to make lemon oil at home, in normal conditions. I'll definitely try it.
- Olga, 39 years old: Add a few drops of lemon ether to the grape seed extract and apply to a steamed face. The product removes oily shine and gets rid of blackheads. Skin looks clean and refreshed.
Precautionary measures
There are two mandatory rules for using citrus essential oil to avoid the appearance of age spots and burns. First: avoid being in the open sun while using it, because lemon oil for the face has photosensitizing properties - it increases the sensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet radiation. Second: conduct a sensitivity test; ether can cause allergies.
There are other restrictions:
- Pregnancy and lactation.
- Oncology.
- Age up to 3 years.
- Increased excitability.
- Hypotension.
- Very dry skin and allergies to citrus fruits.
Beneficial features
In cosmetology, this essential oil is widely used due to its beneficial properties. The components have the following actions:
- anti-inflammatory;
- tonic;
- bactericidal;
- immunostimulating;
- antiseptic;
- reduces tissue swelling;
- whitening
Its use helps improve the condition of the skin by stimulating cell division processes, which leads to smoothing out existing unevenness and reducing the depth of wrinkles. With regular use, aging is eliminated, the skin looks more toned and fresh. Lemon has a stimulating effect on the natural processes of collagen production, which has a rejuvenating effect.
For those with oily skin, the use of lemon ether helps normalize the functioning of the sebaceous glands, cleanse and tighten pores. Cosmetologists use lemon to combat blackheads, in procedures aimed at softening rough areas and exfoliating dead cells. Lemon helps lighten the skin both on the entire surface of the body and on the face to eliminate freckles or existing age spots on any part of the body.
Features of using lemon oil for the face
Simple rules will help you avoid annoying mistakes and adverse consequences:
- Before using the product for the first time, it must be tested so as not to cause burns or irritation to the skin.
- Before applying a mask or medicinal mixture, the face must be cleaned using usual means.
- It is better to carry out any procedures with lemon oil either at night or 2-3 hours before going out into the sun. And, by the way, in the second case you need to use cream with SPF. For the same reason, it is better not to carry out a course of treatment or prevention with citrus ester in summer or late spring.
- How often to perform the procedure is usually specified in the specific prescription. But there are average rules: the course usually consists of 10-12 sessions of 1-2 rubles/week.
Important!
Lemon ether, like other essential facial products, cannot be used in its pure form. They can be used to dilute basic preparations, for example, natural vegetable oils. In rare cases, lemon ether is applied locally to the problem area, without affecting the healthy tissue around it.
How does it work?
The use of lemon ether helps solve the following cosmetic problems:
- eliminate oily shine;
- help get rid of acne;
- cleanse pores and eliminate comedones;
- promotes exfoliation of the upper, dead cells of the epidermis;
- stimulates blood circulation;
- inhibits the synthesis of an enzyme that destroys collagen fibers;
- gives the skin a fresh and healthy color;
- whitens age spots.
Thus, the use of lemon oil is indicated:
- for teenage girls to treat juvenile acne;
- girls who would like to get rid of freckles;
- girls aged 30+ as a means of preventing the appearance of wrinkles;
- women aged 40+ to eliminate signs of aging.
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Ways to use lemon essential oil for the face, recipes
There are quite a few recipes for preparing cosmetics with oil from “golden rejuvenating apples” at home; you can use those that have been proven for different types of epidermis.
Lemon ice for acne marks
Vodka (1 teaspoon) + water (100 ml) + lemon ether (7 drops).
Add the ether to the vodka and only then pour the resulting mixture into cool water. Freeze the solution in ice cube trays and wipe the cubes over your face after cleansing in the morning and evening. Wait until your face dries on its own without using a towel. Course: month.
Whitening compress for age spots and freckles
Lemon ether (5 drops) + honey (2 tablespoons).
Mix and apply a thick layer to problem areas of the face, cover with pieces of gauze folded in several layers. Wash after 15-20 minutes. Course: 20 sessions, once every 3 days.
For the same purpose, you can mix citrus ether (1-2 drops) and chamomile decoction (50 ml). Make compresses or wipe problem areas.
Anti-wrinkle milk
Milk (50 ml) + honey (1 tbsp.) + lemon peel extract (2 drops).
Heat the milk and add everything else. Apply the mixture to your face and leave for an hour. Course: depending on the reaction of the skin, once a day or once every 2-3 days for 2 months, then a break.
In order to rejuvenate the face and prevent the appearance of wrinkles, you can add 1 drop of citrus essential oil to the lotion (10 ml) and wipe your face with it as usual.
Lotion for problematic epidermis type
Lemon oil (8 drops) + vodka (100 ml).
Mix and wipe your face before going to bed; if there are a lot of pimples, you don’t need to wash it off.
For information
Use the lotion with caution, in case of emergency, because it dries out the skin greatly.
Nourishing mask for normal type
Oils: rosehip (1 tablespoon) and lemon (2 drops).
Heat the first one a little in a water bath, add ether. Apply to face and leave for a quarter of an hour. Remove residues with a clean napkin.
The mask is not suitable for problematic and oily types of epidermis, but has a rejuvenating effect.
Moisturizing mixture for dry skin types
Dry yeast (1 teaspoon) + warm milk (2 tablespoons) + olive oil (1 teaspoon) and lemon (3 teaspoons).
Exposure time: 15 minutes, after which the mask should be washed off with water.
An excellent effect for skin prone to dryness is obtained by washing with ice cubes of chamomile decoction (1/2 cup) and lemon extract (7 drops).
Mask for oily type, tightening pores
Grapeseed oil (1 tablespoon) and lemon (3 drops).
Apply for 15 minutes, blot off any remaining residue with a clean paper towel. Course: 2-3 rubles/week.
Mask for problem type
White cosmetic clay (1 tablespoon) + soda (1 teaspoon) + hydrogen peroxide (1/2 teaspoon) + lemon extract (3 drops).
Exposure time: 15-20 minutes.
Mask recipes
Another effective way to use lemon oil is by adding it to homemade cosmetic masks.
Milk-honey
This composition nourishes and refreshes. Liquid honey should be mixed with milk in a ratio of two to one (one tablespoon of honey per half spoon of milk). If you have only thickened honey at your disposal, then it needs to be slightly heated until softened. Add two drops of lemon ether to the finished mixture. Apply the composition with a brush or swab for a quarter of an hour.
Sea buckthorn
This composition is recommended for whitening and facial rejuvenation. You need to mix a tablespoon of olive oil and a teaspoon of sea buckthorn oil, add three drops of lemon ether. Apply the composition to cleansed skin for thirty minutes, remove residues with a dry cloth.
Rosehip
To prepare this anti-aging composition, you will need dry or fresh rosehips and rosehip oil. If dry fruits are used, then two tablespoons of the raw material should be poured with a small amount of boiling water and allowed to swell.
Then grind in a blender. Wash and chop fresh fruits without soaking. Add a tablespoon of thick sour cream, a teaspoon of rosehip oil and three drops of lemon ether to the finished puree. Grind everything and apply to steamed facial skin for twenty minutes.
General rules for using cosmetics
Lemon oil for the face and body, for medicinal purposes and in cosmetology in general is used both in whole and in diluted form.
Dosage recommendations:
- For hot inhalation, no more than 2 drops of an aromatic substance should be added to the water. One is enough for the inhaler.
- Lemon oil for face - 1 drop per 1 dose of treatment mask or cream. Prepare a fresh portion each time, as cream with additives quickly deteriorates.
- Oil bath - dissolve 10 drops in 3 tablespoons of cream. Just mix it with water in this form. If you are too lazy to prepare the mixture, then you can forget about a bath with lemon oil, since natural oil does not dissolve in water.
- Anti-cellulite oil - used only in a diluted state. For 3 tablespoons of a base - for example, grape seed oil or just a basic anti-cellulite massage mixture - you will need 15 drops of lemon ether.
