Which Fruit Is Best For Your Skin, Part 2

Welcome to part two of the big fruit debate. In part one, we briefly touched upon some of the fruits grown in North America that have wonderful skin benefits. In part two we will learn about the tropical fruits and what benefits they have in store. So let me bring you up to date.

Coconuts produce oil, water, milk and meat. All of which can be added to skin care products for conditioning benefits.

I’m nuts for coconuts (If you were hoping I was going to stop the puns, sorry, I’m not sorry). Cocos nucifera extract, coconut oil or coconut meat extract is actually not obtained from a nut. Coconuts are drupes and is a member of the palm tree family. They provide us with so many skin loving ingredients in a multitude of forms. Coconut oil solid or fractionated, coconut water, coconut milk extract or liquid and coconut meat, can be added to skin care products with wonderful benefits.

Coconut extract is derived from the meat of the coconut (the thick fleshy white part) and has numerous skin application benefits. Coconut oil is obtained from pressing the oil out of dried coconut meat and this process yields a rich source of medium-chain fatty acids. These fatty acids help to protect the skin by forming a strong layer over skin cells, to lock in moisture, hydrate, condition and soften the skin. Coconut oil has also been used to reduce inflammation and because of its antimicrobial properties it also helps to treat acne and protect the skin from harmful bacteria. So bring on your dry skin, acne prone or damaged skin because coconuts can handle it.

Guava is used for its ability to slow the signs of aging.

Guava fruit extract is normally obtained from the meat of the pink guava fruit and will be listed as psidium guajava for those looking for it in their skin care products. Being a tropical fruit, guava is yummy and has a very distinctive smell. Although it does retain its scent when dried and powdered, it is not used for fragrance purposes and is instead used for its rich content of vitamins A, B and C.

When added to your beauty regiment, it protects against the daily wear and tear of your skin and is revered for its ability to slow the signs of aging as well as the prevention in the deterioration of the skin.

Guava leaf extract also appears in some tinctures added into beauty products for its ability to tighten loose skin and pores, enhance skin texture and brighten and tone the skin. In hair applications, guava leaf extract acts as a stimulant for hair growth and thickens the hair shaft with its natural fiber content. This means if your skin is sensitive, irritated, needs firming or tightening or, if your hair is thinning and not growing fast enough due to breakage, you should consider using the ABC’s of guava fruit and … “Always Be Conditioning”.

Mangoes are found in soaps, lotions, butters, masks and the list goes on. They are revered for their antioxidant properties.

Mangoes or mangifera indica are magnificent little fruits packed with vitamins A, C, beta carotene, potassium, Iron, phosphorus and calcium among other goodies. You can often find mango used in a few different ways. Mango fruit extract or mango purees can be found in soaps, facial masks, or body wraps. Whereas the body butters you find in the skin care aisles often contain mango butter as part or all of their formulations. So why are mangoes so prevalent in so many skin loving products? It’s simple really. Mangos are also antioxidants but they have one antioxidant the others don’t contain, mangiferin. Although mangiferin antioxidants can be found in other sources, mangoes have the highest concentration and are most readily available.

This particular antioxidant is found in the seeds, the skin and the kernel of mango fruits and prevent the appearance of fine lines. They help to maintain skin’s elasticity, ease inflammatory skin conditions, soften and moisturize rough and dry skin and are gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin on a daily basis. If you’ve got a flare up of acne or rosacea, if your skin is raw and irritated, let the magnificent mangiferin from a mouthwatering mango mollify your misery. (Say that 5 times fast!)

Papaya , containing papain, enables your skin to be easily exfoliated leaving behind softer soother skin.

Papaya fruit or carica papaya is a tropical fruit with a deep orange pulp consisting of 88% water. You will find it as a puree, tincture or a powdered extract in skin care products. It’s another antioxidant rich fruit with boat loads of vitamins A, C, carotenoids, polyphenols and moisturizing benefits. But what this fruit contains unlike the others mentioned so far is papain. Papain is an enzyme that dissolves keratin when applied to skin. Keratin is a protein that acts like glue, holding dead skin cells together which is in part, the upper most layer of your skin. When this glue is dissolved or softened by the application of papain, it enables your skin to be easily exfoliated, leaving a brighter more even skin tone in its wake. This same papain enzyme also kicks it up a notch for oily skin, breaking down the over production of sebum without disturbing the moisture of your skin.

So do you want softer, brighter, cleaner, more nourished, more rejuvenated, healthier skin? If yes, then look for papaya in your beauty products and remember no papain, no gain! (I’m on a roll here…someone stop me!)

Tone your skin with the AHA's found in pineapples for a natural and healthy glow.

Pineapple fruit or ananas comosus or ananas sativus is another tropical fruit high in water and hydrating juice content. Pineapple fruit extract is harvested from the core and stem of the pineapple plant. It is chocked full of vitamins A, B5, B6, very high in vitamin C, beta carotene, folate, antioxidants and AHAs which naturally exfoliate your skin giving it a luminous glow and unclogging pores. This popular skin care ingredient can often be found in facial masks, lotions, soaps, facial cleansers, toners, and scrubs for its fruit enzyme known as bromelain. Bromelain is regarded for its astringent properties, used in reducing inflammation, redness and swelling, while clearing up blackheads and helping skin cells regenerate for improved elasticity.

Pineapple fruit can be found in the forms of purees, juices and powdered extracts in some of the skin care products on shelves today. It is not recommended to use pineapple juice directly on skin for extended periods of time as the juice can burn the skin. If you do take the chance and apply directly to your skin, please wash off the juice within five minutes. Do not treat it as a leave on product, not even in your hair! That being said, if you have clogged pores and black heads, oily skin that is uneven and blotchy, you should reach for your pineapple fruit extract and wear the crown of tropical fruits.

I would like to thank you berry much for reading this and I hope you were able to withstand the cheesy puns. If not, just remember this; “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade” (just don’t put it directly on your skin!) Until next time, Let Your Skin’s Beauty Bloom!

#coconuts #guava #mango #papaya #pineapple #naturalskincare #veganskincare #fruitextracts.