Guava might make you think of a few things — the sweet juice, a long overdue vacation, or a sunny beach day. (Makes sense, since the fruit is native to tropical regions.) What’s not so obvious? The fact that guava is a powerhouse of a skincare ingredient, with the ability to brighten, firm, and hydrate in one fell swoop. That’s the magic of this vitamin-rich fruit, which contains more than four times the amount of vitamin C in an orange. 

“Guava is packed with antioxidants like vitamin A, B, C and potassium, which help to combat and negate the effects of harmful free radicals in the environment that can cause damage and premature aging of the skin,” says Michele Green, M.D., a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City. “These powerful hydrating and detoxifying vitamins help to improve the overall tone and texture of skin, providing a refreshed, youthful radiance.”

Not only that, but it also has almost as much potassium, a key electrolyte, as a banana — a well-known potassium winner, hence our Banana Soufflé Moisture Cream. And that’s kind of a big deal, since potassium keeps the lipids in the skin barrier organized and in proportion to help skin retain moisture.

Along with vitamin C, guava is also a natural source of Vitamin E and other bioactive antioxidants, such as gallic acid, catechin, chlorogenic acid, rutin, quercetin, beta-carotene, and lycopene. That makes it a compelling option to both protect against and repair damage from oxidative stressors that could otherwise lead to dark spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and uneven skin texture.

How guava benefits skin

Guava’s most powerful compound is, not surprisingly, vitamin C. That can mean big things for skin tone. “Vitamin C has been shown to interfere with the production of excess melanin — meaning that this super-ingredient also helps to brighten the complexion, control facial redness, and diminish any areas of facial hyperpigmentation,” says Green. Translation: The vitamin C makes guava fruit a powerful ingredient to counteract dark spots from sun exposure, post-acne marks, and beyond. Plus, it can do so for all skin tones and types, since vitamin C-rich guava doesn’t have the same safety concerns as other common brightening ingredients, such as hydroquinone.

Guava can also keep skin healthy and bouncy in the long-term, too. “The naturally high concentration of Vitamin C in guava should boost the amount of collagen production in the skin, helping to lessen the visibility of any facial fine lines and wrinkles,” says Dr. Green. “Collagen is a protein that provides the skin with structure and naturally decreases with age — however, by adding vitamin C into your skincare routine, you can increase the amount of collagen produced and create firmer, more supple skin.”

Last but not least, says Dr. Green, “vitamin C also has anti-inflammatory properties.” That’s similarly important, seeing as chronic skin inflammation can contribute to acne, rosacea, and premature signs of aging (think fine lines).

How to incorporate guava into your routine

Given guava’s powerful dark spot-fighting benefits, it was a no-brainer for the Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum, where we’ve paired guava extract with five forms of vitamin C for the maximum skin-brightening abilities. First, there’s an oil-soluble form, which is more stable and less irritating, as well as four water-soluble forms. These are encapsulated in thin oil layers that shed over time, offering both a time-release effect and enhancing absorption (since lipid skin barrier is more accepting of other lipids). The combination of guava, vitamin C, and tranexamic acid — a newer-to-the-scene ingredient that stops pigment production via a different pathway — give this vitamin C serum the ability to stop dark spots in their tracks.

The Guava Vitamin C Dark Spot Serum also offers guava seed oil to nourish and moisturize. Together, the guava seed oil and extract  leave skin soft and radiant. And, unlike most vitamin C serums that have a notorious scent, the guava lends ours a light, fruity, and totally natural fragrance that’s flat-out delicious.

That said, we’re conscious that we’re using a natural resource, which is why we use a unique process to harvest our guava extract in a way that conserves water and minimizes food waste. The leftover pulp, seeds, and peel are reused as fertilizer, while our guava seed oil is extracted from upcycled guava seeds through a cold-pressed method, which both saves energy and keeps the (many) nutrients intact.

Bottom line? Whether you have dark spots or just want the best possible glow, you’ll get peak radiance and an even skin tone gently — but effectively — with guava.

Read more about our favorite skincare ingredients:

• What Exactly Is Hyaluronic Clay
• Quench Your Skin’s Thirst With Electrolytes
• Why Watermelon Should Be a Part of Your Skincare Routine