An Apple A Day Keeps Skin Concerns at Bay: All About Apple Extract

So many skincare ingredients promise to erase wrinkles, smooth skin and give you a youthful, dewy glow. And more often than not, these powerhouse ingredients stem from plants and botanicals.

According to the Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, botanical extracts are the largest category of additives found in skincare products. Apples have long been praised for their amazing health benefits. But beyond that, apples, specifically their extract, have some serious skincare benefits. Read on for everything you need to know about our spotlight ingredient- apple extract.

What exactly is an extract?

An extract, in this case, a fruit extract, is made by extracting a part of a raw plant, using a solvent like water. Fruit extracts have powerful anti-aging and rejuvenating properties.

Fruits contain naturally occurring Alpha Hydroxy Acids. When applied to the skin, these AHAs dissolve dead skin cells from the surface. Fruit extracts are rich in the vitamins and minerals needed for healthy skin.

Why apple extract?

Apple extract is rich in phenolic compounds and flavonoids. These antioxidants protect the skin from wrinkle-inducing free radicals and environmental aggressors. These aggressors include things like UV rays, pollution, and stress.

Extract from apples also contains AHAs to slough off the top layer of dead skin cells. This results in a higher skin-cell turnover rate. In addition, apple seed oil contains essential fatty acids that hydrate and plump the skin, for a fuller, tighter, younger-looking complexion.

Vitamin content in a food does not establish a topical extract's effect or cancer-prevention benefit. A cosmetic containing apple extract does not replace sunscreen or appropriate medical care.

What skin types can benefit from apple extract?

Apple extract is beneficial for most skin types. But those with oily, dull, or mature skin can benefit the most from adding the fruit into their skincare routine. Apple extract can also help with minimizing the appearance of large pores.

Five apple extract benefits for the skin

Apple extract is not a stand-alone acne treatment

Apple extract in a cosmetic does not establish an acne-treatment claim. A homemade apple-and-honey mask is not a substitute for appropriate care, and its acidity, composition and contact time are not standardized. Use the acne-prone mask guide for the optional product decision.

Apple extract hydrates the skin.

We just told you that apples have high water content and contain malic acid, but they also contain vitamin E. This makes a powerful hydrating trio of ingredients. Malic acid functions as a humectant, promoting moisture retention. Vitamin E strengthens the skin barrier function.

Hydrate your skin with apples in the form of an antioxidant-rich night cream with apple extract, or by having them in a smoothie for breakfast. Try this apple smoothie recipe.

Apple Breakfast Smoothie

Ingredients

• 1 Large apple
• ½ Cup Almond milk
• ⅓ Cup vanilla or plain greek yogurt
• 1 Tsp. honey or sugar

Instructions

1. Peel and cut the apple into halves. 
2. Remove the core and cut the apple up into smaller pieces.
3. Put the apple pieces in the blender.
4. Add the almond milk, yogurt, and honey.
5. Blend until smooth and there are no chunks of apple left.
6. Pour and enjoy it!

Check the finished formula for exfoliation

Apple extract and a finished exfoliating-acid product are different things. Ingredient presence alone does not establish an effective acid concentration or pH. Do not assign every gel mask a two-to-three-times-weekly schedule.

How to use a face mask explains product-specific contact time; the frequency guide covers overlapping acids and retinoids.

Apple extract brightens the skin.

If a goddess glow is what you seek, look no further than apples. The skin-loving fruit contains high levels of collagen and elastin. These two ingredients are essential for fighting the signs of aging.

An apple-extract eye mask is not an established treatment for every cause of dark circles. Choose an eye-area product for its actual directions and tolerance; ordinary face-mask instructions do not apply automatically to eyelids.

How to Use an Eye Mask

1. Start with clean, dry skin.
2. Pat a generous amount of mask into the skin around your eye area.
3. Repeat on the other side.
4. Leave it on for at least three minutes.
5. Remove gently with a damp cloth. 
6. Follow with a brightening eye cream.

Apple extract tones the skin.

Apple-derived cosmetic extracts and household apple cider vinegar are not interchangeable. Herbal Dynamics Beauty does not recommend applying a DIY ACV rinse to the face because the acidity and concentration are not controlled for leave-on skincare and irritation can occur. Evaluate a finished apple-extract formula on its complete ingredient list and intended use. Learn more in Herbal Dynamics Beauty's apple cider vinegar evidence and safety guide.

Apple extract fights the signs of aging.

Acidic apple extract helps to protect the skin from free radical damage. This helps to slow the signs of aging. In addition, apple seed oil contains essential fatty acids that hydrate and plump skin. This reduces the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

Give yourself a weekly facial massage using an apple extract moisturizer to keep your complexion radiant and youthful. 

How to Give Yourself a Facial Massage

1. Start with clean skin.
2. Apply a light layer of moisturizer. 
3. Using the tips of your fingers, massage from under your ears, down toward your throat, and up along your jawline, using circular motions.
4. Massage along the sides of your jaw, past the corners of your mouth, and over your cheekbones. Push your skin upward and out; never down, as this can cause sagging to occur. 
5. Massage your forehead. Start at your temples, moving toward the middle, and then back    out to the sides
6. Massage your eye area. Sweep your fingers around the outside corners of your eyes. Move 7. them under your eyes, and finish with your fingers at the inside corners of your eyes. 
7. Continue along up the sides of your nose and along your brow lines. 
8. Finish by going back over each area once more. 

Apple extract helps protect against UV damage.

Research shows that certain compounds in apple skin, called triterpenoids, can block UV damage and even certain cancer cells. Try this baked apple skin recipe.

Baked Apple Skins

These baked apple skins are perfect on top of yogurt, in a salad, or just to snack on like chips.

Ingredients

• Apple skins from 4-6 apples
• 1 Tbsp sugar (brown sugar or coconut sugar)
• 1 Tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 Tsp nutmeg
• A pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 225 degrees.  
2. Peel your apples.
3. Lay the skins out evenly on a greased baking sheet.
4. Mix up the remaining ingredients and sprinkle over the apple skins.
5. Bake for 1 and a half to 2 hours, until the skins are dried and crispy.  

An apple a day keeps the wrinkles away! Stock up on skincare with awesome apple extract and bring nourishing vitamins and antioxidants to your daily routine.

 

Face masks in this routine

Use the face-mask guide to compare formats and the application guide for product-specific timing and removal.