Cucumis sativus, commonly known as cucumber, is a plant from the Cucurbitaceae family. The extract from Cucumis sativus is used in cosmetics and personal care products for its hydrating, soothing, and refreshing properties.

Chemical Composition and Structure

Cucumis sativus extract contains various bioactive compounds, including:

Vitamins: It includes vitamins such as Vitamin C and B vitamins, which are essential for maintaining skin health.

Minerals: Rich in minerals like potassium and silica, which support skin health and elasticity.

Phytochemicals: Contains flavonoids, polyphenols, and other antioxidants that contribute to its protective and anti-inflammatory properties.

Water: Composed primarily of water, cucumber is known for its hydrating properties.

The chemical structure of Cucumis sativus extract varies depending on the specific compounds, but generally includes molecules that contribute to its soothing and hydrating effects.

Physical Properties

Cucumis sativus extract appears as a clear or slightly opalescent liquid with a fresh, vegetal odor. It is highly soluble in water and has a pH that is generally compatible with the skin, making it suitable for use in skin care products.

Production Process 

The production of Cucumis sativus extract involves the following steps:

• Cultivation and Harvesting: Cucumbers are grown and harvested at the optimal stage of ripeness to ensure maximum concentration of nutrients and active compounds.
• Preparation: Cucumbers are cleaned and prepared for extraction. This may include peeling and cutting into smaller pieces.
• Extraction: Active compounds are extracted using methods such as water extraction, cold extraction, or natural solvents. Cold extraction is often preferred to preserve heat-sensitive properties.
• Purification: The extract is purified to remove impurities and unwanted components. Purification methods may include filtration, centrifugation, and other techniques to obtain a pure and concentrated product.
• Formulation: The purified extract is incorporated into various cosmetic formulations, such as creams, lotions, serums, and masks. It may be blended with other ingredients to enhance its properties and effectiveness.
• Quality Control: The final product undergoes quality control testing to ensure it meets safety, efficacy, and performance standards. This includes checks for purity, stability, and compatibility with other ingredients.
• Storage: Cucumis sativus extract is stored in airtight containers, protected from light, moisture, and heat, to maintain its stability and effectiveness.

Applications 

Medical: Cucumis sativus extract can be used in pharmaceutical preparations for its hydrating and soothing properties. It is employed in treatments for irritated skin and to improve skin elasticity.

Cosmetics: In cosmetics, Cucumis sativus extract is valued for its hydrating and refreshing properties. It is used in creams, lotions, serums, and masks to enhance skin hydration, soothe irritations, and provide a cooling effect.

Others: It can also be incorporated into other personal care products, such as toners and scrubs, to leverage its hydrating and soothing benefits.

Cosmetics - INCI Functions

• Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.

Environmental and Safety Considerations

Cucumis sativus extract is generally considered safe for use in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals when used according to recommended guidelines. It is a natural ingredient with a low risk of irritation or allergic reactions. Environmentally, the production of cucumber extracts is relatively sustainable, especially if responsible agricultural practices are employed. It is important to ensure that production processes follow sustainable practices to minimize any potential ecological impact.

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is one of the most widespread plants in the world and used for human nutrition.

It belongs to the family of Cucurbitaceae, such as melon and pumpkin.

Recent studies have attributed cucumber nutraceutical properties to cucumber for its discreet content of minerals, fiber and vitamins.

It consists of:

• water                 95%
• carbohydrates      3.6%
• protein                   0.65%

nutraceuticals (1):

• Vitamin C                 8mg/100g
• Vitamin E                 0.16mg/100g
• Retinol                     28ug/100g
• Vitamin B9               15ug/100g
• Flavonoids

What it is used for and where

Medical

This study attributes to cucumber the effectiveness of reducing pain in moderate osteoarthritis (2). 

 Traditional medical medicine used it to treat hyperlipidaemia, constipation and headaches. It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (3) and the fruit juice of this plant is used as an emollient in anti-acne lotions. It has been studied in some animal models where anti-hyperglycaemic effects were observed (4).

Cosmetics

The aqueous extract of cucumber has demonstrated cooling properties that soothe irritated skin and reduce swelling (5).

For more information:

Cucumber studies

References_______________________________________________________

(1) Alsadon A., Al-Helal I., Ibrahim A., Abdel-Ghany A., Al-Zaharani S., Ashour  The effects of plastic greenhouse covering on cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) growth. T. Ecol. Eng. 2016;87:305–312. doi: 10.1016/j.ecoleng.2015.12.005.

Abstract. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is an important vegetable crop belonging to the cucurbit family. Cucumbers are grown under protected cultivation worldwide. The influence of greenhouse covering materials on cucumber physiological processes and yield were evaluated. Three greenhouses, each with 48 m2, North–South direction and with wet-pad and fan cooling system were covered by either one of the 200 μm thickness plastic films; newly developed NIR-reflective film (C1) and two commercial films (C2 and C3). The predicted equations of the photosynthetic rate (μmol CO2 m−2 s−1), transpiration (m mol H2O m−2 s−1), intercellular CO2 concentration (μmol CO2 mol−1), stomatal conductance (mol H2O m−2 s−1) and leaf temperature were obtained by multiple regression analysis of the measured data. The average temperatures were 22.27 ± 2.06 °C, 23.80 ± 2.26 °C, 25.42 ± 2.41 °C and 31.12 ± 4.30 °C for films C1, C2, C3 and outside respectively. The results revealed that vapour pressure deficit (VPD) under (C1) was lower than that under C2 and C3 during the production period. The average of photosynthetic rate values were 16.61 ± 5.49, 15.51 ± 5.18 and 14.91 ± 4.78 μmol CO2 m−2 s−1 for films C1, C2 and C3, respectively. While, the transpiration rate and the intercellular CO2 concentration under (C1) were higher than those under C2 and C3 during the production period. Therefore, fruit and yield traits increased under C1 followed by C2 and then by C3 of greenhouses covers. It can be concluded that the greenhouses plastic covering material has a great influence on the internal environmental conditions, physiological processes and productivity of cucumber plants.

(2) Nash RJ, Azantsa BK, Sharp H, Shanmugham  Effectiveness of Cucumis sativus extract versus glucosamine-chondroitin in the management of moderate osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.   V.  Clin Interv Aging. 2018 Oct 25;13:2119-2126. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S173227.

Abstract. Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related disease caused by the wear and tear of the joints. Presently, there is no known cure for OA, but its management involves the use of high doses of pain killers and antiinflammatory agents with different side and dependency effects. Alternative management strategies involve the use of high doses of glucosamine-chondroitin (GC). This study was carried out to evaluate the efficacy of Q-Actin™, an aqueous extract of Cucumis sativus (cucumber; CSE) against GC in the management of moderate knee OA.....Conclusion: The use of 10 mg CSE, twice daily, was effective in reducing pain related to moderate knee OA and can be potentially used in the management of knee pain, stiffness, and physical functions related to OA.

(3) Mukherjee PK, Nema NK, Maity N, Sarkar BK. Phytochemical and therapeutic potential of cucumber. Fitoterapia. 2013 Jan;84:227-36. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2012.10.003.

(4) Chandrasekar B, Mukherjee B, Mukherjee SK. Blood sugar lowering potentiality of selected Cucurbitaceae plants of Indian origin. Indian J Med Res. 1989 Aug;90:300-5.

Abstract. Using five experimental models, the blood sugar lowering efficacy of eight plants of Cucurbitaceae family has been assessed. The ethanolic extract of Cucumis sativus Linn, Cucumis melo utilissimum Roxb, Cucumis melo Linn, Benincasa hispida Thunb Cogn and Tricosanthes anguina Nees, when administered in 250 mg/kg dose, orally to rats failed to lower blood sugar or to depress the peak value, after glucose load. However, ethanolic extract of Momordica charantia Linn plant and Coccinia indica Whit and Arn root significantly lowered blood sugar in fasted model and depressed the peak value in glucose loaded model. Ethanolic extract of Tricosanthes dioica Roxb plant caused a significant lowering of blood sugar in fasted rats and depressed the peak value in glucose loaded single and longterm fed groups of rats. The ethanolic extract of the aerial part of T. dioica also induced significant depression in the peak values in the glucose loaded models.

(5) Kumar D, Kumar S, Singh J, Narender, Rashmi, Vashistha B, Singh N. Free Radical Scavenging and Analgesic Activities of Cucumis sativus L. Fruit Extract. J Young Pharm. 2010 Oct;2(4):365-8. doi: 10.4103/0975-1483.71627. 

Abstract. The aqueous fruit extract of Cucumis sativus L. was screened for free radical scavenging and analgesic activities. The extract was subjected to in vitro antioxidant studies at 250 and 500 μg/ml and analgesic study at the doses 250 and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The free radical scavenging was compared with ascorbic acid, BHA (Butylated hydroxyl anisole), whereas, the analgesic effect was compared with Diclofenac sodium (50 mg/kg). The C. sativus fruit extract showed maximum antioxidant and analgesic effect at 500 μg/ml and 500 mg/kg, respectively. The presence of flavonoids and tannins in the extract as evidenced by preliminary phytochemical screening suggests that these compounds might be responsible for free radical scavenging and analgesic effects.