How to Use Tomato on Face for Glowing Skin: 5 Benefits + 5 DIY Recipes

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There are some natural ingredients that are commonly used in skincare products – honey, olive oil, and aloe are just a few on that long list. However, there are also several ingredients out there that aren’t as widely utilized, simply because people aren’t aware of their skin-loving properties, and tomatoes are one of them. Whether you’re looking to lighten and brighten dark spots on your skin or smooth away those pesky wrinkles, tomatoes could be just what you need to finally achieve those #skingoals.

What Does Tomato Juice Do for the Complexion? The Skin Care Uses, Benefits & Side Effects of Using Tomatoes on Your Skin

Tomatoes are brimming with a wide range of nutrients, and these are what give them their skin-boosting benefits. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what tomatoes could do for your skin:

Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Acne Effects

Female undegoing skin treatment

From lycopene to beta-carotene to vitamin E, tomatoes contain a number of anti-inflammatory bioactive compounds [1]. When applied to the skin, these compounds are able to reduce inflammation and irritation. This helps to soothe and treat inflammatory skin conditions, including acne, eczema, and psoriasis.

Skin Lightening Properties

When it comes to treating hyperpigmentation, the B vitamins are a must. Several of them help to reduce excess melanin synthesis, which lightens and fades dark spots and marks [2]. And yes, you guessed it – tomatoes are packed with B vitamins. In fact, they contain five of them, making this a great ingredient for tackling skin discoloration. For even better results, use them in conjunction with a high-quality skin lightening cream.

Exfoliation Benefits

Fruit enzymes are commonly used for exfoliation, with pumpkin and papaya usually being the top choices. However, tomatoes contain exfoliating enzymes too. Studies have proven that tomatoes are capable of removing the dead skin cells that sit on the surface of the skin [3], resulting in a brighter and clearer appearance.

Anti-Aging Properties

We’ve talked about vitamins B and E, but tomatoes are also a great source of vitamins A and C, both of which are known for being powerful anti-agers, especially when used together. Add that to the abundance of antioxidants in tomatoes, which repair and prevent cellular damage, and you’ve got yourself an ingredient capable of smoothing out those wrinkles and tightening your skin.

Moisturizes Dry Skin

Research has found that people who suffer from dry skin and atopic dermatitis are often deficient in potassium [4]. So, it only makes sense that boosting potassium levels back up will help to reverse the dryness. Sure, you could do this by eating more tomatoes (which, by the way, are jam-packed with potassium), but your skin would directly benefit from the moisturizing effects of the ingredient even more if you used it topically too.

How to Use Tomato on Face for Glowing Skin: 5 Ways to Treat Acne, Dark Spots, Wrinkles, and Dry Skin With Tomato

So, how exactly should you be using tomatoes topically?

It doesn’t need to be complicated – you could literally slice open a tomato, rub it on your face, and enjoy its many benefits. However, for even better results, try one of the following methods:

A guy with tomato paste on his face for skincare

Turmeric & Tomato Facial Mask for Skin Lightening & Anti-Aging

A number of studies have found turmeric to be capable of lightening hyperpigmentation. Just like tomatoes, this spice is also packed with anti-aging antioxidants, making this face mask a useful addition to your weekly routine.

In a small bowl, mix together the juice from one tomato with enough turmeric powder to form a paste. Apply this to your face and wait until it dries before rinsing it off.

A Pimple Fighting Tomato and Honey Pack

Fresh tomato juice can be used as a spot treatment directly on pimples, but this face pack combines the fruit with honey, another ingredient proven to treat dark spots [5].

Simply mix together two tablespoons each of raw honey and tomato juice to form a paste. Apply this to your face and then enjoy some me-time for 20 minutes before rinsing your mask off.

Tomato Juice & Cucumber Juice/ Extract as an Overnight Treatment For Irritation & Inflammation

Need a way to soothe irritated skin? Tomatoes are great, but so are cucumbers, an ingredient known for the therapeutic effects it has on the skin [6].

To use these salad staples on your face, mix together equal amounts of juice from fresh tomato and fresh cucumber. Apply the mixture to your face after cleansing, and then follow up with a moisturizer.

Rub on This Tomato and Sugar Scrub for Dramatic Before and After Brightening Results

As mentioned, tomato enzymes are great for chemically exfoliating the skin. However, they’re pretty mild, so mixing them with sugar helps to amp things up.

Soak a couple of tablespoons of fine brown sugar granules in some tomato juice and pulp for about 15 minutes. Then, apply the sugar to your skin, gently massaging it in before rinsing off. This exfoliant can be used on both the face and the body.

How to Lighten Skin with Lemon Juice and Tomato Juice

If you’ve been battling with discoloration for a while, then you’re probably familiar with the lightening effects of lemon juice. When combined with the vitamins in tomato juice, the two help to fade dark spots even faster.

Extract the pulp from one tomato and add 2-3 drops of fresh lemon juice to it. Apply this to your face like a mask, rinsing it off after 15 minutes.

Woman with glowing skin and little makeup

FAQ:

Q: Are tomatoes good for your skin?

Yes, tomatoes are great for your skin because of the many nutrients that they contain.

Q: Do tomatoes make your skin glow?

Yes, thanks to their antioxidants and brightening compounds, tomatoes can give the skin a beautiful glow.

Q: Does tomato lighten skin?

Yes, tomatoes contain compounds that can lighten the skin.

Q: Does rubbing tomato on face everyday help with skin whitening?

While it hasn’t been scientifically proven, anecdotal evidence shows that rubbing fresh tomato juice on your face daily can help with skin whitening.

Q: Can we apply tomato on face daily?

Yes, it’s safe to use tomatoes on your skin each day.

Q: How long does it take for tomato to lighten skin?

It will take at least a month before you start to notice lighter skin after using tomatoes. You can speed this up by combining tomatoes with other skin lightening products and ingredients.

Q: Will drinking tomato soup give me better skin?

Yes, adding more tomatoes to your diet in any form will help to improve your skin.

Q: Is tomato best for skin whitening? How to apply it?

Tomato is great for skin whitening. The best way to apply it is as a face mask, whether you use it on its own or combine it with other ingredients.

Summary

The world of natural ingredients and DIY skincare can seem like a minefield – many ingredients are deemed to be unsafe when used incorrectly, while others are completely ineffective. Fortunately, neither are true when it comes to the humble tomato – from anti-aging to skin lightening to moisturizing, not only is this powerhouse ingredient so versatile when it comes to its skin benefits, but it’s such an easy one to use too.

References

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3972926/
[2] https://www.tricitymed.org/2018/08/b-vitamins-secret-good-skin-health/
[3] https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Skin-Care-with-Herbal-Exfoliants-Packianathan-Kandasamy/ac9f1f8a23b3b64f83173bafce942d307afba3ea?p2df
[4] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22464763/
[5] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6049736/
[6] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23098877/


Avatar for Megan Foley

Megan has been a freelance writer and editor since 2016. In that time, she’s penned a diverse collection of articles for online publication, with a focus on skincare and beauty. From in-depth product reviews to concise marketing content, Megan is passionate about developing content that informs, entertains, and inspires.