Lemon essential oil doesn’t just smell wonderful, it also has a host of benefits for your health, beauty and wellbeing, thanks to its varied and desirable molecular properties. It has also been prized for its beautifying properties for years, with Ayurvedic systems of medicine using it for the past 1,000 years. More recently, over 519 independent medical and scientific studies have proven the benefits of this oil, which is made from the lemon’s peel, rather than the juice.
Lemon oil is best known for its detoxifying properties. Taken externally, it is used to rejuvenate and purify the skin, stimulate the lymph glands for a detoxifying effect, and to repel bugs. One particular study recently published in the International Journal of Food Microbiology in 2016 found that lemon oil might actually have pole position amongst all essential oils, when it comes to having antimicrobial properties.
Lemon oil skincare benefits
As a cleanser
You can use lemon oil as a face wash, and it helps to leave your complexion clean and your skin supple. If you are following the trendy Korean double cleanse method, then you can add a drop of essential oil to your cleansing oil (try a mix 1/3 castor oil and 2/3 almond or sunflower oil). Massage in well, inhaling the energising lemon fragrance, and rinse off with a warm facecloth to encourage your pores to open and deep cleanse. Another good natural cleanser is to combine baking soda, honey and lemon oil for a face wash which will tackle acne.
For massage
For a lovely energising massage oil, add some essential oil drops to a base of natural coconut oil or shea butter and use it for a nourishing skin massage treat. A little goes a long way, so don’t overdo it. You can also add the oil to a facial cleanser to make a wonderful nourishing blend. Use a base of natural almond oil or vitamin E and add a few drops each of your favourite essential oils, perhaps combining lemon with frankincense and jojoba. Simply add a couple of drops of the facial oil after you have deep cleansed and toned, and whilst your skin is still damp. Use deep, upward strokes to stimulate the dermis and the muscles that help your skin to look plump.
For energy
Mixed with distilled water, lemon essential oil makes a great skin refresher, with wonderfully energising benefits. Simply spritz it and inhale the energising scent when you need a natural pick-me-up. This will energise you without chemicals or artificial ingredients. Whenever you need an energy boost, you can also add a drop to a tissue and breathe in the uplifting fragrance.
In addition to these skin benefits, lemon oil can be used as a household cleanser, to tackle bad breath, to support good digestion, to relieve a cough, to improve digestion and to promote weight loss, amongst other things! So this really is a powerful all-rounder that is well worth having in your beauty and wellbeing arsenal.