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16 Amazing Cucumber Benefits for Healthy & Glowing Skin
Cucumber is one of the most versatile ingredients for natural skin care that benefits any skin type or concern. It contains essential nutritional elements, including vitamins, antioxidants, and silica. Cucumber has over 95 percent water content, making them a wonder agent for anyone seeking a natural, chemical-free option for skin care. In this article, we will learn about the nutritional profile of cucumbers, including their plethora of benefits and the several ways to include cucumbers in your skincare and diet.
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Nutritional Profile of Cucumbers
Each 100-gram serving of cucumbers contains the following:
| Calories | 15 |
| Total fat | 0.1 grams |
| Saturated fat | 0 grams |
| Trans fat | 0 grams |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 0 grams |
| Monounsaturated fat | 0 grams |
| Cholesterol | 0 milligrams |
| Sodium | 2 milligrams |
| Total carbohydrates | 3.6 grams |
| Dietary fibre | 0.5 grams |
| Sugars | 1.7 grams |
| Protein | 0.7 grams |
Benefits of Cucumber for Skin
Cucumber offers a plethora of nutritional benefits. These are the following:
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Acne Prevention:
Cucumber is a natural soothing agent that relieves irritation to acne-prone, red and sensitive skin. You can rub cucumber directly on acne or apply it as a smooth paste all over the face for instant relief.
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De-puffs Under Eyes:
It is a great source to de-stress puffy eyes and reduce swelling around the eyes due to lack of sleep, tiredness or a hectic lifestyle. It provides an immediate cooling effect and relief. Cut thin slices of cucumber and place them on both eyes. Relax and repeat twice or thrice in a day.
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Hydrates the Skin:
Cucumber has a remarkable water level, nearly 95 percent, making them a great source of natural hydration for the skin. Create a smooth mask by grinding cucumber. Apply it directly on the skin and leave it for 20 minutes before rinsing it off.
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Prevents Premature Ageing:
The antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin C in cucumbers have anti-ageing benefits that help tighten the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin. [1]
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Treats Sunburn:
Cucumber has a composition of 95% water, exhibiting a cooling effect. This is why most of the skincare products contain cucumber extract. To treat the redness and irritation caused by sunburn, apply a thick layer of cucumber paste, leave it for 20-30 minutes and wash it off with normal or lukewarm water.
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Reduces Skin Inflammation:
If the skin has a burning sensation or inflammation due to acne breakouts, sunburn, accidental burn or any other reason, cucumber can provide immediate relief. Its cooling effect can help reduce swelling, irritation or pain from mild burns and breakouts. [2]
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Rich in Antioxidants:
Cucumbers contain several antioxidants that help fight off the wear and tear of the skin from the environment, sun or other skin concerns. Using cucumbers in your diet and externally as a pack can replenish the skin and make it look healthy and supple.
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Fights Against Free Radicals:
Cucumbers play a vital role in fighting free radicals (unstable molecules that can damage skin cells) due to their nutritional properties. This is why cucumbers are a great source for preventing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the skin.
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Reduces Dark Circles:
Regular use of cucumber can relieve puffiness around the eyes and lighten the appearance of dark circles. This is why most over-the-counter products for treating dark circles contain cucumber extracts.
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Lightens the Skin:
Cucumbers also contain vitamin K and several antioxidants, exhibiting bleaching properties. They help reduce the appearance of dark spots and pigmentation marks on the skin.
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Reduces Swelling:
Cucumber’s anti-inflammatory properties make it an ideal ingredient for managing swelling, redness and skin irritations. The cooling effect of the cucumber soothes the skin and calms the redness and swelling.
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Helps with Acne-prone Skin:
Cucumber is a great natural ingredient for managing oily skin, as it helps to control excess sebum production while keeping the skin balanced and hydrated.
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Tightens the Skin:
Regular application of cucumber on the skin and including cucumber in your diet offers several benefits, including skin tightening and replenishment from age-related wear and tear. [3]
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Soothes Irritation:
Cucumber’s soothing and anti-inflammatory properties make it a gentle option for dealing with skin irritations and redness for people with sensitive skin.
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Tightens the Pores:
The natural astringent qualities in the cucumber benefit the skin’s texture by tightening the skin pores and reducing the risk of debris clogging them.
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Combats Aging Signs:
Cucumber is a natural skincare remedy used since ages to combat ageing signs, such as fine lines, freckles, wrinkles, ageing or dark spots. The vitamin C and beta-carotene in the cucumber provide benefits in slowing the signs of ageing and reducing the impact of free radicals.
How to Use Cucumbers for Skin Care?
Now that you know that cucumbers guarantee a wide range of benefits, let us find a few ways to include them in your skincare routine or diet plan.
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Cucumber Face Mask:
Making a facemask from cucumber is easy and the most widely-used method of natural skin care. Chop some cucumber and blend it in a mixer. You may add two spoons of milk to make it a smooth paste. For the best results, sieve the paste with a strainer to make its consistency smooth and even. Use a brush or your fingers to apply an even coating of the mask on your face, neck, hands and feet. Leave it for 20 minutes, then wash it with normal or lukewarm water.
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Cucumber Toner:
Cut a medium-sized cucumber into thin slices and put it in about 700-800 ml of water. Add a few lemon drops, mint leaves, ginger slices, 8-9 rosemary oil drops, or any face oil of your choice. Allow this mix to sit for about 24 hours. Once done, strain the water and pour it into a spray bottle. Your at-home cucumber toner is ready! Use it to cleanse and prepare your skin. You can use it several times a day.
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Cucumber Eye Pads:
Eye pads are one of the most convenient and relaxing ways of using cucumbers. Several beauty treatments, such as facials and cleans-ups, include cucumber eye pads to relieve tension in the eyes and offer a cooling effect. Cut a medium-thick slice of cucumber, place it directly on the eyes, and sit relaxed for 10 minutes. Replace the slices of cucumbers with new ones if you want to relax beyond 10 minutes.
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Cucumber Smoothie:
Besides salads, making a cucumber smoothie is also a great way to include cucumbers and take advantage of its rich benefits. You can include several other ingredients, such as lemon drops, mint leaves, honey, spinach and some apple juice to enhance the flavours and richness of this smoothie.
Takeaway
People have cherished cucumber for ages as a natural skin-care ingredient owing to its rich skin-hydrating and soothing properties. Undoubtedly, with its nutrient-rich profile, it is a versatile natural remedy packed with skin-replenishing benefits for every skin type. For anyone looking to set up a skincare routine with at-home ingredients, cucumber offers a natural and accessible path to achieve healthy and hydrated skin. For personalised skin treatments and skin concerns, such as persistent acne breakouts, infections, redness or anything challenging to manage at home, consult a dermatologist and seek professional help.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, cucumbers are good for managing excess oil production.
Yes, cucumbers are good for hydrating dry skin.
Yes, cucumber can make your face look supple and fresh.
Yes, it is gentle and can be applied daily on the face.
You can rub it for 10-15 minutes and then leave it for another 10 minutes before washing it off.
Yes, you can sleep with cucumber on your face as long as it feels relaxing.
No, cucumber is very gentle on the skin and has no side effects.
Yes, it is beneficial for skin health and texture.
One should refrain from using the same cucumber daily, as it may decompose and add to infections.
The natural astringent properties of cucumber help tighten the skin.
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