Stay Cool as a Cucumber this Summer
We can all agree that summer skincare is some of the hardest. You need hydration, but you don’t need oiliness. If you have oily skin, you crave balance. Choosing the right ingredients means absolutely everything. Cooling skincare is what we need, and cucumber extract is one of the best ingredients for oily skin (and skins in general!)
What’s the deal with Cucumber Extract?
You might wonder why cucumber extract is so popular? It has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin-conditioning properties: all perfect for summer skincare. Containing 95% water, cucumbers contain vitamins, minerals, amino acids, phytosterols, phenolic acids, fatty acids, and cucurbitacin. Most importantly: vitamin C and vitamin K – all have major skin benefits. Vitamin C is a powerhouse that provides protection against UV damage (sun damage from free radicals) and enhances production of the skin’s barrier lipids (natural oils), thus reducing dryness.
The Miracle Worker
Besides being an amazing skin protectant? It’s an anti-inflammatory and helps with hyperpigmentation by calming skin redness and irritation, helping to combat signs of ageing. You can thank the Vitamin A content, or retinol, for helping to fight the hyperpigmentation, as it helps control the skin’s production of melanin.
Pantothenic acid, or vitamin B-5, is another compound found in cucumbers that helps your skin retain moisture. All around, this ingredient is a miracle worker. If you’re oily, cucumber extract provides hydration due to its composition of polysaccharides. They are water-binding agents. They create a “gel-like layer on skin” that act as a barrier to attract and keep moisture in. Absolutely perfect for hot and humid weather.
The Cell Gel
Herbs + Heart’s Cell Gel is specifically designed for you during the summer months – your best friend that is a saving grace when your skin is stressed by the hot sun. While we all need a little extra dose of Vitamin D (to help with our mood!), it can also leave our skin feeling dry and irritated. Cell Gel helps to heal the damaged skin barrier and reinforce the cells’ natural ability of sun protection. You might have guessed one of its main ingredients: cucumber. It is the Cell Gel’s hero ingredient in our water-based, oil-balancing gel. Your summer skincare routine suddenly just became a whole lot easier!