Properties and benefits of lemon as an active ingredient in cosmetics.

When we think of the Amalfi Coast, and we close our eyes, images and perfumes immediately come to mind with the only real protagonist: the lemon.

Until the 1950s it was believed that the lemon had been imported into the Mediterranean by the Arabs and the Crusaders around the tenth century, during the expansionist era.
Following, instead, of the excavation campaigns carried out on the archaeological remains of the cities buried by the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD of Pompeii and of the nearby Oplontis (Torre Annunziata) were found walls frescoed with fruit-bearing lemon trees and a vase in which it was cultivated this precious fruit.
Subsequent studies on these testimonies even confirmed that in the Roman period in the Vesuvius area there were already the two most important varieties that are still cultivated today: the femminiello of Sorrento and the Sfusato of Amalfi.

In the medieval period of the Republic of Amalfi, the lemon was introduced into the crops of the Amalfi Coast when it was discovered that the properties and benefits of its fruits were excellent for treating diseases such as scurvy, which affected the crews of commercial ships, caused by the shortage of vitamin C.

Over the centuries the demand for this fruit has spread throughout Europe and over time has transformed the landscape of the entire Amalfi Coast and with its lemon terraces overlooking the sea, it is still a characteristic feature of this small paradise.

The Sfusato d’Amalfi lemon I.G.P. Costa d’Amalfi is the variety of lemon that contains the highest content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and is also very rich in essential oils and minerals. Of this lemon can be used the juice, the whole fruit, the seeds, the peel and even the leaves and from the discovery of its properties specific uses have arisen in the medical, food, culinary and cosmetic fields.

Especially in recent years we find it combined with other active ingredients in specific products for skin and hair care, especially in biocosmetic, where all its innumerable natural benefits are enhanced and exploited.


Lemon juice is rich in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin PP, mineral salts and organic acids such as alpha-hydroxy acids.

This mix gives the lemon astringent, exfoliating and moisturizing properties and is used in cosmetics for its multiple qualities such as:
– toning the skin of the face because it is an excellent astringent against oily skin;
– reduce skin spots thanks to its lightening action;
– excellent cosmetic adjuvant in case of cellulite thanks to its draining and anti-inflammatory properties;
– remedy for dull and dull hair and to contrast oily scalp and dandruff;
– teeth whitener;
– exfoliant to stimulate cellular turnover and give brightness to the skin of the face;
– tonic for brittle nails;
-prevent the appearance of blackheads and pimples;
– anti-age in face creams thanks to its antioxidant power;
– help for those suffering from couperose problems counteracting capillary fragility;
– source of vitamin C to restore skin elasticity by stimulating collagen production.

The lemon with all its benefits and qualities is really precious as gold especially when used as a beauty ally!