Cucumber: What Are Its Benefits And How Does It Help Skin And Hair?

It is present in cosmetic products and has multiple applications, beyond the well-known home treatment of placing a fresh slice of this vegetable on each eye socket for a few minutes, to reduce puffiness of eye bags, reduce the signs of dark circles, and relax that area of ​​the face.

Although it may seem somewhat stereotypical, applying cucumber slices to the eyes as a relaxing treatment works, says Cristina Álvarez from Aesthetic Medicine. This is because this vegetable contains abundant water, vitamins, minerals, cellulose, and natural oils, which contribute to moisturizing, toning, softening, calming, and firming the skin, she says.

The cucumber, scientifically known as Cucumis Sativus, belongs to the botanical family of cucurbits, which also includes pumpkins, zucchini, melons, and watermelons, according to Pirxots Cosmetics.

This vegetable comes from India, where it was cultivated more than 3,000 years ago, and is now one of the most cultivated plants in the world, they point out.

MOISTURIZING AND BEAUTIFYING COMPOUNDS

The water and nutrients in cucumber help to refresh and protect the epidermal tissue and encourage the body to produce collagen and elastin, compounds that make the skin look smooth and radiant. The peel of this fruit is used as a natural resource in aesthetic treatments, due to its high concentration of vitamin C and ascorbic acid, adds SYS Laboratory.

Cucumber is known for its high water content, which makes it an important source of hydration, as well as for its low fat and calorie content, which is why it is often included in weight loss diets, but it also offers multiple benefits for the skin and hair, according to the online platform for health and beauty products Nutritienda.

“Those who suffer from acne, are affected by dark circles, or have weak and dry hair will find cucumber to be a great ally in their beauty routine,” highlights Noelia Suárez, communications director of this platform.

Vitamins C, A, B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), and folate (another B vitamin), as well as the minerals potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and iron, the organic pigment beta-carotene, and plant fiber, are some of the compounds present in cucumber, which benefit the health and freshness of the skin, directly or indirectly, to a greater or lesser extent, according to this source.

KEY INGREDIENT OF NATURAL COSMETICS

“Cucumber is an ingredient with great moisturizing and soothing power for sensitive skin or skin prone to irritation and redness,” nutritionists Andrea Báguena and Irene Lezcano, from Nutritienda, explain to EFE, about beauty products with compounds extracted from or based on cucumber, such as masks, gels, creams, shampoos and makeup removers.

They point out that these substances are used in cosmetics, in moisturizing, anti-wrinkle, anti-grease, and anti-acne products, as well as in preparations intended to eliminate skin blemishes, which have a whitening action.

Some compounds in cucumber are also beneficial for hair because they hydrate, nourish, and give it shine. It is worth noting that cucumber extract has great antioxidant power, due to its phenolic compounds and vitamin C, according to Báguena and Lezcano.

When purchasing cosmetics containing cucumber, it is preferable to “choose products that use the extract of this vegetable, since it contains all of its active ingredients in a much more concentrated form. Thus, all of the beautifying properties of its substances are used using a smaller amount of product,” they explain.

As for beauty treatments that include cucumber and other plant ingredients, Nutrition specialists recommend using products of natural origin or organic cultivation, since, in this way, “there will be more guarantees that their ingredients are suitable even for the most reactive and sensitive skin.”

They explain that “natural cosmetics are made up of ingredients such as vegetable oils or essential oils, and as they do not contain silicones or petroleum derivatives, they do not clog pores or leave a greasy feeling on the skin.”

“The great advantage of natural cosmetics is that they can be used on sensitive skin or hair, as the risk of allergies or intolerances is minimal. However, it is always necessary to ensure that the cosmetic meets quality standards,” conclude these two experts.