Lemons, more than food

You might love lemonade and lemon chicken, but your skin and hair love lemons even more. Here are some great uses for the sunny yellow fruit:

Clarifying moisturiser: Mix a few drops of coconut water with a few drops of lemon juice. The coconut will hydrate your skin, and lemon will clear and brighten it.

Elbow, knee bleacher: If your elbows and knees appear dark, simply rub them with half of a lemon. It’s like magic!

Blackhead treatment: It may sound too good to be true, but because lemons are antibacterial, they can help treat acne. Just slice a lemon, and squeeze the juice on your face. Your blackheads will start to fade before you know it.

Cleansing wipes: Mix a couple drops of lemon and tea tree essential oil in about six ounces of distilled water. Use it as a toner or for use with cotton pads as a cleansing wipe for problematic skin.

Teeth whitener: Mix baking soda and lemon juice, and apply it to your teeth with a clean Q-tip. Then, use your toothbrush to scrub your teeth and rinse. It’s way cheaper than going to your dentist’s office.

Canker sore treatment: You can use a few drops of the lemon essential oil on canker sores to help them heal faster.

Skin brightener: Lemons are rich in vitamin C and citric acid, so they can help brighten and lighten your skin when used over time. Vitamin C is a great antioxidant for neutralising free radicals and boosting collagen production, says Marina Peredo, M.D., a dermatologist. That means it can help lighten age spots or dark spots. Remember to wear SPF when using lemon juice on your skin, though, since the citrus fruit can make your skin more sensitive to ultra violet rays.

Shine eliminator: Lemon is great for reducing excess oil.

Lip exfoliator: Put a little lemon juice on your lips before bedtime, and wash it off in the morning to help remove dead skin cells and dried skin. One caveat: Obviously, if you already have severely chapped lips that have any cuts, do not try this.