Lemon Juice - Kitchen Cupboard Beauty Tips
By Cait Johnson, Assistant Producer, Care2 Healthy Living Channels.

The refreshing, uplifting fragrance of lemon is such a great antidote
to the winter blahs. But lemon juice does more than give us a much-
needed aromatherapy pick-me-up: its all-natural beautifying
properties have been relied upon by Wise Ones throughout the ages.


Find out how lemon can be put to work for you--to give bounce to and
shine to hair, lighten age spots or discoloration, smooth your feet,
and make your skin look fresher and younger. Here's how.
Lemon is rich in fruit acids that will gently remove dead skin cells
and bleach darkened or discolored areas. We recommend you only use
fresh-squeezed juice, not the bottled stuff, which contains anti-
oxidizing chemicals that are harmful to the skin.

Discontinue using any of these formulas if you experience discomfort
or sensitivity.

Here are our lovely, lively lemon beauty tips:

1. To lighten discolored elbows: cut a lemon in half and place one
elbow in each half for approximately ten minutes. Lemon's acids will
gently break down the dark patches of skin so they may be washed away.

2. To exfoliate dead skin and diminish the appearance of freckles and
age spots, gently rub a cut lemon and 1/2 teaspoon sugar granules
over the skin for a few minutes. Repeat at least once a week until
the darkened areas fade.

3. Another way to lighten age spots: simply sit with a slice of lemon
applied directly to the area for ten minutes. Repeat once a week
until spots fade.

4. Lemon hair conditioner: Mix the juice of one lemon with one cup
warm water and apply to hair. Allow to remain for a few minutes, then
rinse. This will add fresh bounce and shine.

5. Dandruff treatment: Mix a few tablespoons of fresh lemon with warm
olive oil and rub gently into scalp. Allow to remain for 15 minutes,
then shampoo and rinse as usual.

6. For smooth, pretty feet: In a foot bath, combine 1 cup of lemon
juice, 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1/4 cup milk and enough water to fill
the basin. (You may also add a few drops of your favorite essential
oil for fragrance, if you like.) Soak feet for 15 minutes, then rinse
with warm water. Do this once a week for several weeks for noticeably
softer, smoother feet.

7. Astringent toner for oily skin: Combine the following--2
tablespoons lemon juice, 2 tablespoons vodka, 1 tablespoon distilled
water, 1 teaspoon witch hazel. Apply with clean cloth or cotton balls
to skin, then rinse. Caution: do not apply to broken skin, as it will
sting! This formula will keep in the refrigerator for a week.

8. Lemon Juice Astringent Simple
Simple squeeze some lemon juice into a glass jar, and dab some onto
your face every morning, let it set for 10 minutes, then wash it off
with warm water followed by a moisturizer. Fresh lemon juice will
last for 4-5 days.