It is 96% water — which is why cucumber slices have been the best-known symbol of freshness in skin care for centuries.

What is cucumber?

The cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is the fruit of a climbing plant of the gourd family, related to the melon and the watermelon. Cucumber fruit extract (Cucumis Sativus Fruit Extract) contains, besides water, vitamin C, caffeic acid, flavonoids, silica, potassium and amino acids.

What are the benefits of cucumber?

Cucumber is synonymous with freshness. Applied topically it:

• Gives a cool, fresh feel
• Soothes and calms the skin
• Offers vitamin C and caffeic acid with antioxidant activity
• Suits every skin type, even sensitive skin
• Helps tired skin look more rested

“Cool as a cucumber”

The English phrase is not just a figure of speech: the inside of a cucumber can be several degrees cooler than the air around it. Roman emperors wanted it on their table all year round, and Tiberius, according to Pliny, grew it in movable beds wheeled out into the sun — among the first “greenhouses” in history.

Where does it come from?

The cucumber originates in the foothills of the Himalayas in northern India and has been cultivated for at least three thousand years. Today China produces about three quarters of the world’s crop, while in Greece it is grown mainly in greenhouses in Crete and the Peloponnese.