Dragon – what? Even if this could be the background story of the newest video game where you hatch a dragon from an egg. The exotic-looking, spiny fruit would have poked your curiosity if you’ve encountered it at your local grocers. Its pink skin studded with spines resembles the scales of a mythical dragon. That said, the real dragon fruit seems to have magical powers and can almost appear as the knight in shining armour to slay your skin woes.
A little bit about the ingredient
Of all the tropical fruits, the dragon fruit is certainly one of the most curiosity-arousing and versatile. It also goes by the names pitaya and strawberry pear. It’s the fruit of several different cactus species that grow in Asia and areas of South America.
The different types of dragon fruit have pink, red, or yellow skin with white or yellow flesh peppered with tiny black seeds.
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It has a subtle flavour that some people describe as a mix between kiwifruit and pear. Others think it also reminds them of watermelon. Its texture is creamy and with the black seeds it’s also crunchy.
The easiest way to eat the fruit is to cut it in half and scoop out the fruit flesh with a spoon. You can also remove the skin with the same technique as peeling an avocado and then cut the flesh into cubes. Or just cut the fruit in quarters serve the wedges, and then peel off the skin with your fingers.
Now, don’t toss out the dragon fruit skin. As long as you thoroughly wash it to rid it of any traces of pesticide, it’s not poisonous. On the contrary, it’s perfectly edible and also healthier than the flesh in many cases. You can use it to make an Indonesia-style stir-fry or dry it and then brew a tea-like beverage out of it.
Raw, the dragon fruit peel doesn’t leave a particular impression. It’s rather bland and leathery. The cooked version can be a bit of an acquired taste as it’s slightly slimy and slippery in texture.
What makes it so magical
The entire fruit packs a punch. It’s rich in antioxidants, essential fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. In the case of the most common type of dragon fruit with pink skin and white flesh, it’s the skin that’s rich in antioxidants. There are carotenoids and betacyanins present in the peel. Carotenoids are yellow, orange, and red pigments. Betalains are a class of red and yellow plant pigments. These pigments have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
The black seeds are edible and they contain fatty acids including
- Linoleic acid
- Oleic acid
- Palmitic acid
- Stearic acid
Slay zits
Are you seeing all the signs and signals that a zit is making its way up? Grab a dragon fruit or better yet, after scooping out the flesh, use a food processor and blend the skin into a fine paste. Apply it to the affected area. Thanks to vitamins B3, C, and E as well as the plant pigments, the dragon peel paste calms down your skin. It’ll reduces the zit and may also prevent further breakouts.
Slay ageing
Rich in plant pigments carotenoids and betacyanins as well as fatty acids, dragon fruit has powerful antioxidant effects. It protects your skin against pollution and the sun. More precisely, it protects your skin against free radicals. These are unstable molecules that break down important substances in your skin making it feel less firm and less elastic.
Dragon fruit can slow down or delay the breakdown process. Even better, thanks to the fatty acids, it helps your skin to regain its firmness and helps it restore the skin’s surface.
Slay wrinkles
Although it’s not only one single antioxidant but a combination of phytochemicals that works to reduce and soften fine lines and wrinkles, perhaps the most famous is vitamin C. This vitamin is needed when your body makes collagen and boosts its skin repair mechanism.
Slay dark spots
Some antioxidants have other effects such as being anti-inflammatory or in this care can also improve uneven skin tone. Vitamin C is the classic ingredient to lift dark spots and brighten your skin. It slows down melanin production in your skin and so reduces hyperpigmentation.
Vitamin B3, niacinamide is another classic known to diminish dark spots. Bay messing with the transfer of melanin, the pigment responsible to make your skin go darker) to the skin cells, it reduces pigmentation and so lightens your skin gradually.
So, your skin makes less pigments and even less is getting moved to the skin cells. The end result is more even skin tone and faded dark spots.
Slay irritation
Thanks to the antioxidants present, dragon fruit is great in calming down and soothing skin. Use it not only when your skin is sensitive, but also for the occasional bout of redness, or when you’re hit by the sun and want to relieve a sunburn.
How to choose
Even if you can find dragon fruit all year round in supermarkets, the main season for dragon fruit is June through September. This is when it tastes the best.
To find a ripe dragon fruit, lightly press it with your finger. It should not be too giving nor too hard. Check the skin for an overall even colour and no soft or damaged spots.
How to use
If you have a juicer, thoroughly wash the fruit and toss it whole into the machine. This will not only boost the nutritional value of your juice but also reduce waste.
If you’re in a hurry, don’t finish the juice but leave enough to make a light face pack. Leave it on for 15 minutes, rinse it of, then follow up with your usual routine.
Closing words
The dragon fruit is truly an allrounder and a super fruit. It’s abundant not only in nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, and iron, it tastes great paired with grilled fish.
When you eat it, as a super fruit, it helps maintain the health and youthfulness of your skin. And when you apply it, it helps with all sorts of skin evils:
- Diminish pigmentation
- Firm and tighten your skin
- Reduce redness and any irritation as well as spots
- Reduce and prevent skin damage at a cellular level
If you want more face packs and skin care ideas with dragon fruit, tell me in the comments.
