Cucumber masks: homemade recipes or ready-made products?

Who refuses to be fresh as a cucumber! In this popular vegetable, or rather, a berry, there are really a lot of benefits. It is no coincidence that cucumber is used both in homemade beauty recipes and in scientifically proven cosmetic formulas. We will tell about both of them, the choice is yours.

Benefits of cucumber for skin

Our grandmothers considered the cucumber useless, an empty vegetable – only water. Indeed, there is little vitamin C in it, not like in a tomato, in terms of the content of vitamin A, it easily overtakes carrots. But green pimply fresh cucumber is not so simple. It contained other substances that bring a lot of benefits to the human body.

Cucumber is 95% water enriched with the following biologically active substances:

  • potassium (in 100 g – 13,5% of the daily requirement, in this matter cucumber is among the champions);

  • fruit acids;

  • trace elements – chromium, manganese, copper, phosphorus, silicon, selenium;

  • lutein and beta-carotene;

  • vitamins C, K, group B.

This incomplete list makes it clear that cucumber “water” is just a storehouse of benefits for the skin. Many of the listed elements can be found in various thermal waters, which have an exceptionally beneficial effect on the skin.

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Mechanism of action on the skin

A circle of cucumber is a kind of natural refreshing patch, saturated with minerals, acids, vitamins, antioxidants. A certain set of chemical compounds gives it a lot of useful properties:

  • moisturizing,

  • tonic,

  • soothing with minerals and antioxidants

  • whitening thanks to fruit acids and vitamin C,

  • decongestant – the merit of vitamin K,

  • improving complexion due to the whitening effect and stimulation of microcirculation (vitamin K, antioxidants and other components).

These talents are also successfully used by cosmetics manufacturers. Of course, as part of modern formulas, the properties of cucumber are enhanced and supplemented by the capabilities of other components.

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Indications for use

Cucumber mask is a universal remedy that has been tested for centuries. It is used in a variety of situations:

  • for oily or dry skin;

  • to lighten age spots and freckles;

  • against the first signs of aging;

  • as a tonic for “tired” skin;

  • as a remedy for swelling and circles under the eyes;

  • with sunburn.

There are many ways to use fresh cucumber in skin care.

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What to give preference to: a homemade mask or a cosmetic product

Convinced supporters of home cosmetics make their own masks at home, but advanced beauty users prefer to entrust beauty care to professionals. We are on the side of the latter.

What is the strength of homemade masks and how do cosmetics manufacturers use “folk” ingredients?

Natural, clear composition

Undoubtedly. But who can say exactly how many valuable trace elements are in a greenhouse cucumber?

Whereas the benefits of the finished cosmetic product are carefully calculated and tested.

Safety and hypoallergenicity

Cucumber is indeed a hypoallergenic product and as a cosmetic ingredient is suitable even for sensitive skin. However, the skin of a natural cucumber, especially if it is bought in the winter in a store, may contain, for example, pesticides.

The composition of the finished cosmetics does not depend on the change of seasons, and natural ingredients, like all others, undergo serious cleaning and safety testing.

No preservatives

This is a serious misconception. Most often, we do not know on what soil and with what fertilizers the vegetables bought in the store were grown. Therefore, it is not safe to use them to make a mask.

The pleasure of the process

Yes, hand-made cosmetics from fruits and vegetables are pleasant to apply, they smell delicious. But you must admit, when we choose a cream or face mask, texture and smell play an important role. Knowing this, manufacturers pamper us with a variety of textures and delicate aromas.

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Cucumber for the face: choosing alternative remedies

Cucumber Toning Hydrating Mask

Result: suitable for all skin types, works as a moisturizing tonic and express moisturizer for “tired skin”.

Ingredients:

a small fresh cucumber – ideally, only from the garden.

How to cook:

cut the cucumber into slices 1-2 mm thick.

How to use:

  1. clean the skin, it must be dry;

  2. put cucumber circles on your face, trying to cover it entirely;

  3. leave for 2-5 minutes until the cucumber circles become limp, dehydrated. By the way, the faster this happens, the more dehydrated the skin.

When cutting lettuce, you can set aside a piece of cucumber to thoroughly wipe your cleansed face with it.

Still, cucumber will bring more benefits in a salad.

Editorial opinion. It is better to just crunch on a fresh cucumber, and in the morning complete the beauty ritual with a ready-made tonic with cucumber extract on an alcohol-free basis. Thus, you will use the full healing potential of the cucumber to the maximum.

Alcohol-free tonic Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner, Kiehl’s refreshing. Also contains rosemary oil, which has an antiseptic effect.

Cucumber masks for oily and combination skin

Option 1. Cucumber with grated apple

Result: elimination of oily sheen, moisturizing, light exfoliating and whitening effect.

Ingredients:

  1. cucumber;

  2. sour apple.

How to cook:

  1. grate both fruits with the skin;

  2. to stir thoroughly.

How to use:

  1. Apply the fruit and vegetable mixture on the face, avoiding the skin around the eyes and lips;

  2. leave for 10 minutes;

  3. carefully remove with a tissue.

Option 2. Protein Mask with Cucumber

Result: mattifying skin, soothing and moisturizing effect.

Ingredients:

  1. egg white;

  2. small fresh cucumber;

  3. 2-3 drops of any vegetable oil.

How to cook:

  1. grate cucumber;

  2. beat the protein;

  3. mix grated cucumber with whipped protein;

  4. add a few drops of oil;

  5. mix again.

How to use:

  1. apply on the face, avoiding the area around the eyes and lips;

  2. leave for 15-20 minutes;

  3. rinse with water;

  4. apply moisturizer.

Option 3. Cucumber and Turmeric Mask

Result: elimination of oily sheen, narrowing of pores, exfoliating, antimicrobial and antioxidant effect.

Ingredients:

  1. cucumber;

  2. a pinch of turmeric;

  3. 3-4 drops of lemon juice.

How to cook:

  1. grate cucumber;

  2. mix grated cucumber with turmeric and lemon juice.

How to use:

  1. apply to the skin, avoiding the area around the eyes and lips;

  2. leave for 15 minutes;

  3. rinse thoroughly with water.

Turmeric is one of the most powerful antiseptics and antioxidants, but it can leave bright yellow marks on the skin.

Editorial opinion. Still, a strong apple will do more good if eaten. And for oily skin, there is a ready-made moisturizing tonic that will definitely not leave spots on the face or on the hands, like turmeric. In the finished formula, the antioxidant resources of citrus and blueberries are added to the capabilities of cucumber.

Triple action light cream for normal to oily skin with signs of aging Face Cream, SkinCeuticals, in addition to cucumber, it contains a whole bunch of antioxidants, including vitamin E, grape seed extract, as well as soy proteins, essential oils of rose, geranium, chamomile, basic balancing oils. An integrated approach is more effective for skin care.

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Moisturizing soothing cucumber and kefir mask

Result: moisturizing and soothing effect, as well as recovery after sunburn. Suitable for all skin types.

Ingredients:

  1. half a medium cucumber (or a whole small one);

  2. a tablespoon of kefir or yogurt (for dry skin – sour cream).

How to cook:

  1. squeeze the juice from the cucumber (either with a juicer, or grate and squeeze the juice through gauze);

  2. mix cucumber juice with a fermented milk product.

How to use:

  1. apply to a cleansed face, avoiding the area around the eyes;

  2. leave for 10-15 minutes;

  3. wash off with cool water.

Editorial opinion. We can safely say that even in an extreme situation, ready-made cosmetics are safer and more effective, since they undergo mandatory preliminary verification and testing. Plus, they don’t need to be cooked.

Moisturizing soothing serum Phyto Corrective, SkinCeuticals relieves irritation and is suitable for sensitive skin. The composition includes cucumber extract, as well as moisturizing hyaluronic acid, extracts of olive, thyme, mulberry.

Any masks are recommended to be done in the evening, an hour and a half before bedtime. The gel is used in the morning and evening as a serum. In both cases – after the gel, and after the mask, which is washed off with water – you will need a moisturizer, and in the daytime – also sun protection.

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For the skin around the eyes

Compress for the eyes

Result: relieves swelling, moisturizes, refreshes, slightly brightens the skin.

Ingredients:

2 circles of cucumber.

How to use:

  1. close eyes;

  2. cover them with cucumber circles;

  3. leave for 2-5 minutes.

An eye compress made from two circles of cucumber is perhaps even more popular than a tea bag compress. Instead of slices of cucumber, you can use cotton pads soaked in cucumber juice.

Editorial opinion. This eye mask relieves fatigue, removes puffiness and dark circles. It can be attributed to SOS-means. Only it is unlikely that you will carry a fresh cucumber in a cosmetic bag or keep it on a night table. There must be cosmetics with proven effectiveness.

Night restorative care for the skin around the eyes Midnight Recovery Eye, Kiehl’s contains cucumber extract. The formula, rich in plant extracts, works against puffiness and dark circles, smoothes fine wrinkles in the corners of the eyes. In the composition – oils of rose, lavender, primrose, rosemary, geranium, butcher’s broom extract, squalane. Night cream, of course, can not be attributed to the means of quick action, but its effect is more extensive.
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Cleansing with cucumber water

In addition to using cucumber as an impromptu sponge, you can make cucumber water. And here opinions differ. People’s recommendations – a great many.

A circle of cucumber for many is a ready-made cosmetic product, with antioxidants, minerals and other useful substances in the composition.

Options for preparing cucumber water

  1. Pour vegetable pieces with clean water, for example, mineral water (note that this solution will quickly deteriorate without a refrigerator).

  2. Use only cucumber peel in this way (do not forget about the pesticides that accumulate in it).

  3. Wipe the skin directly with cucumber juice.

  4. Even if you use these options for toning the skin, this does not exempt you from using a gel or foam for washing.

Editorial opinion. Of course, a ready-made cleanser that combines the functions of cleansing itself and the beneficial effects of cucumber water is a more reasonable choice. Yes, and the composition is proven, reliable.

Cleansing gel with cucumber extract Cucumber Herbal Conditioning Cleanser, Kiehl’s – Convenient cleanser Suitable for all skin types and effectively cleanses both oily and dry sensitive skin without leaving a feeling of tightness.
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Cucumber hair mask

Result: nutrition and hydration of hair and scalp.

Ingredients:

  1. half a medium cucumber;

  2. egg;

  3. a tablespoon of olive oil.

How to cook:

  1. grate half a medium cucumber;

  2. mix with the egg and a tablespoon of olive oil.

How to use:

  1. apply the mask on the scalp and hair along the entire length;

  2. leave for 10 minutes;

  3. wash off with a mild shampoo.

Editorial opinion. Even fans of homemade natural recipes are unlikely to enjoy washing tiny pieces of cucumber out of their hair. This is inconvenient, no matter how useful and fortified the vegetable mask is. In addition, it will still have to be washed off with shampoo. So why not choose it right away?

Strengthening shampoo Fructis “Cucumber freshness” for oily hair, Garnier, as the name suggests, it also contains cucumber extract and is enriched with vitamins B3 and B5. Allows you to wash your hair less often, makes the strands stronger and shinier.

Cosmetics manufacturers began to carefully study homemade beauty recipes and use the experience of generations along with the latest technologies. This powerful trend gives us the opportunity to use products familiar from childhood in the composition of products developed with the latest science – safe and hassle-free to use.

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