Cherries are always in season when it comes to skin care. Following in the footsteps of watermelon, pomegranate and pineapple, cherries are the fruity ingredient du jour. So what can cherries do for your complexion?
How Cherries Help Your Skin
Founder of Savor Beauty Angela Kim explains that cherries are packed with numerous free radical-fighting antioxidants. The antioxidants work to strengthen connective tissue by destroying harmful enzymes, which can help with acne and rosacea. They also brighten skin, according to Dr. Morgan Rabach, board-certified dermatologist and co-founder of LM Medical. Plus, cherries have vitamins A, B, C and E, which all help to keep skin healthy. Beauty inventor and CEO of Colour Collective Kerry E. Yates adds that cherries contain natural humectants, like everyone’s favorite hyaluronic acid.
Cherries (including the pits!) can be used in a few different ways in skin care products. And different types of the fruit are favored, from the bitter variety to acerola cherries. It’s important to look for active amounts of the antioxidants (mostly vitamin C), which come from whole cherries. Rabach says to check the label to see how the antioxidants are harvested and their concentration to determine how effective the cherries will be.
In case you were wondering, eating cherries won’t supply the same skin care benefits as applying them topically. As Rabach explains, the absorption of vitamin C in your gut is limited so it doesn’t really affect your complexion.
The Pros and One Con
Rabach points out that cherry skin care products are great for those looking for anti-aging and brightening options. Yates adds that people dealing with hyperpigmentation can also benefit from cherry skin care formulas. But anyone with sensitive skin should be cautious because vitamin C can make your skin even more finicky. Kim suggests doing a patch test to make sure you’re not allergic to the cherries or anything else in your product of choice.
With these tips in mind, keep reading to see the best products that’ll be the cherry on top of your skin care routine.
Why Cherry Skin Care Is Having a Moment
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Why Cherry Skin Care Is Having a Moment #1
Farmacy Very Cherry Bright 15% Clean Vitamin C Serum With Acerola Cherry, $62 at Sephora
This vegan and gluten-free serum is packed with four different types of vitamin C for a lit-from-within complexion. And the potent formula won't irritate your skin.
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Why Cherry Skin Care Is Having a Moment #2
Elemis Superfood AHA Glow Booster, $32 at DermStore
Concentrated like a serum but offering nourishment like an oil, this booster really brightens complexions. Cherry teams up with pumpkin, fermented rice water and green tea seed oil to get the job done. The formula absorbs instantly and hydrates and tones your skin with glowing results.
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Why Cherry Skin Care Is Having a Moment #3
Eminence Organic Skin Care Sour Cherry Masque, $49.99 at Amazon
A clean mask that helps tackle a whole host of skin care concerns. Vitamin C-loaded sour cherry extract tones, minimizes the appearance of pores and evens out discoloration, while honey nourishes. The mask has an Instagram-friendly cherry hue, but it won't stain your skin.
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Why Cherry Skin Care Is Having a Moment #4
Naturopathica Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel, $62 at Naturopathica
This exfoliating peel could almost pass for a cherry sauce thanks to its sweet cherry puree. But it's strictly for buffing away flakes and brightening. In addition to cherries, it has salicylic acid and lactic acid to target pores and fine lines, respectively. There's even an anti-inflammatory wine extract to purify.
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Why Cherry Skin Care Is Having a Moment #5
Savor Beauty Cherry Collagen Peel Active Enzyme Exfoliating Treatment, $80 at Savor Beauty
Cherry juice is combined with other fantastic fruits (like papaya and pineapple) to leave all skin types glowing. The all-natural formula also contains pea protein with 22 amino acids to build collagen for a youthful complexion. Pro tip: Try the peel in the shower for a cooling sensation.
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Why Cherry Skin Care Is Having a Moment #6
Ilike Organic Skin Care Sour Cherry Toner, $64.50 at Ilike Organic Skin Care
Ilike handpicks its fruits (and vegetables) in Hungary so you know you're getting the best cherries with this toner. Sour cherries are combined with blackthorn berries and salicylic acid to balance your skin's pH level and increase elasticity. It can also be used like a mist and applied throughout the day to boost hydration.
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Why Cherry Skin Care Is Having a Moment #7
Paula's Choice Defense Nightly Reconditioning Moisturizer, $31 at Paula's Choice
There are eight superfoods — including wild cherries — in this nighttime moisturizer that help neutralize environmental damage, like blue light exposure from our phones. Unlike a lot of night creams, this one has a very light texture.
