15 Ways To Use Lemon For Dark Spots And Their Fast Removal

The use of lemon for weight loss has been a booming trend but have you heard of lemon for dark spots removal? Probably, right? The use of lemon for skincare has been an age-old trick that dates way back in history.

There are several reasons as to why lemon juice is actually effective in removing the dark spots and blemishes on the face which we are going to be discussing below.

In this article, we are going to touch down on some of the causes of dark spots and how we can use lemon juice to remove dark spots effectively.

What are Dark Spots?

Dark Spots on the skin is primarily the appearance of patches on the skin in darker complexion than the normal skin tone which is what stands out. They are also known as hyperpigmentation and the appearance of them differ based on the primary cause behind it – be it acne, age spots or even sunspots.

What Causes Dark Spots?

There can be various reasons behind the induction of dark spots on the face. But, for the most part, these kinds of causes behind dark spots are categorized based on the external and the internal factors.

1. External factors

a. Sun exposure

One of the most common reasons behind dark spots on the face is because of the constant exposure to the harmful rays of the sun which end up inflicting dark spots all over the skin where the UV rays have reacted with the pigments in the skin.

How can I protect myself from the sun? Use sunscreen lotions and take umbrellas when stepping out of the house. Scarves and hats play an effective role in protecting your skin too.

b. Dust and Pollution

Acne and pimples also play an important role in the development of dark spots and blemishes on the face. While the excess secretion of sebum plays a pivotal role in this, the accumulation of the dirt and the pollution from outside ends up clogging the pores and causes the acne. While the condition itself is not the contributing factor behind the spots, it is the healing process that leaves behind scarring on the skin.

2. Internal Factors

a. Melanin

Hormones and pigments found in the skin and the overall body has a very important contributing factor to inducing dark spots on the skin. For the most part, the heightened secretion of the melanin is often the primary reason behind the darker spots on the skin. The excess melanin combined with prolonged sun exposure often ends up contributing to the hyperpigmentation.

b. Aging

The process of aging can be a contributing factor to the appearance of dark spots on the skin. The age spots are commonly seen in people who extensively age at a quicker rate than the normal. The cause behind it could very well be the kind of diet and the extent of oxidative stress in the body.

Is Lemon Juice Good for Dark Spots?

Is lemon good for removing spots? Is lemon safe for dark spot removal? How long do I use lemon for removal of dark spots? Is it possible to use lemon for blemishes? Is lemon harmful for skin?

The array of question doesn’t just stop there. But, let us just settle everything once and for all.

Lemon is loaded with Vitamin C and excessive antioxidants which is primarily quite effective in getting rid of the problems associated with one’s skin health. Not only does it helps in getting rid of the oxidative stress and free radical damage when consumed, but even the topical application of the juice can also help lighten the appearance of the dark spots on the skin because of its active bleaching properties along with the mild acidic properties.

When it comes to whether or not lemon juice is harmful to the skin, the answer is effectively a no. The acidic properties of the lemon juice is not destructive rather promotes skin healing and repair.

How to Use Lemon Juice To Remove Dark Spots?

The key to effectively getting rid of dark spots using lemon juice is using it in the correct way. That’s where the magic lies. If you are not using it the correct way, chances are that it won’t affect the overall disappearance of the pigmentation.

1. Lemon Juice by itself

The easiest and the most used ways of using lemon juice to lighten dark spots is by using it by itself. The combination of bleaching (R), acidic as well as antioxidant (R) properties not just helps in minimizing the appearance of the dark spots, it also promotes the skin healing and repair which is an added bonus.

What to do?

1. Squeeze the juice of one lemon
2. Dip a cotton pad into the juice and apply it over the area of the dark spots
3. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes
4. Wash it off with splashes of water

How often?

• 1-2 times daily

2. Lemon Juice and Turmeric

Lemon juice and turmeric both are known for their effective impacts on repairing skin and boosting skin health. The active compound in the turmeric, Curcumin as well as lemon juice possess active antioxidant (R) (R) properties which helps reverse the signs of free radical damage. Not just that, the combination of antibacterial (R) properties with these natural remedies further aid in preventing the induction of acne and pimples (R) on the face.

What to do?

1. In a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of turmeric powder
2. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to it and make a paste
3. Apply the paste of the areas of hyperpigmentation
4. Leave it on for 15 minutes
5. Wash it off with water

How often?

1-2 times daily

3. Lemon juice and Baking Soda

The combination of baking soda and lemon juice to remove dark spots is done by a number of people. While the lemon juice helps get minimize the appearance of the dark spots because of its bleaching properties, the baking soda helps in exfoliation (R) of the skin. The rough texture helps get rid of the upper layer of the skin which contains the dark spots and thus helps get rid of it for good.

What to do?

1. In a bowl, take 1 tablespoon of baking soda
2. Add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the bowl and mix
3. Mix till the bubbling subsides completely
4. Using your fingers, apply the paste on your skin
5. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes
6. Wash it off with some water

How often?

• 3-4 times in a week

4. Lemon Juice and Coconut Oil

Majority of the people might correlate lemon for dark spots but expecting coconut oil in the mix might be an odd duck, right? Well, coconut oil is not just loaded with beneficial antioxidant (R) properties which help reduce the free radical damage and hence the appearance of dark spots, it also has nourishing properties. The moisturizing and skin-repairing properties (R) (R) of the coconut oil further aids in boosting one’s skin health.

What to do?

1. In a bowl, mix 1 teaspoon of coconut oil and 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
2. Apply this wherever there are dark spots on the face
3. Massage it into the skin and leave it on for 10-20 minutes
4. Rinse off with warm water followed by cold water

How often?

3-4 times a week

5. Lemon juice and Honey

The combination of lemon and honey is not just effective in weight loss but has impactful benefits in lightening the appearance of the dark spots as well. While the lemon juice to fade dark spots is mainly because of the bleaching properties, the honey has skin healing and repairing (R) (R) properties which further aids in boosting the overall health of the skin. The honey also possesses effective antimicrobial properties which prevent the appearance of acne development.

What to do?

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of honey and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl
2. Apply this on the areas of dark spots
3. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes till it has dried down and seeped into the skin
4. Rinse it off with some warm water followed by cold water

How often?

• Once daily

6. Lemon Juice and Apple Cider Vinegar

Not only can the combination of lemon juice and apple cider vinegar be drunk as a tonic, but it is also quite impactful in aiding lemon juice to remove dark spots. The mild acidic and antioxidant (R), antimicrobial (R) and anti-inflammatory (R) properties in the apple cider vinegar actually do aid in getting rid of the acne and pimples that often contribute to dark spots and scarring.

The apple cider vinegar also helps in mild exfoliation of the skin which further helps in getting rid of the dark spots.

What to do?

1. In a bowl, add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and some water
2. Mix everything together
3. Dip a cotton ball inside the solution and apply it on the areas of the dark spots
4. Leave it on for 10 minutes
5. Rinse it off with some water

How often?

3-4 times a week

7. Lemon Juice and Parsley

Let’s be real, nobody thinks of Parsley when it comes to skin lightening or removal of dark spots, right? But the same actually does work. Parsley is loaded with beneficial antioxidants (R) and skin lightening properties which help in getting rid of the dark spots on the face, especially the one caused because of sunspots and the external factors.

The lemon juice effectively helps in lightening the spots while the parsley in the mix aids in evening out the skin tone.

What to do?

1. To a pot, add 2 cups of water and bring it to a boil
2. Add 1 cup of chopped parsley to the water and let it boil for 15 minutes
3. Strain the liquid and add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice to the solution
4. Dip a cotton ball into it and apply it on the dark spots
5. Leave it on for 20-30 minutes
6. Rinse it off with some water

How often?

• 1-2 times daily

Side note: Refrigerate the leftover infusion for later use

8. Lemon Juice and Potato

The combination of lemon juice and potato is quite beneficial in lightening the appearance of the dark spots. Both the lemon juice and potato have mild bleaching properties (R) whose consistent usage can effectively reduce the appearance of the dark spots. If you have just been using lemon for dark spots, it is time to take it a step ahead and include potato juice to the mix as well. Potatoes are also loaded with antioxidants (R) which further prevent free radical damage.

What to do?

1. Shred some potatoes and pass it through a muslin cloth to extract all the juice
2. To the juice of the potato, add 1-2 tablespoon of lemon juice and mix
3. Using a cotton ball, apply it on the affected parts of the dark spots
4. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes
5. Rinse it off with some water once done

How often?

• 3-4 times in a week

9. Lemon Juice and Yogurt

While lemon juice for dark spots has predominant benefits, adding yogurt to the mix definitely heightens the impacts and makes getting rid of the dark spots on the skin. Not only do the natural enzymes in the yogurt (R) help in getting rid of the excess pigmentation, it also helps in cleansing the skin (R) to prevent any kind of clogged pores that could be contributing to acne and pimples.

What to do?

1. In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of yogurt and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
2. Apply the mixture on your face and leave it on for 10-20 minutes
3. Wash it off with some water

How often?

• Once daily

10. Lemon Juice and Tomato

Not only are tomatoes loaded with beneficial antioxidative compounds like that of lycopene and beta-carotene, but the active compound in the tomatoes also exhibit anti-tyrosinase properties (R) (R) which has beneficial impacts in reversing the secretion of excess melanin which is responsible for the dark spots.

The lemon juice simply accentuates the process of lightening of the dark spots on prolonged use.

What to do?

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of tomato juice and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl
2. Dip a cotton ball in it and apply it over the dark spots
3. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes
4. Wash it off with some water

How often?

Once in a day

11. Lemon Juice and Olive Oil

Apart from using lemon juice to lighten dark spots, adding olive oil to the mixture actually helps boost the overall effect out of the process. While the bleaching properties of the lemon juice helps cope with hyperpigmentation, the olive oil in the mixture actually does aid in moisturizing the skin and repairing (R) the dead skin cells.

What to do?

1. Mix ½ tablespoon of lemon juice and a ½ tablespoon of olive oil in a bowl
2. Apply it over the areas of the dark spot
3. Leave it on for 15 minutes
4. Rinse it off with some water

How often?

• Once-daily

12. Lemon Juice and Rosewater

The combination of lemon juice and rosewater not just adds freshness to the skin, it helps revitalize the composition of the skin. Not only does the lemon juice helps in bleaching the skin mildly to get rid of the dark spots, the anti-inflammatory properties of the rosewater actually does aid in getting rid of the inflammation and irritation.

What to do?

1. Dilute the lemon juice with some rose water
2. Using a cotton pad, apply the solution on the dark spots on the face
3. Leave it on for 10 minutes
4. Wash it off with some water
5. Pat dry and apply some moisturizer if required

How often?

• 1-2 times daily

13. Lemon Juice and Oatmeal

The combination of oatmeal and lemon juice is quite beneficial in proper cleaning and exfoliation of the skin which is quite beneficial in getting rid of the dark spots. The lemon juice helps in the breakdown of the excess secreted melanin while the oatmeal cleanses the pores and helps get rid of the dead skin cells off the skin.

What to do?

1. To a bowl, add 2-3 tablespoons of coarse oatmeal and 1-2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 teaspoon of honey to the mix
2. Mix everything well and make a smooth paste
3. Apply this on the dark spots and leave it on
4. For better, apply this on all over face and let it dry
5. Once it has dried, wet your fingers and rub it over the face pack
6. Rinse everything off with some water

How often?

• 3-4 times in a week

14. Lemon Juice and Aloe Vera

Lemon juice to remove dark spots is known of but the addition of aloe vera to it simply just boosts the overall process of removal of the dark spots from the skin. The lemon acts on breaking down the melanin and the aloe vera is beneficial in getting rid of the damaged skin because it promotes skin repair and gets rid of the fibroblasts on the skin.

What to do?

1. Mix 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice in a bowl
2. Apply this on the affected areas of the dark spots
3. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes
4. Rinse it off with some water

How often?

• Once daily

15. Lemon Juice and Cucumber

Cucumber and lemon for dark spots is not a myth but actually something that does work wonders. The hydrating properties of the cucumber help in boosting the hydration in the skin. The lemon combats the hyperpigmentation while the cucumber helps make the skin appear more soft and supple.

What to do?

1. In a bowl, add 1 tablespoon of cucumber juice, 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and a ½ tablespoon of honey
2. Mix everything well
3. Apply this on the areas with the dark spots
4. Leave it on for 10 minutes
5. Wash it off with some water

How often?

• Once-daily

How Long Does it Take for Lemon Juice to Fade Dark Spots?

Now, the main question is how long does it take for lemon juice to remove dark spots.

Because of the fact that lemon juice is actually a natural compound and not something artificial, it is going to take time for you to get the necessary results when it comes to removing the dark spots.

For the most part, with regular application of the remedies using lemon juice, it is believed that the results might actually show up within a matter of a week or two with the dark spots fading gradually.

Lemon juice for dark spots is actually one of the best ways to remove the unwanted spots and blemishes on the face. If you have tried and tested out all the major array of products and gotten no success in return, opting for the natural remedy with lemon juice can actually provide you with the much needed benefits that you have been looking for.