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Ever get back from the beach and the burns stop you from reminiscing? Does the dry flaking make you feel like someone’s stretching the skin off your face? Next time that happens, head to your refrigerator and pick up a tomato to ease up that discomfort. Tomatoes are great for reducing summer tanning; it will not only help reduce tan but also naturally reduce dryness caused by the strong UV rays of the sun.
What Makes Tomatoes Work?
Slightly acidic in nature, tomatoes contain high contents of potassium and vitamin C; this transforms the dullest of skins and restores glow to the skin. Tomatoes also have lycopene, which is an antioxidant that helps fight free radicals in the body. Apart from this, it helps treat skin problems related to ageing and sun damage therefore making it a great skin rejuvenator. Due to their astringent properties, tomatoes help reduce excess sebum on the skin’s surface preventing oil build up, which further reduces the chances of blackheads and whiteheads. Since they have pore-shrinking properties and help tighten the skin, chances of acne and pimples are also greatly reduced. This makes tomato a versatile and popular ingredient for problematic skin conditions.
About 85% of lycopene in the western diet is obtained only from tomatoes and the best place to find it is in tomato paste.
Tomatoes and Current Studies
A test was to establish whether eating tomato paste could help protect the skin from UV damage and UV-induced reddening. We took 23 women who were used to burning merely at the sight of the sun and asked half of them to eat 55g of tomato paste every day for 12 weeks (giving them 16mg of lycopene).” an unbelievable 30% increase in skin protection”
As a defense against UV rays, the body tans when exposed to moderate levels of radiation. This helps to block UV penetration and prevent damage to the vulnerable skin tissues deeper down. In order to test the efficacy of tomatoes on our guinea pigs we tested the lowest dose of UV needed to provoke a visible response on their skin. Then we exposed them to a range of UV radiation and compared the damage done to those who ate tomatoes and those who didn’t.
Vitamin C is commonly found in skincare products. It may promote the growth of new connective tissues, which may also help repair wounds and speed the healing process.
After 12 weeks of rigorously following the tomato paste diet we brought our women back to the lab and burnt them all over again. Was it all in vain? When tested again our volunteers on the lycopene diet had a 30% increase in skin protection.
Potential Benefits of Tomato on Skin
Some people claim that tomatoes can offer benefits for various skin concerns, such as uneven skin tone or signs of aging. Here are a few possible benefits of incorporating tomatoes into your skincare routine.
May Help Protect Against Skin Cancer
Sun exposure is a risk factor for nonmelanoma skin cancers, which include basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a carotenoid found in different types of fruits. This naturally occurring compound gives tomatoes their red color.
According to researchers, lycopene also has a powerful anticancer effect, though studies have revolved around dietary lycopene. There’s little to no evidence to support anticancer effects from topical application.
In one animal study, hairless, healthy mice were fed either tangerine or red tomato powder for 35 weeks. They were then exposed to UVB light three times a week. The control group ate the same diet, but weren’t exposed to the light.
Researchers found that the mice fed the tomato diet had fewer incidents of tumors. This suggests that tomatoes may also prevent skin cancer development in humans.
But more research is needed to understand if there are anticancer effects when lycopene is topically applied in humans.
May Reduce Risk of Sunburns
Tomatoes aren’t a substitute for sunscreen, but the lycopene in the fruit may have a photo-protective effect. Eating tomatoes may offer some protection from UV light-induced erythema or sunburn.
A study from 2006 found that after 10 to 12 weeks of ingesting lycopene or tomato products rich in lycopene, people demonstrated decreased sensitivity to UV radiation. It’s unclear if you can get those same benefits from applying tomatoes topically to your skin, though.
While tomatoes might reduce the risk of sun damage, always still use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to protect against sunburns and skin cancer. Sometimes “natural” sunscreens can do more harm than good.
May Promote Wound Healing
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s nutrient database, 1 cup of tomatoes contains about 30 grams of vitamin C.
Vitamin C is commonly found in skincare products. It may promote the growth of new connective tissues, which may also help repair wounds and speed the healing process.
Read more: Household treasures: Ginger, The Mighty Herb that holds secrets to health
Will applying tomato juice to your skin give you these same benefits? That’s unclear. More research is needed to see if there’s a connection between applying juice from vitamin C-rich foods directly to your skin.
May Soothe Skin Inflammation
Several compounds in tomatoes have an anti-inflammatory effect. These compounds include:
- lycopene
- beta carotene
- lutein
- vitamin E
- vitamin C
When applied to the skin, these compounds may help ease pain associated with skin irritations or sunburn. However, no research has looked at whether tomatoes can help with inflammation when applied topically to your skin.
May Stimulate Collagen Production
As previously mentioned, tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin C. Besides boosting your immune system, vitamin C can help stimulate collagen production.
Applied topically, vitamin C may help improve skin elasticity. That can make your skin firmer. But there’s no scientific evidence to show that applying tomato to your skin can result in these benefits.
May Help Remove Dead Skin Cells
Exfoliation removes dead cells. It may help improve the health and appearance of your skin.
Some people claim the enzymes in tomatoes can offer exfoliation benefits when applied to the skin.
To create a tomato scrub, combine sugar and mashed up tomatoes. You can then rub the scrub on your body, but use care to avoid your face. Store-bought sugar crystals are too jagged and can create injuries on facial skin, which is thinner than the skin on the rest of the body.
May have Anti-aging Properties
B vitamins are essential to skin health. There’s no shortage of these vitamins in tomatoes. Tomatoes have vitamins:
These vitamins have anti-aging properties that may help reduce age spots, fine lines, and wrinkles. B vitamins also contribute to cell repair. They may reduce hyperpigmentation and sun damage.
Eating tomatoes can help your body get more of these vitamins, which may benefit your skin. There isn’t any evidence that topically applying tomatoes can offer the same benefits, however.
May Help Fight Cellular Damage
Free radicals can damage the cells in your skin. This may increase your risk for wrinkles and signs of aging.
Tomatoes contain antioxidants, such as lycopene and vitamin C. Consuming tomatoes can help provide your body with these antioxidants. That may, in turn, help fight free radicals.
Combine tomato juice with oatmeal or yogurt to create a mask. Apply the mask over your face. Rinse with lukewarm water after 20 minutes.
You may also try applying a tomato mask, though there’s no evidence a topical application of tomato provides your skin with these antioxidant benefits.
May Moisturize Skin
Untreated dry skin can lead to itching, cracking, and flaking. Different lotions and creams can treat dryness. Along with traditional remedies, some people claim you can also apply tomato juice to dry skin to help provide moisture.
Tomatoes are an excellent source of potassium. According to research, decreased levels of potassium may contribute to dry skin in people with atopic dermatitis, a type of eczema.
However, there’s no scientific evidence to show that tomato juice can be used topically to provide the same benefits as a traditional moisturizer.
Side Effects of Using Tomatoes on Your Skin
Tomatoes and tomato juice have plenty of health benefits. They may offer some benefits to your skin, but this remedy isn’t for everyone.
Tomatoes are naturally acidic. If you’re sensitive to these natural acids or if you’re allergic to tomatoes, applying the fruit or juice to your skin could cause a reaction.
Signs of a skin reaction include:
- rash
- itching
- redness
- other irritation
Before using tomatoes or tomato juice over a large area of your body, apply a small amount of juice to a patch of skin. Monitor your skin for a reaction.
If your skin can’t tolerate the acidic nature of tomatoes, eat or drink your tomatoes instead.
How to Use Tomatoes for Your Skin
There are no proven benefits to topically applying tomato to your skin. You may have the best benefits from consuming tomatoes.
But if you’re interested in experimenting with a topical application, there are several methods you can try.
Direct Application
Dab a cotton swab in 100 percent tomato juice, then rub the tomato juice over your skin. Rinse the area with warm water.
You can also blend a whole tomato into a paste. Apply the paste over your skin. Rinse after 20 minutes.
Read more: Household treasures: Flax seeds, skin and the body
Spot Treatment
Rather than apply tomato juice over a large area of your body, you can use it as a spot treatment. Only apply the juice to areas of concern. These may include parts of your body with hyperpigmentation or dryness.
Tomato Mask
Combine tomato juice with oatmeal or yogurt to create a mask. Apply the mask over your face. Rinse with lukewarm water after 20 minutes.
Other Methods
You don’t have to apply tomatoes or tomato juice to your skin to reap the benefits, though.
Along with the above methods of application, eating raw tomatoes and drinking tomato juice may also contribute to healthier skin. If you buy the juice, just make sure there isn’t added salt and sugar.