Harry Styles and the love of cosmetologists: how is watermelon good for our skin?

In the last month of summer, all the talk is about just one thing – and no, it’s not about the approach of autumn, it’s about the watermelon. Some learned to choose the most juicy and ripe fruit correctly, while others did not limit themselves to the kitchen, began to add its essence to the composition of cosmetics. On the annual watermelon day, we say whether it is useful in serums, creams and masks.

Watermelon has long been used in facial skin care and is particularly active in Asia. Only here the white bark, which we did not like before, was used – cut into slices and applied to redness, and instead of patches, the most advanced under-eye. The properties of the fruit helped reduce inflammation and restore moisture levels in the skin.

And although watermelon is most famous for its moisturizing properties (it’s 90% water, after all), seed oil is most often used in cosmetic products. They contain lycopene, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants. It fights free radicals (molecules that trigger the oxidation process, reading skin aging) and provides an anti-aging effect. Watermelon seed oil contains beneficial substances not only for the skin of the face, but also for the hair – linoleic, oleic and stearic fatty acids, and arginine, which contributes to better blood supply to the hair follicles.

The real explosion in watermelon cosmetics came in 2018 when the Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask became a Sephora bestseller, generating $30 million in revenue for the company. The success of the Glow Recipe brand became the starting point for the watermelon beauty trend. Then major cosmetic brands, including Estée Lauder Companies, started adding fruit extracts to shower gels, creams, serums, lip glosses, and hair products.

What to combine with watermelon extract? First, with hyaluronic acid – it will help to increase the moisturizing effect. Second, with gentle exfoliating acids like lactic. Third, with antioxidants (vitamins C and E) to combine a moisturizing and smoothing effect.

A big plus of watermelon extract is that it is suitable for all skin types, so it is often found in children’s cosmetics. And although the watermelon boom has now subsided, products with bright red fruit in the packaging continue to appear on store shelves, once again speaking of its beneficial properties for skin and hair.