Boost your skin with spring fruits

Shahnaz Husain *

The sweet spring staples are not only delicious; they are a treat for your skin, too. As nature is reborn and awakening from its winter slumber, the typical fruits of the season are coming to markets. Mouth-watering spring fruits are better for your skin, hair and health.

Eating the yummy spring season fruit not only can nourish skin from within but also keep skin clean and hydrated. These fruits are good for overall nutrition and can have magical impact on appearance and look. So, brighten up your daily routine with fresh, seasonal fruits available in the market

1) Watermelon

Watermelon the ‘spring blessing’ contains 90 % water by weight and is packed with vitamins and nutrients, especially lycopene, ascorbic acid, and citrulline. Watermelons are packed with all the good stuff; they’re tasty, hydrating, and negative calorie food, which helps in burning calories. Since 90 percent of watermelon is just water, it helps in nourishing the skin and makes it more radiant.

Whether you apply a watermelon face mask or consume a fresh slice, it has a huge influence on keeping your skin hydrated. From acne-prone to sensitive, dry to combination, it’s a one-fruit-fits-all kind of thing. If you have sensitive, acne-prone skin, the strong anti-inflammatory properties in watermelon can help calm skin irritation, redness, and inflammation.

Combine two tablespoons of watermelon juice and one tablespoon of honey in a mixing dish. On your face, apply the mixture. Allow it to sit for 10-12 minutes before washing it off. For the best results, do this once a week. Watermelon juice is a natural toner that is as good as rose water for your skin because of its natural extracts.

Vitamin C and antioxidants present in watermelon help regenerate skin cells and protect them from injury. These nutrients pre- vent free radical damage and also protect your skin from any further disruption. To tone your skin, gently apply fresh watermelon juice to it and rinse it off. The grainy particles present in the fruit help gently exfoliate the skin.

Watermelon is rich in vitamin C, which brightens your skin quickly. The gritty particles in the fruit assist in gently exfoliating the skin while also moisturizing it. To naturally scrub off dead skin cells, apply a teaspoon of mashed watermelon to your skin.

To remove dead skin cells, rub watermelon and tomato pulp across the face or body in circular motions. The malic acid in watermelon and the enzymes in tomatoes help break down the glue that holds the dead skin cells together.

2) Pineapples

Pineapples are tropical fruits which are available in abundance, especially in spring. Contrary to its name, a pineapple is neither a pine nor an apple. It’s a “multiple fruit,” which means it forms from the fusion of many individual berries. Though found around the year, they are more nutritional during the spring season as they are seasonal in nature.

From reducing acne to giving you a more lustrous mane, pineapples have many beauty benefits. Pineapples contain proteins that have been found to repair hair follicles, reduces dandruff and keeps your scalp healthy.

Due to the fruit’s antioxidant content, applying it to skin can boost their skin health. Pineapples act as a chemical exfoliant and when used with gram flour, they can be a great remedy for an oily complexion. The bromelain enzyme in pineapples doubles up as a natural exfoliant, aiding in the removal of dead skin cells and revealing a brighter complexion underneath.

Being rich in antioxidants, pineapples shield your skin from oxidative stress and damage by free radicals, slowing down the aging process. The high water content in pineapples ensures that your skin stays well-hydrated, a crucial factor for maintaining skin elasticity and a youthful appearance.

Make a face mask using chopped and blended pineapple pulp with gram flour. Mix it to make a thick paste which you can apply to your face and massage in circular motions. This mask will contain compounds called saponins which act as natural cleansers.

3) Kiwis

Kiwi, rich in vitamins C, A and E and antioxidants, offers several beauty benefits, including brightening skin, boosting collagen production, and potentially helping with acne and blemishes. Kiwi which is part of the berry family, can help even out skin tone and reduce the appearance of hyperpig-mentation

Using kiwi for skin is a great way to pamper it. You can either massage the fruit pulp on your skin or just incorporate kiwi-infused products into your skincare regimen.

It is loaded with benefits of antioxidants for skin like vitamin C. If you are planning to include this ingredient into your skin-care routine, you need to know more about this amazing fruit for glowing skin.

Here are the primary benefits of kiwi fruit for skin.

Kiwi is a nutrient-rich fruit that is packed with vitamins C, E, and K. These vitamins are essential for healthy skin, as they help to protect it from damage, boost collagen production, and improve skin radiance.

Kiwi face packs can be used to improve the appearance of your skin in a number of ways. They can help to : Reduce dark spots and hy-perpigmentation. Fight acne. Moisturize and hydrate the skin. Brighten and lighten the skin. Exfoliate the skin.

Known for its vibrant green flesh and tangy-sweet taste, this small yet potent fruit offers a range of health benefits. Kiwi is fantastic for your skin health. A kiwi’s vitamin E and antioxidants help moisturise and hydrate your skin, whilst the omega-3 fatty acids help ensure the skin is soft, supple and plump.

They also have antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, which naturally stimulate collagen and elastin levels, helping keep skin looking and feeling youthful. Kiwis help balance your sebaceous gland production, which can reduce oily skin, stop breakouts and treat blemishes and acne.

Kiwis also promote healthy blood circulation, reducing dark circles under your eyes caused by poor circulation, making you appear less tired and aged. You can exfoliate and moisturise your skin by applying kiwi slices on your face. Your epidermis becomes softer and plumper as a result of this gentle exfoliation

Kiwi and honey face pack-----Take 1 ripe kiwi fruit and 1 tablespoon honey . Mash the kiwi fruit in a bowl until smooth. Stir in the honey until well combined.Apply the mask to your face and neck and leave it on for 30 minutes. Rinse off the mask with warm water.

Kiwis stimulate your collagen and elastin levels. Thanks to the vitamin C and E heavy content, it tends to fight the premature signs of ageing and also prevents damage from occurring to your natural collagen production.

4) Oranges Oranges, rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, offer several skin benefits, including boosting collagen production, combating signs of aging, and promoting a brighter, more radiant complexion.

Oranges help to lighten dark spots, acne scars, and uneven skin tone and leave your skin feeling clean, clear, and healthy. If you're dealing with irritated, sensitive skin, including orange in skin care can be your go-to solution.

Oranges have exfoliating properties to help renew and slough off dead skin cells. Oranges can also help unclog pores when used as a scrub or in serum form. Using oranges in skin care regularly can even help fight sun damage.

The paste of orange peel powder hydrates the skin and increases collagen production in the skin. Orange peel restores the skin’s natural barrier and boosts skin spasticity. It improves skin texture and a more supple appearance. Using it regularly makes your skin squeaky clean, reflects light, and enhances the glow of your face.

Fresh orange juice is a refreshing drink, natural toner, and cleanser. The citric acid in orange juice helps exfoliate the skin, while the vitamin C boosts radiance. Using orange juice in your skincare routine can enhance your skin’s natural glow and reduce dullness.

Oranges give considerable hydration benefits, which are essential for keeping skin smooth. The natural sugars and water content within oranges act as humectants, drawing moisture into the skin and preventing dehydration.

Natural Exfoliant: Dry orange peels and grind them into a fine powder. This powder can be a natural exfoliant to remove dead skin cells and reveal brighter skin. Mix it with yoghurt, honey, or water to create a face mask.

Acne Treatment: The antibacterial properties of orange peel powder help combat acne-causing bacteria. Apply a paste of orange peel powder and water to affected areas to reduce acne and prevent future breakouts.

Skin Brightening: Orange peel powder can lighten dark spots and blemishes. Regular use can result in a clearer, more even complexion.