What Happens to Your Skin When You Drink Lemon Water?

Lemon (Citrus limon) is a popular citrus fruit. Lemons are one of the most widely produced and consumed fruits in the world.1 People use them in cooking, cleaning, and even as an addition to water.

Many people consider drinking lemon water a healthy way to start their day. Adding lemon to water is an easy way to boost the flavor of plain water and increase potassium and vitamin C in the morning.2

Some people believe it may benefit their skin, though research on its benefits is limited and based mainly on animal studies.

Skin Benefits of Lemon Water

Although the research on its effectiveness is limited, studies show promise that hydrating in the morning with lemon-infused water may hold some benefits. Here are some of the potential advantages to your skin.

Keeps Your Skin Hydrated

Your skin is your body’s largest organ and can easily become dehydrated if you don’t drink enough water.3 Dry skin and parched lips are some of the first signs of dehydration.4

Many people find that adding lemon to their water makes it taste better, helping encourage them to drink enough water each day to stay hydrated. This is important, especially considering that you may need to drink as much as 11-15 cups of water a day, depending on your age, sex, and activity level.5

May Prevent Premature Aging

There is some evidence that keeping your skin hydrated may prevent premature aging. Drinking lemon water may reduce the likelihood that fine lines and wrinkles will form and deter dry and rough patches from forming.6

Some animal studies also show that drinking lemon water may help prevent oxidative stress, which can lead to premature skin aging. More research is needed, especially in humans, before people can claim that lemon water reduces signs of aging.7

May Protect Skin and Cells From Free Radicals

Starting your day with a glass or two of lemon water can help you boost your vitamin C intake.8 Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that helps fight disease and supports wound healing.9 It may even reduce skin edema (swelling).10

When you do not get enough vitamin C or become deficient, you risk developing scurvy. Though uncommon in the United States, this skin disease can cause poor wound healing and skin hemorrhages.11

May Promote Collagen Production

Collagen is a protein in your body that gradually breaks down with age, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and other signs of aging.12

Some proponents of drinking lemon water indicate that it may help boost collagen production since vitamin C can increase the amount of collagen the body produces. Because vitamin C is an antioxidant, it could also help prevent the free radicals that break down collagen—ideally helping to ensure smoother skin.9

How To Make Lemon Water

When making lemon water, most people squeeze some lemon into a glass of water. You also can make a pitcher of lemon water if you plan to drink lemon water more consistently. Here is a simple recipe for making cold lemon water:13

A Couple Cooks. Lemon water recipe.

1 lemon

8 cups (64 ounces) cold water

Wash and thinly slice the lemon. There is no need to peel it. Add the lemon slices to the bottom of a pitcher. Lightly mash the lemon slices into the bottom of a glass pitcher to release the juices. Add the cold water and refrigerate for one hour or more. The longer you let the water sit, the stronger the lemon flavor. It will reach its peak taste within one day.

To make a hot lemon water, you can try the following recipe:14

1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon honey

1 cup hot water

1 lemon wheel

Heat the water in a microwave or on the stove. Add the lemon juice and honey to a cup or mug. Carefully add the hot water and stir until the honey is dissolved. Garnish the cup with a lemon wheel or place it into the hot mixture.

Tips for Drinking Lemon Water for Skin Health

There is little scientific evidence on how much and how often you should drink lemon water for skin health. That said, many people recommend drinking one glass each morning to give your body—and your skin—a boost of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Here is a breakdown of the nutrients your body receives when you add one lemon wedge to your water:2

Phosphorus: 0.47 milligrams (mg)

Potassium: 6.08 mg

Vitamin C: 2.28 mg

Folate: 1.18 micrograms (mcg)

Calcium: 0.35 mg

Magnesium: 0.35 mg

Lutein: 0.88 mcg

The National Kidney Foundation recommends mixing 4 ounces of lemon juice with water a day to help prevent kidney stones.15 However, this is a significant amount of lemon juice to consume at a time and could aggravate conditions like acid reflux.16

Talk to a healthcare provider to see if regularly drinking lemon juice is right for you. You may also want to consult a dental professional, especially if your teeth are sensitive.17

Risks

Drinking lemon water is generally safe, though there are some side effects to be aware of. For instance, there is some evidence that regularly drinking acidic beverages, even natural ones like lemon water, can lead to dental erosion.17

Dental erosion is a chemical process where the protective outer layer of your teeth, or the enamel, wears down due to exposure to acids. When this happens, the surface of the teeth erodes, causing sensitivity and sometimes even visible damage.17

Drinking lemon water can also cause gastrointestinal issues, including exacerbating conditions like acid reflux. Research has shown that citrus fruits may increase gastric acid production, leading to heartburn and symptoms like nausea and bloating. Some health experts even recommend that people who experience dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) limit or remove citrus from their diets.16

A Quick Review

Drinking lemon water in the morning has become a common ritual for many, especially because it boosts vitamin C and potassium consumption. Limited evidence suggests it may also benefit your skin, though this evidence is largely based on animal studies.

If you are considering drinking lemon water daily, talk to a healthcare provider first. Drinking too much lemon water can negatively affect your teeth and even lead to dental erosion. Too much citric acid from lemons could also increase acid reflux or cause nausea.

DQH Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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