Cucumis sativus L, otherwise known as the household cucumber, has been used in skincare from traditional times to present day. It is a member of the Cucurbitaceae family like melon, squash and pumpkins.
Cucumber is a vegetable grown in several parts of the world. In Ayurveda, the leaves, fruits, and seeds of cucumber have long been used for various skin problems, including swelling under the eyes and sunburn. The cucumber is believed to promote cooling, healing, soothing to irritated skin. It's also known as a great anti-irritant across all kinds of skin issues and types. In Chinese folk medicine the leaves, stems, and roots are generally used as anti-diarrheal and detoxicant agents in medicine. Cucumbers also have an inhibition effect on tyrosinase and melanin synthesis which is why it's often used in skin brightening products.
The flesh of cucumbers have amino acids, tons of vitamin c, saponins, and AHAs which can be used to treat warts, xerosis, and aids in the chemical peeling of skin. We utilize japanese cucumber extract (kyrui) in our best selling skin serum product. Find it here.
Sources
Nema, Neelesh K., et al. “Cucumis Sativus Fruit-Potential Antioxidant, Anti-Hyaluronidase, and Anti-Elastase Agent.” SpringerLink, Springer, Dordrecht, 14 Dec. 2010, link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00403-010-1103-y.
Nema, N. K., Maity, N., Sarkar, B., & Mukherjee, P. K. (2011). Cucumis sativus fruit-potential antioxidant, anti-hyaluronidase, and anti-elastase agent. Archives of dermatological research, 303(4), 247-252.
Mukherjee, P. K., Nema, N. K., Maity, N., & Sarkar, B. K. (2013). Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber. Fitoterapia, 84, 227-236.
“Phytochemical and Therapeutic Potential of Cucumber.” Egyptian Journal of Medical Human Genetics, Elsevier, 23 Oct. 2012, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0367326X12002791.
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