From the kitchen to the spa: The rise of pickled cucumber facials

TikTok has proven to be a treasure trove of unique beauty advice. Recently, a video showing a beautician initiating a facial massage with a pickled cucumber sparked a buzz amongst viewers. The seemingly innocent prank gained remarkable popularity, catching the attention of dermatologists who realized it might not be as bizarre as it initially appears.

All it takes to prepare pickled cucumbers, are cucumbers, water, salt, horseradish, and time. It's surprising to think that someone thought to use it for a facial treatment.

Interestingly, those who ventured into this unconventional method noticed improved skin conditions. Their skin appeared softer, smoother, hydrating, and the visibility of inflammatory changes diminished. However, one must recall that such changes, as promising as they seem, remain unverified by scientific research.

According to Christine Ko, a dermatologist at Yale University, the nutrients in pickles can enhance skin condition due mainly to lactic acid. This component, commonly used in cosmetics and cosmetology, promotes toning, moisture, and combats acne. Lactic acid drives fermentation and is a key element in cucumber marinade. As Ko explains to DailyMail.com, "I would use anything with acid in it, either lactic acid or beta hydroxy acid or alpha hydroxy acid. Things with acid in it do help things like acne, so in theory, it's not maybe as crazy as it sounds."

Products destined for store shelves undergo numerous tests before entering the market. Drugstore skincare products boast an abundance of active ingredients, albeit at a low concentration for safety purposes. An excessively high concentration of lactic acid can harm the epidermis and disrupt the hydrolipidic barrier, which ends up producing the opposite of the desired effect. There's no research regarding the lactic acid content in pickled cucumbers, hence using them for beauty treatments can be unpredictable.

Dr. Ko perceives store-bought cosmetics as a safer alternative and underscores the benefits of regularly consuming pickles. This practice can potentially elevate the skin's visual appeal due to the high presence of antioxidants and probiotics which enhance the skin barrier and digestive health. An improved digestive system has positive implications on skin, hair, and nails conditions.