Unorthodox natural treatments have become quite the trend in the skincare world in recent years. Whether for acne, redness, itchiness, or hyperpigmentation, there seems to be a natural cure for all of these issues. Some of these treatments are backed up by science, while others are merely anecdotal. Today we will explore in which category cucumber falls under.
In this article, you'll find out the benefits of using cucumber as a part of your skincare routine and how to use it without causing any adverse side effects on the skin.
Can Cucumber Provide Benefits for the Skin?
In the skincare world, nothing is off-limits. Experimenting with the ingredients you put on your skin can be pretty dangerous sometimes, but it shouldn't discourage you from trying new things. Always closely examine the claims a specific ingredient promises to deliver and weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision about whether or not you try it out for yourself.
Cucumber is a promising ingredient, that's for sure. You probably know all about the benefits of consuming cucumber slices by now: they can increase your hydration levels, boost the number of antioxidants you get in your diet, help with weight loss, lower blood sugar, and provide you with many necessary vitamins and minerals, which will help your overall wellbeing. They also have anti-inflammatory properties.
But does the same hold true for skincare? As it turns out, cucumbers have the power to provide your skin with the same benefits you get when consuming them! They're also safe for any skin texture, including sensitive and dry skin.
From cucumber-infused water to chilled cucumber slices, there are many different ways you can use cucumber for the skin and body. Here's how the benefits of cucumber can help your skin become the healthiest it has ever been.
Cucumber is Extremely Hydrating
If you think that cucumber can't boost hydration levels within the body, think again! Cucumbers contain 96% water, which means this ingredient will not only keep your body hydrated - it will keep your skin hydrated too.
You can get these amazing benefits by consuming cucumbers and applying them on the skin topically (we will provide DIY recipes later in this article).
Moisturizing your skin is important, but real hydration comes from within. By consuming an adequate amount of water, veggies, and healthy fats, you'll be hydrating your skin from the inside out, helping with its overall appearance. You can even consume cold water with a cucumber extract or two.
Cucumber is an Amazing Detoxifier
Antioxidants do wonders for your skin. They help fight oxidative stress and lower inflammation in the body, leaving you with perfect skin health and good skin elasticity. This also helps with premature aging.
So can this ingredient reduce skin inflammation? Cucumber has been used in skin care recipes for years. You don't have to buy any fancy antioxidant creams or serums. All you need to do is up your veggie and fruit intake! Having perfect skin has never been easier (or tastier!)
Cucumbers Help With Dark Circles and Puffy Eyes
Are you the type of person who never gets enough sleep? Do you struggle with dark circles and puffy eyes on a regular basis? If that is the case, then don't despair. Cucumber is here to the rescue!
Due to their high water content, cucumbers help hydrate the delicate skin under your eyes. If you leave it in the fridge half an hour before you apply cucumber under the eyes, even better!
By activating cucumber's cooling properties, you're actually making the cucumber slices become more effective in battling puffiness and dark circles. Why is that? Refrigerating them before use will help the blood vessels under the eyes contract, reducing the appearance of puffy eyes and inflamed skin.
Cucumbers can also soothe damaged skin under the eyes. Thanks to the vitamin C content and the hydrating properties, your eye area will look fresher than ever!
Cucumbers Can Help With Sunburns
Cucumbers can offer relief for sunburnt skin due to the cooling and soothing effects that they provide, as well as their anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, their skin-repairing properties also speed up the healing process. So, if you ever have painful sunburns, reach for some fresh cucumber or cucumber juice!
It's important to mention that if you have severe sunburns, cucumbers won't provide proper treatment, and you'll need to visit a doctor immediately. It only works to soothe mildly burnt skin and redness.
Cucumbers Can Help You Get a Flawless Complexion
And last but certainly not least, cucumbers are an excellent way to help you achieve healthy and glowing skin. They can tighten pores, brighten your complexion and reduce puffiness in the skin, something we all experience from time to time.
These awesome benefits are due to the number of vitamins and minerals found in cucumbers. Vitamin C, A, and B are some of the best vitamins you can use for the skin, and cucumbers contain all three of them! Plus, they contain biotin and potassium, which are both great for skin health.
Cucumbers can also help with skin lightening and acne-fighting! What's not to love?
How to Use Cucumbers for the Skin
We've covered all the cucumber benefits you can get by adding this ingredient to your diet and your skincare routine. You're probably feeling inspired to either consume more cucumbers or add a couple of DIY recipes to your next pamper night. The first one is easy and doesn't take much convincing. But what about the DIY recipes?
Don't worry; we've got you covered. Here are the best and most efficient DIY recipes for the skin. They won't take you long to make, and they're made of basic ingredients you probably already have in your house. All you'll need is an unpeeled cucumber.
Cucumber Toner
Starting off with a basic to add to your daily skincare routine – the good old toner.
Toners are great for calming down the skin, and by adding cucumber to the mix, you'll only be amplifying that effect. Here's how you make the perfect DIY cucumber toner.
You will need:
- ½ cucumber, chopped
- 4 tablespoons of distilled water
- A few drops of tea tree essential oil
Blend all the ingredients and then separate the liquid from the solids using a drill. Pour the liquid into a glass bottle and refrigerate it.
Use it every morning and night to get rid of dark spots and even out skin tone, remove excess oil, and keep the skin healthy.
Apply it to a cotton pad and gently sweep it over your face. Follow it up with a quality moisturizer for ultimate skin hydration.
Cucumber Eye Treatment
For this treatment to remove dark spots from under the eyes, juice one cucumber. Refrigerate the cucumber juice to maximize its benefits. After it's been in the fridge for a couple of hours, apply the liquid to your under-eye area using a cotton pad. Follow it up with a hydrating eye cream for the best results.
Cucumber juice can reduce swelling and repair damaged skin, which will help if you're on a mission to rejuvenate your eye area.
Or, you could do what you always see on television – apply sliced cucumber to your eye area for a couple of minutes. You will feel as if you're visiting a luxurious spa!
Cucumber Treatment for Sunburns
As we've established, cucumbers can help with mild sunburns. And the treatment is fairly simple – all you need to do is apply a mashed cucumber puree on your sunburnt skin and let it sit for a couple of hours.
If you don't like getting messy, try applying cucumber juice to the affected area. This will alleviate any stinging, itchiness, or other skin irritations associated with sunburns and help with the redness.
Cucumber Face Mask
Talk about the perfect addition for your next pamper day! This cucumber face mask is all your skin will ever need. Get rid of dark spots, dark circles, excess oil, and skin irritation with this hydrating skin mask.
For this mask, all you need to do is blitz half a cucumber in a blender or food processor. You don't need to make a thick paste of it - it's totally fine to have some small chunks left. Apply the mixture directly on damp skin and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes. Once the time is up, wash your face with lukewarm water and follow it up with an amazing moisturizer.
You could also refrigerate the mixture before applying it to your face. It'll help soothe irritated skin and help with puffy and tired eyes. If you have acne-prone skin, why not include aloe vera gel with this recipe?
Cucumber Cleanser
You can also use cucumber when cleansing your face to make your skin glow. This recipe requires very little time and only two ingredients to make!
Simply blend a peeled cucumber and add a couple of tablespoons of coconut milk. Once it's done, pour it into a bowl and swipe it over your face.
This cleanser isn't as effective in removing traces of makeup, so it's best to use it in the morning to reap all the skin benefits.
If you're looking for a cleanser to use in the evening, try Misumi's Clear Skin Salicylic Cleanser to get rid of dead skin cells, clear skin pores, control oily skin, and help with the appearance of acne. It's the best cleanser to use if you have acne-prone skin. Try it now!
Final Thoughts
You can achieve so many cucumber benefits for skin when consumed and used topically as a part of your skincare routine!
If you're a fan of DIY recipes for the skin, hopefully, this article inspired you to try out some of our cucumber-based suggestions to reap all those cucumber benefits.
It's always best to patch test before adding these recipes to your regular skin regimen. If you notice any adverse effects such as stinging, itching, or redness (irritative or allergic contact dermatitis), stop using the recipes immediately. Visit your nearest dermatologist's office for appropriate advice on taking care of the negative reaction to this particular ingredient.
If you're allergic to cucumbers, don't try out any of these recipes.
That said, negative reactions to a gentle vegetable mostly made of water are rare, so you don't have to worry too much about it.
Which one of these recipes will you be trying out? You'll reap all the cucumber benefits for skin in no time.
References
Exploring cucumber extract for skin rejuvenation
Evaluating the potential benefits of cucumbers for improved health and skin care
This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances, and its goal is to offer a general view of the subject. In case you are suffering from a severe case of acne, you should consult with a dermatologist or a certified medical professional.
