Why Fruit Extracts and Active Ingredients Are So Good for Skin
Pairing nature and science seems like a no-brainer. After all, what better complement is there to nutrient-dense fruits than, say, highly-effective active ingredients with years of research to back them up? Together, they’re like magic for skin, offering the best of both worlds — whether you need smoothing, brightness, as much moisture as you can get, or all of the above. These formulas create the ultimate tag-team to deliver a range of benefits without any of the usual drawbacks, such as irritation and redness. Here’s what makes these power duos so, well, powerful.
The Power Couple: Watermelon + Everything, Basically
If there were a popularity contest among fruit extracts, watermelon would be a runaway winner. That’s because watermelon plays well with everything, be it exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, hydrating hyaluronic acid, or smoothing coconut sugar. Its versatility lies in several characteristics: It’s gentle enough for all skin types, deeply hydrating, and rich in vitamins A and C as well as lycopene. One study found that it can reduce trans-epidermal water loss in the skin barrier, thus helping skin better retain moisture. Not surprisingly, it’s the ideal anchor fruit in a number of formulations — like pore-refining Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask, lightweight Watermelon Glow Pink Juice Moisturizer, refreshing Watermelon Glow Ultra Fine Mist, and softening Watermelon Glow Lip Pop.
The Power Couple: Banana + Magnesium
Bananas are naturally rich in electrolytes like potassium and magnesium. That’s essential, since electrolytes — which are minerals that carry an electric charge — are vital for healthy organ function, including that of your skin. They help balance hydration, ensuring that skin doesn’t get either dry or dehydrated. Magnesium, in particular, is critical for a few things, such as moisture retention, skin barrier repair, skin cell regeneration, and cellular turnover. In the Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream, the addition of magnesium boosts what’s naturally found in bananas, making the formula a go-to for balancing inflamed skin and fortifying the skin barrier.
The Power Couple: Avocado + Retinol
Over the years, retinol has gotten a reputation for irritating and drying out skin — which is unfortunate, as it’s one of the best ingredients for smoothing fine lines and wrinkles, brightening hyperpigmentation, and improving overall skin texture. That’s why the Avocado Melt Retinol Sleeping Mask deploys an encapsulated form of retinol, which allows it to penetrate the superficial layers of skin without causing incidental irritation. On top of that, avocado oil helps to buffer its harsh effects, nourishing skin and addressing any dryness that could otherwise occur. It’s ideal for offsetting the side effects of retinol, since research shows the fatty acid- and antioxidant-rich oil can replenish dry or damaged skin as well as minimize inflammation.
The Power Couple: Blueberry + Alpha Hydroxy Acids
If there’s one fruit that’s the overachiever of the group, that would be blueberry. Even its extract is chock full of the berry’s high antioxidant content, including vitamins C and E — which not only help repair damage, but protect skin against it, too. Blueberry extract also offers anti-inflammatory properties and can even kickstart new collagen production. In Blueberry Bounce Gentle Cleanser, it’s paired with alpha hydroxy acids, which gently slough away dead skin cells to brighten and smooth — ultimately targeting a whole host of skin concerns as you cleanse.
The Power Couple: Pineapple + Vitamin C
In addition to being pretty great in a cocktail — just pointing it out — pineapple juice is also one of the most potent natural sources of vitamin C. On top of that, it’s rich in enzymes and AHAs to lightly smooth skin. The result? Dark spots, discoloration, and other forms of hyperpigmentation fade more quickly. Meanwhile, additional vitamin C (in two forms, ascorbic acid and stable 3-O-ethyl ascorbic acid) offers extra brightening and collagen-boosting power, which is why Pineapple-C Bright Serum stands apart from the vast crowd of vitamin C serums.