Pineapple is about to make an appearance in more than just your pina coladas because, thanks to its much-hyped skincare abilities, the tropical fruit is having a moment in the beauty world.
A trend that is the latest in a long line of Korean beauty imports – think sheet masks, cushion foundations and BB Creams – you’d be forgiven for assuming that pineapple is primarily made of water, 87 per cent in fact, but there’s actually more than meets the eye to this unassuming ingredient.
While it’s undoubtedly jam-packed with H20 to hydrate your skin, it also boasts an impressive cocktail of essential vitamins and nutrients ideal for tackling dull, wintry complexions.
According to Dr Anil Budh-Raja, a leading dermatologist specialising in anti-ageing treatments, pineapple contains some pretty impressive beauty credentials, including alpha-hydroxy acids (AHA) and, more specifically, a beta-hydroxy-acid (BHA) called bromelain, making it an excellent natural exfoliant.
The reason pineapple is hailed for its exfoliating abilities over all else is because it’s one of the only ingredients that combines both natural AHAs and BHAs, meaning it helps to smooth the skins surface and promote glow all at the same time.
Sarah Lee and Christine Chang, founders of Korean beauty brand Glow Recipe, add that bromelain is also an anti-inflammatory, meaning that together with high doses of antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, which are also found in pineapple, the fruit can help reduce puffiness, counteract the damage caused from air pollutants and UV sun rays, and help improve mild pigmentation.
"Because of its brightening and exfoliating properties, pineapple is a great ingredient to create a flawless, radiant ‘glass skin’ effect," Lee and Chang tell The Independent.
"The AHAs and bromelain enzymes help exfoliate dead skin and resurface the complexion by gently dissolving the top layer of skin that contains dead keratin proteins."
It’s because of this unique combination of skin-boosting nutrients that pineapple products are now firmly on our beauty radar and popping up in stores everywhere.
Glow Recipe launched a product using pineapple as the main ingredient in April this year with the release of its Pineapple-C Bright Serum, shortly followed by Marc Jacobs Beauty's Youthquake Skin Moisturiser in May.
That same month, Too Faced – a brand known for its food-themed beauty launches – unveiled the Pineapple Glow Mask as part of its new Tutti Frutti range.
But, aside from its obvious benefits, why is there such a sudden spike in interest in pineapple products?
According to Budh-Raja, it could be because consumers are becoming increasingly more discerning about what they use on their skin.
“As with many other facial and hair care regimes, the benefits of fruits are becoming more well-known and people are preferring to use natural organic ingredients that Mother Nature has given us to maintain skin health,” Budh-Raja says.
Meanwhile, Sylvie Rouaix, vice president of product development at Marc Jacobs Beauty, says it's likely because the results speak for themselves.
“It works really well,” Rouaix tells The Independent.
"Our pineapple enzyme water is a custom-made ingredient designed to rid skin of dead skin cells to allow for maximum hydration, 'plump-ness' and renewed glowing skin. There’s no point in trying to hydrate dead skin cells, is there? We believe in exfoliating dead skin cells to maximise hydration. We understand what it is, how it works. Pure efficacy while being gentle for all skin."
But, is it really good for all skin types?
While most people will benefit from using pineapple skincare, Budh-Raja says that because it is a chemical exfoliator, those with mild pigmentation, sun damaged, dull and acne-prone skin are likely to see the most improvement.
Budh-Raja also recommend that those who have sensitive skin or are prone to dermatitis and eczema, might want to give it a miss because the combination of vitamin C and exfoliating enzymes could cause mild irritation.
However, this issue is something that Lee and Chang were careful to consider when it came to formulating Glow Recipe’s Pineapple-C Bright Serum.
"We noticed that individuals with sensitive skin tended to stay away from vitamin C, so we wanted to make sure our formula was gentle for sensitive skin types to have the ability to incorporate vitamin C daily," they explained.
As is the case with many beauty buys, incorporating pineapple skincare into your routine requires a bespoke approach and is likely to differ from person-to-person.
But, one thing you can guarantee is that adding any of these products to your summer skincare arsenal will leave you feeling like you’re lounging on a tropical beach and smelling like a holiday in a bottle.
