What do you think when I say “orange”? Breakfast juice? Beautiful sunset? Or health? Right health and vitamin C. It’s so ingrained in us that we almost jump from orange to vitamin C. People associate the colour, smell, and taste that there must be vitamin C in a product, right?
While it’s true that orange is an excellent source of vitamin C, it also comes with a number of protective nutrients that puts your skin care on a whole different level, from anti-ageing to collagen-boosting and toning. Orange is what’s commonly called a super food because it does your body and face good – inside and out.
The orange
The orange is a citrus fruit. In botanical terms, the citrus family or rue is called the Rutaceae family. Typical members of the citrus family are lemon, kumquat, mandarin, yuzu.
Typically, when we say orange, we mean sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). As you can gather from its botanical name, the orange has Asian roots. As denoted by sinensis, the second part of the botanical name means Chinese.
More precisely, the orange is a crossbreed between pomelo (Citrus maxima) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata). It has its origins in Southern China, Northeast India, and Myanmar. Nowadays it’s grown everywhere and is probably the most cultivated fruit tree. All varieties such as navel or blood orange have the same origin: Citrus sinensis.
Orange trees grow best in tropical and subtropical climates. In more temperate climates, the fruit turns to its characteristic orange colour in autumn. When the days grow shorter and colder, some plants withdraw the green pigment chlorophyll from their leaves and others from their fruits.
The orange tree is evergreen and depending on where it grows, the fruits are orange or green even when ripe. So you’ll see green but ripe oranges in tropical climates. In hot temperatures, the chlorophyll is preserved and the orange peel remains green.
You can also see the origins of the orange in the word itself. It comes from the Sanskrit word naranga which means orange tree. The Sanskrit word entered the Persian language and in the 14th century, you can almost hear its modern name in the Old French word pomp (apple in French) d’orenge. The Germans would still say Apfelsine for a long time (Apfel is apple and sine is Chinese).
For a very long time in Europe, oranges were considered a luxury item. You surely have heard of orangeries – if you were in Paris you’d probably have visited the Musée de l’Orangerie. These orangeries were a room or a dedicated building, built purposely to grow oranges and other fruit trees so that they’d be protected in winter.
Orange symbolism
Every culture and religion has its unique offerings. The item offered may relate to a prayer, a religious occasion, a wish granted, the symbol of a deity, or just to celebrate a special time of the year.
In many parts of the world, offering different foods meant or asked for different things. In China, for example, foods are chosen because it sounds similar to things people wish for or because it has a symbolic meaning. Take long uncut noodles, these stand for a long life not cut short. In the case of orange (橙), it sounds very similar to success and so carries connotations of good luck.
The orange has several symbolic meanings. Probably the most obvious one is that it represents the sun. Just look at its shape and colour. Speaking of colour, what came first – the fruit or the colour? The fruit came first and the English word “orange” came after. The English adopted the French word “orenge” and it became “orange”.
The colour orange also has meanings. Depending on where you are, the colour carries different connotations. If you’re in the States, you probably would associate orange with prison uniforms (just think of the TV series “Orange Is the New Black”). In the east, it’s the colour of enlightenment, royalty, and spirituality. Buddhist monk dress in beautiful bright orange robes, because enlightenment is the ultimate goal for a follower of Buddhism – actually of all religious practice.
Content
Just like all the members of the citrus family, the orange provides a boost of antioxidants, minerals, and vitamins. It’s rich in water and fibre and provides you with key nutrients like potassium and folate (vitamin B9) while low in calories. And best of all, all parts of the orange can be used: The pulp and the peel.
Vitamin C
Let’s start with the most obvious: Vitamin C. Your skin needs vitamin C because it
- Stimulates collagen production, the protein that provides the structure of your skin and holds it together
- Protects from the harmful effects of the sun and pollution
- Helps moisturise your skin
- Fades dark spots and brightens your skin
Vitamin C is one of the best research antioxidants, important not only for your skin but for your overall health. It boosts your immune system and plays a key role in wound healing.
Flavonoids
Science has discovered. that orange has a host of flavonoids. This group of phytochemicals has antioxidant qualities. That is, they can scavenge free radicals that prevent these unstable and disease-inducing molecules from harming the cells in your body.
Flavonoids have many roles in plants. They are pigments and give colours to the flowers so they attract pollinator animals. They are involved in UV protection and help filter UV radiation. They can also act as chemical messengers.
Carotenoids
All members of the citrus family have high levels of carotenoids which give them their yellow, orange, and red colours. Carotenoids function as antioxidants and can also be converted into vitamin A. This vitamin is brilliant for your skin as it carries out many functions such as helping strengthen the outer dermal layer of your skin and keeping spots in check.
Calcium
Now you’re probably tickled pink to discover calcium is good for your skin, and not just for having strong bones. Calcium helps renew damaged or worn-out skin cells and prevent DNA damage.
Potassium
Orange provides you with potassium that’s equally important because it helps regulate the water levels of your skin and balances its PH levels.
Conclusion
Adding oranges to your diet and applying it topically levels up your skin care game. It
- Has anti-ageing properties and protects your skin from free radicals to slow down the ageing process
- Fights breakouts and helps to heal the swelling and inflammation around spots
- Fades and lifts dark spots to even out your skin tone
- It boosts collagen formation to make your skin tighter
- It’s astringent and helps shrink enlarged pores
The best way to add orange to your skin care is to eat the fruit flesh and then use the peel for your skin care because the peel has a higher concentration of the goodies than the pulp.
Save the orange peels after eating and remove the white fibrous portion on the inside. Wash them in warm water and cut them into thin slices. Place the slices on a tray and let them dry in the sun for about 4 days or until they become hard and completely dry. Grind the dried peel into a powder and store it in an airtight container. Use the powder in your homemade face packs or simply mix a bit in a little bit of moisturiser and apply where you need it.
Another way is to use a grate and just grate the zest of the orange. Of course, you want to wash your oranges beforehand. Make sure to only grate where the peel is orange and not the white fibrous part. Add a cup of water to the grated zest and bring to boil. Reduce the flame and simmer on low heat for 10-15 minutes. Strain the mixture. Now you can add rose water, aloe vera gel, or your favourite herbal infusion such as nettle tea, and voila, you got your orange toner.
