How to Make a Lemon Face Cleanser

Co-authored by Alicia Ramos

Last Updated: January 5, 2023 References

If you are struggling with acne or dull skin, consider adding lemon juice to your facial regime. While lemon juice on its own is too harsh to use on skin, you can mix it with other ingredients to create a simple facial cleanser. While beneficial to skin, lemon juice can also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight than it already is, so it is best to use these facial cleansers in the evening rather than in the morning.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Making a Lemon and Yogurt Cleanser

1
Pour 1 teaspoon of lemon juice into a small bowl. Lemon juice is naturally antibacterial, and it can help reduce acne. It would be best if you use fresh lemon juice for this, but bottled may also work. If you are using fresh lemon juice, be sure to strain out the seeds and pulp first.^{[1]
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2
Add 1 tablespoon (15 grams) of plain yogurt. Yogurt is a great, natural moisturizer. It will prevent the lemon juice from drying out your skin. The lactic acid in it is also naturally exfoliating, so it will help make your skin brighter and softer.^{[2]
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- To get the most benefits from this cleanser, use full-fat yogurt instead of low-fat or non-fat.
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3
Consider adding 1 teaspoon of honey. You cannot go wrong with adding honey. It is both antibacterial and moisturizing, making it ideal for those with acne or dry skin. If you do not have any honey on hand, however, you can leave it out of the cleanser.^{[3]
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4
Stir everything together with a fork or spoon. Keep stirring until the color and texture are consistent. You don't want any streaks or "puddles" of lemon juice.
5
Gently massage the cleanser onto your face. Splash your face with warm water first, then gently massage the cleanser in, making sure to avoid the area around your eyes. Wait 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse the cleanser off with warm water. Follow up with a splash of cool water, then pat your face dry.^{[4]
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- To make this cleanser even more effective, place a warm, damp towel over your face for 1 to 2 minutes first, then apply the cleanser.
- Apply your usual moisturizer afterward. This will keep the lemon from being too drying.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Making an Exfoliating Cleanser

1
Squeeze the juice from one lemon into a small bowl. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a small bowl. Use a lemon juicer to ensure that no pulp or seeds get into the jar.^{[5]
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- If you don't have a juicer, place a fine, mesh strainer over the jar first, then squeeze the lemon by hand.
2
Add some sugar and honey. You will need 2 tablespoons (30 grams) of sugar and 1 tablespoon (22.5 grams) of honey. The sugar will act as an exfoliant, while the honey will act as a natural moisturizer.^{[6]
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3
Massage some olive oil onto your face. You will need about 1 tablespoon (15 milliliters) of olive oil. The olive oil will not only moisturize your face, but also protect it from the sugar. Sugar makes a great exfoliant, but it can be harsh on the skin.^{[7]
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- Pull your hair back and away from your face to keep it clean.
4
Apply the lemon mixture to your face. Use your fingers to scoop up some of the lemon-sugar-honey mixture. Apply it to your face, right over the olive oil. Gently massage it in using circular motions. Avoid the sensitive skin around your eyes and nostrils.^{[8]
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5
Leave the scrub on for 5 minutes. If you have very sensitive skin, you may want to reduce the time to 2 or 3 minutes. If the cleanser starts to sting, it's time to take it off!^{[9]
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Rinse the cleanser off with cool water. Pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel. Follow up with your usual moisturizer. If you have any of the scrub leftover, you can use it on your hands and neck as well.^{[10]
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- The moisturizer will help prevent your skin from turning too dry.
- If you have oily skin, use a moisturizer specially formulated for oily skin.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Making a Lathering Cleanser

1
Combine some vegetable glycerin and liquid Castile soap in a bowl. You will need ½ cup (120 milliliters) of vegetable glycerin and 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of liquid Castile soap. This will serve as the base of your cleanser. The glycerin will help moisturize your skin, while the Castile soap will act as a gentle cleanser.^{[11]
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- Make sure that you are using plain, unscented Castile soap.
2
Add some honey and lemon essential oil. You will need 3 tablespoons (67.5 grams) of honey and 3 to 5 drops of lemon essential oil. Honey is naturally antibacterial and moisturizing. It is good for dry skin and acne. Lemon essential oil will act as a natural toner and brightener for your skin.^{[12]
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- Do not use lemon fragrance oil or lemon extract. It is not the same thing.
3
Stir everything together. Keep stirring until the color and texture are consistent, and no streaks remain. Be careful not to over-stir, however, or the soap will start to lather.^{[13]
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4
Pour the cleanser into a glass soap dispenser. Place a funnel into the neck of a clean, glass soap dispenser. Pour the face wash into the funnel. Remove the funnel, then screw in the pump.
- Avoid using plastic soap dispensers. The essential oil in the soap will weaken the plastic over time.
5
Use the cleanser like regular face wash. Dampen your face with warm water, then squeeze out a pump of the face wash into your palm. Massage the face wash onto your face and neck for at least 30 seconds. Rinse it off with warm water, then splash your face with cool water. Pat your face dry with a towel when you are done.^{[14]
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- Avoid your eyes when applying the face wash.
- You can store the face wash on the counter. It should last a few months, but if it starts to smell rancid before then, discard it.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Making a Rosewater and Lemon Cleanser

1
Fill a small, glass bottle half-way with rosewater. You can use homemade rosewater or store-bought rosewater. Place a funnel into the neck of the bottle first, then pour the rosewater in. Rosewater is great for moisturizing and toning your skin as well as treating acne.^{[15]
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2
Fill the bottle the rest of the way with lemon juice. You can use store-bought lemon juice, but freshly-squeezed juice would be much better. If you are using freshly-squeezed lemon juice, be sure to strain it first so that you don't get any seeds or pulp. Lemon juice is great for treating acne and blackheads. It can also help brighten your skin.^{[16]
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3
Close the bottle, then shake it to mix the two together. Your facial cleanser is now complete and ready to use!
4
Dampen your face with warm water. The warm water will help open up the pores on your skin and make the cleanser more effective.
5
Dampen a cotton ball with the lemon-rosewater face wash. Open up your bottle of lemon-rosewater. Hold a cotton ball over the opening, then turn it upside-down and right-side-up quickly.
6
Wipe your face with the cotton ball. Pull the cotton ball upwards rather than downwards. Start at your neck and work your way up to your chin using short, gentle strokes. Replace the cotton ball as needed; plan on using about 4 or 5.^{[17]
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Rinse the face wash off. Rinse it off with warm water first, then splash your face with cool water to seal the pores. Pat your face dry with a soft, clean towel, then follow up with your usual moisturizer.^{[18]
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- You can use this as a toner as well.

Expert Q&A

Question

Can I use lemon juice as a face cleanser?

Alicia Ramos
Skincare Professional
Alicia Ramos is a licensed aesthetician and the owner of Smoothe Denver in Denver, Colorado. She received her license at the School of Botanical & Medical Aesthetics, with training in lashes, dermaplaning, waxing, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels, and now provides skin care solutions to hundreds of clients.

Alicia Ramos

Skincare Professional

Expert Answer

Small amounts of lemon can invigorate and rejuvenate your skin while reducing bacteria. However, too much undiluted lemon juice can irritate your skin and leave it dehydrated.
Question

Can I use any yogurt?

Community Answer

Any brand of yogurt is fine provided it is plain and free of sugar. Don't use flavored yogurts, as they will contain too many different ingredients and you can't be sure of the effect of these ingredients on your skin.
Question

What can I use instead of yogurt?

Community Answer

You can try sour cream or milk. Keep in mind that if you use milk, the cleanser will be more liquid-y. You may want to apply it with a cotton ball.

Warning

Lemon is too acidic to apply directly to skin. It will burn the skin and worsen acne.
Avoid the sun after using the facial cleanser; it's best to use it in the evening. Lemon juice can make your skin sensitive to sunlight and result in sunburn.