Natural Beauty with Lemons

Lemons are high in Vitamin C. As we learned last week, Vitamin C is vital in the defense against free radicals. Because of the Vitamin C content and because of their natural fruit acids, lemons can be used to help refresh and rejuvenate your skin.

The fruit acids found in lemons can help to eradicate dead cells from the skin. It is for this reason that lemons can be used to help “lighten” darker patches of skin. It’s important to remember that we all have differing levels of skin sensitivity, and while some of the recipes may not cause dryness or reactions to your skin, the Pretty Girls’ Pantry highly recommend doing a patch test before applying the solutions completely onto your skin. The acids in lemon have been known to have a bleaching effect when combined with exposure to the sun. We recommend that all of these solutions be applied in the evening when the skin will not be exposed to sun light.

For dry hands and feet, try a lemon and brown sugar exfoliating scrub. You will need 2 whole lemons, and 1 teaspoon of brown sugar. Squeeze the juice from the lemons and combine with the brown sugar. Apply vigorously over hands or feet. Rinse with warm water and apply a lotion. We at Pretty Girls’ Pantry prefer a peppermint lotion to help invigorate the skin. You should do this once a week to keep your hands and feet feeling and looking soft.

If the skin on your knees, elbows, and the back of your heels are dark or rough, try a lemon, honey, and olive oil mask. You will need 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1 lemon, and 1 teaspoon of honey. Squeeze the juice out of the lemon, mix it with the olive oil and honey and apply to those patches of skin. Leave the mask for 10 -15 minutes with warm water. Remember lemon causes photosensitivity; so do this in the evening or do not expose yourself to the sun for a few hours after the treatment.

You may have noticed when you use some nail polish that your nails develop a yellow stain. To remove that stain use a cotton ball soaked in lemon juice. Leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse and apply lotion.

For oily skin try a banana honey and lemon mask. You will need 1 banana, 1 teaspoon of honey, and 1 lemon. Mash up the banana, add the honey and then squeeze the lemon over the mixture. Apply over your face and leave it on for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water. This will lock in the natural moisture while banishing the excess oil.

For skin with blemishes, try a lemon yogurt mask. You will need 1 lemon and 1 cup of plain yogurt. Squeeze the lemon juice into the yogurt and mix it thoroughly. After you’ve mixed it, place it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Then apply to your face and leave on for 10 – 15 minutes. Rinse with water.

Finally, for overall oil control, toxin release, and as a breath refresher drink water with lemon throughout the day.

Remember, Pretty Girls’ Pantry always loves to hear your feedback about your experience with our pantry makeovers, or answer any questions, so E-mail us at prettygirlspantry@gmail.com and let us know. In the meantime, don’t forget to check back with us next week for another installment of natural beauty fixes straight from your pantry.