Sunday Edit
x
Sign Up!
  • Beauty
    • Skincare
    • Hair
    • Makeup
    • Nails
  • Wellness
    • Mental Health
    • Health
    • Holistic & Spiritual
    • Love
    • Sex
  • Lifestyle
    • Home
    • Sustainability
    • Culture
    • Fashion
    • Travel
    • Gifts
  • Shop
  • About Us
Why Lemongrass is the Skincare Ingredient You Need
mirzamlk/Shutterstock

Beauty » Skincare » Ingredients

Why Lemongrass is the Skincare Ingredient You Need

Mellanie Perez
Mellanie Perez
March 19, 2019

Lemongrass is a fresh exotic herb that has long been used in folk for its unique aroma and mind-clearing benefits. It helps calm anxiety, irritability and insomnia. The perennial grass that is native to India — and has a strong, lemony scent — can be found in tea (made from dried or fresh lemongrass, as well as the bark and seeds), soups, sauces, marinades and even natural deodorant, as its antibacterial properties kill bacteria that causes odor.

But skin can also largely benefit from the tall striped leaves with sharp, jagged edges. When it comes to skincare, it is known for its skin healing properties, especially for acne. And surprisingly, it is even commonly used as a mosquito repellent.

Also known by its scientific name, Cymbopogon citratus, lemongrass has long been touted to have amazing antimicrobial and antifungal properties. “What it does is decolonize some of the bad bacteria in the skin,” says Reena Jogi, M.D., a dermatologist at Village Dermatology in Houston. “In studies, it looks like it has activity against staph bacteria and even E.coli, and those can cause … problems [such as skin infections of the likes of boils and impetigo] in the skin.” These studies helped show that lemongrass may inhibit bacteria that have shown resistance to many different antibiotics, even at small concentrations.

Shop
Good Genes

Good Genes

Glycolic Acid Treatment
$85.00
Shop
Good Genes

Good Genes

All-In-One Lactic Acid Treatment
$85.00 - $122.00

When it comes to skin, this means that using products with lemongrass on their ingredient list will likely help ward off skin infections and help skin issues caused by bacteria. The most common is acne — of course — folliculitis (inflamed hair follicles) and even cellulitis, a serious bacterial skin infection.

Six lemongrass stalks tied with string alongside chopped lemongass on a grey marble tabletop.
Sally Williams Photography/Getty Images

“Additionally, it seems to have astringent properties that kind of help combat some of the oil,” says Jogi. These astringent properties help to shrink and constrict tissue — decreasing large pores and puffy skin — and because these are common for those experiencing acne, Jogi thinks it is best used in products such as toners and oils. Overall, it minimizes pores, limits the secretion of oil and temporary firms the skin.

However, it is important to note that you can definitely overdo it. “Anything that has astringent properties can strip the natural oil from the skin,” Jogi says. “If you’re using something with astringent properties, you’re going to want to pair it with a moisturizer to minimize the dryness and the irritation.”

Something you should always be certain of is choosing products with pure lemongrass, as it has been known to have additives to help preserve and enhance its taste or odor that could cause different reactions. Additionally, because it is a strong herb, it is not best for sensitive skin, and a little goes a long way.

Beauty Skincare Ingredients

Your Sunday Edit

bringing only the best to your inbox

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Most Popular

Could This Flare-Up Be Psoriasis?

Why ‘Confidence’ Is the Word of 2021

8 Zen Bedroom Ideas to Help You Mellow Out at Home

Read More
Licorice Root and its Skincare Benefits

Licorice Root and its Skincare Benefits

By Drew Carlos
Everything You Wanted to Ask About Acids

Everything You Wanted to Ask About Acids

By Jessie Quinn
Retinol 101: An Ingredient Guide

Retinol 101: An Ingredient Guide

By Lindsay Tigar
Superheroes Need Skincare, Too. A Mortal Weighs In.

Superheroes Need Skincare, Too. A Mortal Weighs In.

By Drew Carlos
by
  • Beauty
  • Wellness
  • Lifestyle
  • Shop
  • About Us
  • Terms + Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • California Privacy Notice
  • Contact Us
Bringing only the best to your inbox.
© 2021 Sunday Edit

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our site. By continuing to use our site, you accept the use of cookies. Learn more here

Privacy Overview
Sunday Edit

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookies

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
heart-envelope-email

Your Sunday Edit

bringing only the best to your inbox
No thank you!

Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy