Ever gone in for a facial and ended up getting a neck massage courtesy ice rollers? That’s basically the same thought behind the frozen cucumber trend. “Warmth expands your pores, and cold closes them,” says Chelsea Blackburn, a New York-based aesthetician. “If you wake up in the morning and your eyes are puffy, you can either use an ice cube to ice your face or a cold washcloth.”
Or, yes, a frozen cucumber. Whatever you chose, just don’t hold anything that’s ice on one area of your face for too long. “If you notice the skin getting pink or slightly numb, you should stop,” Blackburn adds.
But it’s not just about de-puffing. The crunchy crudité can also give skin a major hydration boost, too. Research conducted by board-certified dermatologist Howard Murad, MD, notes that, when applied topically, cucumbers can “fortify cells so they may retain hydrated and work at the highest levels.” Larson adds that they can provide “immensely beneficial hydration to the eye area”. Her hydration hack: Apply a cooling eye gel containing hyaluronic acid (which “draws hydration from the environment into the skin”), and place cukes as an applicator on top.
But wait — there’s more! According to Dr. Murad, cucumber slices can combat undereye darkness, thanks to their high levels of vitamin K, which has been proven to improve blood circulation. Seems like sleep-deprived spa-goers are actually onto something.
Bottom line: Cucumber slices have more potential than being vehicles for hummus (though they’re fab at that, too). So next time you practice #SelfCareSunday, consider adding cucumbers to the mix. We promise you’ll emerge with a brighter, dewier eye region.
Putting veggies on your face not your thing? Try these products which harness the superfood’s depuffing, hydrating properties.
TikTok kids may think they want to live in the 2000s, but real ones remember those harsh toners we used to use that completely stripped our faces. Think of this Kiehl’s Cucumber Herbal Alcohol-Free Toner as the opposite effect: the cuke extract is sensitive enough for delicate skin, including those prone to redness.
Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Eye Gel is so gentle, making it a treat for sensitive skin. With cucumber, green tea, and spirulina extracts, the nourishing formula doesn’t compromise on efficacy.
Teenage founder Joann Zehenni started her brand Gemini Skin Care when she saw how her lupus-prone skin was too sensitive for many products. And so she tapped cucumber extract to be a main ingredient in her All You Need Eye Cream, which provides gentle hydration to the delicate area. The cream is also packed with vitamin C to fade dark undereyes.
If you’re acne-prone and want to join the cucumber crew, try this SkinCeuticals Photo A+ Brightening Treatment. It’s also made with 3 percent azelaic acid, thyme, and olive leaf extract to reduce scarring and improve texture. That might sound like a weighty task, but the gel-like texture applies easily on skin — no bogged-down feeling here.
Mushroom extract may be the star of this Origins No Puffery Cooling Roll-On for Puffy Eyes, but a Best Supporting Actor Oscar goes to cucumber extract, too. It’s a key ingredient in this treatment, which comes with a cool metal tip to make application feel icy every time you apply.
