Beauty expert names plant that gives you 'brighter eyes', 'shinier hair' and a 'youthful complexion'

Skin

Hayley Walker from Justmylook said that cucumber - which is botanically a fruit but usually considered a vegetable - "soothes sensitive and inflamed skin".

She stated: "Skin care products containing cucumber have several health and beauty qualities that benefit different skin types, including sensitive, inflamed skin.

"The skincare ingredient’s soothing properties, partly thanks to its high water content, aid those with sensitive skin. Cucumbers also contain antioxidants and are anti-inflammatory, soothing redness or irritation."

It's also great for those who suffer from dry skin. Hayley explained: "Cucumber has hydrating properties that provide dry skin with a moisture boost.

"Cucumber extract soothes the skin and strengthens its natural moisture barrier for smooth, soft, and hydrated skin."

For those who struggle with acne, cucumber can also be a helpful ingredient. Hayley said: "Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, cucumber has a soothing effect that reduces inflammation, redness, and irritation caused by acne.

"The skincare ingredient also acts as a natural cleanser to prevent clogged pores by removing dead skin cells and oil buildup. This replenishes the skin and prevents future acne breakouts."

As the weather warms up in the UK and many of us are jetting away to scorching destinations over the summer period, it's important that we protect our skin.

Hayley said: "This skincare ingredient is also useful to treat sunburn. Not only does its cooling effect help soothe a sunburn, but its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling and irritation and is great for relieving the pain from sun exposure."

Cucumber is also rich in antioxidants. The expert said: "A cucumber’s antioxidant properties make it the ideal ingredient to combat free radicals, which are unstable oxygen molecules that can cause stress on the skin, leading to issues including fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and uneven skin tone.

"Using products that contain cucumber can help alleviate these skin conditions, resulting in a brighter, more youthful complexion. This makes cucumber a sought-after skin care ingredient to reduce signs of ageing, as it tackles wrinkles and decelerates collagen depletion.”

Eyes

The expert also claimed you can banish under-eye issues with the skin-boosting ingredient.

Hayley said: "Cucumbers on the eyes is a pamper staple - and rightly so - as the ingredient helps reduce the appearance of dark circles and brightens the skin.

"The vitamin K found in cucumber improves blood circulation to reduce puffiness, while vitamins C and E brighten the skin and tackle the discolouration of dark circles."

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Hair

Cucumber is also worth incorporating into your hair care routine. The beauty expert said: "Cucumber doesn’t just benefit the skin, but it also nourishes the hair. This ingredient has several hair benefits which lead to healthier and shinier locks.

"Its vitamin K properties promote hair growth by improving scalp health and blood circulation and nourishing hair follicles. This can also help control sebum production, allowing the scalp’s natural oils to nourish strands to maintain the hair’s moisture. Hair health aside, cucumber can also leave the hair silky and shiny for a radiant finish."

Nails

Finally, the expert advised consuming cucumber for strong, healthy nails. She advised: "If you struggle to grow your nails and are prone to breakage, incorporating cucumber into your diet or applying cucumber cuticle oil could resolve this.

"Cucumbers are high in vitamin H, which improves nail thickness and encourages faster nail growth. This results in longer, stronger nails less prone to breaking."