(Image credit: @shawnasimonee)
At this point in my career, I’ve tried plenty of skincare ingredients that would raise a few eyebrows—from salmon sperm DNA to liquid spicules that feel like tiny glass shards on your face. While the latest ingredient I’ve been dabbling in isn’t quite as out there, it’s still a little unconventional. Paprika is an ingredient you’d normally find in your mom’s spice cabinet, but trust me when I say it’s worth adding to your skincare routine in some way, shape, or form.
The person that convinced me of this was Eminence Organic Skin Care’s global educator Brian Goodwin. I recently got a facial with Goodwin (which is always a treat) and he told me all about the benefits this spicy ingredient has to offer for your skin. It’s a spice that has roots in Hungary, much like the brand. This ingredient is perfect for when your skin is looking a little dull or you’re dealing with dark spots and acne. My skin happened to be struggling with all of the above, but Goodwin perked my skin right up with the brand’s in-spa only Blueberry Detox Firming Peel (featuring paprika, of course).
I couldn’t believe the glow it provided afterwards. Yes, it is a bit spicy on the skin as you would expect and there’s a bit of lingering redness for a few minutes, but trust me, the results are so worth it. Since receiving this facial, I’ve been hooked on using a few products in Eminence’s at-home line with paprika to keep the benefits going. For everything you need to know about this glow-inducing spice, along with a few recommendations from Eminence, take a look ahead.
What does paprika do for your skin?
I cook with paprika all the time and didn’t even consider that it could be good for my skin too. Goodwin explained what this spice is all about. “Paprika is a powdered spice made from dried red peppers,” he says. “Depending on the variety, it can range from sweet to spicy, offering a range of benefits for the skin. While paprika isn’t often thought of as an antioxidant-rich ingredient, it’s a great natural source of vitamin C. In skincare, vitamin C helps provide antioxidant protection and supports collagen production, which is key for keeping skin looking firm, full and healthy.”
Goodwin explained that hot paprika (the kind Eminence uses in a few of its products) is made from dried Capsicum Annuum peppers. It also contains capsaicin, the compound responsible for its warming sensation. “On the skin, that gentle heat helps stimulate circulation and improve blood flow,” he says. “I like to describe it as a workout for your face! The increased microcirculation delivers oxygen, nutrients, and immune-supporting cells to the skin, leaving the complexion visibly plump and refreshed.”
Naturally, because my skin is super sensitive and highly acne-prone I was a bit skeptical. Some ingredients like this tend to make my skin flare up but Goodwin surprised me by saying that it’s also great for acne. “Skincare products with paprika can be a good option for acne-prone skin because they stimulate microcirculation, helping deliver oxygen and nutrients to skin cells,” he continues. “The heating effect also supports natural lymphatic flow, which contributes to overall skin health. While paprika is not a direct treatment for acne, it can complement a routine aimed at keeping breakouts under control. A pro tip is to look for paprika-based formulas that include plant extracts like yucca or red clover, which are rich in phytoestrogens that can help balance excessive oil production in acne-prone skin.”
What are the best ways to incorporate paprika into your skincare routine?
Like I mentioned previously, paprika has Hungarian roots and both it and Eminence have a rich history together. Goodwin says, “Paprika creates a truly unique experience in spa treatment rooms and at home. We were one of the first brands to introduce this ingredient to spa professionals and clients, and it quickly earned attention for the visible results it delivers. The hot sensation of these products helps boost circulation and wake up the skin, so the complexion looks plumper, smoother, and more radiant almost immediately. It’s one of those ingredients you can actually feel and see working, which is part of why it’s become such a signature ingredient for us.
Basically, if you get an Eminence facial at some point in your life, you’ll experience the magic of this ingredient or you can snag a few of the brand’s paprika-rich products to try at home. Goodwin recommends reaching for paprika-based products when skin is feeling dull or needs extra radiance. “Stimulating formulas work best when used one to two times a week to help maintain firmness and support clearer-looking skin,” he says. “They’re also great to use the night before a special event for a healthy, radiant glow! One thing I always remind clients is that hot paprika increases circulation, so the skin can appear flushed for an hour or two after treatment. Because of the flushing effect it creates, it’s best to use products like the Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot or Lime Stimulating Masque at least four hours before an event, giving the rosy color time to settle.”
If you’re worried about sensitivity, don’t worry, there’s options for that too. Goodwin says gentler formulas containing mild paprika are available. “Products like the Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Not Hot or the Eight Greens Youth Serum contain non-spicy versions of paprika that deliver antioxidant benefits from the spice’s natural vitamin C content, making them a great option for anyone who wants to tighten and brighten skin.”
Below are a few skincare products to try with paprika at home from the brand.
The Best Skincare Products With Paprika
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot
This paprika-rich mask feels spicy on the skin, but if you’re sensitive, Goodwin recommends trying the “Not Hot” version to stimulate the skin without the redness. The hot version also features a host of antioxidant-rich botanicals, honey to moisturize, and coenzyme Q10 to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
“One product I personally love is the Eight Greens Phyto Masque – Hot. It’s formulated with our signature Hungarian hot paprika which helps stimulate and invigorate the skin for a more radiant complexion, and it also contains phytoestrogens that can support skin experiencing hormonal breakouts.” — Goodwin
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Lime Stimulating Masque
I use this mask at home a few times a week to boost circulation and it really does the trick. My skin has been pretty congested and this really helps to move a lot of that out of the skin. Like the brand’s next-level Blueberry Detox Firming Peel (more on that later), it gives you a rosy glow and helps promote circulation.
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Eight Greens Youth Serum
“The Eight Greens Youth Serum contains a non-spicy version of paprika that deliver antioxidant benefits from the spice’s natural vitamin C content, making it a great option for anyone who wants to tighten and brighten skin.” — Goodwin
Eminence Organic Skin Care
Blueberry Detox Firming Peel
This is the mask is a game-changer that delivers a serious dose of glow. It’s definitely spicy on the skin and leaves you pretty rosy for a bit after application, but the day after I got the facial, my skin looked significantly brighter. A few small breakouts I had were almost completely gone too. It’s, sadly, a professional-only product, but I’m not above begging Goodwin and the team for a small sample to take home (which I did, and they did give me).
Goodwin shared what he loves about it as well. “Another standout for me is the Blueberry Detox Firming Peel, which is a professional only product. This means that you’ll have to visit one of our spa partners to experience it firsthand! It’s a favorite among celebrities and beauty experts because it delivers an extra dose of spicy paprika alongside exfoliating acids and enzymes that take results to the next level.”
