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Covering an ingredient each month, Kitchen Diaries shows all the multiple ways you can gain the benefits of the flora and fauna. It is as simple as opening your fridge for a 5-minute pick-me-up face mask in the morning, or a pampering skin exfoliation at night. Using ingredients from your local grocery store, Vogue Arabia’s June beauty pick are cucumbers. Crisp and garden fresh, cucumbers have multiple rejuvenating properties from deep hydration and eye de-puffing to promoting healthy hair and even detoxifying, anti-cellulite pay-off on the body. Rich in fiber and minerals along with about 90 percent water content, the green juicy goodness assists in creating the ultimate glistening summer skin and shiny, tip-top condition hair — with minimal effort required from your side. As a rule of thumb, it is best to use pesticide-free cucumbers or to peel its skin off to avoid any they may contain. Here is how you can make the most out of cucumbers this season.
Eye Treatment
The rom-com cliche is there for a reason. Cucumbers contain Vitamin C, which is responsible for new cell growth in addition to reducing hyperpigmentation and folic acid, which triggers antioxidants, protecting your skin from environmental toxins. They make your eyes feel refreshed and wide-awake. Thanks to its high water content and anti-inflammatory properties, the flesh of cucumbers depuff, brighten and hydrate your eyes. After cleansing your skin, place a slice on each eye for about 10 to 15 minutes. Chill cucumbers in the refrigerator the night before to make for an even more cooling effect.
Cucumber Toner
Found in high quantities in cucumbers, silica is a trace mineral, which maintains connective tissue in the body, including collagen and elastin. A simple way to use the beautifying properties of silica is to create a toner, which will boost the skin’s elasticity, hydrate and re-energize your skin. Blend a medium-sized cucumber and filter its juice with a clean cloth to get a smooth liquid. Gently soak it with a cotton pad and apply it on your face, twice a day. You can keep it refrigerated for up to 24 hours. If you fancy more pore tightening, blend the juice of half of a cucumber with 3 tablespoons of witch hazel and 2 tablespoons of distilled water. Stored in a clean bottle, the latter mixture will last for up to 2 weeks.
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Rinse for Hair Growth
Surprising to many, cucumbers are noteworthy for promoting healthy hair with minerals such as potassium and magnesium that are essential for scalp health and hair growth. Mash a peeled cucumber and mix it with freshly squeezed lemon juice, an ingredient that further strengthens hair follicles and additionally fights dandruff. You could also add a few drops of olive oil if you prefer a more nourishing rinse. Apply the mixture to your hair, massaging it into your scalp, then leave it in for 20 to 30 minutes before you rinse it off with water.
Sunburn Relief
Been out in the sun lately? Blend a pre-chilled cucumber and apply the smooth antioxidant paste on the concerned areas. It will provide immediate relief as well as calm and nurture the burnt skin.
Anti-cellulite
Consuming cucumber juice is effective in cleansing the body of toxins and old waste while applying cucumbers directly on the skin can also have a detoxifying effect. Phytochemicals in cucumbers aid the production of collagen, which results in firmer skin. A quick way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to simply place cucumber slices on your skin, the effect is almost immediate.
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