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Pineapple, also called Ananas comosus, is a fruit that originated in South America. Beyond being yummy and edible, this fruit is also rich in nutrients and antioxidants that boost your immunity. These nutrients include vitamin A, vitamin K, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc, which work wonders in fighting diseases.
Do you know what else pineapple is good for? Pineapple benefits for skin, hair, and bones make this fruit a sought-after commodity. If you are suffering from acne, skin rashes, or skin damage, you can consume this healthy fruit to clear and revive your skin.
Pineapple’s rich vitamin C content gives your hair an extra layer of silkiness and makes it appear fuller. In most cases, you will find that the natural extracts from this fruit work as well as some of the best vitamins for hair and skin health.
In this article, we discuss the benefits of eating pineapple for your skin and hair and how to use it.
Pineapple Benefits for Skin
Whether you eat pineapples as a snack, in a sweet dessert, or in a yummy dish like fried rice, they offer several benefits for the skin. For instance, pineapple juice has lots of vitamin C and antioxidants for treating acne, sun damage, and uneven skin complexions. Drinking one glass of pineapple juice is a great way to clear the acne scars on your skin, keeping it hydrated and clear.
As you get older, your skin starts losing its natural glow and may develop wrinkles. However, pineapple also works magic by making your skin look younger. Pineapple juice benefits for skin are thanks to the effect of vitamin C, which makes your skin smooth and gives it an extra layer of youthfulness. It helps boost collagen production, which in turn maintains your skin’s structure and elasticity.
The vitamin C found in pineapples also has antioxidant properties that are beneficial in preventing damage by free radicals to your skin cells. These free radicals are unstable compounds that are harmful when available at high levels. To notice changes in your skin, you may want to eat large chunks of pineapple alone. You may also incorporate pineapples into your diet as just one component for healthy skin benefits.
Benefits of Applying Pineapple Topically
Regularly applying pineapple directly to your skin is a great way to achieve clear and radiant skin. Whether you use a homemade pineapple face mask or choose a skin care product with pineapple extracts, you can obtain these pineapple benefits for skin. While several studies suggest that bromelain, found in pineapples, is useful as a topical anti-inflammatory, there is other evidence that proves it is also a natural exfoliator.
Pineapples contain zinc, which regulates the production of sebum, an oily substance that causes acne and other skin issues when in excess. This makes pineapple a perfect exfoliator for absorbing excess oil on the skin.
A study using test tubes showed that a bromelain face wash could prevent some acne-causing bacteria. Another study with a few people who used bromelain cream twice daily showed that it gradually reduced skin irritation, skin patches, and excess oil production on the skin.
However, note that the results from each study do not involve the use of fresh pineapple on the skin, rather bromelain was extracted to be used on and absorbed into the skin.
Generally, the topical benefits of pineapple extract for the skin include a bright complexion, hydration, and reduced sensitivity.
Downsides of Applying Fresh Pineapple on Your Skin
Most people who use pineapples encounter no issues, so it’s normal to assume that applying pineapple to your skin is always safe. Well, as with everything, moderation is key. There are downsides to applying fresh pineapple to your skin.
For instance, the enzyme bromelain, found in pineapples, usually causes skin irritation and red sores around the mouths of people who eat large amounts of pineapples. For this reason, a lot of studies on pineapple water benefits for the skin involve the use of pineapple extracts instead of fresh pineapples.
After thorough research, one can say this much about pineapples and extracts or bromelain doses on the skin:
- The bromelain dose from fresh pineapples will probably be too low to benefit your skin but strong enough to cause a skin problem.
- Fresh pineapple may not easily be absorbed into your skin. You will want to go for skin care products made with pineapple extracts or moderate doses of bromelain.
- Skin care products with bromelain and pineapple extracts are made to be absorbed into the skin for maximum effect. In most cases, they contain an optimised dose of bromelain so as not to irritate your skin.
The enzymes and nutrients in pineapple may be vital, but excessive use may cause some side effects. It is always advisable to do a patch test first before a thorough application on the skin, even in moderation. Avoid using pineapple treatments if you have any open wounds or sores on your skin because its bromelain enzyme content may irritate.
Tips to Pick the Perfect Pineapple for Your Skin
It’s usually not an easy task to pick pineapple fruit at a grocery store. Compared to other kinds of fruit, you will need to consider a lot more factors than its obvious color or appearance. So here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect pineapple for your skin:
Check Its Color
When looking for the right pineapple at the nearest local grocery store, find one with clear and healthy green leaves. Its outer skin must have a greenish-yellow hue, which shows that it is ripe and ready to be picked for use. A vibrant green color is also one of the proofs of freshness. However, the green-yellow color does not necessarily mean it is always ripe, which is why color should not be the only thing to consider when choosing a pineapple.
Check with a Squeeze
The texture of the pineapple is also another way to determine if the fruit is ripe for use. You will know a ripe pineapple by its firm outer skin but slightly soft nature when you squeeze it. If the pineapple is too hard or solid when squeezed, it is most likely unripe.
Check Its Weight
As strange as it may seem, the weight of a pineapple is also a great way to choose a good pineapple. In most cases, a ripe pineapple feels heavy for its size, especially if it is very juicy. As we usually say, the juicer the fruit, the more delicious and edible it will most likely be.
Check Its Smell
Ripe pineapples are known for their sweet smell at the base of the fruit. Without that smell, it may not be ripe. However, if the pineapple has a bad or pungent odor, it may just be a sign of overripeness.
Gently Tug at the Fronds
You can tell if a pineapple is ripe enough to use when you pull on its fronds. These fronds are a part of the pineapple with large leaves that stick out from its top. Some people agree that when these fronds pull out easily, it means that the pineapple is ripe and ready to pick. If it doesn’t pull out easily, you may doubt its ripeness.
How to Use Pineapple for Your Hair
Using fresh pineapples, it’s possible to make a set of hair masks to maintain healthy hair growth. The mask also helps to restore dry and brittle hair strands on the scalp.
You can also make a natural hair rinse with fresh pineapple juice mixed with water. After washing with a shampoo, use the pineapple mix to thoroughly rinse and give your hair a shiny and vibrant look. The enzymes in pineapples improve the hair follicles by providing vital nutrients to them.
This final method is not a popular one, but the outer skin of the pineapple can be used to make hair conditioners when mixed with yoghurt. This mixture can help to improve the thickness and elasticity of your hair.
After gently massaging the conditioner into your hair, you may want to put on a shower cap and let your hair sit for a few minutes. Enriched with lactic acid and proteins found in yogurt, this pineapple hair mix helps to prevent hair loss by healing an irritated scalp.
Pineapple Hair Benefits
There are various benefits you can obtain from using pineapple for your hair. For one, pineapple has hair-thickening properties that will make your hair strong and prevent it from falling out. It also contains bromelain enzymes and other vital nutrients that can strengthen your hair follicles. A consistent pineapple hair mask will improve the thickness and elasticity of your hair.
Pineapple contains water, which is perfect for hydrating the hair strands on your scalp from within. A well-hydrated scalp is suitable for healthy hair growth, making it less prone to dryness and breakage. A little hydration here and there also keeps the shine and luster of your hair. That alone says a lot about the appearance of the hair owner—healthy!
The antioxidants in pineapples also fight against oxidative stress by free radicals, which can cause hair damage. This damage usually happens when you regularly expose your hair to environmental pollutants. Consistently using some styling tools can weaken your hair strands, and antioxidants play a vital role in protecting your hair against these harmful effects.
If you have a severe itchy scalp problem, you could try applying pineapple juice for instant relief. Pineapples also help to ease inflammation in your scalp and remove dead skin cells, preventing the hair from falling off easily. So, you may want to consider including a cup of pineapple juice in your daily diet.
Frequently Asked Questions
The amount of calories you can get from pineapple is based on its size. However, one pineapple of approximately 1500 grams contains 450–500 calories. One cup of pineapple contains approximately 70–85 calories.
One cup of pineapple juice a day is good enough for your body. A cup of pineapple chunks (165 g) provides 82 calories, 0.9 g of protein, 22 g of carbohydrates, and 0.2 g of fat.
Of course, eating pineapples is good for your health, but it should not be eaten in excess as it can lead to health problems like diarrhea, skin rashes, vomiting and nausea, and mouth tenderness.
Pineapples have natural sugars, but their sugar content is not higher than that of several other fruits. One cup of pineapple chunks contains about 16.3 grams of sugar, which is lower than the sugar content in other fruits.
In fact, pineapples rarely cause a rapid spike in blood sugar levels if you eat them in moderation. However, individuals with diabetes should monitor their intake and consult with a healthcare professional for consumption advice.
hey, does anyone know if pineapple is safe for all skin types? got a lil sensitive skin situation over here and don’t wanna make it worse. thnx!
TamiLynn82, usually, natural remedies are gentle but it’s always good to do a patch test first. Pineapple has enzymes that might irritate very sensitive skin.
fitjerry1990, thanks for the tip! will def do a patch test first 🙂
imagine going to buy a pineapple and giving it a squeeze like it owes you money haha gotta make sure it’s just right for the skin lol
Vitamins For Woman, fascinating read! I’ve used pineapple in my smoothies but never thought to apply it topically for my skin. Excited to give this a try!
everyone’s raving about pineapple now, next week it’ll be another fruit. Can we really trust these home remedies or is it just another trend?
Love the idea of using natural ingredients for skincare. Pineapple’s enzymes are great for exfoliation. Might pair it with some honey for a mask!
Could applying pineapple topically aggravate skin conditions like rosacea? Curious if there’s any research on this.
interesting read i guess, always thought pineapples were just for eating lol
Pineapple for hair sounds intriguing! Packed with Vitamin C, it must promote healthy hair growth. Can’t wait to integrate this into my routine.
not quite sold on the pineapple thing. doesn’t it get sticky? feels like it’d be a mess to clean up after, especially from your hair.