Using sugar and lemon on the face offers the following benefits.

benefits of using sugar and lemon on your face
1. Brightens the face
Both lemon and sugar are great for skin brightening. You can make an excellent scrub by combining them both to achieve a natural glow to your face.

Sugar-based antimelanogenic agents can interfere with the factors that can make the skin lighter or prevent it from getting darker. 

Containing generous amounts of vitamin C, lemon juice helps in skin color lightening. (2) A 2019 research shared the effectiveness of vitamin C for skin lightening. 

How to use:

Mix 1 tablespoon of sugar and the juice of half a lemon.
Apply the mixture to your face and leave it on for 20–30 minutes.
Gently scrub your skin while washing it off with water.
2. Prevents face dryness
The combination of lemon and sugar helps in keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. Hence, it could be a good option if your skin is dry.

Sugar is a powerful ingredient for moisturizing the skin, and it is used as a cosmetic ingredient for the same reason. 

Using lemon oil can nourish and hydrate your damaged skin and restore its natural balance. (7)

How to use:

Mix 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and ½ cup of coconut oil.
Apply this mixture to your face and gently massage it for 8–10 minutes.
Wash your face with warm water.

 3. Prevents acne
Sugar gently exfoliates your skin. It helps you get rid of excess skin cells and unclog acne pores. (8)

Lemon juice promotes the circulation of essential nutrients to the skin so it can effectively fight acne. 

How to use:

Add 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of sugar to a bowl. Mix them without letting the sugar dissolve completely.
Apply this mixture to your face and gently scrub in an upward direction.
Leave it for 8–10 minutes and then wash your face with cool water.
You can use this scrub 1–2 times per week.
Excessive scrubbing can be harmful to the skin; hence, never overdo your scrubbing.

4. Exfoliates the skin
When combined, sugar and lemon can help in skin exfoliation.

Sugar is rich in glycolic acid, and its exfoliating properties make it an effective scrub. 

Lemon also acts as a natural exfoliant. It reduces skin damage, signs of premature skin aging, inflammation, spots, and scars and promotes smooth skin. 

How to use:

Slice a lemon in half and squeeze both halves into a bowl. Take the seeds out.
To the bowl, add 1 tablespoon of honey and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Honey pulls water into the skin for better moisturization because it is a natural humectant.
Mix well until a medium-thick consistency is attained.
Apply this mixture to your face and gently scrub for 10 minutes.
Wash it off with water.
Caution: Do not use essential oils and lemon fruit extracts directly on your skin in high concentrations (11) as they may irritate your skin, especially if your skin is sensitive. Before including lemon in your skin care routine, consult a dermatologist.