Lemon Juice

Lemon Juice Description

Lemon juice is a cosmetics ingredient derived from the citrus fruit lemon, AKA _Citrus limon_ and _Citrus medica limonum._

Although it’s long been claimed that lemon juice is a natural skin brightener, it’s highly acidic and contains both volatile fragrant and photosensitive compounds. Ironically, exposing lemon juice-treated skin to UV light can potentially worsen uneven skin tone and discolorations.

Lemon juice has a pH of 2 and comparing an ingredient with that pH to just one number up (that being pH 3) is like the difference between a minor tremor in the ground and a catastrophic earthquake.

Bottom line: There’s no research showing that lemon juice has a positive effect on brightening an uneven skin tone, yet it’s clear this ingredient is a potent skin sensitizer. Given its antioxidant content, lemon juice has its benefits, but it is far better to consume it orally than apply it topically.

The amount of lemon juice in skin care and makeup products varies, but from our review of the research on this ingredient, no amount is truly safe for skin.

For more information, please see the entry for _Citrus medica limonum_.