DIY Beauty: cucumber to brighten skin
Wednesday, 3 September 2008
I am loving cucumbers for my skin! It has such a wonderful cooling and soothing effect. Definitely great to be used in our hot weather.
Cucumber (Cucumis Sativus) extract is widely known for its astringent and soothing effects, on top of its anti-inflammatory actions and skin tightening properties. I’ve been using it for the past two weeks in the hope of tightening the pores on my face. My skin does feel tight when the juice dries on my face but I haven’t seen any noticeable reduction of my pore size though. I suppose I need to be more patient since it has only been two weeks. But I did notice a slight brightening effect on my face instead.
Leave on for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off
I have been using the cucumber juice on my face twice a day after washing. What I did was to apply some juice on my dry face, leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing off. Over the weekend, I also tried this cucumber anti-blemish mask which I picked from The Ultimate Natural Beauty Book by Jo Fairley but I skipped the rosemary essential oil though. It’s a very fun mask to put on but be warned; this mask can draw out quite a bit of impurities and you may end up with some small zits like what I have now on my forehead.
Recipe for Cucumber Anti-Blemish Face Mask:
- 2.5 cm (1 inch) chunk of cucumber
- 1 drop rosemary essential oil (I skipped this)
- 1 egg white
Whizz the cucumber in a blender until it becomes completely liquid, then add the drop of rosemary essential oil. Whisk the egg white until stiff, fold in the cucumber mixture and smooth over the face avoiding the eyes and mouth area. Remove after 15 minutes using a clean, damp washcloth.
The egg white definitely tautened my skin and my face felt wonderfully soft afterwards. The pores were also much smaller, but it was only temporary. But like I mentioned, be careful that this mask will draw out quite a bit of impurities and cause some zits. You may also like to cut up two thin slices and placed them on your eyes to reduce puffiness while you’re having the mask on.
Use organic cucumber whenever you can
If you can, use organic cucumber. It doesn’t cost that much especially since you only need to use a little of the juice extract. One cucumber can last me about two weeks actually; including using it once for the anti-blemish mask and cutting up thin slices to reduce puffiness on my eyes a couple of times. And you don’t need a blender to extract the juice. Because a small grater can do the job wonderfully too.
And oh, I also used the cucumber juice on my hands. They help to soften the skin quite a bit!
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Posted in Homemade/DIY | 16 Comments »
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September 3rd, 2008 at 11:55 am
hi sesame.. hw come one cucumber can last u 2 weeks.. wont it be soft?
like if u put it in the fridge?
or it is alright to use it even it turn slightly yellowish and soft?
miyo: Okay for mine. Didn’t change color. Still fresh actually. I wrap it with a paper towel to keep the skin dry from excess moisture and store in a plastic bag before putting in the fridge.
September 3rd, 2008 at 3:39 pm
Hi! Great recipe! How often & for how long have you been doing this for smaller pores?
Viji: For the mask, I’m trying it out once a week. The pores are immediately smaller afterwards but it’s temporary. I guess it will take a longer while to see more permanent results.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:27 am
i tried cucumber on eyes before, really soothing and got rid of my tired eyes. however, i am always lazy too keep the routine alive. lol
prettybeautiful: I know…it’s quite a chore especially since you need to lie down for at least 10 minutes.
September 4th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Great DIY tips! I am one of those lazy people unfortunately and I’d probably just cook or eat the cucumber!
parisb: Haha…I think cooking requires more effort for me!
September 5th, 2008 at 1:49 am
Hmm, I tried posting a comment twice but they don’t seem to be appearing. So let’s give it another go. Testing testing testing……
September 5th, 2008 at 1:55 am
Oh yay, it works this time! Okay, here is what I was saying (Hehe):
“I remember using cucumber as a masque back in my teenage years when I had blemishes. Towards the end, I’d gently rub the cucumber slices on my skin (to exfoliate, I suppose?). Not sure if it helped, but I sure did feel refreshed afterwards.”
MisSmall: Sorry, Askimet can be quite potent. But your comment ended up in moderation so I can still view it.
I think cucumber is great in terms of smell and soothing properties. It’s going to be one of my staples!
September 25th, 2008 at 11:30 am
I do really have blemishes on my skin is the cucumber the solution? i also have oily skin could you please help me with my prooblem…thanks
Michell: That alone might not work but if you try using other products like carrier oil, it may. Why don’t you join us at http://www.glowingdiva.com, a forum on natural and organic skincare and you maybe able to receive some info to help you?
November 2nd, 2008 at 3:13 pm
thakz u so much.i just tried it my face feels clean n freshed .love it.keep up the good work.god bless u
Rubii: Glad you love it!
November 27th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
[...] Besides temporary face lift, eggs are great for cleansing purposes. When using my favorite anti-blemish cucumber egg mask for example, I noticed that quite a lot of impurities were drawn out from my face resulting in a [...]
December 31st, 2008 at 11:59 am
Hi, do you need to make the mask each tim eyou need to do it? isn’t it a waste to beat an egg white and use just that tiny amount? I’m looking for solution for my big pores
goldfish: Yeah, I know what you mean. I try to apply as much the first few times even to my neck and then subsequently, I try to estimate what I need and leave the rest for cooking.
February 25th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
are you just using cucumber juice or the actual cucumber mask on your face?
you say you use it after washing face, you mean cleasning face? so this is after cleansing and before toning?
Jia: I use the juice to apply after washing my face and before toning. Sometimes I don’t tone after that but moisturize immediately after rinising.
I’ve tried cutting up the cucumber slices and leave on but I hardly use it cos it’s time consuming as I have to lie down for 20 mins or so!
February 27th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
can i use just the cucumber slice or is it more effect with the white eggs etc? will the effect be the same.
Jia: If you use cucumber slices alone, they’re good to soothe the skin and reduce puffiness especially around the eyes. If you use the cucumber blended with egg white, this mask is more for anti-blemish effects, drawing out impurities and tightening skin pores. Especially good for oily skin.
March 5th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
if i were to blend the cucumber with egg white, how long can i keep it in the fridge?
Maria: I recommend up to three days maximum. I usually use it immediately though…
April 26th, 2009 at 6:29 am
i have a problem with face. my face is very very dry and then at the moment i use cucumber every day to put on my face but now my face become more dry. is it the reactions of the cucumber or what? I already try many lotion or creme product to put on my face but the result still the same. what i should do? I am staying in the country with 4 seasons
San San: Hmmm…have you tried using oil on your face? Try olive oil or use something with shea butter formulated for the face. For the cucumber I suggest you mix with yogurt. Yogurt is very soothing and can be a good mask for dry skin.
January 2nd, 2010 at 8:54 am
Hi, I have very loose and wrinkled skin below by eyes and so are the eyelids. Do you think cucumber will help? If so I will go out immeciately and get one! Thanks
sesame Reply:
January 2nd, 2010 at 12:38 pm
I don’t cucumber will help with the wrinkles. I suggest you dab some oil or use eye cream/gel instead.