Thursday, April 4, 2013

DIY Lemon Juice Toner

Lemons are no secret. There are plenty of DIY beauty secrets out there with this magic little fruit sitting happily on their list of ingredients. So with beauty products and cleansers add up to big bucks, why aren't we taking advantage of an easy, super-inexpensive way to even, glowing, beautiful skin? Used as a toner every day (or every other day for those with dry or sensitive skin) can noticeably improve your complexion by lightening dark spots, dissolving bacteria (which will prevent blemishes), and tightening pores.

What is a toner? 

Toner: An astringent liquid applied to the skin to reduce oiliness 
and improve its condition.Its typically used after a cleanser 
is washed off and before a moisturizer is applied. 


What to do:
By mixing lemon juice with water and applying it to your face sparingly with cotton balls (apply more on blemishes, scars, and dark spots) you will see a noticeable difference in your skins appearance within just 4-6 weeks. Try 3 parts lemon juice one part water. Feel free to adjust accordingly based on skin type (more sensitive skin might need less lemon). And remember: natural is always better, so freshly squeezed is ideal as apposed to bottled juice. Also feel free to add a few tablespoons of honey to your toner- its a natural antiseptic that can be used to soothe burns, heal acne, and moisturize your face! 

What Lemon does for your skin:
Lemon juice helps to restore the pH balance (the measure of acidity and basicity) in your skin, which needs to be slightly acidic (and less basic). Skin with a balance that is slightly acidic is shown to to be clearer, less dry, and even ages slower in some cases. This is because a higher acidity helps the skins acid mantle (a barrier on the top of the skin) keep the bacteria at bay while keeping all the good things (like moisture) in. Lemon juice also helps to tighten the pores and make them less visible.

What honey does for your skin: 
Honey contains alpha hydroxy acids: acids that increase elasticity and stimulate collegen production which help to decrease the effects of aging. It also helps to attract and retain moisture. Hydrated skin is happy skin! 

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