This Is Why Watermelon Is the Trendiest Skincare Ingredient RN (2024)

Okay, just because something is part of the natural skincare world, it doesn't automatically make it good or better than the rest. Buuut when we talk about watermelon skincare? It actually is kinda the best. Yes, I'm currently eating a watermelon-flavored Jolly Rancher, but no, that statement before was not biased. There are tons of studies about the benefits of watermelon fruit extract or watermelon seed oil (which sometimes appears as citrullus lanatus seed oil on your product's ingredients label). That's why the summertime favorite food has been popping up in all your skincare lately—because it really, truly has some excellent skincare benefits. To understand why it's one ingredient you'll want to seek out, keep reading.

Meet the experts:

• Macrene Alexiades, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of the clean beauty brand Macrene Actives.
• Lindsey Zubritsky is a board-certified dermatologist at Premier Dermatology in Ocean Springs, MS.
• Krupa Koestline is a clean cosmetic chemist and the founder of KKT Consultants.

Is watermelon good for your face?

Surprisingly, this trendy ingredient is not a gimmick. Watermelon is actually amazing for soothing and protecting your skin. According to board-certified dermatologist Macrene Alexiades, MD, watermelon contains unique DNA repair ingredients and is rich in vitamin C, amino acids, and lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that's great for sun-damaged skin. Cosmetic chemist Krupa Koestline also explains that because of its properties, lightweight feel, and quick absorption, watermelon seed oil is also pretty effective at moisturizing and refreshing the skin.

Does watermelon help acne?

In this case, don't fear the word "oil." Board-certified dermatologist Lindsey Zubritsky, MD, says watermelon fruit seed oil is actually ideal for acne-prone skin because it can help balance out inflamed skin, not to mention it's excellent at dissolving oil and sebum. It's also rich in linoleic acid (an omega-6 fatty acid that's deficient in the skin of those with acne), which, Dr. Zubritsky explains, improves lipid barrier function to strengthen the skin barrier, boost hydration and plumpness, and prevent dryness.

How to choose the best watermelon skincare:

Pick your combo of ingredients

Watermelon can be used alone or in combination with other skincare ingredients, so take inventory of your skin, decide what it needs, and look for a product that can target all your skin concerns. FYI, Koestline says there haven’t been many studies showing whether or not watermelon boosts the effectiveness of other active ingredients in skincare products, but because it's so hydrating, Dr. Zubritsky prefers to pair it with other ingredients that tend to irritate or dry out the skin, like chemical exfoliants.

Select your formula type

Based on its hydrating and refreshing properties, Koestline recommends trying watermelon skincare in the form of soothing mists, serums, and lightweight moisturizers. Dr. Zubritsky also recommends using it as an overnight mask or even as part of your cleansing routine, so you've got tons of ways to incorporate the ingredient into your skin regimen, however fits best.

Use a pre-formulated product

Preservatives are extremely important, but they're usually missing in DIY skincare. For that reason, Koestline recommends sticking with pre-formulated products to ensure product stability (meaning it won't go rancid). And speaking of sticking, Koestline also points out the inevitable stickiness from the natural sugars in watermelon if you go the DIY route. Dr. Zubritsky agrees and says a pre-formulated product “is the safest, most effective, and most-studied way to use skincare.”

Since you're gonna skip that DIY mask and go for the store-bought version (it's easier that way, too), make it one of the below seven best-selling watermelon skincare products while you're at it.

Koestline says watermelon is great for combining with hydrating, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant ingredients, and these dewy drops make it easy because it's already done for you. Anti-inflammatory niacinamide and hydrating hyaluronic acid are paired with watermelon in this highlighter formula for a super-glowy finish.

Watermelon is just one of the 55 actives in this skin tone-evening face serum from Dr. Alexiades's line. In addition to the watermelon extract to restore DNA, this rejuvenating formula is infused with microencapsulated hyaluronic acid to plump and hydrate, peptides to boost elasticity, amino acids to brighten, and pomegranate and green tea to provide antioxidant protection.

Hydrating watermelon goes great with irritating, drying ingredients, and Dr. Zubritsky says, “I like pairing this with my retinol/retinoid or alpha/beta-hydroxy acids to counteract their side effects.” This skincare booster uses a mixture of watermelon, 3% encapsulated retinol, and alpha-hydroxy acids to soothe while it smooths skin texture and skin tone.

If you have dry skin, Dr. Zubritsky suggests trying watermelon skincare in the form of a moisturizer since it has such a high composition of fatty acids. This lightweight water-based moisturizer with watermelon, willow bark extract, and sodium hyaluronate (a form of hyaluronic acid) is exactly what combination skin needs: hydration and moisture without feeling too heavy.

You might think of toner as an unnecessary extra step, but once you try this fragrance-free hydrating toner, you'll view it as a non-negotiable for your skincare routine. Press this mixture of fruit extracts (including watermelon) and evening primrose oil onto your skin after washing your face to improve hydration and moisture retention.

Not what your typical face serum looks like, huh? But this solid skincare balm with watermelon, a handful of other fruit extracts, and matrixyl (a peptide) applies smoothly and smooths fine lines and dark spots.

Did we mention how much we love balm and stick skincare? Except for this time it's an eye cream that tightens, soothes, and protects your delicate eye area with watermelon, rosehip oil, rose water, aloe, and caffeine.