One of the ingredients discussed by beauty experts is cucumbers. They are various face masks, eye patches and mists with cucumbers being the active ingredient that promises to nourish and hydrate your skin.
But do cucumbers really work to hydrate your skin and what steps can you take to hydrate your skin at home?
What is in cucumbers that make them great?
Let’s talk a little bit about what makes cucumbers great. Cucumbers are high in important vitamins and minerals. They are also low in calories. They have high water content. Over 90 percent of this fruit is made up of water.
Here are a few things in cucumbers that make them great:
Flavonoids and Tannins
Cucumbers have been found to contain flavonoids and tannins, two types of antioxidants. Antioxidants are molecules that block oxidation. Oxidative stress has been associated with cancer, heart disease, and autoimmune disease. Cucumbers have ingredients that lower oxidative stress.
Cellulose and Pectin
Cucumbers contain cellulose and pectin, which increase bowel movement and frequency.
Propanol Diacid
The propanol diacid in cucumbers has been known to promote metabolism and expel toxins. This is done by controlling the formation of fat in the body. Propanol diacid aids in weight loss.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is vital for growth and development. It helps with cell recognition and promotes the growth of cell tissues in skin and hair.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an important part of your skincare routine and stimulates collagen productions and neutralizes free radicals.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is known to speed up the regeneration of your skin and tightens your skin.
Vitamin B
There are 8 different classes of vitamin B that have different purposes for your skin. Vitamin B12, Cobalamin, is the main vitamin in cucumbers. Vitamin B12 helps regulate the production of pigment in your skin. This helps eliminate dark spots and pigmentation.
Vitamin K
Vitamin K fights pigmentation. It also helps to reduce redness on your skin and can lighten your face.
Vitamin H
Vitamin H has healing properties that minimize the appearance of scars.
Potassium
Potassium’s purpose is to reduce moisture in your cells. This can help you reduce the risk of early aging and sagging skin.
Iodine
The main purpose of iodine is to help your skin regenerate. The lack of iodine can result in dry and fatigued skin.
Can cucumbers help my skin?
The vitamins in cucumbers have an extensive list of healing properties. It is a great organic skincare ingredient that can be used for all skin types. Below are a few different ways that you can use cucumbers to nourish and remedy your skin:
Fade Dark Circles
Cucumbers can help the reduction of dark circles. The abundance of antioxidants and vitamins helps rejuvenate the skin and face away dark circles.
Reduce Puffy Eyes
The cold properties of cucumbers can help reduce inflammation when placed directly on to the eyes. This is ideal for the immediate relief of puffy eyes.
Fade Freckles and Sunspots
Cucumbers whitening properties can help fade unwanted freckles and sunspots over time. This requires the frequent use of face masks to hydrate your skin on a daily basis.
Reduce Wrinkles
Active enzymes and vitamins in cucumbers promote skin metabolism and vitality. This can help tighten your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Tighten Open Pores
You can even use cucumbers as an ingredient in your natural toner. The cooling properties will tighten your pores while hydrating your skin.
Banish Cellulite
Did you know that cucumbers can reduce cellulite? The phytochemicals in the cucumber cause the collagen in your outer skin to tighten up. This can reduce the visibility of cellulite.
How do I use cucumbers on my skin?
Cucumbers can benefit your skin by being consumed or by being placed superficially on your skin.
Eating cucumbers has numerous health benefits. Cucumbers can aid in hydration, bone health, cardiovascular health, and diabetes. Beyond that, it also has healing properties for your skin and just consuming it is enough to benefit from these properties. Cooking your cucumber can reduce the effectiveness of the vitamins being absorbed into your system. Raw cucumbers will always provide the greatest benefit for your body.
The other way to benefit from a cucumbers nutrient is through topical application. This can be done through a cucumber sheet mask or a cucumber face mask.
Cucumber Sheet Mask
A sheet mask is a piece of fabric that is shaped like a face. It sits on a concentrated version of one or more active ingredients until it is ready for use. Sheet masks are great for deep hydration. They have a higher concentration of active ingredients than regular masks and allow products to penetrate more deeply into the skin.
Recipe
Wash cucumbers and place them in a juicer. Once the ingredients have created a thick consistency, place a sheet mask into the ingredients. The mask should absorb all the moisture and began to swell. Now the mask is ready for use. You can place this mask on your face when you’re ready.
Cucumber Mask
Cucumber sheets masks are a relatively simple way to nourish your skin. But there are ways to make a more intricate face mask to remedy various skin problems. Below we’ve rounded up a few recipes that we think you’ll love.
10 Nourishing DIY Face Masks
Cucumber Honey Mask
Purpose: Wrinkle Reduction
Ingredients:
- Fresh Cucumber Juice
- Milk Powder
- Honey
- Wind Oil
Method:
Step 1: Place a few drops of fresh cucumber juice, milk powder, honey, and wind oil into a bowl and mix.
Step2: Apply the mixture on to your face using a cotton pad. Let it sit for 20-30 minutes and then rinse.
Honey White Mask
Purpose: Lightening Your Complexion
Ingredients:
- 10 grams white peony
- 10 grams white aconite
- 1 Egg Yolk
- 1 tablespoon of Honey
- 1 teaspoon of cucumber juice
- 3 teaspoons of olive oil
Method:
Step 1: Grind peony and white aconite into a paste.
Step 2: Add egg yolk into the pasta and mix.
Step 3: Add honey and cucumber juice and mix.
Application:
You can apply the honey white mask to your face for 20 minutes. When finished, rinse off with water. Then use a cotton pad and dip into olive oil and spread evenly on your face for 5 minutes. Cover your face with a hot towel to allow the oil to steam. Once the towel has cooled down, you can remove the towel and wash your face.
Honey Peal Power Mask
Purpose: Wrinkle Reduction
Ingredients:
- Honey
- Peal Powder
- Small Clean Bottle
Method:
Step 1: Prepare a small clean bottle.
Step 2: Pour the pearl powder until it fills up half the bottle.
Step 3: Slowly add drops of honey until a paste has been created.
Application:
Before you use, wash your face with warm water. Then apply the honey peal power mask using a cotton pad. Only apply a thin layer across your face. This can be kept on for 1-2 hours. Wash your face after application.
Red Wine Honey Mask
Purpose: Skin Lightening and Nourishment
Ingredients:
- A small glass of red wine
- 2-3 teaspoons honey
Method:
Step 1: Add red wine and honey into a small bowl.
Step 2: Mix until a thick paste is created.
Application:
Apply it evenly to face for 8 minutes. Once finished, dry face with a warm water cloth.
Honey Double Kernel Mask
Purpose: Lightening Freckles and Sunspots
Ingredients:
- Winter Melon Seeds
- Peach Kernels
- Honey
Method:
Step 1: Dry winter melon seeds and peach kernels.
Step 2: Once dry, ground the seeds and kernels.
Step 3: Add honey to ground seeds to create a thick paste.
Application:
Apply to spot every night before bed. Make sure to wash your face the next morning. The spots should begin to fade after 2-3 weeks.
Honey Glycerin Mask
Purpose: Hydration
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon glycerin
- 2 tablespoons of water
Method:
Step 1: Mix honey and glycerin together in a bowl with water.
Application:
Apply gently to the face and neck to form a full mask. After 20-25 minutes remove the mask. The mask can be used for normal and dry skin. Use 1-2 times a week for one month for the best results.
Honey Tomato Mask
Purpose: Skin Lightening and Wrinkle Reduction
Ingredients:
- 3 Tomatoes
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Flour
Method:
Step 1: Squeeze tomatoes into juice.
Step 2: Add honey and flour into the tomato juice until a thick paste has formed.
Application:
Apply to your face for 20-30 minutes to hydrate your face. To reduce fine lines and acnes ensure to use this mask frequently.
Honey Lemon Mask
Purpose: Sunscreen
Ingredients:
- 1 raw egg
- 1 teaspoon honey
- Half a lemon
- Flour
Method:
Step 1: Mix raw egg, honey and lemon into a bowl.
Step 2: Add flour as necessary to create a thick paste.
Application:
Apply to face. You can sleep with this mask. Wash your face with warm water in the morning. Use additional sun protection the following day.
Honey Yogurt Mask
Purpose: Tightening Pores
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon yogurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
Method:
Step 1: Mix yogurt and honey in a bowl until a paste forms.
Application:
Apply to face for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
Honey Milk Mask
Purpose: Skin Cell Rejuvenation
Ingredients:
- Soaked Milk
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 100mg lemon juice
- 5 vitamin E
Method:
Step 1: Mix milk, honey, lemon juice, and vitamin E together to create a light mask.
Application:
Apply to face for 15 minutes and rinse off with warm water.
