When the sun starts to shine, you know it’s time to stock up the fridge with watermelon, since there is nothing more fresh to snack on during the summer days. However, watermelon is proving to be more than just a summer snack, or what makes the base for a great daiquiri. Watermelon is proving to be the skin care ingredient you need to be on the lookout for.
Watermelon is packed with H2O – precisely 92% – proving its beneficial for hydration. Far beyond that, however, it is filled with skin-nourishing ingredients. “The citrulline, an amino acid, improves blood circulation and works as a natural exfoliator, while lycopene, a phytonutrient, is an anti-inflammatory,” explains facialist Su-Man.
Therefore, watermelon is suitable for all skin types, but especially for people prone to redness, dry skin, or prone to breakouts. In addition, “Rich in antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals, watermelon is great at treating the signs of aging,” Su-Man says.
The buzz for watermelon skin care can be traced back to Korean beauty brand Glow Recipe’s product, the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask. The mask quickly gained a cult following thanks to the watermelon’s hydrating powers and glow-giving properties.
However, you do not need to go and buy watermelon based products to achieve the fruit’s positive skin care effects. For the DIY approach, you can use cold slices of watermelon for a makeshift face mask.
Just as the fruit is cool and fresh during the summer days, it is also ideal for the skin when it is sun-parched or irritated. The watermelon will act as a cooling product that will help soothe the skin from any damages. If the DIY approach does not work in your favor, there are plenty of products enriched with watermelon such as exfoliating skin polish, brightening toner, and, as aforementioned, face masks.