My Favorite Watermelon-Infused Skincare
So if you know me well you know that my favorite snack in the world is watermelon. My roommates would always make fun of me for how fast I went through them (I average about 1 a week) and how I could eat it literally every day without getting sick of it (I have an addictive personality, ok?). My love for the fruit doesn't just stop there; I also use it frequently in my skincare. I live for the summer months when companies roll out all of their new watermelon-infused products and I can go raid the beauty section of Target or Sephora.
According to Rosemarie Ingleton, M.D., and Fran E. Cook-Bolden, two top board-certified dermatologists in New York City, watermelon-infused skincare products offer several benefits for the skin such as hydration, delivery of nutrients and amino acids, antioxidant protection, and mild exfoliation. Watermelon is 92% water (hence the name), which makes it perfect for fighting the heat and humidity of the summer, and can be especially helpful for those with dull and dehydrated skin. During the summer and winter months, it's a great idea to change up your skincare routine to protect against the harsher weather. This can include using a heavier moisturizer or switching to a serum with vitamin C as a key ingredient.
The antioxidants in watermelon offer many anti-ageing benefits, and it even includes vitamins A, B1, B5, B6, C and E, which provides protection against UV radiation from the sun (perfect for summer... are we seeing the pattern here?). Next time you cut up watermelon for a summer BBQ or pool day, you can save some of the juice and freeze it into ice cubes to be used on your face to fight acne or swollen blemishes, or even save the rinds and place them on your face for a quick homemade "sheet mask".
But if the DIY method isn't for you, here are my favorite watermelon-infused skincare products that are sure to keep your skin hydrated and glowy all summer long.
Burt's Bees Hydrating Sheet Mask With Watermelon- $2.39
I used this sheet mask for the first time as a primer when I took my senior photos (I always like to plump up the skin with a hydrating sheet mask before I take pics, it's a great way to make your skin look super healthy and glowy on camera) and it was like a quick trip to the spa. I am picky when it comes to sheet masks, but this one really stood out to me because of how luxurious it feels on the skin. You only have to wear it for 5 minutes, which is great for people that are usually in a rush & looking to simplify their morning routine (aka me). It really hydrated the crap out of my skin in such a short amount of time and helped my makeup go on super smooth. It's fairly affordable compared to other comparable masks, and to top it off, the ingredient list is super short (we love to see it) and includes water, glycerin, willow bark extract, and watermelon seed extract.
Moisture Balm Daytime Lip Mask- $14
You guyyyss!!! You need this product in your life RIGHT. NOW. There is nothing sexier than having plump and glossy lips, especially to complete a glowy summer look. This unique oil blend of olive, argan, rosehip, & raspberry seed moisturizes my lips like nothing else I have ever used. Prime your lips with a gentle exfoliating lip scrub (even brown sugar and honey does the trick), top it off with this mask and *mwah* perfection. Awake Beauty also has a nighttime lip mask, but I prefer this one because as my lips get chapped throughout the day I like to be able to instantly fix the issue and even use it as a tinted gloss. It lasts super long (even through my multiple snack breaks) and mixes well with a lot of my lip products to prevent that gross crust you get from wearing drying liquid lipsticks.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Ultra Fine Mist- $28
This hydrating mist is so ultra-fine and delicate, it literally envelops your skin like a dreamy morning fog. I love using this product at all times of the day because it's like a 10-second vacation for your skin- the feeling is so luxurious and smells like a fruity dream. If you are like me, you have probably tried a bunch of different facial sprays, and have realized that a lot of them come in cheap packaging that makes the spray too intense. I really hate when a spray drenches your face after just one spritz, so the fact that you can really lean into this one was super appealing. The formula is packed with a juicy blend of 84% watermelon, hyaluronic acid, and hibiscus AHAs to refresh skin and enhance makeup. The founders of Glow Recipe, Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, even recommend using it as a setting spray for a dewy look, or as a lightweight toner. When you invest in a more pricey product you, of course, are also paying for the experience it provides, and this one has really elevated my summer skincare ritual and has quickly become a staple.
Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow PHA+BHA Pore-Tight Toner- $15~$34
This ultra-gentle toner hydrates skin and minimizes pores for a refreshing start to your day. One thing I've learned in my skincare journey is that it isn't enough to just buy high-end products and hope for the best- you have to ensure that the ingredients you are paying for are actually being absorbed, and not just sitting on top of your skin. An essential part of any quality routine, toners help prep and plump skin to readily absorb the rest of your moisturizers and serums. This highly innovative formula contains a balance of hydrating ingredients and pore-tightening actives, such as PHA and BHA. Co-founders Sarah Lee and Christine Chang created Glo Recipe to simplify skincare and help make the process more approachable. Their products are great for all skin types (I have highly sensitive skin and have had no reactions from it whatsoever), and utilize the latest research & technology- basically, they do the hard work so you don't have to. In addition, the packaging is absolutely gorgeous and I love seeing it on my vanity- it actually makes me excited to do my little ritual each morning and evening. You know it is a great product when you literally long for the end of the night when you get to take off your makeup and have a little me-time. If you are interested in giving it a trial run it also comes in a smaller size for only $15 (since it is toner you go through it relatively slowly, so even the smaller size will last you quite a long time).
Hope you guys loved this post & it inspired you to integrate some new ingredients into your skincare routine! Here's to healthy & hydrated skin all summer long.