When we think of watermelon, we think of summertime barbeques or an afternoon picnic in the park. However, we’ve never really thought of it as a way to make our skin look gorgeous. But it turns out, there’s more to this tasty fruit than we thought.
Watermelon extract is touted for being rich in vitamin C, amino acids and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that’s great for sun-damaged skin. It’s also said to promote cell regeneration, moisturize, cleanse and exfoliate.
That said, experts are a little hesitant to recommend it. While it’s loaded with antioxidants and vitamin C, the concern is the high levels of sugar it contains. So if you tend to break out easily or have sensitive skin, you need to be a little more cautious. And if you’re using it on your body (like in a body wash), the sugars can potentially cause irritation in some areas.
“How the ingredient is derived and the carrier it’s put in is very important,” says celebrity aesthetician Nerida Joy. “What you need to look for is that your active ingredients are getting to where they need to go and are doing what they’re supposed to be doing.”
Watermelon extract, or any other ingredient for that matter, can be effective if it’s in a good carrier that can deliver its benefits to the skin. One line that would be safe to use is Cindy Crawford’s Meaningful Beauty skin-care line. “The company is very serious about how the watermelon is derived and the work that goes into it creating the product. They have a phenomenal lab, and it’s also very affordable,” says Joy.
Another tip, if the watermelon is being used for the smell, that’s usually a red flag that it’s not a good product to use. You should also consider if the watermelon used is organic or if it’s been treated with pesticides. What it really comes down to is that there are many other ingredients out there that are more beneficial and safer than watermelon extract.
