Do you know the skin is the largest organ of your body, covering your whole body and making up almost 16 percent of your overall body mass? So you must use the ingredients beneficial for your skin health. Ever wondered why black pepper is called the ‘King of Spice’? Well, this is because this seasoning has a host of health benefits for your body and skin. Besides, the nutrition profile of black pepper is extensive; however, its antioxidant effects are not as strong as other spices like turmeric or cinnamon. Black peppercorns have antiseptic properties that can help to heal skin infections. They also contain antioxidants, which help stop the growth of micro-organisms that cause acne, eczema, and psoriasis. You can protect the skin from wrinkles and other skin concerns if you use black pepper wisely from a very young age. It also prevents premature aging and dark spots. Here you’ll learn the top-notch black pepper benefits for the skin and some wise tips to incorporate them into your skincare routine. Let’s begin!

Black Pepper Benefits for Skin: A GLANCE!

“Black pepper” comes from the Sanskrit word pippali. It was earlier known as ‘black gold.’ Scientifically called Piper nigrum, black pepper is a flowering vine farmed for its fruit. After drying, this fruit is used as spice and seasoning. Also, it has one of the lengthiest records as a sought-after spice due to its capacity to flavor foods and add warmth to a dish. The dried fruit is “peppercorn.” There are three sorts of peppercorns – black, green, and white. It helps improve your overall health and protects you from various skin-related conditions. Chemically, it contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that helps boost your immune system. It also holds the essential oil piperine. Its essential oil helps ease muscle aching, digestive problems, and even inflammatory arthritis. The aromatic goodness of essential oil derived from black pepper make it favorable for perfumes and preservatives. 

NUTRITION IN BLACK PEPPER FOR THE SKIN

When you hear black pepper, the thought that instantly came at first place is “SOMETHING SO SPICY FOR THE SKIN,” but when you unveil the skin-healthy nutrients found in the black pepper, you’ll be convinced enough to try one of the DIY remedies mentioned in the article as per your skin concern.

According to data published on WebMD, healthy nutrients for the skin are vitamins (A, C, and E), zinc, selenium, and amino acids. Fortunately, black pepper contains all these skin-healthy nutrients.

Besides, this aromatic spice retains a host of active compounds, especially ‘oleoresins and alkaloids like piperine and chavicine. It also has antioxidants, flavonoids, and other phenolic chemicals that help defend your cells from damage caused by free radicles that are responsible for premature skin aging.

Antioxidants:

Black pepper is a powerful antioxidant that can help reduce wrinkles, dark circles, and other signs of aging. It also helps to improve skin elasticity, which means that it will keep your skin looking young and radiant. The vitamin C contained in black pepper is known for healing acne scars and reducing age spots.

AMINO ACIDS:

Amino acids are reused to make other collagen and keratin proteins that form the skin’s structure. These acids in black pepper may also help slough off old skin. It works to enhance the bioavailability of nutrients. These acid constituents produce anti-microbial and anti-bacterial effects on the skin.

Although black pepper is somewhat low in protein, it holds all “nine essential amino acids” in small amounts mentioned below:

• Protein: 0.24 g.
• Tryptophan: < 0.1 g.
• Threonine: 0.01 g.
• Isoleucine: 0.01 g.
• Leucine: 0.02 g.
• Lysine: 0.01 g.
• Methionine: < 0.1 g.
• Phenylalanine: 0.01 g.

Vitamin A:

Your upper and lower layers of the skin require vitamin A. It helps prevent sun damage by discouraging the process that spoils collagen. Since it’s an antioxidant, it gives protection against sunburn and reduces inflammation.

Vitamin C

Consider “C” for collagen: a powerful antioxidant in black pepper that protects you from free radicals and may reduce your skin cancer risk. 

Vitamin E

This antioxidant and anti-inflammatory in peppercorns work miracles with vitamin C to strengthen cell walls.

Zinc

Zinc in pepper heals the skin soon after an injury. The outermost layer of your skin has five times more of this mineral than the underneath layer. It may help protect the skin from UV damage because it acts with other metals in your body, like iron and copper. It also behaves as an antioxidant.

Selenium

It is a mineral in black pepper that supports certain antioxidants that saves your skin from UV rays. Its deficiency can lead to a greater chance of skin cancer.

Top-notch Black Pepper Benefits for Skin

As a great source of nutrients and antioxidants, it helps improve your overall health and protects you from various skin-related conditions. Chemically, it contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that helps boost your immune system and detoxifies your body internally, which is good for skin health.  It also holds the essential oil piperine. Its essential oil helps ease muscle aching and inflammatory skin conditions. The aromatic goodness of essential oil derived from black pepper make it favorable for perfumes and preservatives. Black pepper essential oil encloses antibacterial, glow-boosting effects on your skin.

1. Black Pepper Prevents Skin Pigmentation (Vitiligo)

The ‘King of Spices’ helps prevent skin pigmentation (Vitiligo). In this pigmentation, the skin appears white, aka white patches. Though many medicines are there to reverse your skin color, black pepper, and turmeric are top-notch in skin health when you consume these spices wisely. It has the potential to:

• Protects your skin from any skin pigmentation
• Maintain the original color of your skin
• Prevents premature aging and dark spots 
• Diminishes Wrinkles if you consume it from a very young age.

Using this spice in the raw or cooked form is the best for your daily diet to gain maximum benefits for your body and, most importantly, skin rejuvenation. 

2. Hydrates Dry Skin

Among many benefits of Black pepper for the skin, it can help improve your dry skin in various ways. It is rich in Vitamin E, an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damage caused by the sun and other environmental factors. As we have discussed above, vitamin E has also been shown to improve skin elasticity. Black pepper can be used as part of a moisturizing cream or lotion, or you can sprinkle some black pepper on your omelets in the morning, smoothies at noon, pasta at lunch, evening snacks, and night meals. Vitamin Ain black pepper supports the oil glands close to your hair follicles and may help cuts and scrapes heal, mainly if you take steroids to reduce inflammation.

You can use black pepper and coconut oil paste to treat sunburns. Here’s how:

Mix one tablespoon of black pepper powder, honey, and coconut oil. Store this mixture in the refrigerator for 20 minutes or so. Apply it on the affected area with a cotton ball, leave it on for about 30 minutes, and then rinse it with water. Do this twice a day to get relief from sunburns on your face.

3. Treats Premature Aging, Wrinkles, and Fine Lines

It is the main benefit of black pepper for the skin. The bioactive antioxidants inside black pepper fight free radicals that induce signs of aging and harm your skin in more than one way. It reverses the signs of premature aging – including fine lines and even dark spots. Antioxidants scavenge free radicals, which cause premature aging, thus contributing to its healthy appearance. Being loaded with antioxidants, it protects the skin from various sources of stress, such as UV rays and pollution. A variety of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients in the form of antioxidants not only protect the skin from various sources of stress, such as UV rays and pollution, but they also keep the skin healthy and glowing.

Anti-Wrinkle Mask

What you have to do is to add black pepper to your daily meals to see its skin-firming effects. Either you can combine a teaspoon of powdered black pepper with equal parts of honey or turmeric. Add water for a greasier thickness. Apply the mask to your face once a day.

Try this anti-aging Tip!

The best way to use black pepper as an anti-aging remedy is by rubbing it gently on your face (or body) every night before bedtime with coconut oil or other carrier oil, such as almond oil or jojoba oil. This method works incredibly well for people who are prone to breakouts because it contains antibacterial properties which will help prevent breakouts from forming under your makeup or sunscreen/sunblock if you wear any at all times during daytime hours while doing daily activities such as going grocery shopping, working out at home gym machines like treadmill machines & weight lifting stations etcetera…

4. May Help prevent Skin Infections

Black peppercorns have antiseptic properties that can help to heal skin infections. They also contain antioxidants, which help stop the growth of micro-organisms that cause acne, eczema, and psoriasis. In addition to being a powerful antiseptic agent, black pepper has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties as well. It has been found effective at reducing inflammation caused by acne and psoriasis by inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells (cells that release chemicals such as histamine). It can even treat fungal skin infections (such as athlete’s foot). The piperine content in black pepper is effective against many types of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that may cause skin infections.

According to a study published in the Journal of Natural Science, Biology, and Medicine, piperine effectively treats acne and reduces inflammation and redness.

5. Black Pepper Exfoliates The Skin 

One of the benefits of black pepper for the skin is that it can exfoliate the skin and oust dead skin cells. This makes your skin smooth. Crumble some black pepper and make a scrub to dismiss dead skin cells and exfoliate your skin.

EXFOLIATION PACK

Just take 1/2 teaspoon of powdered black pepper and 1 teaspoon of yogurt. After application, let it sit for 20 minutes and wash it off. Add turmeric/honey, too, to make the pack more effective. If you feel your face stings, wash it off and apply ice or cucumber aloe vera-based soothing lotion.

This face pack will erase toxins from your skin, leaving it soft and glowing. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects help treat acne. It also promotes blood circulation and supplies more oxygen and nutrients within your blood. That is why the skin looks bright and pink after using this face pack. Owing to its antibacterial properties, it can kill acne-causing bacteria on the skin.

6. Reduces Skin Inflammation

Black pepper essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe itchy and irritated skin. It can also be used to treat arthritis, gout, and other inflammatory conditions. The essential oil in black pepper contains a chemical called piperine that’s been shown to inhibit the enzymatic activity that breaks down certain types of cells involved in inflammation. This means less swelling and pain from the first use! When used topically, black pepper helps in pain relief.  Yes! Black pepper has been known to help in pain relief. Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, it can help reduce joint pain associated with arthritis or gout. The same applies to other types of pain as well. After all, there is no reason why you shouldn’t use black pepper topically if it helps improve your overall health and wellness.

That is the Way to go!

One effective way of using black pepper for skin inflammation or pain relief is by toping black pepper oil on the affected area. You can mix some black pepper oil with coconut or olive oil before massaging it onto your skin for about 10 minutes twice a day until you feel better. If you don’t have time for DIY remedies like this one, buy pure organic black peppercorn oil from any health store near where you live today!

7. Remove Acne-causing Blemishes

If you often suffer from acne, you need to try black pepper, which will help your skin flush away its intoxicants and smoothen them. All you need to do is to crush some black pepper and apply it over your skin, and you will find the difference.
If you have a pimple on the face, apply freshly ground black pepper mixed with rose water staged on the acne spot or pimple (Note: the pimple must not be red. It should be in the pus stage where the pimple is not popped) and leave it on till it dries and washes with water.

8. Black Pepper Unclog Pores by Removing the Dirt and Debris

One of the most common problems many people face is a clogging of the pores. This is mainly because they do not care for their skin properly and allow dirt, debris, sweat, and oil to build up in the follicles. If this is left unchecked for a long time, it can lead to blackheads as well as acne breakouts on the skin. Black pepper helps remove these impurities from your face by opening up your pores and removing them from within so that you get a good cleanse without having to scrub hard with harsh chemicals or products which may damage your skin even further!

The Quintessence of the above discussion is…

Black pepper has benefits for skin health in an amazing way. This spice can help clear up acne and other skin problems by bringing more blood to the surface of your face, which helps clear away dirt and oil buildup. So, now you know that black pepper is not just about adding a spicy taste to your food but also has many health benefits. Suppose you are suffering from any of the problems mentioned above. In that case, it’s time to start using black pepper as part of your daily routine. Many people suffer from common skin problems like acne, eczema, and psoriasis. These conditions can make your skin look dull and lifeless. This spice can help clear up acne and other skin problems by bringing more blood to the surface of your face, which helps clear away dirt and oil buildup.

REFERENCES

Butt MS, Pasha I, Sultan MT, Randhawa MA, Saeed F, Ahmed W. Black pepper and health claims: a comprehensive treatise. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23768180/ Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2013;53(9):875-86. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.571799. PMID: 23768180.

Takooree H, Aumeeruddy MZ, Rengasamy KRR, Venugopala KN, Jeewon R, Zengin G, Mahomoodally MF. A systematic review on black pepper (Piper nigrum L.): from folk uses to pharmacological applications. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30740986/ Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(sup1):S210-S243. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2019.1565489. Epub 2019 Feb 11. PMID: 30740986.

Newerli-Guz J, Śmiechowska M. Health Benefits and Risks of Consuming Spices on the Example of Black Pepper and Cinnamon. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9498169/ Foods. 2022 Sep 7;11(18):2746. doi: 10.3390/foods11182746. PMID: 36140874; PMCID: PMC9498169.