Is Lime Water Good for Dark Spots?

No, when you drink it, lime water supports hydration but has not been shown to reduce the pigment responsible for dark spots. Applying lime to your skin is not a safe alternative: contact with lime followed by sunlight can cause a reaction that leaves dark marks.

Can drinking lime water fade dark spots?

There is no good evidence that drinking lime water fades dark spots. It can be a flavorful way to drink water, but it should not be relied on as a skin treatment.

Dark spots can have different causes, including sun exposure and inflammation after a skin injury. Because a change in skin color can also have other causes, a healthcare professional should check a spot that is new, changing or concerning rather than assuming it is harmless pigmentation.

For more context on the evidence for drinks and pigmentation, see best drinks for dark spots.

How does lime water affect skin and pigmentation?

Drinking enough fluid helps maintain normal hydration, but hydration alone does not remove existing dark spots. The pigment associated with many dark spots is melanin; there is no established mechanism by which drinking lime water selectively reduces excess melanin in those areas.

Lime contains vitamin C, a nutrient the body needs, but the amount that transfers into water from a few steeped slices is uncertain. The presence of vitamin C in lime does not establish that drinking lime water will lighten pigmentation.

Topical products are different from infused water, too. A claim about a formulated skin product cannot be assumed to apply to drinking lime water—or to putting fresh lime juice on the skin.

What does the evidence say about lime and dark spots?

The available evidence does not establish that lime water treats dark spots. We found no clinical trial of lime water for fading dark spots, so there is no reliable basis for recommending an amount or predicting a result.

There is, however, evidence of a potential harm from skin contact. A 2014 case report on lime-induced phytophotodermatitis describes a reaction that can occur when plant compounds on the skin are followed by sun exposure. Such reactions can cause inflammation or blisters and may leave darker patches. A case report does not establish how often this happens, but it is a reason not to use lime juice as a skin remedy.

How can you use lime water safely?

If you enjoy lime water, drink it for hydration and flavor rather than as a dark-spot treatment. This simple infusion uses sliced lime rather than applying it to your skin.

Ingredients

• 1 lime, sliced (about 100 g or 3.5 oz)
• 1 liter water (about 4¼ US cups)

Steps

1. Wash your hands and rinse the lime under running water. Slice it with a clean knife.
2. Add the lime slices and water to a clean covered pitcher.
3. Refrigerate for 2–4 hours to infuse.
4. Remove the lime or strain the water by 4 hours to limit bitterness.
5. Keep the lime water refrigerated and drink it within 24 hours for best flavor. Discard it after 2–3 days, or sooner if it becomes cloudy, slimy or sour-smelling.

Do not leave the infusion at room temperature for more than a few hours. Steeping transfers an uncertain amount of lime juice and nutrients into the water, so it is not possible to assign it the nutrition of the whole lime.

For existing dark spots, sun protection is a more useful step than applying lime. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher on exposed skin, seek shade and wear protective clothing. Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours when outdoors and after swimming or sweating.

Who should be careful, and when should you see a doctor?

Do not rub lime juice or lime slices on your skin, including areas with dark spots. If lime juice gets on your skin while preparing the drink, wash the area with soap and water before sun exposure. Seek prompt medical care for severe pain, extensive blistering or a significant reaction after contact.

If you have a citrus allergy, avoid lime water. Acidic drinks can also aggravate reflux symptoms or contribute to tooth enamel wear, particularly with frequent sipping. If either is a concern, choose plain water or ask your dentist or healthcare professional for advice; rinsing your mouth with plain water after an acidic drink may help.

See a healthcare professional about a spot that is new or changing, has an irregular border, bleeds or does not heal. During pregnancy, ask a healthcare professional before using skin-lightening treatments; have concerning spots in children assessed rather than applying lime or trying home remedies.