Have you been enjoying watermelon as much as I have this summer? If you need a little inspiration, this post gives you every reason to eat more watermelon (lycopene, potassium and more!). The benefits of watermelon don’t stop there. Cold-pressed watermelon seed oil is one of the best ingredients you can add to your summer routine, and it’s prominently featured in some of my favorite skincare products. The watermelon seed oil used in cosmetics doesn’t actually come from the common summer fruit we all know and love. It comes from its biological ancestor—the wild watermelons found in the Kalahari Desert of Africa—and it’s sometimes referred to as Ootanga or Kalahari oil. Locally, the melons are known as tsamma and the seeds are generally grown and harvested by women who are indigenous to the Kalahari Desert and its harsh climate. The seeds provide a source of income to the region.
Watermelon seed oil is one of the most skin-friendly and active botanical oils around. It’s a great choice for oily and congested skin but can benefit all skin types, including dry, acne-prone or maturing skin. Light and easily absorbed, watermelon seed oil is rich in oleic and linoleic acids, so it helps balance oil production while restoring elasticity to skin. The high content of essential fatty acids, and linoleic acid in particular, helps dissolve oil buildup in the pores. Watermelon seed oil actually helps detox your skin and eliminate the sebum, grease and other junk that builds up over time and leads to problems like acne. Watermelon seed oil allows skin to breathe, too, which also aids the skin’s natural detoxification process. The melons also have high antioxidant activity, which helps them survive in the harsh desert climate where they grow. These antioxidants will help protect your skin, too! You can keep your complexion clear, radiant and protected all summer long with watermelon seed oil.
Want to add watermelon seed oil to your routine? Start with one of these products…
I have been eating ALL the watermelon. Had no idea that it produced an oil