LEMON FRUIT (Citrus Medica Fruit)
Lemons have been used around the world for years for overall health and skin
care. Full of vitamin C, lemons also have a high antioxidant level. Used as part of
juice cleansing programs and diets for cleansing the skin, benefits of lemon have
also been shown to brighten and even out skin tone.
VITAMIN C, LEMONS & SCURVY
Lemons contain high level of vitamin C, also known as
ascorbic acid. The level in lemons are around 50mg
per 100g. On a par with oranges and around double
the amount of limes.
Vitamin C deficiency can lead to scurvy, a disease that
cause loss of teeth, jaundice and eventually death. in
1700s, all British ships were required to provide a
lemon juice ration to seamen to guard against this
disease.
ACIDIC COMPOUNDS IN LEMONS
The sour taste of lemons is caused by the presence of
organic acids. The major acid in lemons is citric acid,
which constitutes around 5 to 6% of the lemon’s juice.
Other acids are also present. Although in much lower
concentrations than citric acid. Malic acid is one of
these, present at around 5% of the concentration of
citric acid.
LEMON IN COSMETICS
Citrus limon (lemon) fruit extract has the most reported uses in cosmetic products, with a total of 530; more than half of
the uses are in leave-on skin care preparations. The maximum use concentration range for citrus limon (lemon) fruit
extract is 0.0001% to 1.2%, with 1.2% reported in nigh skin care products.
BENEFITS FOR SKIN
A wonderful source of calcium, vitamin C, magnesium and potassium; all of which help improve the appearance and
condition of our skin, hair, and nails.
The benefits of Lemons for your skin is that they can act as an antioxidant, astringent, stimulant, hydrator, and also help
aid in fighting dandruff and a dry, itchy scalp. The list goes on and here are just a few of the top benefits of Lemons for
your skin;
A MORE NATURAL WAY TO EVEN SKIN PIGMENT
Antioxidants are the best way to counter the free radical damage from environmental stress, pollution and help keep skin
healthy. Lemons provide a dose of the free radical fighting antioxidant vitamin C, which helps keep skin even-toned and
helps boost the body’s immune system.
VITAMIN C
has been tested extensively and reported in journal of American Academy of Dermatology to inhibit the production of the
melanin, when Vitamin C inhibits the production of the melanin, a lighter and brighter skin will reveal in just few weeks.
Therefor lemon may help with unsightly dark circles under the eyes, or dark age spots on the skin. The lemon peel is a
much-preferred method of gentle skin tone evening, without using something harsh like hydroquinone.
Vitamin -C does more than that also, Vitamin -C is required for collagen synthesis, which declines markedly in aging skin.
As we grow older, we suffer diminished micro capillary circulation within our skin, which deprives our skin cells of the
supply of Vitamin -C it needs for youthful collagen synthesis. The topical application of Vitamin -C in a skin-penetrating
medium can dramatically enhance the availability of Vitamin -C for collagen production.
Vitamin -C regenerates vitamin E in the skin. An antioxidant like vitamin E can only suppress a limited number of free
radicals before it runs out of electrons to donate. Vitamin -C regenerates vitamin E and enables vitamin E to provide
sustained antioxidant protection in the skin's elastin fibers.
Vitamin -C plays a vital role in skin repair. When your skin is injured, its Vitamin -C content is used up rapidly in the
scavenging of free radicals, and in synthesizing collagen to speed healing.
CITRIC ACID: is an AHA and thus has exfoliating and regenerating properties, discovering a new lighter skin layer.
FLAVONOIDS: are polyphenols that have highly anti-oxidant and anti-microbial power and have also whitening activity.
- LEMON CAN BE USED AS A SKIN ASTRINGENT
as it helps lessen oil secretions in pores and tighten them, resulting in smoother less oily skin.
- LEMONS HAVE ANTISEPTIC QUALITIES.
Its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory qualities can also help soothe skin irritations affiliated with dandruff.
CONCLUSION
LEMON FRUIT extract works as a fading agent and more. It rich in antioxidant flavonoids, citric acid (fruit acid) & vitamin
C. Lemon fruit peel protects against sun damage, enhances collagen synthesis and inhibits the production of melanin
to give rejuvenated flawless and lighter skin.
