10 Fruits That Are Good For Your Skin

The YS Beauty Lab

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The YS Beauty Lab

No doubt fruit is the human body’s best friend. Tropical fruits, in particular, are rich in Vitamin C that serves as an antioxidant against free radicals, hence offering anti-aging benefits. Vitamin C also promotes the production of collagen to improve skin elasticity. But apart from that, do you know the different skin benefits of each fruit? What skincare products can be made from them, and how can these products be adopted into our skincare regimen? Let’s find out!


Image: Alphacoders

1. Pomegranate: Anti-Aging

This ruby-red fruit is known for its anti-aging effects. When ingested, pomegranates react with a kind of bacteria in our guts to form urolithin A, a substance that promotes cell regeneration. However, pomegranate also has skin benefits when applied externally. It has excellent moisturizing, repairing, anti-inflammatory, UV protection and anti-oxidizing effects on skin when infused in face masks, creams and serums.

2. Strawberry: Exfoliating

Apart from ascorbic acid (Vitamin C), this juicy red fruit is also rich in salicylic acid, folic acid and ellagic acid. Salicylic acid clears away dead skin cells and inhibits the growth of blackheads. Folic acid promotes cell regeneration, while ellagic acid brightens dark spots, prevents wrinkles and protects the skin from harmful UV rays. All these make strawberries a wonderful ingredient in scrubs, cleansers, nose packs and sleeping masks.

3. Watermelon: Soothing

Composed of of 93% water, this succulent fruit is known for its ability to quench thirst and cool down the body. Like cucumber slices, watermelon rinds were often used to soothe blemishes and irritations in the past, when ready-made face masks weren’t that popular. Vitamin A in watermelon helps to minimize pores and reduce sebum, while watermelon’s high water content keeps skin hydrated and refreshed. The fruit is often found in toners, cleansers, lip balms and soothing gels.

4. Tomato: Brightening

In addition to being a substitute for DEET mosquito repellents, substances from tomatoes can also be incorporated into creams and toners for whitening. Rich in Vitamins A, B, C and E, tomatoes can be used to treat dull, rough, burnt or irritated skin. The fruit also contains lycopene, a substance that shields skin from harmful UV rays.

5. Papaya: Eczema

Papain, an enzyme found in papaya, is responsible for the fruit’s wrinkle reduction, skin lightening, exfoliation and skin repair benefits. This buttery fruit is particularly useful in soothing irritated, dry and itchy skin, making it the natural remedy to eczema, mild burns and acne. Vitamins B5 and E in papayas also keep skin hydrated.

6. Lemon: Brightening

Lemons have skin brightening and bleaching properties, thanks to the fruit’s alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) content. The citrus fruit is also a common source of Vitamin C. Lemon peels can be used to make brightening scrubs and masks.

7. Banana: Moisturizing

Before working out, it’s good to eat bananas to gain potassium so that your muscles will not cramp. But did you know potassium is a good moisturizer too? What’s more, bananas are packed with many nutrients: Vitamin A to heal dry skin, fade dark spots, and smooth skin; Vitamins B and C to protect skin from free radicals; Vitamin E to protect from sun damage; zinc and lectin to fight acne; and amino acids to improve skin elasticity.

8. Avocado: Nourishing

Oleic acid is a kind of omega-9 fatty acid found in avocadoes that maintains skin moisture, keeping skin soft and hydrated. The acid is also involved in regenerating damaged cells and reducing irritations.

9. Acai Berry: Anti-Aging

Much like blueberries, acai berries contain fatty acids that help skin look firm, bright, soft and supple. It’s also packed with Vitamins A, C and E to help regenerate skin cells.

10. Coconut: Moisturizing

Coconut oil nourishes your hair and skin, while coconut water can be used to treat oily and acne-prone skin. The sodium and potassium found in coconut make it an excellent moisturizer. Meanwhile, the antibacterial and antifungal properties of coconut protect the scalp from dandruff and itchiness, and promote hair growth. Coconut also contains Vitamin K and iron to make hair strong and shiny.