Fact Check: Can Drinking Lemon Water Decrease Wrinkles And Blemishes?

A Pinterest post claims that lemon water can decrease wrinkles and blemishes. The claim is Misleading.

Claim

The Pinterest post titled "Health benefits of drinking lemon water", claims that drinking lemon water decreases wrinkles and blemishes. In the post user Health tips, posted a picture where it was mentioned the health benefits of drinking lemon water, that lemon water boosts the immune system, balances pH, flushes out unwanted materials, decreases wrinkles and blemishes, relieves tooth pain, relieves respiratory problems, cure throat infections, excellent for weight loss, reduces fever, blood purifier.

In addition to other claims, the post claims that lemon water decreases wrinkles and blemishes

The post can be accessed here.

Fact Check

The claim is Misleading. Lemon is rich in nutrients and is often used to support various health concerns, including skin health. However, there is no research evidence to confirm that drinking lemon water can reduce wrinkles or blemishes. While lemon offers benefits, its effect on wrinkles and blemishes through internal consumption remains unsupported by scientific studies.

Health Benefits of Lemon

Lemon also known as Citrus limon (L.), is a member of the Rutaceae family, an evergreen species predominantly found in Northeast India. When peeled, a lemon provides 17 calories, while with its peel, it has 22 calories. Just one tablespoon of lemon juice has about 3 calories, and a quarter cup provides 13 calories, delivering 31% of the daily vitamin C requirement, alongside small amounts of folate and potassium, as reported by "World’s Healthiest Foods." Known for its wide-ranging applications, lemon is highly valued in culinary, medical, and nutritional contexts. Its primary significance, however, lies in its considerable health benefits. Lemon juice is beneficial for weight management and is also used to support conditions like high blood pressure. Various components of the lemon, such as juice, leaf oil, citric acid, and alkaloids, are utilized for health issues including osteoporosis, insomnia, asthma, nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, acne, throat infections, scurvy, fever, and for maintaining optimal pH levels, among other uses.

What are wrinkles and Blemishes?

Wrinkles are noticeable lines or folds that form on the skin. Smaller, fine wrinkles are less than 1 mm wide and deep, while larger, coarse wrinkles are 1 mm or more in size. Wrinkles can develop due to internal factors like ageing, hormone changes, and certain health conditions, as well as external factors such as sun exposure and smoking. These causes lead to thinner skin, reduced elasticity, increased fragility, and the formation of visible lines and creases.

Blemishes are the generalized term that includes acne, angioma, rosacea, hyperpigmentation, vitiligo and secondary skin disorders like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, blemishes and disorders resulting from adverse reactions or side effects from therapies such as cancer or aesthetic surgery, and scars. The skin disorders can cause psychological impairment that has a significant impact on a patient’s quality of life (QOL), on their relationships with others, self-image, and self-esteem, and may cause depression and/or emotional distress.

Dr Rashmi Sriram, Consultant-Dermatology, Fortis Hospital, Rajaji Nagar emphasized the importance of overall hydration in skin health and its impact on wrinkles and blemishes. She explained, "Overall hydration plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health. Proper hydration helps keep the skin plump, smooth, and more elastic, which can minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. While it won’t erase wrinkles or blemishes, well-hydrated skin tends to look healthier and more vibrant. Staying hydrated supports the skin's natural barrier, helping to prevent dryness and irritation that can exacerbate blemishes."

Can Drinking Lemon Water Decrease Wrinkles And Blemishes?

While lemon offers numerous nutritional benefits and is used to address health concerns such as osteoporosis, insomnia, asthma, nausea, vomiting, motion sickness, acne, throat infections, and more, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the claim that drinking lemon water reduces wrinkles and blemishes.

The study published in Food Chemistry found that administering a citrus-based juice mixture orally reduced skin thickness and wrinkle formation while increasing collagen content in hairless mice exposed to ultraviolet B light. While this study was done on mice, it doesn’t specifically credit lemon juice for reducing wrinkles, instead, it focuses on a mixture of various citrus fruits.

Another study published in Environmental Science, Medicine has concluded that lemon juice has a stronger anti-acne vulgaris effect than the conventional cleansers used for the treatment of Acne vulgaris. While Acne vulgaris is just one type of blemish, the study doesn’t claim lemon juice is effective for all types. Additionally, it addresses only the external application of lemon juice for Acne vulgaris, not drinking it to reduce acne or blemishes.

Yet another study led by W.M. Otang et. al. noted that the Citrus limon (Rutaceae) plant is a potential source of vitamin C, and the oil is used in various preparations to reduce skin itching, for skin nourishment, and the pulp left after extraction of the juice is reported to be used for the pimples and wrinkles and to soften the facial skin. However, this study focuses on the topical use of lemon plant oil and does not address drinking lemon water.

The studies provide only vague findings on the use of lemon for wrinkles and blemishes, and none suggest that drinking lemon water helps reduce these skin issues. Additionally, there is no medical consensus recommending lemon water intake for minimizing wrinkles or blemishes.

Dr Smriti Naswa Singh, Consultant Dermatologist & Cosmetic Dermatologist, Fortis Hospital, Mulund told Health Dialogues, "Wrinkles form primarily due to repeated muscle activity in the face, which increases with age, affecting the deeper facial muscle level. Applying substances to the skin's surface, such as lemon juice or even vitamin C serums, won't impact these underlying muscles. When it comes to blemishes, which are related to pigmentation, vitamin C is effective in reducing melanin content. However, with lemon water, the concentration of active vitamin C is uncertain. Rubbing lemon juice directly on the skin may actually increase pigmentation due to the friction."

To this Dr Rashmi Sriram, Consultant-Dermatology, Fortis Hospital, Rajaji Nagar added, "Hydration and vitamin C are beneficial for maintaining healthy skin, and consuming drinks like lemon water can support these aspects. However, while such practices help keep skin looking fresh, they do not reduce wrinkles or blemishes. The role of lemon water is to complement a healthy lifestyle, contributing to overall skin wellness without directly impacting or reversing noticeable skin imperfections."

Health Dialogues Final Take

While lemon offers various nutritional and health benefits, there is no scientific evidence or medical consensus supporting the idea that drinking lemon water reduces wrinkles or blemishes. Studies and findings related to lemon’s effects on skin primarily involve topical applications or the use of citrus mixtures, not the consumption of lemon water.

Thus, the claim drinking lemon water decreases wrinkles and blemishes is Misleading.