The Skincare Ingredient You Should Try If You Need More Vitamin C
Every day, more people are turning to natural and herbal remedies to treat skin conditions and it's not hard to see why. With so many widely manufactured skincare products coming under fire for exaggerated claims, combined with a list of synthetic chemicals we now have to steer clear of, it can be comforting to find beauty solutions derived from mother nature's green earth. We have sourced out incredible uses for herbs such as rosemary, fenugreek, and fruit like papaya and avocado. Now, skincare enthusiasts are adding yuzu to the list.
Yuzu is a tiny, yellow, citrus fruit commonly found in parts of Asia. Its taste is described as being tangier than both lemon and lime. Although the fruit is relatively small, it is said to pack enormous benefits that will set your skin health on the right track, especially if your vitamin C levels are lacking.
Yuzu is a nutrient powerhouse
According to Healthline, yuzu is nutrient-dense, which means consuming just a little bit on a regular basis can provide you with many of your daily required essential vitamins and minerals. A single serving contains over a dozen vitamins and minerals including zinc, copper, vitamin A, vitamins B5 and B6, and vitamin C, just to name a few. With just 3.5 ounces of yuzu, you can knock off 59% of your daily vitamin C requirement. For reference, 3.5 ounces of orange juice which will only take care of about 50% of your daily vitamin C requirement.
The naturally occurring vitamin C in yuzu fruit makes it an excellent skincare ingredient, too. Usually harnessed into an essential oil, face creams, and serum, products derived from yuzu could contain antioxidant properties that help to brighten the skin and minimize discoloration. Yuzu in essential oil form is also believed to provide stress relief through aromatherapy, with some alternative medicine advocates claiming it can prevent diseases, gout, and improve brain function.
Board-certified dermatologist Shirley Chi affirmed yuzu's antioxidant properties via Well And Good. They pointed out that the ingredient is more than twice the amount of vitamin C as a lemon, which means it is potent for treating conditions like wrinkles.
Yuzu isn't widely available in the U.S., but you still may be able to get it
You've probably been sold on yuzu the minute we mentioned its anti-aging effects but have been wondering how to get your hands on it. Well, the unfortunate truth is that the importation of the yuzu fruit and its seed has been banned in the United States. Still, that doesn't mean you're totally out of luck. According to the New York Times, you might not be able to bring in fresh yuzu fruit from abroad, but some specialty farms and grocers may offer home-grown yuzu for purchase if you want to want to incorporate it into your diet. For your skincare routine, there are plenty of yuzu-infused products to choose from for sale.
Saturday Skin has a Yuzu Overnight Mask which improves your skin barrier function and also combats aging and cell damage. It also contains Niacinamide and retinol. You can also splurge on Savor Beauty's award-winning Yuzu Lemonade Peel which works in just 30 seconds and also contains salicylic acid.