Lemon

A natural history

The lemon is not a wild fruit but an ancient citrus hybrid, carried westward out of Asia along the old trade routes until it found a sunlit home in the Mediterranean. For centuries it has stood as a symbol of freshness and light, its bright scent and bright juice woven through kitchens, gardens, and beauty alike.

Lemon also holds a heroic place in history. Its vitamin C rich juice was the cure that ended scurvy aboard the great sailing ships, and the British navy's habit of issuing citrus to sailors is the very reason they came to be nicknamed limeys. Few fruits carry such a clean, hopeful reputation.

What it does for your skin

Lemon brings a fresh, brightening character and natural antioxidants. In laboratory study, lemon essential oil, rich in limonene, showed antioxidant, free radical scavenging activity, with researchers noting its potential in cosmetic care.^[1] A further analysis confirmed that fresh lemon peel oil carries the strongest antioxidant activity among its fractions.^[2] In a formula, lemon lends a bright, refreshing, antioxidant lift to dull, tired looking skin. One honest note: cold pressed citrus peel can increase sun sensitivity, so it is used carefully and at considered levels.

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