Pineapple For Skin And Body-Ten Wonderful Ways To Use It

Introduction

Before jumping to the real deal, a question for you!

Do you only eat pineapple as a dessert or drink its juice for refreshment?

Many people also use this tropical fruit in homemade beauty treatments.

Pineapple is rich in vitamin C and contains bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins, plus natural fruit acids. These give pineapple a mild exfoliating effect on skin.

Set realistic expectations. Home masks can leave skin feeling smoother and fresher, but they won't cure acne, melasma or wrinkles. The same enzyme and acids can also irritate skin, so always patch-test first.

Here are ten ways to use pineapple for body care, combined with familiar ingredients such as coconut oil, honey, papaya, eggs and mint.

Protect healthy hair with pineapple juice

Ingredients

• Curd (plain yogurt).
• Pineapple juice.

Procedure

Mix pineapple juice with curd and apply it to your scalp and hair. Massage your scalp for 5 minutes, leave it on for about 15 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

**|**Pineapple contains very little protein, so it won't strengthen hair. The yogurt can make hair feel softer and smoother. Rinse well, and skip this mask if your scalp is irritated.

Cure dry lips with pineapple and coconut oil

Ingredients

• Pineapple juice.
• Coconut oil.

Procedure

Mix 1 teaspoon of pineapple juice with a spoon of coconut oil and apply it to your lips. Leave it on for 10 minutes and rinse with warm water.

**|**Coconut oil helps lock in moisture. Pineapple juice can sting cracked or chapped lips, so leave it out if your lips are sore and use plain coconut oil instead.

Brighten skin with pineapple, coconut water, and fresh milk

Ingredients

• One cup of pineapple juice.
• 1 cup of milk.
• One cup of coconut water.

Procedure

Mix the pineapple juice, milk and coconut water. Use a cotton ball to apply a thin layer to your face.

Let it dry, apply up to two more layers, and leave for no more than 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.

**|**Pineapple's enzyme and acids gently remove dead skin cells, which can make skin look brighter for a while. This mixture won't change your natural skin tone.

Improve melasma and freckles with pineapple juice mask

Ingredients

• One well-chopped pineapple.

Procedure

Spread the pineapple pulp on a paper sheet mask so it stays in place, and lay it on your face. Start with 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

If you have acne, broken skin or sensitive skin, skip this mask.

Use it no more than once or twice a week.

**|**Gentle exfoliation may make uneven skin tone look a little brighter. Melasma is hard to treat, though, and often needs prescription creams. Daily sunscreen is the most important step for both melasma and freckles.

Prevent ageing with pineapple and papaya

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice.
• 1/2 cup crushed papaya.
• One teaspoon of fresh lemon juice (optional).

Procedure

Mix the ingredients and apply to your face and neck for 10 to 15 minutes. Then rinse with warm water.

Lemon juice is acidic and can irritate skin, so leave it out if you have sensitive skin. Rinse it off fully and avoid strong sun right after.

**|**Pineapple and papaya both contain enzymes that exfoliate. This can make skin feel smoother, but no fruit mask removes wrinkles. Sunscreen and not smoking do far more to slow skin aging.

Healthy nail care with pineapple, eggs, and almonds

Ingredients

• Some pineapple juice.
• One egg yolk.
• Two tablespoons of almond oil.

Procedure

Mix these ingredients well. Massage the mixture into your fingertips and toes for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water.

Pay attention to any changes in your nails. New discoloration, thickening or ridges can be signs of a fungal infection or other health issue, so see a doctor rather than treating them at home.

**|**Almond oil and egg yolk can moisturize dry nails and cuticles. A soak won't strengthen nails from the inside or fix yellowing caused by infection.

Moisturise skin with pineapple, coconut oil, and copra

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sliced pineapple.
• Four tablespoons of coconut oil.
• 1/2 tablespoon of grated coconut.

Procedure

Mash the three ingredients together, apply to your face, and rinse with warm water after a few minutes. This works best for dry skin.

**|**Coconut oil moisturizes dry skin, and grated coconut acts as a gentle scrub. Coconut oil can clog pores, so skip this mask if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

Shrink pores with pineapple and honey

Ingredients

• One pineapple, juiced.
• One tablespoon of honey.

Procedure

Mix 1 tablespoon of pineapple juice with 1 tablespoon of honey.

You can drink the rest of the juice or add it to a smoothie.

Gently apply the mixture in circular motions and leave it on for about 5 minutes.

Then rinse with warm water.

**|**Pineapple exfoliates and honey helps skin hold moisture, leaving it feeling soft and fresh. Masks can make pores look smaller for a short time, but pore size is mostly set by genetics.

Soften skin with pineapple, honey, and rose water

Ingredients

• One tablespoon of pineapple.
• Two tablespoons of pure honey.
• One tablespoon of rose water.

Procedure

Mix the pineapple, honey and rose water, then gently apply to rough, dry areas such as elbows, knees and heels. After 10 to 15 minutes, wipe off with a warm towel.

**|**Your skin may feel softer and smoother after a few uses. Honey helps hold in moisture, and the pineapple gently exfoliates. Don't expect the mix to fade scars or stretch marks.

Heel care with pineapple and mint

Ingredients

• One cup of pineapple juice.
• One pinch of mint.

Procedure

Mix pineapple juice or pulp with mint, apply to your feet and gently massage your heels for 10 minutes.

**|**Pineapple's enzyme can help soften rough skin and calluses, and the massage and mint scent feel relaxing. Applying pineapple won't increase collagen in your skin. For thick calluses, follow up with a pumice stone and a rich foot cream.

Things to keep in mind while taking pineapple

To get good results and avoid side effects, keep these points in mind when using pineapple on your skin:

• Choose fresh, undamaged pineapples: Overripe or moldy fruit can carry germs that irritate your skin.
• Store cut pineapple properly: Keep it in a sealed container in the refrigerator and use it within about 3 days. Vitamin C breaks down with air exposure.
• Be careful with sensitive skin: Bromelain and fruit acids can cause redness, itching or a burning feeling. Patch-test a small amount on your inner arm first, and stop if you notice redness, rash, itching or burning. Avoid broken skin and the eye area.
• Know your allergies: If you are allergic to pineapple, don't use it on your skin.

Conclusion

Pineapple is an inexpensive ingredient for simple home skin care. Used gently and occasionally, it can leave skin feeling smoother.

For lasting results, rely on daily sunscreen, a gentle cleanser and moisturizer, and see a dermatologist for problems like acne or melasma.

Sources

• Bromelain: Usefulness and Safety, NCCIH
• Vitamin C, MedlinePlus