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How Guava Became Summer’s Most Unexpected Beauty Star
Freshly squeezed and ripe for your beauty shelf.
When happy hour beckons, my go-to cocktail almost always stars a fruit—passionfruit, to be precise—shaken with a dash of gin. But during a recent post-work outing with a friend, a new contender stole the spotlight: a fizzy spritz bursting with a playful tug-of-war between guava and mint. I’ve always known guava as a tart yet sweet delight, compressed into a juice so addictive that it demands encore sips until surrender. I assumed my guava affair would end in that quaint Lower East Side hideaway where we laughed over drinks. However, as it turns out, the beauty world had other plans: bottling the fruit’s juicy essence into kissable balms, lather-worthy washes and butters, and spritzable potions ripe for summer indulgence.
Folks have already dubbed the upcoming warm season Guava Girl Summer—and fittingly so. Cut the fruit open and you’ll be greeted by its glossy pink heart, the same finish that informed the season’s buzziest lip glosses and blush launches. My aversion to food-themed beauty turned me away from joining the “strawberry makeup” or “brownie glazed lips” bandwagon.
However, upon researching guava’s benefits, the fruit goes beyond its aesthetic appeal—guava actually boasts impressive benefits for the skin and hair.
“For skin, guava is loaded with antioxidants like vitamin C, which helps brighten the complexion, fade dark spots, and boost collagen production,” says Paula Brezavscek, PA-C, board-certified physician’s associate and the founder of AZALA Skin
Clinic in Miami, Florida. Guava is also packed with another antioxidant named lycopene that “protects the skin against environmental stressors and signs of aging. I especially love guava for its dual-action benefits: It protects and perfects. Plus, it has natural anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, a great option for acne-prone or sensitive skin,” Brezavscek adds.
The powerhouse vitamins harnessed from the fruit offer additional strengthening and protection benefits to the hair. “I’ve even seen guava leaf extract used to calm dandruff and soothe irritated scalps. It’s one of those ingredients that supports both the health of the hair and the skin underneath it. To me, guava isn’t just a seasonal ingredient, it’s a fruit-forward glow-up that actually delivers,” Brezavscek says.
Enticed by more than just the taste of the tropical fruit? Allow these guava-infused and guava-themed beauty picks to satisfy your craving.
These days, the supple, glossy sheen you notice on most lips comes courtesy of Summer Fridays’ cult-favorite lip balms. The brand’s latest iteration of its viral formula has an even pinker hue than, say, Pink Sugar or Birthday Cake, to mimic the color of the fruit’s core.
Rahua’s curl cream is formulated with fortifying and strengthening ingredients, including biotin, African shea butter, and oils, among others, with guava as the standout. “Think less damage, more shine. It hydrates and smoothes the hair cuticle, which results in softer texture and a natural, healthy glow, all with that fresh, fruity scent lingering behind,” Anna Ayers, founder of Rahua, explains.
Vacation starts as soon as you spritz on a Kopari fan-favorite SPF formula. However, in this case, your real respite begins in-shower. Beyond the guava scent, the Hydrating Body Wash caresses the skin with calming aloe, hydrating coconut water, and antioxidant-rich sea kelp to prep your skin for a day of fun.
This lightweight leave-in conditioner will help your hair achieve its silkiest, softest form. Guava extract conditions and adds sheen to every strand, while aloe vera juice and plum extract lock in hydration.
You get the best of many worlds from this one spray. Ceremonia’s Guava Rescue Spray serves as a detangler and nourisher, while guava offers heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupté Shine Lipstick Balm 214 Wet Guava
Whether worn alone or paired with a lip liner, this YSL formula glides effortlessly onto the lips for a comfortable, soft-sheen finish in a light pink shade.
One scoop of this body cream is enough to give your skin a vacation-like glow, and its delicious scent is the cherry, uh, guava on top. As the moisturizing formula imparts a subtle sheen and softness to the skin, your body is wrapped in the scent of guava, coconut water, and gardenia.
Ayesha Curry’s Sweet July offerings are love letters to her Caribbean upbringing, and the Pava cleanser utilizes the tropic island’s star ingredients to address a bevy of skin concerns. Papaya, guava, and glycolic acid work together to gently exfoliate dead skin cells, revealing a refreshed, smoother, and more refined complexion.
Florals and fruits fight for the spotlight in this fragrance, which features a medley of creamy florals ylang-ylang and osmanthus, and vibrant banana and guava for a fruity touch.
This toner is powered by Dezi Skin’s patented Guavazyme technology, comprised of guava and pear extracts, aimed at reducing the appearance of hyperpigmentation and scarring.
Ere Perez’s tan drops allow you to achieve a sun-kissed glow without a sunny escape. Made with vitamin C from guava and aloe vera, these drops can be mixed into your favorite serum and moisturizer, so you can wake up feeling like you’re in the tropics—without leaving home.
As its name suggests, Tropical by Arquiste smells like a summer cocktail waiting to be indulged. Ginger anchors the juicy tang of ripe guava and lime upon first spritz, and as it settles, guava continues mingling with the notes.
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