Are There Benefits to Using Honey and Lemon on Your Face?

Some of the most effective beauty components don’t come from factories — they originate in nature, in leaves, fruits, and herbs.

Many natural substances are loaded with restorative qualities and health advantages. Yet even nature-derived ingredients can cause adverse effects. Just because something is natural doesn’t guarantee it’s harmless.

Honey and lemon are two common natural components found in numerous beauty and wellness products. But are they appropriate for facial use?

In this piece, we’ll examine the advantages and potential hazards of applying honey and lemon to your face, and when it might be wiser to choose alternative ingredients in your skincare regimen.

What advantages does honey offer for facial skin?

Across cultures, people have applied honey to skin for millennia. Research into honey shows this natural substance carries several helpful traits:

• Antibacterial. A 2016 study found honey can eliminate various bacterial strains. Because skin bacteria can trigger pimples, applying honey to the face may help minimize breakouts.
• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. A 2014 study reported honey contains flavonoids and polyphenols that give it antioxidant activity. When used topically, honey has been shown to lower inflammatory compound activity, which may reduce redness and irritation.
• Exfoliating. Honey includes natural enzymes that can help slough off dead skin cells. That’s one reason honey can be a good natural exfoliant for the skin.

There are multiple varieties of honey available. Some top choices for skin include:

• Raw honey, meaning honey that hasn’t been processed or pasteurized. It retains more nutrients and minerals than processed honey, though it may be less safe to ingest.
• Manuka honey, produced from the Manuka shrub in New Zealand. This honey is notably high in antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory compounds, which may aid in treating acne.

What are the downsides of applying honey to your face?

Although honey is generally safe for facial use, some individuals may be allergic to honey or its constituents. You may have a higher chance of reacting to honey if you have known pollen or celery allergies.

If you’re uncertain about your sensitivity to honey, consider performing a patch test before spreading it on your face. To do a patch test, follow these steps:

• Put a drop of honey on a small area of skin.
• Wait 24 hours.
• Inspect the spot after 24 hours for signs of redness, irritation, swelling, or itching. If none of these appear, honey is likely safe to use on your face.

Because honey is sticky, it can be harder to remove from skin than other ingredients. Make sure to cleanse your face thoroughly without rubbing or tugging. Be gentle and rinse several times with lukewarm water to remove all traces of honey.

What benefits does lemon provide for facial skin?

Before outlining the claimed benefits of lemon for skin, it’s important to recognize lemon contains natural fruit acids that can sting, irritate, or even burn skin.

For this reason, many skincare professionals are cautious about applying lemon to the face, and some feel its disadvantages outweigh its perks. We’ll cover potential side effects in the following section.

Research indicates lemon juice has the following traits:

• Antioxidant. Lemon juice naturally supplies vitamin C, an antioxidant that may help protect against skin damage and premature aging.
• Astringent qualities. Due to its low pH, lemon can reduce oiliness and help decrease inflammation.
• Antifungal. A 2014 study suggested lemon juice can have antifungal effects, including activity against some Candida strains on skin.
• Skin lightening. Lemon contains acids that can naturally fade spots like age marks and acne scars. However, medical prescription creams tend to be more effective than lemon.

What are the risks of putting lemon on your face?

Lemon is highly acidic, giving it a very low pH. Applying it to skin can produce several adverse effects. Possible side effects include:

• Skin irritation. This is the most frequent reaction to lemon on the face. Because it’s acidic, lemon can lead to dryness, flaking, redness, and peeling. These reactions can be more pronounced if you have sensitive skin.
• Sun sensitivity. Known as phytophotodermatitis, this skin reaction occurs when citrus on the skin is exposed to sunlight, potentially causing swelling, redness, and blister-like patches.
• Leukoderma. Also referred to as vitiligo-like changes, this condition can result in large white patches where lemon juice has been applied repeatedly.
• Increased sunburn risk. Using lemon on skin can make you more susceptible to sunburn.

If you have sensitive skin, dermatologists typically advise against using lemon on your skin, particularly on the face.

Some natural alternatives that may be gentler than lemon include:

• cucumber
• yogurt
• green tea
• aloe vera

If you’re unsure how your skin will react to lemon’s acidity, perform a patch test using the same steps described above for honey.

Can honey and lemon be combined safely?

Honey and lemon can be used together safely if:

• you’ve patch-tested both ingredients and haven’t shown sensitivity to either
• you don’t plan to be in sunlight shortly after application
• you only use a small quantity of lemon juice

Face mask recipe

If your skin tends to be oily, this mask’s components may help soak up surplus oil and tighten pores.

Ingredients

• 1/2 tablespoon of raw honey
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 1 egg white

Directions

• Whisk the ingredients together in a bowl for 1 to 2 minutes. The mixture is ready when it becomes foamy.
• Apply the blend to a freshly cleansed face using clean fingers or a small brush, avoiding the eye area.
• Spread the mask thickly enough to prevent dripping.
• Let the mask dry for 20 to 30 minutes, removing it sooner if it feels overly tight.
• Rinse off with warm water or a soft, damp washcloth.
• Pat your face dry and follow with a light moisturizer.

Additional suggestions

You can combine honey and lemon with other ingredients to create masks for various skin concerns. The basic application steps are similar to the recipe above, but with different additions.

• Mask for acne-prone skin. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, and 1 teaspoon baking soda. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Mask for hyperpigmentation. Mix 1 teaspoon lemon juice, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 tablespoon plain yogurt, and 1/4 teaspoon turmeric. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Mask to reduce redness and inflammation. Mix 2 tablespoons honey, juice from one lemon slice, and 1 teaspoon cinnamon. Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes.

The takeaway

Honey and lemon are natural substances with several restorative properties. Between the two, honey is generally the safer option for skin. It tends to be milder, more nourishing, and less likely to provoke a reaction.

Lemon is strongly acidic and can produce irritation, dryness, and sun-related damage, particularly if your skin is sensitive. The key to using lemon more safely is to keep its quantity minimal.

Always conduct a patch test on a small skin area before applying either lemon or honey to your face. Avoid using either ingredient if the patch test produces redness, swelling, or itching.