Raisins are a versatile ingredient used in both sweet and savoury dishes in India. They are either incorporated in kheer (rice pudding) or added to main courses like biryani and pulao. All in all, they help enhance taste and also offer various health benefits.
In recent times, raisin water has become quite popular among beauty and skincare enthusiasts. We asked an expert whether the claims of raisin water increasing glow and reducing acne are true, and here's what she shared.
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Is Raisin Water Good For Your Skin?
Raisin water is simply raisins that were soaked overnight in water. According to Dr Priyanka Kuri, Consultant Dermatologist, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, raisins contain antioxidants and micronutrients that are great for your overall health and well-being.
Antioxidants play a vital role in reducing oxidative damage and protecting against chronic conditions like cancer, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, according to a 2020 review published in the Journal of Food Biochemistry.
However, Dr Kuri noted that there are no clinical studies to support the skin health effects of drinking raisin water.Expert opinion reviews mention that there is not a scientific basis for the claimed benefits (better skin, detox) and that transfer of nutrients from the fruit to the soaking water is not realistically going to happen.
Skin Benefits Of Raisin Water
“Whole raisins have phenolic antioxidants (i.e., phenolic acids and flavonols such as quercetin derivatives), which could provide some defence against oxidative stress, which is a principal cause of photoaging,” Dr Kuri explained.
He added that human and mechanistic studies indicate that consuming raisins may increase circulating antioxidant capacity and alter markers of oxidative stress, but these observations to date relate to consuming (not drinking the soaking water) whole raisins.
Raisins are also a source of fibre and thermominerals (particularly potassium and a trace of iron), which could support the nutritional status that could influence skin health; however, with the caveat that these are related to consuming raisins, not raisin water.
Stressing further, she mentioned that there is no clinical evidence that raisin water treats acne or produces a ‘glow’. “Raisins are a good source of antioxidants and potassium, but soaking/boiling supplies no skin benefits—hydrate with water, not raisins.”
Additionally, medical fact-check articles conclude these claims about acne are false, and consumer health reviews found no evidence for detox/skin benefits. “Taste it and enjoy it, if you like the taste, but stick with the acne evidence-based care and overall habits (sleep, sunscreen, diet, and stress),” she added.
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Raising Water Is Generally Safe, But Watch Out For Some Side Effects
Raisin water is generally safe, but consuming it day after day might cause Gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances like:
- Bloating
- Gas
- Diarrhoea
This is because raisins are high in fibre and sugar. It can also result in excessive weight gain or low blood pressure or hypoglycaemia for sensitive people. Allergic reactions are rare but possible.
What A Dermatologist Wants You To Know
According to Dr Kuri, dermatologists generally see raisin water as low-risk hydration with unproven skin-specific benefits. This is because raisins contain polyphenols, and grape polyphenols show antioxidant/UV-protective effects. However, evidence comes from whole fruit/extract studies—not raisin-soaked water.
“By comparison, proven skincare remains sunscreen, moisturiser, and topical antioxidants/retinoids.”
Hence the verdict is: enjoy raisins for overall health; don’t expect raisin water to rival evidence-based dermatology, Dr Kuri concluded.