Cucumber, a member of the Cucurbitaceae family is a creeping vine that bears cucumiform fruits which are used as vegetables. Originnally, cucumber was cultivated in South Asia, but today because of its various health benefits it is being grown in most parts of the world. In India, people grow cucumber for food and medicinal urposes since ancient times, this fruit vegetable is one of the main ingredients of the Mediterranean diet.
Cucumber, which is low in calories, cholesterol, fat, and sodium, is a widely used product for health and because of the high amounts of water content is being used for skin. The important properties of cucumber are
1. Cucumber is well known for its dehydration property. Cucumbers mostly consist of water in them along with important electrolytes.
2. Experts believe that cucumbers may have anti-inflammatory property. Cucumber helps in curing any inflammations, swellings and irritations caused on the skin.
3. Cucumbers contain a range of Vitamin A, Vitamin B and antioxidants, including a type known as lignans. The antioxidant property of cucumber makes the skin soft and free from radicals.
4. Cucumber because of its high water content is suitable for all skin types i.e; dry skin, and sensitive skin, because it is very mild and hypoallergenic.
5. Though cucumbers are low in calories, they have many important vitamins and minerals. Some of them are Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Magnesium, Potassium, Manganese etc. These vitamins and minerals help in treating skin rashes and irritations.
Benefits of Cucumber for Skin
Cucumber, consisting of 96% of water in it makes it as a hydrating addition to DIY skin treatments, and because of this it is generally safe for sensitive skin. Some of the important benefits of cucumber for skin are listed below:
1. Treats Puffiness of Eyes:
The instant solution for puffiness of the eyes is using cucumber for eyes. The water content present in the cucumber hydrates your eyes and lessens the puffiness and swelling around the eyes. Cucumber also contains caffeic and ascorbic acids which helps in diminishing the swelling and puffiness around the eyes.
2. Soothes Sunburns:
Cucumber is considered as the natural sunburn healer. The water present in the cucumber absorbs the latent heat from your body giving you an instant relief for any sunburn.
3. Revitalizes Skin:
Cucumber is considered as one of the best products that can revitalize the skin. The cucumber juice used in the facial masks is beneficial for skin tightening and hence it is widely used in almost all beauty spas.
4. Treats Open Pores:
It is said that cucumber has the ability to treat open pores and heat bumps on the legs. The water present in the cucumber juice absorbs the heat, that renders coolness and closes open pores.
5. Fights Cellulite:
The phytochemicals present in the cucumber juice helps in the production of collagen, the fiber-like protein, that helps in banishing the cellulite from the thighs.
6. Removes Dark Circles:
Cucumber is believed to reduce these dark circles underneath the skin. The anti-oxidants and silica in cucumber help in shrinking the blood vessels beneath the eyes, and lighten the appearance of the dark circles.
7. Hydrates Skin:
The loss of moisture content, makes the skin unhydrated, dry and brittle.
Applying cucumber juice on the skin makes the moisture content get locked up thus keeping the skin hydrated and glowing all day long.
BEST WAYS TO USE CUCUMBER FOR SKIN AT HOME:
1. Mist a DIY Toner to Soothe Burnt or Damaged Skin:
A homemade cucumber toner is really useful for damaged skin by giving a cooling effect. This toner can be made very easily at home.
Ingredients:
- A medium sized cucumber.
- 3-4 glasses of water.
- Rose water (Optional)
How to Prepare and Use:
- Take a cucumber, peel it and slice it into pieces. Place these pieces in a pan of water.
- Heat the mixture over a medium flame for 10 minutes, transfer the contents to a blender or food processor.
- Strain the mixture and collect the water in a bowl, transfer this water to spray bottle. If required add rose water for better essence.
- Use this toner to cleanse your face by using cotton balls. Spray a required amount of toner into cotton balls and rub the face with the toner to remove any dirt from the face.
2. Apply a Cooling Eye Treatment for Puffiness:
Puffy eyes are generally caused due to lack of sleep or stress on to the eyes. Cooled cucumber is the one amazing product that can remove eye puffs. The ascorbic acid and the caffeic acid in the cucumber reduce the retention of water which in turn reduces the puffiness and swelling around the skin, and make your eyes look and feel refreshed.
Ingredients:
- A medium sized cucumber.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Take a cucumber, clean, peel it and slice it into pieces. Place two cucumber pieces on your eyes for as long as you want.
- The other way of cooling the eyes is to make cucumber juice and rub it around the eyes or massage gently around the eyes. Then place two pieces of cucumber on your eyes. This gives and extra cooling effect to the eyes.
3. Cucumber Mask for Irritated and Acne-prone Skin:
Cucumber mask is extremely helpful for those suffering with irritated and acne-prone skin. This juice can help dilute essential oils like tea tree oils which treat acne problems.
Ingredients:
- Cucumber water
- Bentonite clay.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Take a cucumber, peel it and slice it into pieces. Place these pieces of cucumber in boiling water and heat for 5 minutes.
- Strain the mixture and extract cucumber juice. Add this cucumber juice to bentonite clay and mix thoroughly to form a paste.
- Apply this paste on the face to create a mask that can protect against skin irritation and swelling.
- Peel off the mask after 30 minutes and clean your face. Apply this mask for 2 times a week to experience desired results.
4. Cucumber and Aloe vera Face Mask:
This face mask is very beneficial for people suffering from dry skin issues. The aloe vera along with the cucumber boost the hydration in the skin.
Ingredients:
- Half unpeeled cucumber
- Two tablespoons of aloe vera gel.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Blend the unpeeled cucumber in a blender or food processor to form a paste.
- Strain the mixture and separate the juice from any solids.
- Now, add two tablespoons of aloe vera gel to the mixture, and blend until smooth.
- Apply this mixture on the face and massage gently to form a mask. Let it sit for 20 minutes.
- Peel the mask gently and rinse your face with cool water and pat your face dry with a neat towel.
- Apply this mask for 3 days a week to obtain desired results.
5. Cucumber,Oatmeal, and Honey Face Mask:
This amazing recieped mask is one of the most effective face masks that can be adopted for acne-prone skin. The astringent properties present in the cucumber help in removing the dead skin cells, oatmeal exfoliates the skin, and honey removes the bacteria on the skin. Thus, this combination helps in treating the acne to some possible extent.
Ingredients:
- Half unpeeled cucumber
- One tablespoon of oatmeal.
- One tablespoon of honey.
How to Prepare and Use:
- Blend the unpeeled cucumber in a blender or food processor to form a paste.
- Strain the mixture and separate the juice from any solids.
- Add a tablespoon of oatmeal to this mixture, stir it thoroughly until smooth.
- Next, add one tablespoon of honey and stir it well until it becomes a homogenous mixture.
- Apply this mixture on the face and massage gently with your fingertips and allow the mask to sit on for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Rinse the mask with lukewarm water and pat your face dry with a soft towel.
6. Cucumber with Lemon Juice:
Cucumber with lemon juice is considered to treat dull and lifeless skin. This mixture when applied daily on the skin, rejunivate the skin from within due to its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties.
Ingredients:
- Half unpeeled cucumber
- One teaspoon of lemon juice
How to Prepare and Use:
- Blend the unpeeled cucumber in a blender or food processor to form a paste.
- Strain the mixture and separate the juice from any solids.
- Add one teaspoon of lemon juice to this mixture and mix it thoroughly.
- Apply this cooling blend on the face and massage gently with your fingertips and allow it to sit on for 10 minutes.
- Use a wet soft cloth to pat dry your skin.
- Apply this mixture daily to your skin to infuse life in the dull skin.
BEST AVAILABLE CUCUMBER RELATED PRODUCTS:
1. Peter Thomas Roth Cucumber Gel Mask:
This factory made mask is well suited for dry skin. This mask contains the extracts of cucumber, papaya, pineapple, sugar maple, chamomile, and aloe vera that soothes, hydrates, and detoxifies the skin. As on date there are no reviews available in the online market. The price for this product is around Rs 7000/-.
2. RAYA Cucumber Ice Sorbet Mask:
Almost all the masks available in the market are well known for treating redness and inflammation. This cooling mask also does the same, it also soothe the skin. The main ingredients present in this product are the extracts of cucumber, aloe vera, and chamomile. This product has a very good rating of 4 stars out of 5, which means that it is one of the good products to use. The price of this product is Rs 4230/-.
Cucumber has several benefits when applied topically on the surface of the skin. Even doctors suggest women to use cucumber for glow and spot reduction because of its naturally present anti-oxidant property. But, before you start applying on the skin and around the eyes, it is better to test for any allergies. Lastly, the bottom line is that, if you want to look younger without any spots on your skin, cucumber can be a choice. Go and grab this fantastic product from your nearby market.
