Just like the name suggests, lemon essential oil is produced by cold pressing lemon rinds. It shares the bright color and the special fragrance of the fresh fruits. It is an excellent air purifier that can be diffused to eliminate bad odours from homes and spread a fresh and sweet fragrance instead.
The smell of lemon oil resembles fresh fruit slices, with a yellow or light green color. It is included as an ingredient in many cosmetic formulas, as well as home cleaning products, furniture polishes and personal care mixtures. Lemon oil is available in pure form but can also be combined with other natural oils such as coconut or olive oil. In commercial products, it is also combined with synthetic and mineral-based oils.
Lemon oil is considered more natural than most other essential oils, since it is produced through a process of cold extraction rather than distillation.
Lemon oil with a strong scent is cold pressed using a machine from the yellow part of the peel, also known as the zest. It is very hard to extract and only about 0.45 kilograms of essential oil remain after pressing 1500 fruits. It is also possible to extract the oil through some home-made procedures, in order to use it as a flavouring in food or as a cosmetic ingredient. The zest is combined with olive oil and either left for several weeks in order to change the oil’s flavour, or it can he heated then strained. The zest can be combined with water, coconut oil or some mineral oils in order to produce home-made furniture polish or a natural cleaning product.
As a natural antiseptic agent with astringent effects, lemon oil is a great addition to various cosmetics and personal care products. Astringent compounds can force pores to close while removing layers of dead cells, which makes skin look brighter. The antiseptic properties can treat skin infections such as acne, while astringency can prevent oily skin.
Lemon oil is known to increase photosensitivity, so it should be used carefully. After applying a product that includes lemon oil on the skin, avoid direct exposure to sun for at least a few hours.
This natural oil is sometimes included in the composition of mouthwashes that prevent smelly breath and treat oral sores. Due to its antiseptic action, it can also be used in diluted form to treat minor injuries like burns or cuts.
The smell of lemons is generally associated with cleanliness and freshness. As a result, lemon oil is a common ingredient in various cleaning products. This essential oil can eliminate bad odours, as well as remove dirt or stains. In concentrated form, lemon oil has strong antiseptic effects, so it is often applied to kill bacteria on carpets, floors, furniture and commonly-used items. However, it is rarely used in pure form and is diluted with water in cleaning products. As a natural oil, it is not toxic in any way, doesn't leave residues and it doesn't require rinsing at all, unlike chemical detergents. It is a great ingredient in furniture polishes, alongside mineral and coconut oils, because it can make wood shine while killing bacteria at the same time.
Lemon oil is mainly known for its fresh aroma that improves a home environment but it also provides health benefits when applied on the skin and hair. Teenagers can use it to prevent blemishes by adding a single drop of essential oil to their normal evening moisturizer. It can also be added to conditioners, in order to make the hair healthier and shinier. Don't apply it on your skin before sun exposure, since the oils of lemon and other citrus fruits increase photosensitivity.
When applied on the skin, lemon oil can greatly improve its appearance and make it look rejuvenated. It has the ability to restore saggy or dull skin due to its astringent and antiseptic effects. It kills various pathogens that live on the skin, treating skin conditions or pimples. Due to its astringent properties, it also removes excessive oil from the skin.
This essential fruit oil is a natural alternative for commercial hair tonic products. Lemon oil can eliminate hair dandruff and make it healthier, stronger and shinier in general.
Lemon oil is a common ingredient in perfumes and other cosmetic products due to its distinctive fresh aroma. For the same reason, it is often found in the composition of scented candles.
The well-known antiseptic effects of lemons make lemon oil and natural lemon juice a very common part of cosmetics used in skin and personal care. They are found in many brands of soaps and face wash formulas.
The skin becomes more elastic and regains its softness after the application of lemon oil, which also restores its natural complexion. A very effective homemade face wash against acne can be prepared by mixing lemon oil with honey and baking soda. The oil provides antiseptic affects and also nourishes the deep skin layers. Using it constantly will keep your skin healthy and reduce the risk of warts or calluses.
As an astringent, lemon oil can treat acne and eliminate excessive grease from your skin and hair. It also treats skin problems like herpes cold sores, insect bites or mouth ulcers, while removing dead cells.
Lemon oil can also be added to the water during a bath, only a few drops are needed. The oil purifies the skin while its pleasant aroma relaxes the mind. It can penetrate the deep layers of the skin, rejuvenating it from within and leaving behind a refreshing scent. It is also very easy to prepare a natural face cleaning solution. Just add one drop of essential oil to a cup of water, keep it in a bottle made from amber glass and wipe your face with it in order to eliminate grease and toxins.
Many essential oils are known for their action against acne, but lemon oil is considered to be the most powerful of all. This is caused by the mixture of antioxidant agents like citric acid or vitamin C. These kill the pathogens that cause acne and at the same time reduce the risk of scarring by improving collagen production. A very effective solution can be prepared by adding a single drop of lemon oil in a small amount of coconut oil. Massage your face every day with this mixture until acne is healed completely.
Essential lemon oil is rich in antioxidants like citric acid or vitamin C that counter the destructive action of free radicals and prevent premature skin aging. Free radicals react with oxygen molecules in skin cells, which can kill them and make the skin look old. In time, this process leads to the development of fine lines and wrinkles. Mixing olive oil with a few lemon oil drops produces good cosmetic oil that prevents early aging of facial skin.
Since it is astringent, essential lemon oil makes large pores contract, reducing the excess amount of sebum on the skin. It can be applied directly on the face, after using a cleansing product. You just have to add a single drop of lemon oil with a cup of water and store it in a clean spray bottle.
The same effect also works on the hair. Lemon oil shrinks hair follicles, which prevents greasy hair by limiting the amount of sebum that is released on the scalp and reaches hair shafts. Any excessive grease already found on the hair is also eliminated by washing with a diluted lemon oil solution. It is also possible to apply the oil directly, by massaging your strands with your palms after pouring a few drops. Let it work about 15 minutes and then rinse your hair with plenty of water to remove the oil. The scalp produces its own hair oils; you can comb your hair slowly to prevent them from accumulating in some areas.
Lemon oil is a very effective natural astringent that can keep sebum under control. Combine it with clear distilled water and you’ll have a cheap natural product to use as a facial toner. It reduces the amount of sebum by closing large pores and at the same time lifts the skin and makes it tighter. You will need one cup of clear water, preferably filtered or distilled, as well as one drop of oil and a clean plastic spray bottle. Spray it on the face regularly in order to tone it.
Applying essential lemon oil, or even slices of the fresh fruit, can eliminate blackheads by making the skin tighter. Blackheads are formed when excess serum accumulates in large pores, which can be prevented using an astringent. This essential oil tightens the pores and dries skin around them, which naturally removes blackheads without any risk. In addition, the antiseptic effects of lemon oil kill pathogens inside the pore and prevent a possible infection. Blackheads can easily be removed by gently scraping your face with a spoon after a period of steaming in order to make the skin soft. Prepare a paste from one spoon of baking soda, one drop of lemon oil and some water, and then apply it on the areas where blackheads are found. After about 10 minutes, you can wash it away and most of the blackheads will be gone.
The skin can be bleached in a safe and natural way using lemon oil, due to the citric oil found in its composition. Besides changing the tone of the skin, it can also eliminate acne scars in time, as well as maintain a balanced pH level. pH balance is known to be very important for the aspect of facial skin. Using lemon essential oil regularly can prevent the development of acne and at the same time remove old scars and blemishes.
