8 Tomato benefits for skin

Here are some of the benefits of tomatoes for the skin:

1. Collagen production:

Tomatoes rich in lycopene and carotenoids help the skin by stimulating collagen production. Collagen is an important structural component of the skin. By increasing the production of collagen, your skin will become smoother, tighter, firmer, and younger-looking.

2. Prevents premature ageing:

Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamins A and C. they contain an array of antio-xidants that aid in skin cell regeneration, improve cell hydration, and boost collagen. Daily consumption of tomatoes is not only good for the prevention of skin diseases, but also for preventing premature ageing.

3. Treats sunburn & inflammation:

Sunburns and skin inflammation can be a real bummer! If you have a flare-up in the summer heat, the redness and pain can easily ruin your whole day. Most people reach for a bottle of aspirin or Tylenol, but did you know that there are many easy ways to soothe sunburns and skin inflammation? Fruits and vegetables contain a variety of nutrients that benefit your health.

4. Lycopene in tomatoes is known for its anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties.

In addition, tomatoes contain vitamins A and C, which help promote healthy skin and may help reduce redness and swelling associated with sunburns and skin inflammation.

5. Controls Sebum Production:

Tomato is rich in antio-xidants and lycopene. It prevents the formation of free radicals and rejuvenates the skin. It controls oil secretion and keeps the skin hydrated. The acidity in tomatoes controls acne and pimples by preventing excess oil secretion from sebaceous glands.

6. Reduces Dark Circles:

Tomatoes contain vitamin B which helps in repairing damaged skin cells and reducing wrinkles. It also contains vitamin A which helps in maintaining healthy skin and reduces dark circles around the eyes.

7. Moisturizes the Skin:

Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin A, an essential nutrient required for the proper functioning of the skin. It helps in making the skin appear fresh and vibrant. Tomatoes are a rich source of Vitamin C which is a vital nutrient required for the production of collagen. Collagen keeps your skin soft and supple.

8. Removes Dead Skin Cells:

Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and it may help improve the health and appearance of your skin. Some researchers claim that enzymes in tomatoes can offer exfoliation benefits when applied to the skin. So, in order to reap these benefits, you can create a tomato scrub combined with sugar. Rub the mixture on your body. Remember, store-bought sugar crystals are too jagged and can create small injuries on facial skin, hence it is important to be careful.

Tomato Benefits

Tomatoes are rich in nutrients like lycopene, which is a carotenoid that gives tomatoes their red colour. Lycopene is known to exhibit antio-xidant properties, helping to fight diseases like diabetes and certain cancers. It also has the ability to help prevent sun damage by absorbing UV rays, protecting your skin's elasticity, and reducing the signs of aging.

First, you should know that there are two types of lycopene: cis-lycopene and trans-lycopene. The difference between the two is that cis-lycopene is more effective at quenching free radicals than trans-lycopene.

Tomatoes or Lycopene have long been recognized for their antio-xidant properties, which makes them a superfood that is rich in Vitamin C and a lot of other vital nutrients.

Tomatoes are rich in antio-xidants which help in the reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also effective in reducing the appearance of dark spots and sunspots. Furthermore, lycopene present in tomatoes delays the ageing process of the skin due to its antio-xidant property.

How to use tomato on the face?

As there are no proven advantages to topically applying tomatoes to the skin, you may avail the benefits of consuming tomatoes.

There are various options that you can try with topical application.

The first option is a direct usage wherein you need to dab a cotton swab in 100% pure tomato juice, then rub it all over your skin and let it dry for some time. Then, rinse your skin with warm water.

The second option is the spot treatment wherein rather than applying tomato juice over the whole area of your body, you can simply utilise it as a spot treatment. Only apply the tomato juice to the areas of concern like hyperpigmented or dry areas of your skin.

The third option is applying a tomato mask mixed with tomato juice, oatmeal, or yoghurt. Apply the mask over your face and rinse it off with lukewarm water after 10-15 minutes.

How to apply tomato on the face?

You can cut a fresh tomato and apply it directly onto your face. Or you can make a home face pack of tomato and then apply it to your skin. There are many advantages of applying raw tomato on your face on a regular basis and when you apply it as a natural face pack, the benefits you can get are manifold.

1. Tomato and honey face pack:

Honey has a lot of positive effects on the skin. Mixing it with tomato can multiply the benefits.

All you need is 2 tbsp of tomato pulp and 1 tbsp of honey.
Mix the ingredients properly and apply them to the face evenly.
Leave it for 10-15 minutes and rinse it off properly.
Repeat this twice a week for soft and supple skin.

2. Tomato and papaya face pack:

Tomato and papaya is an excellent face pack for preventing symptoms of early skin ageing problems. It also helps to lighten your facial scars and reduce the occurrence of pimples.

To use,

Mix about two tablespoons of fresh tomato pulp with one to two tablespoons of fresh papaya.
Now make a thick paste of all these ingredients and apply it to your skin for about 15 minutes to completely dry.
Wash it off with regular water and repeat this at least twice a week.

Applying tomato on the face is good or bad?

Although tomato is acidic in nature as it is very mild, accurate, and safe to use on any type of skin. But you need to be very gentle while applying this tomato paste, don't try to rub vigorously, as doing so can harm your skin deeply and it requires a long time for healing.

How long does it take for a tomato to lighten skin?

You need to cut a fresh tomato in half and rub it evenly all over your skin, letting the juice of it saturate your skin pores. Leave it for about 10-15 minutes and wash it off with cold water. Doing so will shrink down your skin pores and diminishes their appearance significantly fast.

4 Side effects of tomato on the face

1. Tomatoes are naturally acidic in nature-

If you have any sensitivity towards natural acids, then the random application of tomatoes on your skin could lead to severe reactions. Applying any tomato juice directly on your skin can lead to many skin problems such as redness, itching, skin rashes, and other types of skin irritation. Before using tomato juice, you need to do a small patch test to check if it works fine with your skin.

2. Irritation due to Skin Rashes-

Tomatoes might go along with your tongue but would not necessarily be tempting for your skin. Many people do not find tomatoes suitable for their skin type due to their higher acidic content in them. It’s very harmful and can induce skin rashes or even irritation with the application of raw tomato on your skin. If your skin faces such irritation problems, avoid the usage of tomatoes or it can turn into minor wounds.

3. Stings, burns, and peels-

Another side effect of using tomatoes on your skin is peeling of your skin, stings, redness, or a burning sensation. Tomatoes don’t go well with reactive skin's people. It can result in further problems for people unaware of their skin concerns and other issues.

4. Itchiness of skin-

Applying tomatoes on your skin might also result in other side effects like itchiness in the skin in several people. It has several irritating properties due to the tomato's acidity along with the high exfoliating property of using tomato paste. Any skin type that is prone to recurring dryness must not use tomato paste in any manner.

Take Away

Tomatoes should be eaten in moderation since they are high in vitamin A, which can cause toxicity in large amounts. Also, remember that even though tomatoes and tomato juice have plenty of beauty benefits, they are slightly acidic in nature. So, if you are sensitive to these natural acids or if you are allergic to tomatoes, applying the fruit or juice to your skin could cause rashes, itching, redness, and other irritation.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can we apply tomatoes on our faces daily?

Yes. Rubbing tomato paste on your face every day helps to tighten your skin pores. Tomato also acts as a natural and effective astringent that helps to keep oil and dirt away from your skin.

2. Does tomato make your skin glow?

The tomato extracts used in the face wash to remove the dirt particles that piled up in your clogged pores and free your skin from the occurrence of blackheads, dark spots, and open pores, giving you naturally clean and glowing skin.

3. Can tomatoes remove dark spots?

Tomatoes are found to be rich in lycopene. Hence, daily use of tomatoes can help you in removing stubborn dark spots from your skin permanently, and make your skin look lighter, finer, and evenly toned skin.

References

Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial