Cucumbers are not just meant to be used in salads and juices. They also make for a huge part of skincare for everything they do to maintain their health and vitality. And if you’re someone who puts their trust in natural ingredients, here’s everything you need to know about cucumber skin benefits and the best products to buy.
Botanically a fruit, cucumber is extremely nutritious with a high water content. It’s a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, making it an enriching addition to our beauty routines. A fairly popular skincare ingredient, it’s preferred for its hydrating, calming and re-energising properties that lend the skin a youthful appearance with consistent use. In fact, some of you might remember seeing your mother or grandmother using raw cucumber slices on their eyes or blending its freshly squeezed juice into homemade masks, with many of you even following suit.
However, if you’re not one for DIY-ing skincare or are caught up in fast-paced lives, opting for cucumber-infused, over-the-counter products is the best way to harness the goodness of this superfood. From cleansers and face scrubs to toners, moisturisers and sheet masks, there are umpteen options for you to choose from.
Here are our top product recommendations to reap all those cucumber skin benefits
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Fresh Soy Cleanser
Rich in soy proteins (amino acids), cucumber extract and aloe vera, the Soy Face Cleanser gently yet effectively cleans the skin of all impurities, dirt and grime. It does not strip the skin of its natural oils thereby maintaining hydration and supporting its natural moisture barrier for a healthy look. It also visibly calms redness while improving the look of pores with prolonged use and softens the skin texture for a plumper look.
Image: Courtesy Fresh
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This gel mask by Peter Thomas Roth is an extremely gentle and refreshing option that detoxifies, hydrates and soothes the skin. It is formulated with a nourishing and rich blend of various botanical extracts including cucumber that helps calm the skin post sun exposure and treatments like waxing, peels and facials. This mask can be used easily by applying a generous coat on clean skin and rinsing off with cool water after 10 minutes.
Image: Courtesy Peter Thomas Roth
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Containing a rejuvenating blend of multiple ingredients, the Indie Lee CoQ-10 Toner is a multi-purpose product that replenishes, hydrates and balances the skin perfectly. Along with smoothing and clarifying the skin, it also aims at offering it a refreshing and rejuvenating feel. Combined with hyaluronic acid and antioxidant CoQ-10, this toner also improves skin elasticity for enhanced youthfulness and plumpness of the skin. Additionally, it is formulated without alcohol and essential oils.
Image: Courtesy Indie Lee
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This is a gentle yet effective face wash that rids the skin of all impurities without stripping off its natural moisture. Apart from cucumber extract, the formula also contains glycerin, both of which work together in synergy to lend a fresh and soothing feeling to the skin. Its gel-based texture transforms into a thin, weightless foam when massaged on damp skin.
Image: Courtesy Kiehl’s
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Ditch sliced cucumber (that keeps falling off) to pamper your under eyes and opt for a hassle-free solution with the Pixi DetoxifEYE Eye Patches. Instantly de-puffing and reviving the under eye area, these hydrogel patches also target dark circles and aim at hydrating, strengthening and soothing the skin. It is formulated with many ingredients, all working in synergy to work as the perfect eye bags treatment.
Image: Courtesy Pixi
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The Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion is a popular skincare product that targets open pores and pimples. Used after cleansing, it minimises and dries up the pores to prevent acne-causing bacteria from thriving. It has mild astringent properties that help in preventing acne for an even skin texture and refined, youthful look. Free from sulphates, phthalates and synthetic fragrances, this toner lends a deeply cleansed skin with a cooling and soothing sensation.
Image: Courtesy Mario Badescu
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Get your skin rejuvenation fix on the go with the Fresh To Go Mask Sheet that’s formulated with natural cucumber extract. It lends instant hydration and a soothing effect to the skin for a refreshed, glowing look. The sheet mask is made with natural cellulose fabric making it suitable even for sensitive skin.
Image: Courtesy TONYMOLY
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Benefits of using cucumber-enriched products
Though it is a great DIY skincare ingredient, incorporating skincare products formulated with cucumber and other actives can help in improving skin health. Here are some benefits.
1. As mentioned in a study, cucumber is approximately 96 per cent water. This makes it ideal for all skin types, especially dry skin as it ensures optimum hydration levels throughout the day.
2. Known for its anti-inflammatory and astringent properties, cucumber helps in reducing puffiness and water retention. Additionally, it also manages dull and tired under eyes and dark circles to make the eye area look brighter and rejuvenated. This is why putting fresh cucumber slices on the eyes is so popular.
3. Cucumber also helps in reducing sebum production, tightening enlarged pores and reducing breakouts and acne marks.
4. If you desire bright and glowing skin, opt for skincare products with cucumber to manage melanin production and uneven skin tone and texture.
5. The antioxidant content in cucumber helps in fighting free radical damage caused by factors like pollution and sun exposure.
6. Cucumber also maintains skin elasticity and fights premature signs of ageing by minimising fine lines, wrinkles and dark spots and boosting collagen production.
7. Its soothing and calming properties make cucumber a great ingredient for people with irritated and sensitive skin.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Cucumber is known for many skin benefits such as providing hydration and nourishment, fighting free radical damage, minimising premature signs of ageing, calming irritated and sensitive skin, balancing the skin’s pH, managing oil production and controlling breakouts.
Yes, cucumber-infused skincare products can be used daily owing to its hydrating, cooling and calming effects. It is a natural ingredient that’s safe for all skin types. However, it’s always recommended to do a patch test before using the product.
Yes, cucumber skincare products are ideal for even sensitive skin. They are calming and soothing in nature, which is a great boon for irritated and inflamed skin. That said, make sure that other ingredients in the formulation are also suitable for sensitive skin.
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With an academic background in Public Relations, Divya has a flair for writing about topics spanning genres like lifestyle, beauty, fashion, travel, FnB, tech and entertainment. She fancies everything that's a wholesome blend of contemporary finery and timelessness. Quirky earrings and tees are her weakness. When not creating content, you will find her devouring food, snuggling in with a book and a cup-a-chai, admiring skies or revisiting Hogwarts.
