What’s the Dish?
Cucumbers are a cool addition to your summer skin care regime, being packed full of water. They also make phenomenal summer skin care products that re-hydrate and refresh your skin, let’s find out why:
The flesh of a cucumber contains ascorbic acid and caffeic acid, which help soothe skin inflammation and reduce swelling. Both acids prevent water retention, which is why cucumbers applied directly to the skin help to reduce puffiness. A chilled cucumber can deliver a double whammy in this regard, as the coolness can help contract blood vessels.
The wide array of nutrients and phytochemicals found in cucumbers make them an excellent source of skin nourishment. The skin of a cucumber is rich in fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, including vitamin A, E, C, silica, magnesium, and potassium. Silica is especially beneficial as it’s an essential part of healthy connective tissue, promoting skin elasticity and firmness. Cucumber juice is often recommended as a source of silica to rejuvenate and improve the complexion, plus a cucumber’s high water content makes it naturally hydrating.
Cucumbers have the same pH as the skin so they help restore the protective acid mantle, while rehydrating and nourishing all in one shot. Pretty impressive, if you ask me!
Simple DIY Cucumber Skin Care Recipes to Feed Your Summer Skin
Sample some of your Farmer’s Market steals and feed your skin! Create these refreshingly cool DIY recipes to enjoy right in your own kitchen bathroom summer skin care spa. Now that’s something to get excited about!
Cucumber Slices to De-Stress
Oh, come on now! We can’t forget the classic! You know the drill – two thick slices of extra cool cucumber, put your feet up, and relax with the cucumbers over your closed eyes for 10 to 15 minutes. You really can’t beat the simplicity of that!
Alright, let’s get a little more fancy, then…
Cooling Summer Soak
Add two cups of Epsom salt, a sliced cucumber, and a handful of torn peppermint leaves to your bath to turn it into a cool and refreshing summer soak. If you want to break out the blender, purée the cucumber instead of slice it – you’ll get more of the cucumber’s delicious juice to enjoy.
Want a cooling treat for your face instead?
From the Garden Toner
You will need:
1/2 of a cucumber, peeled and diced
1 small tomato, cut into chunks
3 tablespoons of witch hazel
1. Place all the ingredients in a blender and purée until smooth. Pour the toner through a fine-mesh sieve to remove all the solids.
2. Pat the From the Garden Toner gently on your face using a cotton ball or pad. Leave on for 5 minutes, rinse well.
How about a creamy dose of moisture for your skin…
Cucumber Avocado Facial Mask
You will need:
1/2 of a cucumber, diced
1/2 of an avocado, diced
2 tablespoons of whole milk yogurt
To make a vegan friendly cucumber avocado facial mask, use a tablespoon of almond or oat milk, or an alternative vegan yogurt instead of whole milk yogurt!
1. Mash all of the ingredients together with a fork and mix thoroughly to a create a paste-like consistency. Feel free to use a blender, if you wish, but a fork works just fine!
2. Apply the Cucumber Avocado Facial Mask to your clean face (Yes, I said clean! Cleanse before masks, always!), avoiding the area around the eyes. Start at your chin, working the mask onto your skin with upward motions. Apply to your nose last, with sweeping motions that start at the bridge of your nose and extend to your cheeks. Leave on for 30 minutes. Rinse off gently by using distilled or spring water and cotton pads, again using upward circular motions.
Don’t Forget to Enjoy Your Food, Too
Have leftover ingredients? Brilliant! Here’s a nice helping of edible recipes that will take care of that for you:
Full Spectrum Rainbow Soap Gift Collection
Essence Ginger Lime Shea Butter Soap
Aphrodite Cherry Blossom Peach Shea Butter Soap
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