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Summer Skin Saver: Super Cukes!

Posted Mon, Jul 02, 2007, 9:27 pm PDT
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Cucumbers reach their peak in June and July, so make the most of farmers' market bargains and load up with half a dozen: three for salads and three for your skin. This crunchy green vegetable is not only low in calories and high in fiber, it's full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can feed your complexion inside and out. Here's how.
  • REFRESH AND PROTECT Cucumbers contain vitamin C and caffeic acid, two antioxidants that when applied to the skin help fend off wrinkles, sun damage, and more. Vitamin C builds collagen and elastin, protein fibers that give skin its youthful plumpness. "Caffeic acid inhibits cancer cells and protects skin cells exposed to UV radiation," says New York dermatologist Amy Wechsler, MD. No wonder some spas offer hydrating face treatments made of crushed cucumber. Home version for kitchen divas: Barely puree half a cuke and 2 to 3 tablespoons of plain yogurt in the blender -- it should be thick, not drippy. Pat all over your face and neck, stretch out for 15 minutes or so, rinse, and relish how good your skin feels.
  • DEFLATE PUFFY PEEPERS Refrigerated and sliced into rounds, cucumbers fit neatly over eye sockets, where they act like delicate mini-ice packs and relieve puffy lids. One reason: Cukes are 90 percent water, which helps them stay chilly even on hot spots. "Their cold minimizes the swelling by constricting the blood and lymph vessels that bring fluid to the eye area," says Dr. Wechsler.
  • GET THE RED OUT Cucumbers' natural anti-inflammatories calm and soothe skin reddened by rosacea or sunburn. "Place thin, cold slices on the 'butterfly' region of your face, starting around your nose and spreading out onto your cheeks -- or anywhere there's redness," says Dr. Wechsler. After a 15-minute lie-down, remove and apply a light moisturizer. Alternatively, try Peter Thomas Roth's Cucumber Gel Masque, one of those cult beauty products that, even at a $45, gets raves from ordinary users.
  • PAMPER EVERY INCH If you're feeling adventurous one summer night, try this super skin softener used in Korean bathhouses. Grate a whole cucumber -- including the dark-green peel, which is rich in skin-kind potassium, magnesium, and copper, says Dr. Wechsler. Stir in just enough milk and safflower oil -- two other skin wonders -- to make a thick soup, and warm it in the microwave. Then using a loofah, scrub down your whole body with the mixture and shower off (make sure you have a good drain strainer). Your skin will feel satiny-soft and your bath and body will smell amazing...there's a reason Kiehl's sells a fragrance called Essence Oil of Cucumber.

Wondering if all the little things you've been doing to take better care of yourself are adding up, on the inside as well as your skinside? Take the RealAge test and find out!

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12 Comments

  • 1. Posted by audrey w on Thu, Jul 05, 2007, 2:16 pm PDT

    I like what I read and I am going to do just that

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  • 2. Posted by roxanneskiba on Tue, Jul 10, 2007, 3:06 pm PDT

    Why not just eat the cucumber. Beauty comes from within.

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  • 3. Posted by kissinmyash on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, 6:19 am PDT

    cucumbers tastes AWFUL. i'd rather just leave it on my skin!

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  • 4. Posted by Debra on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, 6:41 am PDT

    Three thin slices of cucumber in a tall glass of iced water! It's the most refreshing summer drink you'll find. I've gotten my friends hooked on it. Poolside - feels like a spa date. Picnic - no calories, no sugar to make me more thirsty. Refill the glass 3-4 times and the slices continue to lightly flavor the water. Wonderful!

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  • 5. Posted by spiff91 on Wed, Jul 11, 2007, 11:45 am PDT

    I love cucumbers so i'll definately betrying these hits and eating them also....

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  • 6. Posted by urdreamgirlalwayz on Thu, Jul 19, 2007, 7:44 pm PDT

    this sounds fantastic and like lots of summer fun ... just me and the girls on a home spa day ... 2 thumbs up!!!

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  • 7. Posted by season320 on Fri, Jul 20, 2007, 2:17 am PDT

    it's true! i've tried several times, and my face feel really fresh and soft after the cucumber spa! here is my MSN: tropicalfish320@hotmail.com

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  • 8. Posted by kemeyon2004 on Fri, Jul 20, 2007, 7:14 am PDT

    i will have to try this.....i eat themb but have never tried them on my skin. i also wanna try that drink!!!!!

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  • 9. Posted by sandfrank2 on Fri, Jul 20, 2007, 7:31 am PDT

    My daughter suffers from eczema and will try this for some relief to her skin. Hope it works.

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  • 10. Posted by feistylady03 on Fri, Jul 20, 2007, 11:05 am PDT

    I can't wait to try the cucumber shower scrub. I wonder if soaking your feet in the grated cucumber and then rinsing off would work for rough, dry skin. Debra - thanks for the tip on the drink, sounds wonderfully refreshing. My fave summer drink is soda/seltzer water with a slice each of lemon and lime, but I think I'll give it a try with a few slices of cucumber. For others who like cucumber: Yesterday I was in Bath & Body Works and noticed they have a new summer fragrance (shower gel, lotion, etc) called Freshwater Cucumber. Great fragrance, very clean and light. They also have Cucumber Melon which smells just as wonderful, but a little sweeter due to the melon.

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  • 11. Posted by designerhairandmakeup8 on Fri, Jul 20, 2007, 11:12 am PDT

    Nothing is better then the real thing. I will try all this great idea on my skin. i have a bit of dry skin. And then i will tell all my friends about it!!!!!!!!!!

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  • 12. Posted by Meihoaindy on Fri, Apr 25, 2008, 1:48 pm PDT

    debra, thanks for the drink idea. i will so try it!

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