This Trending (Unexpected) Ingredient Is Full of Antioxidants—Why Derms Love It

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(Image credit: @devapollon)

As a beauty editor, there's nothing I love more than discovering new and unexpected ingredients to incorporate into my skincare routine. If a dermatologist tells me that an ingredient can hit undo on hyperpigmentation, I'm going to try it. Likewise, if I learn that something as surprising as snail mucin can give me plump, glowing skin, I'm adding it to my lineup. Hypochlorous acid for redness? Sure. Ectoin for dryness? Check. 

The latest ingredient that's come across my radar is one I can honestly say I've never thought about—well, not outside of my salad plate, at least. I'm talking about figs. Lately, the fleshy fruit has been popping up in new skincare products left and right. From decadent cleansing balms to high-performance lip moisturizers, keep scrolling to learn why fig is the trendy new ingredient your skin could benefit from. Spoiler alert: Derms love it.

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(Image credit: @sasha.mei)

The Benefits of Fig in Skincare

Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, is a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist with over 40 years of experience and the founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare. She says fig offers two main skin benefits: It's moisturizing and anti-aging due to its fatty acid content and antioxidant activity. First, let's talk fatty acids. "It's rich in essential fatty acids that give skin its vibrancy, as they retain moisture," Ciraldo says. "Fig has been shown in human volunteer testing to significantly decrease transepidermal water loss (TEWL), which increases skin luminosity and improves skin smoothness and texture." 

Now let's talk antioxidants. "It has antioxidant benefits since it is rich in vitamins B and C, so it helps to prevent free radical damage—a major cause of unwanted aging changes including lines, wrinkles, loss of elasticity, and age spots," she says. 

Board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, MD, FAAD, agrees, citing a study that found fig extract can improve eczema better than hydrocortisone cream due to its protective properties. As such, it's well-suited to anyone who has eczema or any other dry, itchy skin conditions. 

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Kaitlyn McLintock
Associate Beauty Editor

Kaitlyn McLintock is an Associate Beauty Editor at Who What Wear. Although she covers a wide range of topics across a variety of categories, she specializes in celebrity interviews and skincare and wellness content. Having lived in Los Angeles and Austin, Texas, she recently relocated back to her home state of Michigan where she works remotely. Prior to Who What Wear, she freelanced for a variety of industry-leading digital publications, including InStyle, The Zoe Report, Bustle, Hello Giggles, and Coveteur. Before that, she held a long-term internship and subsequent contributor position at Byrdie. When she's not writing, researching, or testing the latest and greatest beauty products, she's working her way through an ever-growing book collection, swimming in the Great Lakes, or spending time with family.