Cucumber Benefits for Skin That Are Too Cool to Pass Up
If you think about it, what's good enough for your smoothie must be good enough for your skin, too, right? Cucumber is more than just a refreshing fruit on a hot summer day; it's also like a tall drink of water for your skin. Ashwin Sokke, an expert in healthy ingredients for hair, face, and body products, says, "Cucumbers are mega nutrient-dense, so they deliver vitamins A, B, C, K, calcium, magnesium, and potassium."
What this means is, when ingested, cucumbers deliver inflammation-fighting properties; when applied to your face, these same nutrients can provide a positive effect for rejuvenating your complexion. Scroll through for the benefits hiding in this green glow-getter, and shop our favorite cucumber-infused beauty products for a serious refresh of your skincare routine. Feeling cool as a cucumber yet?
Meet the Expert
Ashwin Sokke is a co-founder of WOW SKIN SCIENCE, which offers holistic care options to balance the mind, body, and spirit. Sokke is an expert in healthy ingredients for hair, face, and body products.
Jennifer Yen is the creator behind two mega beauty brands, PURLISSE and YENSA BEAUTY. Inspired by superfood ingredients and Asian rituals, Yen incorporates both into her cult-favorite skincare products.
Cucumber Benefits
It might just be time to promote cucumbers from your fridge to your face. Here are five top benefits that make us love this fruit even more, plus five of our favorite products that feature the star ingredient.
1. It's Great For All Skin Types
Sokke says there are "no cons here when it comes to cucumbers." The long, green, seedy fruit is made of 96 percent water, making it a hydrating addition to your skincare routine. And best of all, because it doesn't include any irritants or strong acids, it's generally safe on sensitive skin. Founder of PURLISSE and YENSA BEAUTY Jennifer Yen says, "Any skin type can benefit from nutrient-rich cucumbers, but it's truly a fantastic tonic for dehydrated, sensitive, and puffy skin!"
2. It Can Help You Bid Adieu to Puffy Skin
"Cucumbers have excellent anti-inflammatory properties," Yen shares, which can be especially helpful if you're running low on sleep or if you consumed a bit too much salt for dinner last night. For extra depuffing powers, Yen recommends chilling your cucumbers in the fridge before applying them to your skin.
3. It's a Fabulous Redness Reducer
"Using cool cucumbers on the skin is an easy way to reduce redness," explains Yen. The cooling and anti-inflammatory effect of cucumbers may help ease pain, and calm redness and irritation caused by acne, nasty sunburns, insect bites, and rashes. Make it a habit to keep one in the fridge at all times for beauty mishaps.
4. It's a Secret Fountain of Youth
"Cucumbers are rich in vitamin C and folic acid,” says Yen. Vitamin C is known to stimulate new cell growth, while folic acid works to fight off environmental toxins that can make your skin look tired or prematurely aged. These two components combined may help your skin look firmer and healthier.
5. It's DIY-Friendly
If you get a thrill from concocting your own skincare, cucumber is the perfect ingredient to experiment with. Yen says, "By grating cucumber, you release the enzymes, making the good-for-your-skin properties even more potent." She adds, "Grated cucumber wrapped tightly in a slightly damp kitchen towel makes for a pretty epic soothing eye mask."
Cucumber Products We Love
1. Cleanser: FRESH Soy pH-Balanced Hydrating Face Wash
This powerful yet gentle face wash has rightfully gained a cult following for how it removes makeup—even mascara—without drying your skin. The cucumber extract in it helps cool, calm, and soothe even sensitive skin types.
2. Toner: KIEHL'S Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner
While most toners tend to be hard on dry skin, this cucumber-infused potion remains mild and won't irritate dry or sensitive skin. This alcohol-free formula cleanses and tones skin while soothing any irritation with every swipe.
3. Eye Masks: YES TO CUCUMBERS Depuffing Under Eye Masks
There's a reason the thought of spa treatments brings about visions of cucumber on the eyes. The fruit reduces puffiness under the eyes and minimizes the look of dark circles. These cucumber-infused eye masks do the same, and all without a cutting board.
4. Moisturizer: FARMACY BEAUTY Daily Greens Oil-Free Gel Moisturizer
This green juice for your skin is packed with kale, cucumber, and eucalyptus, which are rich in phytonutrients to nourish, soothe, and detox. Lightweight and hydrating, the hyaluronic-packed gel formula calms skin, moisturizes without feeling heavy, and controls shine and clears pores (thanks to papaya and willow herb).
5. Sunscreen: COOLA Classic Face Organic Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 in Cucumber
When you think of sunscreen, you may get flashes of the greasy, heavy formulas of your childhood, but this organic and invisible formula is silky and light as air. Perfect for using under makeup, this hydrating broad-spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen protects while seriously hydrating your skin—and it smells like cucumber to boot.
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