As its name suggests, the watermelon is made of 96% water, but the benefits don’t just stop at intense hydration. Filled with citrulline, lycopene and antioxidants, the humble watermelon improves blood circulation, works as a natural exfoliator, is packed with anti-inflammatory properties and protects your skin from free radicals. As a skincare ingredient, it is suitable for all skin types, but is particularly helpful for those who are prone to breakouts, redness or dry and rough skin.
Some Koreans swear by placing actual watermelon slices on their skin, or blending the white portion of the rind into a mask, but for those of you who’d prefer to reap its benefits without going all DIY, check out these 10 products that are basically, the elixir of youth.
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This mask was so popular when it first launched that there was a 5,000 person wait list – and with good reason. This super light, pillow-friendly, breathable mask is packed with amino-rich watermelon extract, hydrating Hyaluronic acid and pore refining AHAs that gently exfoliates, clarifies and moisturizes your skin while you sleep, so that you wake up to radiant and baby-soft skin. Alternatively, you can apply the mask for just 10 minutes for a quick boost of hydration, making it an absolute must for all you jetsetters!
Buy it here.
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Using maple tree sap harvested only in Spring (hence “May”) for maximum potency as the base for its entire product line, May Coop is known for its deeply hydrating products that boast high absorbability due to the smaller size of the maple tree sap molecules. The Raw Moisturizer’s unique formula boasts 70% of this star ingredient, along with soothing watermelon extract, and cactus, baobab and aloe – 3 plants known for thriving in dry and barren environments. The moisturizer helps your skin to realize its optimal oil and water balance, and is so light that you barely within minutes after application. It is suitable for all skin types due to its light texture, but is particularly beneficial for those with drier, parched skin.
Buy it here.
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If you’re a newbie to the Korean beauty scene, then get onboard with this intensely moisturizing gel cream. It’s super-light gel texture makes it perfect for our humid climes, while helping to refresh, hydrate and calm your skin. It contains ingredients like witch hazel and watermelon which help to tighten pores and control excess oil; glycerin, collagen and Hyaluronic acid to really lock in all that moisture (without leaving a greasy feel) and finally, mineral-rich glacier water for a dewy complexion. It is ideal for all skin types, but especially for oily and acne-prone skin.
Buy it here.
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Revive and refresh tired skin all over your body with this handy sheet mask. Designed to allow piece-by-piece application, you’re not limited to using it just on your face, so go ahead and treat your arms, legs and neck to intense hydration. Specially formulated for dry and dehydrated skin, the watermelon extract delivers instant hydration to the deepest layers of skin. PS: we highly recommend using this mask before any important events for a quick boost.
Buy it here.
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Made with the famed Yangpyeong watermelons, this gel is an all-round superstar that you should stock up on! The soothing gel helps tired and overheated skin feel refreshed, smooth and moisturized immediately upon application, making it perfect for those summer vacations when you’ve gotten a little too much sun. You can even use it on your hair to prevent it from drying out too much before entering chlorinated or sea water.
Buy it here.
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Make up removing wipes are possibly the best skincare invention – especially when you’re traveling and don’t want to lug around a bottle of makeup remover. This one by Skinfood features hydrating watermelon extract to ensure your skin doesn’t dry out while effectively removing makeup and dissolving pore clogging oils. It’s even gentle enough for your delicate eye area, but follow with cleanser to ensure you’ve really gotten everything out.
Buy it here.
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Packed with lycopene and vitamins, this gel mask is made to imitate real, soothing watermelon flesh and is an absolute must have if you live in Southeast Asia. It boasts a 95% watermelon extract content that helps to calm irritated or heated skin, and is made with the mineral-rich, deep sea Jeju waters for that perfect, dewy finish. It’s so versatile that you can use it as a face mask, daily moisturizer or to spot treat inflamed skin Tip: we love it as an aftershave body care.
Buy it here.
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This award winning product is one of the best-selling sunscreens in Korea, offering broad-spectrum SPF45 PA+++ coverage against UVA and UVB rays. The water-based formula boasts a host of nourishing ingredients such as natural aloe vera to soothe and keep your skin moisturized, as well as the all-powerful watermelon. The antioxidant lycopene found in watermelon enhances the skin’s ability to protect itself from harmful UV rays, and also helps to reduce redness caused by sun damage. Now that’s what we call a sunblock!
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It’s minimalist, Instagrammable packaging aside, we are loving this mask (sold in a pack of 5) for its deeply nourishing properties! Think of it an instant refresher for your skin, packed with Hyaluronic acid to replenish moisture, and watermelon and aloe extracts to calm, hydrate and refresh for a radiant glow. It supposedly helps to improve uneven skin tone and texture after several applications, and can be used to prep your skin pre-makeup.
Buy it here.
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This gentle toner from cruelty-free Korean brand Pusche is made for all skin types, even the most sensitive of skins thanks to the mild, natural ingredients that make it safe even for children and pregnant women. Its alcohol-free formula comprises of 99.1% natural ingredients, 99.5% of which are active to ensure your skin is getting as much benefits possible. Containing various root, watermelon, mushroom and linseed extracts, achieve deeply moisturized and soothed skin immediately upon application. Did we mention that this toner is also certified for wrinkle improvement?
ALSO READ: 4 ROSE-BASED MOISTURISERS TO HELP YOU GET YOUNGER-LOOKING SKIN