It is a widely accepted fact that natural foods that are nutritious when consumed are also largely beneficial for the skin, hair, and other beauty-related purposes. Tomatoes are no exception. They are packed with nutrients including Vitamin A, Vitamin B, Vitamin C, magnesium, potassium, lycopene, and more. Tomatoes benefit the skin by exfoliating, fighting cellular damage, moisturizing, and reducing sunburn risk. Tomatoes can also help reduce oiliness, keep acne at bay, relieve skin irritation, brighten the skin, diminish signs of ageing and tighten pores.
Recipes
Exfoliation
This refers to the removal of dead skin cells to improve the health and appearance of facial skin. The enzymes in tomatoes help get rid of blackheads and cleanse the skin from deep within. It is mild yet effective which makes it great for people with sensitive or acne-prone skin.
Mix tomatoes with fine sugar and let the mixture sit for about 10 minutes so that it’s not as abrasive then rub it on your face. Let it sit for 15 minutes before applying it. Alternatively, if your skin is really sensitive, just crash the tomato and then apply the pulp to your face without adding sugar to the mix.
Beauty: 7 Benefits Of Exfoliating Your Skin
Reduce oiliness and/or moisturize
Tomatoes are a good source of potassium, the absence of which contributes to dry skin. For this reason, applying tomato directly to the skin has been linked to moisturizing it and addressing dry skin issues.
Simply cut a tomato in half and rub it all over your face. Leave the juice on for 10-15 minutes then rinse and clean.
6 Benefits Of Incorporating A Moisturizer Into Your Skincare Routine
Keep acne at bay
Adult acne is one of the most common skin concerns. Tomatoes promote skin cleansing and healthy pH levels which helps manage acne and prevent breakouts.
Simply add two to the drops of tea tree essential oil to tomato juice or pulp then spread it on your skin. Leave it on for 10-15 minutes then wash it off. Repeat two to three times a week to treat your acne-prone skin.
Relieve skin irritation
Sunburn, long hours in the sun, frequent makeup application, and overuse of anti-acne products can irritate the skin. Tomatoes are rich in anti-inflammatories which combat inflammation and help soothe irritation.
Add cucumber juice to tomato pulp, mix it well then apply it to your face. Rinse off after 15-20 minutes. Repeat daily or multiple times a week until the irritation goes.
Skincare: Signs You Have Sensitive Skin And How To Care For It
Brightens skin
This is great for people who don’t particularly have a skincare routine in place or who skip wearing sunscreen which ends up making their skin look dull and uneven. Vitamins C, E, and beta carotene in tomatoes even out skin tone as well as brighten skin and reveal its natural complexion.
Mix tomato pulp with a tiny amount of turmeric powder, about ¼ teaspoon. If you have rice flour, you can add 2 teaspoons as well and mix it all together. Rice flour is an added benefit but the face mask can work without it. Massage the pulp into the skin, paying close attention to areas like the nose and T-zone where blackheads are more common. Keep it on until it dries up then rinse it off.
5 Home Remedies For Skin Pigmentation
Youthful, supple skin
Tomato stimulates collagen which is a protein that gives skin its structure, enhancing the texture of your skin and improving its elasticity. This keeps your skin soft and supple at every age.
Mix tomato pulp with yoghurt. Apply it on your face and leave it on for 15-20 minutes.
You can be creative and make your own unique tomato facial recipes with your favourite natural foods and fruits including honey, avocado, lemon juice, oatmeal, gram flour, banana, cucumber, buttermilk, jojoba, and olive oil.
Check out this piece on do’s and dont’s after a facial.
