Happy National Watermelon Day!
National Watermelon Day is here, so it’s time I finally admit to everyone that I am a watermelon fanatic. My favorite food in the world is watermelon (yes, really). My favorite artificial candy flavor is watermelon. I even like drinking that Beyoncé-backed WTRMLN WTR. I'm completely obsessed with watermelon—but I know I’m definitely not the only one.
Starting with the release of Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Sleeping Mask ($45, sephora.com) back in 2017, the skincare industry has latched onto watermelon (also known as Citrullus Lanatus) as the star ingredient in a plethora of products. From butt sheet masks to moisturizers to brightening primers, it’s everywhere. But what exactly are the benefits of watermelon in skincare products?
“In general, watermelon is a fruit that is incredibly hydrating. At over 90% water, watermelon has the hydration that our skin could use more of,” said Julia Tzu, MD, dermatologist and founder of Wall Street Dermatology in New York City. “In addition there are, as in many fruits and vegetables, a variety of antioxidants that have anti-aging and pro-circulatory properties.”
Dr. Tzu isn’t the only expert to point out the benefits of watermelon in beauty products. Debra Jaliman, MD, a dermatologist based in NYC, adds that watermelon is rich in vitamins A,B, and C, and lycopene, which “gives the fruit its deep red color” and “can help protect your skin against wrinkling and aging.”
But with so many beauty items adorned in bright, adorable cartoons of watermelon, you can’t help but wonder if it’s all a marketing ploy. While Dr. Tzu notes that it’s definitely an industry trend to jump between the newest fruit or vegetables that “we all become obsessed over for its health or anti-aging properties,” both Dr. Jaliman and Dr. Tzu agree that watermelon is actually a beneficial ingredient in skincare.
Of course, not all watermelon beauty products are created equal. While the watermelon-flavored LipSmackers of our youth once did the job, there’s now an entire market of masks, moisturizers, primers, serums, and cleansers packed with watermelon’s hydrating benefits for every skincare fanatic to take advantage of. So to make your latest skincare discovery just a little bit easier to shop for, we’ve compiled a list of the 11 best watermelon beauty products to buy today in honor of National Watermelon Day. Scroll on to celebrate the holiday with ultra-hydrated and glow-y skin!
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1 Glow Recipe Watermelon Sleeping Mask
You’ll immediately think of jolly ranchers the moment you open this lightweight sleeping mask. The scent packs a delightfully sweet punch that almost makes you forget it’s filled with skin-friendly ingredients like hydrating hyaluronic acid and soothing peony root. While you sleep, the AHAs (a blend of glycolic and plant-derived lactic acid) gently exfoliate away dead skin. The next morning, your skin will look brighter, smoother, and super hydrated—thanks watermelon!
2 Sephora Collection Watermelon Hydrating Cleansing Wipes
Prepare to completely revamp your cleansing routine with these dermatologist-tested facial wipes. Unlike other wipes, which often leave a sticky residue and strip away the skin’s natural oils, these are specially-formulated to hydrate skin with a healthy dose of watermelon extract (while still effectively removing makeup). They’re gentle enough for your face and eyes, but a handful of reviewers recommend them as body wipes to soothe skin after an afternoon in the sun.
3 Sephora Collection Bawdy x Sephora Butt Sheet Mask
Your booty might be the last thing you think about in your skincare routine, but that doesn’t mean you should ignore it! Give it the TLC it needs with this hydrating butt mask, which is formulated with mango, kiwi, and watermelon extracts to rejuvenate and nourish skin. If you’ve been worried about uneven texture, wrinkles, or dullness, just apply the sheets to your bare booty for 10 minutes—no ifs, ands or buts (!!!) about it.
4 ORIGINS Make a Difference Rejuvenating Moisturizer
Watermelon is just one of the hydrating ingredients in this heavy-duty moisturizer for dry skin. The nourishing formula also includes lychee fruit and Rose of Jericho, a “hibernating” tumbleweed plant that returns to life with a drop of water. You can slather your skin twice a day in the cream, which reviewers say doesn’t clog pores and keeps skin moisturized—even in super dry climates.
5 MILK Makeup Watermelon Brightening Face Mask
This face mask’s bright pink color is just half the fun! It comes in a stick applicator for easy application, and is super gentle on the skin—so you don’t have to worry about the formula hardening or pulling. A combination of hydrating watermelon and brightening garden cress sprouts work together to give you a luminous complexion, while matrixyl (a peptide) supports natural elasticity for plumper skin.
6 CIATÉ London Watermelon Burst Hydrating Primer
Give your makeup a dewy, moisturizing base with this lightweight primer. The combination of watermelon extract, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid guarantees your skin stays hydrated and wrinkle-free—no matter how many layers of foundation you prefer to use. The silky (and subtly watermelon-scented) primer also refines pores and grips your makeup for longer wear.
7 Sephora Collection Watermelon Lip Balm and Scrub
Sephora’s collection of fruity lip balms nourish your lips with a combination of shea butter and castor oil infused with natural fruit extracts that target specific concerns. This watermelon balm focuses on hydration with an antioxidant-rich watermelon extract that prevents lips from drying out. Just one swipe will leave your lips completely moisturized and with a subtle coral tint (and candy scent!).
8 Saturday Skin Quench Intense Hydration Mask
Everyone can enjoy the benefits of this soothing face mask—it’s made for all skin types! The biocellulose sheet mask conforms to your face and has a high affinity to water, making it perfect for a quick punch of hydration. Aloe, watermelon, and hyaluronic acid work together to reduce redness, smooth fine lines, and do away with dryness in just a 20-minute session.
9 Free People Truly Organic Watermelon Jelly Face Wash
Get ready to wash away the stresses of your day with this gentle jelly cleanser that transforms into a creamy texture while you’re washing. The all-natural, vegan face wash is infused with watermelon and vitamin E to give skin an extra dose of antioxidants (and hydration), along with , soothing aloe vera and firming biotin. Reviewers say it smells delicious, doesn’t strip skin, and feels super refreshing.
10 Charlotte Tilbury Goddess Cleansing Ritual Duo
A simple way to incorporate double-cleansing into your nighttime skincare routine, this two-piece set allows you to thoroughly remove makeup and dirt before addressing your skin’s specific needs. The first step is a coconut-oil based cleanser that melts away makeup with a watermelon seed oil that’s known for its natural acne-fighting properties. The second step is a bamboo charcoal cleanse packed with calcium and magnesium to detox skin. What’s more, the addition of vitamin B3 improves your skin’s natural barrier, which reduces blemishes and makes your pores appear smaller.
11 Drunk Elephant B-Hydra™ Intensive Hydration Serum
While pro-vitamin B5 and pineapple ceramide are the stars of this hydrating, cult-favorite serum from Drunk Elephant, every ingredient counts. The addition of lentil, apple, and watermelon complex ensures dryness is not only reduced, but your skin is left looking brighter and plumper. Best of all? Anyone can use this serum—it’s designed for all skin types with a neutral pH balance that’s compatible with skin for easy absorption.