Beat The Heat With Cucumber Benefits For The Skin

Basking skins in the shower of nature is all that is required. Your skin does not need to thrive. It just needs your care and attention. 

Well, since India is apparently experiencing the month of scorching heat, skin is actually talking.

But, wait. About what?

Meanwhile, the scorching heat does make you feel lazy too, right? Right then you think of visiting a salon nearby just to ease yourself. While the ease might look calm temporarily, however for a better future for your skin, it is better to skip that “salon appointment”! 

Luxurious skin facials and fancy treatments may seem attractive. However, it is not necessary to always break your bank for unnatural things. Things that are easily accessible everywhere. The first spot? Your HOME! 

No second-guessing!

Hello, Cucumbers! It would make me not mention once, twice, or thrice but many more times. Yes! Cucumbers, cucumbers, cucumbers.

The cucumber is from the gourd family and is a sibling to squash, zucchini, and pumpkin. This special thing (why are we calling it a thing? Read the next line and then the next) is regarded as the coolest and crunchiest salad dream. A lot of you might include it in your veggies list, while, botanically, it is a fruit. Mainly, a botanical fruit has at least one seed that grows from the flower of a plant. 

This is the reason why cucumbers are known as fruit as they contain little seeds in the between and grow out from the flower of the plant: Cucumber. Say no less, cucumbers are best for complexion and a portion of excellent food for the skin. For decades it has been on the top list to address basic concerns like aging, inflammation, and hydration. 

Cucumbers are home to numerous vitamins and nutrients. Well, skincare is equal to *cucumber supremacy*. Vitamins hold an essential key role in entire health, however, they are highly effective in supporting skin health whenever applied topically. Cucumbers are filled with antioxidants. New to science? Let us learn together! 

Antioxidants are molecules to fight out oxidative damage caused due to free radicals. In general, fruits and vegetables are home to antioxidants, however, cucumbers specifically have vitamin C, folic acid, and caffeic acid. Majorly, vitamin C is linked to citrus fruits like grapes and oranges which are the best antioxidant fruits to clear and brighten the skin. Folic acid and caffeic acid level up collagen production and are a defender against symptoms of premature aging. With time, collagen production, typically, decreases which is the reason it is beneficial to involve ingredients like folic acid and caffeic acid in daily skincare rituals. 

Wouldn’t it be wonderful when you can simply call your skin exactly, what this point’s title says? Well, for that cucumber has to be a go-to thing! Keeping the skin hydrated improves the firmness and elasticity of the skin. Dehydration can possibly result in a visible difference in the skin by making it look dry and flaky. This makes it furthermore prone to wrinkles and fine lines. Maintenance of a healthy, glowing, and balanced complexion can only be done with replenishment of the skin with hydrating foods like? CUCUMBER! 

Familiar with aloe vera, cucumbers have polysaccharides helping the skin attract and retain moisture. Cucumbers are filled with 96 % water. (yes, you read that right). The high water content is the key benefit of cucumbers, hence, making them stand out in the list of skin hydration.  

Since cucumbers have cooling and calming effects on the skin, they are announced particularly good for those with sensitive or irritated skin. Though, they are best for all skin types. Their anti-inflammatory properties in them are helpful to reduce swelling and puffiness of the skin. 

Good-Bye Sunburns

Have you been spending a lot of time in the sun? And, do you forget to reapply your sunscreen, often? Aloe vera is famous for alleviating sunburn, however, cucumber does not stay behind in that case. It can soothe mild burns or damaged skin to help alleviate sunburn because of its cooling properties. 

No Acne-Prone Skin

Cucumbers are gentle astringent, implying, that they tighten pores by regulating oil production and lowering the appearance of pore size. Excessive oil, and larger clogged pores, possibly, contribute to breakouts in case the skin is oily or acne-prone. In this case, cucumber is going to be your best friend forever. 

Cucumbers are limitless as it is home to many skin benefits, however, they also can be used in many ways and are found in different skin care products like toners, face masks, and cleansers. Having a gentle property, it is good for use daily as well. However, it is better to do a patch test whenever adding newer ingredients and products to the daily routine. 

Having said that, let us get on to pick on some of the coolest ways to hydrate the skin and become a glow-getter.        

Cucumber – The Cleanser

Cucumber extract is pure gold. Why? Because it is often used in facial cleansers due to its coolant and calming effects on the skin. It is found in probably every cleanser, especially vegan cleansers for every skin type. Make sure to wash your face every night before sleeping to remove all the oil, dirt, and built-up bacteria on the skin throughout the day. 

Cucumber – The Toner 

Being a gentle astringent, it is mostly present in toners. Toner is an essential step for a skincare routine as it balances the pH level of the skin by getting rid of excessive dirt, oil, and pollutants. It hydrates and nourishes the skin by refining the pores. Majorly, toners have a combination of cucumber with witch hazel or aloe vera. Aloe vera is highly famous for its hydrating and richness of nutrients properties.

Meanwhile, witch hazel has astringent properties as well that benefits in the reduction of excessive oil and inflammation. The finest decision is to choose a toner that is alcohol-free for avoiding the disruption of the protective layer of skin by irritating or drying the skin out. Another best way is to make way for a natural one. Wondering how? 

You can make it yourself. Yes, sounds so cool, right. All you need to do is create the toner with cucumber, rose water, and water. Now, keep giving your glowing skin that ooze of smoothness all day. 

Cucumber – The Face Mask

Cucumber extract is undoubtedly the most famous ingredient in face masks bought from shops. In case, you are thinking if even this can be homemade, then let us not make you wait anyway. You can simply create a vegan face mask with simple recipes and ingredients from your kitchen. This is going to be the quickest recipe. Let us blend in, we mean, read in together:

• Blend a half-sized cucumber 
• With the help of a strainer, separate the juice fiber 
• Now, apply the cucumber juice to the freshly washed skin 

You can simply create a cucumber face mask for acne-prone skin by mixing cucumber juice altogether with honey and oatmeal. Honey contains antibacterial and calming properties, plus oatmeal expells out excessive oil and dead skin cells. If you are someone who has dry skin, it is best to mix some cucumber juice along with aloe vera for excellent hydration. 

You can make that skin shine like a ray of sunshine with a clay mask which will brighten, exfoliate, and moisturize the skin. This cucumber mask, along with cucumber can bring in vitamin C, pineapple, coconut, avocado, apple, and hyaluronic acid, hence, making the skin soft, smooth, even, and lighter. 

Cucumber – For Puffy Eyes

You are on a holiday and probably thinking of a spa day. Spa day reminds you of soft fluffy robes and relaxing slices of cucumber on your eyes and you are basking in the glory of summer coolness. 

Well, cucumbers are mainly famous around the spa world as it is home to flavonoids and antioxidants that lowers the swelling and puff of the face skin. Ultimately, this is why it is superb for calming puffy eyes. Make a way to relax by keeping those cucumbers in the refrigerator before applying them as a colder temperature is best for circulation boost for the skin. 

All you need to do is place chilled slices of cucumber on your eyes for some time to let the swelling go away. It will calm down the delicate skin. Applying an eye gel or an eye cream is a special reminder after cucumber rolls as a finishing touch is necessary. A finishing touch locks in hydration in the skin and offers extra power to fight fine lines and dark circles. 

Cucumber – The Moisturizer

Moisturizer is highly essential in a skincare routine. We do not mean to scare you, but, a skincare routine without a moisturizer is like winters without sun. It is highly important, especially for acne-prone or oily skin. The skin reacts without moisture and hydration by leveling the oil production, hence, resulting in breakouts and clogged pores. Application of moisturizer on daily basis benefits in controlling oil production by keeping the skin nourished and hydrated. 

Ease Those SunBurns

Tired of sunburns? Worry, no more! Try this. Take a chilled cucumber, create a smooth consistency and apply it to the sunburned areas. Feel free to place slices or shreds of cucumber over the sunburned area for soothing effects. To protect yourself from sunburns, the addition of sunscreen in a daily skincare ritual is crucial. 

The best decision is to choose a sunscreen that offers complete security from harmful ultraviolet rays, free radicals, blue light from digital devices, and environmental pollutants. Defending the skin from all these threats can repair and protect your skin from any damage. 

Cucumber – The Food Meal

Good hydration plays an important role in the maintenance of good health on an overall level. Typically, we get a lot of hydration by drinking water and other liquids, however, it is necessary to inculcate essential food sources for a good balance. Food sources are the best measures to level the hydration levels. 

Naturally, cucumbers have high water content, hence, making them an effective source of water. Cucumbers are the most versatile food and easiest to add to your food meals. Place them on your salad plate,bread sandwich, mint water, or any other meal as convenient (just making sure it is balancing the meal).  

So, what are you waiting for? Attack those cucumbers now and use them as you please! 

This was all about cucumbers for skin and food. Hoping our wisdom helped you in the tiniest possible ways. Still, if you have any queries on skin/food/soul, betty skincare is here to feed you with the best!