Lemon essential oil is most commonly used as a cleaning ingredient but it has some surprisingly great cosmetic uses for your skin and hair. Here’s a list of the most common ways to use the oil to improve appearances and conditions of different areas of the body.
Skin Benefits Of Lemon Essential Oil
Facial Toner
Toners are used to help brighten dull skin and leave behind a youthful glow. Lemon oil is great for removing bacteria and impurities from the face while encouraging healthy new cell growth. Mix the oil with a bit of jojoba or grapeseed oil for a creamy version of a toner. You can also make a facial scrub by mixing lemon oil, coconut oil and a spoonful of sugar and scrubbing your face with the mixture. You should be left with a glowing complexion.
Varicose Veins and Spider Veins
Varicose veins can appear for a number of reasons, including pregnancy, weight gain and standing for long periods of time on a daily basis. If you are suffering from bulging veins or smaller but just as annoying spider veins, try mixing some lemon oil with a carrier oil and applying to the area twice daily. Massage the cream in an upward fashion, towards the heart, for best results. The oil should help to relieve pressure and improve circulation.
Acne
Acne can be a problem at any age. If washing your face isn’t enough to prevent the development of acne, try placing several drops of lemon oil on a cotton ball and applying all over the face after washing and drying it. This should only be done before bed as it can be dangerous to apply lemon oil to the skin and then spend time in the sun.
You can also ditch the acne face wash and make your own using lemon oil. Mix the oil with a bit of baking soda and honey. Wash your face with the solution and lukewarm water. Rinse well and pat dry.
Wrinkles
Lemon juice acts as a natural skin tightener and can help with sagging skin and problem areas. It can help to lessen the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while also tightening pores. Try making an eye cream using lemon oil to tackle crow’s feet, taking caution not to get the cream into your eyes. The oil can also help to lighten skin and can be used to fight dark spots that usually develop as we age. The oil will even skin tone and provide an overall more youthful and glowing appearance.
Athlete’s Foot
Athlete’s foot is a fungal infection that can be problem-some and embarrassing. Try mixing lemon oil with a carrier oil and applying to the infected area up to three times a day until the infection has been cleared.
Disinfectant
If you find yourself out without access to soap and water, try rubbing a drop of lemon essential oil in your hands. It’s nature’s hand sanitizer. You can also add a drop or two of lemon oil to your body wash for an instant boost in disinfecting power.
Bites/Stings
Lemon oil can help to soothe the pain associated with bites and stings from insects. By applying the oil, bacteria will also be eliminated, preventing the development of an infection. The oil will also help to improve blood circulation which can help minimize swelling in more serious stings, like those from a wasp.
Cold Sores
Cold sores are an embarrassing condition that we want to heal as quickly as possible. Next time you are experiencing a cold sore or can feel one developing, grab some lemon essential oil. You can apply it directly to the problem area or dilute it with a bit of coconut oil if there are sensitivity issues. To help prevent the cold sores in the first place, make a lip balm using lemon oil. Apply several times a day during stressful periods, which can make cold sores more frequent.
Teeth Whitener
Use lemon oil as a natural teeth whitening product and skip the expensive dental appointments and chemical filled strips. Mix some lemon oil with a bit of baking soda and coconut oil (a mashed strawberry can be used instead of coconut oil) and brush with the solution for a couple minutes. Rinse and brush with normal toothpaste. You can do this every couple of days until desired results are achieved or weekly to prevent staining.
Hair Benefits of Lemon Essential Oil
Dandruff
If you suffer from dandruff due to poor diet, stress or a change in climate, try mixing a few drops of lemon oil with a tablespoon of olive oil and a tablespoon of water. Apply to the entire scalp, massaging it into each spot. Let it sit for about twenty minutes and then rinse clean. The lemon will help to remove dry patches while the olive oil will moisturize the skin underneath, preventing the development of new dry spots.
Lighten Hair Color
If you want to lighten your hair a bit without high salon prices and damaging hair chemicals, try lemon oil to achieve your lighter shade naturally. Comb a bit of the oil through selected sections of your hair for highlights or spritz over all of the hair and go relax in the sun. Check progress often though. The change can be quite drastic in a short amount of time.
Oily Hair
Lemon oil can help remove build-up from hair that can be leaving it course and prone to damage. If your hair tends to be more oily and greasy, add a couple drops of lemon oil to your shampoo. You can also massage several drops that have been diluted with water into the scalp if you are not shampooing your hair that day. Lemon oil is great at removing grease, whether it be from surfaces, skin or hair. It will not remove the healthy oil that your hair needs though. This treatment will also help to heal dull and tired hair so that it is shiny and healthy.
