The Amazing Benefits Of Lychee Fruit For Your Skin

If you live in a tropical country like India, you must be familiar with the sight of ripe, red lychees during the hot summer months. Did you know that these juicy fruits are great for your skin?

Scientifically known as Litchi chinensis, this evergreen tree of the Sapindaceae family was originally a native of China and its neighboring countries. But this exotic fruit is now relished all over the world.

Read this article to know the amazing skin benefits of the lychee fruit.

Highlights:

• Why Is Lychee Good For Skin?
• How Does Lychee Benefit Your Skin?
• How To Use Lychee For Skin Care?

Why Is Lychee Good For Skin?

Also known as Chinese cherry, the different varieties of lychees grown today have several important phytonutrients and vitamins. [1],[2] The fruit is rich in antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory substances that protect your skin from damage in more ways than one.[3]

Lychees are a rich source of Vitamin C, a skin-friendly nutrient.[4] Vitamin C gives you a smooth texture and even skin tone. It can effectively slow down the aging process of the skin and also protect it from the harmful effects of the sun.[5],[6]

Lychee fruit extract is a storehouse of multiple polyphenols such as oligonol, flavonols, catechins and procyanidins.[7] These polyphenols are potent antioxidants that scavenge the free radicals which can cause serious damage to your skin and can even lead to malignancies.[8]

A study published in the Natural Medicine Journal has shown that oligonol present in lychee is not only a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, it also improves blood circulation in the skin. This ensures that your skin remains healthy and heals wounds faster.

How Does Lychee Benefit Your Skin?

Here we list a few skin benefits of lychee.

1. Protects Skin From Sun Rays

Sunlight exposes your skin to UV radiations which can lead to darkening of your skin, premature aging and even skin cancer in the long run. Antioxidant-rich lychee extract can protect your skin from the detrimental effects of UV radiation from the sun.[10]

Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can lead to sunburns, which result in redness, irritation and even pain in severe cases. Lychee juices and lychee vinegar can be used to treat sunburned skin.[11] These lychee products help in reducing redness and soothing irritated skin.

2. Gives An Even-Toned Skin

The phytochemicals present in lychee extract can significantly reduce hyperpigmentation, which often manifests as dark spots or patches on your skin.[12] The polyphenols present in the lychee fruit extract inhibits the excess synthesis of melanin, the pigment naturally present in your skin, which causes skin darkening.[13]

The vitamin C present in lychee also helps to clear your skin of age- spots and other blemishes. Regular use of products containing lychee extract can thus give you a clear and even-toned complexion.

3. Slows Down Aging Of Skin

Lychee can help to slow down the signs of skin aging in several ways. Lychee seed extract inhibits enzymes like collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase.[14] Excess activity of these enzymes adversely affects your skin, leading to fine lines, wrinkles and loss of firmness of your skin.

Oligonol present in lychee fights the external agents of skin damage such as the UV rays or pollutants.[15] It also boosts circulation and promotes the synthesis of new skin cells, thus helping you get a healthy, youthful appearance.

4. Reduces Inflammation

Lychee extract has a high content of polyphenols which aid in reducing inflammation.[16] It also reduces irritation and itchiness often associated with inflammation.

Inflammation of the skin can be associated with rashes, inflammatory skin diseases or even common acne.[17] Inflammation is a part of your body’s defense mechanism but excessive inflammation can cause considerable discomfort.[18]

How To Use Lychee For Skin Care?

1. To Treat Sunburns

1. Use the white pulp of 3 to 4 ripe lychees to extract the juice.

2. Add the contents of one vitamin E capsule to this juice and mix well.

3. Apply on the affected areas with a cotton ball.

4. Let it sit for half an hour, then rinse off with cold water.

5. Keep on using this once every day till the sunburns are healed completely.

2. For Even-Toned Healthy Skin

1. Extract the juice from the pulp of 4 to 5 lychees and add a few drops of lavender oil to this mixture.

2. Use cotton balls to apply this mixture all over your face, neck or any other area affected with hyperpigmentation.

3. Leave it on for around 20 minutes.

4. Finally use a clean cotton towel dipped in cold water to wipe off your face.

3. For Anti-Aging Benefits

1. In a blender add the pulp of 4 to 5 lychees along with a quarter of a ripe banana. Mix well until a smooth paste is formed.

2. Apply this paste on your face and neck with gentle, circular motions.

3. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Finally, rinse off with cold water.

4. To Get Rid Of Acne

1. You can either use fresh juice of lychee or make a pack with lychee pulp and some yogurt.

2. Apply this over the acne-prone region and allow it to dry a little.

3. Wash off with water.

SkinKraft Tip:

The unripe fruit of lychee has high levels of toxins which can lead to a sudden fall in blood sugar levels, especially in children. The effects of this toxin can be fatal if consumed on an empty stomach.

Wrapping Up

Lychee is a seasonal exotic fruit with a lot of healthy nutrients. Not only do lychees have numerous health benefits, but they can also do wonders for all skin types too. We often spend a lot of money or end up using not so gentle chemicals to treat our skin issues. But lychees are a gentle and healthy option that you should definitely try for flawless skin.

Begin By Knowing Your Skin