Cherries are having a moment: the pair of shiny red orbs with a green wishbone stem has become symbolic of girlhood, decorating cupcakes, snack plates, and nail art. They’re in beloved perfumes and scenting showers, thanks to Dove’s Body Scrub with Crushed Cherries and Chia Milk ($11) and Soap & Glory’s Cherry Wild Body Wash ($5), both infused with sweet-cherry fragrances that evoke nostalgia. But beyond scent and symbolism, what often gets forgotten is the humble cherry’s naturally occurring skin-care benefits — it can brighten, gently exfoliate, protect, and hydrate the skin, like a little round powerhouse.
Licensed esthetician Emme Diane Burg says that she first discovered the applicability of cherries in skin care while researching botanical ingredients that could address both acne concerns and signs of aging. “Cherries, particularly acerola and wild cherry extracts, stood out because of their high vitamin C content, antioxidant benefits, and mild enzymatic exfoliation,” says Burg. “The first product I used was a brightening serum with acerola cherry extract, which really helped with hyperpigmentation and overall skin clarity.”
To learn more about the amazing benefits of skin care’s hottest new ingredient, keep reading.
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Emme Diane Burg is a licensed aesthetician and the founder of Emme Diane skin care.
Cherry Skin-Care Benefits
Like apples, cherries are naturally high in vitamin C, which, when used topically, can brighten skin. “The high vitamin C content helps fade dark spots, acne scars, and dullness for a more radiant, even-toned complexion,” Burg says. Cherry enzymes are gentler than other fruit enzymes, “which is great for acne-prone or sensitive skin,” says Burg. For example, if your skin gets red or scratchy after using even a mild toner, consider a cherry-rich alternative, like the Liz Earle Smooth & Glow Exfoliating Tonic ($8), which harnesses acerola cherry extract, as a gentler, more effective option for boosting your skin’s glow.
Of course, like most fruits and vegetables, cherries are naturally antioxidant-rich and hugely beneficial in skin protection. “Cherries are rich in polyphenols and flavonoids that help protect the skin from free radicals and slow down signs of aging,” Burg says. Moreover, “cherries contain natural humectants and amino acids that help soothe, hydrate, and strengthen the skin’s barrier.” They’re pretty impressive.
How Cherries Differ from Other Fruits in Skin Care
“While all fruit extracts have unique benefits, cherries stand out because they provide a balance of brightening, exfoliation, and barrier protection without being too harsh on the skin,” Burg says. “Apples, for example, contain malic acid, a great gentle exfoliant. But cherries bring more to the table with vitamin C and antioxidants, making them especially helpful for brightening and reducing the appearance of post-acne marks.”
Compared to pineapple and papaya, heralded for their natural exfoliating enzymes, cherries also offer gentler, more hydrating enzymatic exfoliation. “Pineapple is known for its bromelain enzyme, which provides powerful exfoliation, but it can sometimes be too strong for sensitive skin,” says Burg. “Cherries, on the other hand, are much gentler while still delivering hydration and antioxidant protection. Then there’s papaya, famous for its papain enzyme that breaks down dead skin cells; it’s a great ingredient but can oftentimes be too intense for reactive or compromised skin, while cherries offer milder exfoliation along with soothing, skin-calming benefits.”
The Best Cherry Skin-Care Products
There’s a spate of great cherry-forward skin-care products — you just have to dig around to find them. The aforementioned Liz Earle Smooth & Glow Exfoliating Tonic is a favorite; fun fact: the cherries used in the formula are hand-harvested while they’re still green (not yet their signature red) to ensure they contain the highest concentrations of vitamin C. Burg also recommends the Naturopathica Sweet Cherry Brightening Enzyme Peel ($23) for pigmentation concerns. “This formula combines sweet cherry puree, lactic acid, and another popular fruit enzyme, bromelain, to gently exfoliate and brighten the skin in just five minutes,” she says. A third option is Fenty Skin Cherry Dub Pore Purify’r Gel Cleanser ($34), which includes three forms of Barbados Cherry plus aloe and niacinamide. Its intoxicating aroma is the cherry on top.
Be on the lookout for more cherry skin care on the horizon, says Burg. “What excites me most about cherries is their ability to address multiple skin concerns,” she says. “They’re one of those rare ingredients that can brighten, exfoliate, hydrate, and protect the skin, all at the same time. I love seeing how different types of cherries (acerola, wild cherry, sour cherry) are uniquely incorporated, whether through ferments, enzyme-rich extracts, or antioxidant-packed formulations. There’s still so much untapped potential for cherries in skin care, especially in targeted treatments for post-acne marks, oxidative stress, and barrier support. Plus, it’s always fun when skin care can harness the power of nature in such an effective way.”
Megan Decker is a freelance writer and editor based in New York City. Formerly the beauty editor at Refinery29, Megan has worked in editorial for over seven years, frequently covering emerging trends and profiling celebrities.
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