Oily skin is not just a summer problem. It is an everyday battle. Acharya Balkrishna says the answer might already be sitting in your kitchen. A lemon, some water, and a cotton swab. That’s it.
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Acharya Balkrishna, co-founder of Patanjali Ayurved, recently posted a skin care tip on Facebook that has been picking up attention. He wrote that mixing lemon juice and water in equal parts and wiping the face with a cotton swab can clean oily skin and remove stickiness. The tip is short, practical, and rooted in something many Indian kitchens already have. But how much of this holds up to research?
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Oily skin produces excess sebum, the natural oil that the skin’s sebaceous glands secrete. While sebum protects the skin, too much of it causes greasiness, clogged pores, and breakouts. Lemon juice has properties that work directly against this.
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Lemon juice acts as an astringent, meaning it tightens pores and controls excess sebum. This is due to its acidity and its alpha-hydroxy acid content.
Citric acid is a source of alpha-hydroxy acid or AHA. AHAs are used to improve the texture and overall appearance of the skin. Lemon juice contains about 5 to 8 percent citric acid.
Lemon juice and lemon peels have high concentrations of citric acid, which has a drying effect and can get rid of excess sebum, cleanse the skin, and clear its pores.
Balkrishna specifically recommends mixing lemon juice with equal parts water, not applying it directly. This detail is important.
Lemon juice has a pH between 2 and 3. The human skin has a pH of 4.5 to 5.5. Applying straight lemon juice can change the natural pH of the skin, weakening the skin barrier and causing irritation, dryness, and dehydration.
A recommended practice is to mix one part lemon juice with two parts water. This reduces the acidity and minimises the risk of irritation. Balkrishna’s suggestion of equal parts is a milder version of direct application, making it more accessible for regular use.
Oily skin is not just about greasiness. Excess oil creates a surface where bacteria can thrive.
Excessive sebum secretion promotes the growth of certain skin flora including Pseudomonas and Micrococcus, which can cause purulent skin infections and may also play a role in acne. Lemon juice has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help prevent such infections and promote healthier skin.
A 2019 study published in the journal Heliyon found that citrus oils can effectively inhibit the growth of C. acnes, a bacteria linked to acne, as effectively as some common antibiotics like erythromycin and clindamycin.
Not everyone reacts the same way to lemon on skin.
Dermatologists caution that lemon juice is highly acidic and can cause skin irritation, dryness, or chemical burns, especially in sunlight.
Lemons and other citrus fruits contain compounds called furocoumarins, which can interact with UV rays, causing skin cell damage and inflammation. This means applying this remedy before stepping outside in sunlight is not advisable.
After applying lemon to your skin, it is best to avoid direct sunlight for at least a few hours. A patch test on a small area of skin is recommended before applying it more broadly.
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