Why Fruit, Vegetables, and Honey are Good Skin Food
Banana, papaya, and pineapple sound perfectly delicious to making a rainbow-hued fruit salad. However, the same innocuous-looking fruits hold a variety of nutrients and minerals. They are a wonderful food for skin beauty, especially if they are organic and chemical-free. With new products popping up each day people are spoiled for choice with what to use to turn back the hands of time or give skin an instant glow. So look no further than your refrigerator and introduce your beauty routine to the benefits of some of your favorite kitchen ingredients.
Avocado
This creamy, green vegetable has collagen-building properties and also contains vitamins A, D, and E like asparagus and olives. It has long been used by the Aztecs for making masks and cleansing formulas and is believed to reduce under-eye puffiness. Make sure the avocados are ripe before you use them.
Papaya
Contains the enzyme papain, which stimulates the removal of dead skin, smoothes away fine lines, and leaves the skin more radiant. (See recipe below)
Banana
This wonder fruit is filled with amino acids, natural oils, and potassium that make the skin super soft and smooth. Vitamin A soothes redness and puffiness and potassium is beneficial for the hair and helps prevent split ends while restoring its elasticity.
Coffee
Treat yourself to an aromatic awakening using coffee grounds as an exfoliant as it is believed to reduce cellulite and fight free radicals. Finely grind coffee beans and rub them all over your body in a circular motion. For added intensity throw in some sea salt.
Honey
The bears’ favorite food is a natural humectant, i.e. it helps to attract and seal in moisture. Its high sugar content inhibits the growth of bacteria making it a powerful microbial agent and is great for any skin type, especially sensitive skin.
Grapes
The seeds contain polyphenols, which research has shown is more powerful than vitamin E in fighting against free radicals. The polyphenols in combination with the grape’s vitamins and essential oils is highly beneficial for hydrating the skin and improving the elasticity of the skin and hair.
Chocolate
Your favorite indulgence can be more than a quick pick-me-up when you crave something sweet as cocoa is packed with minerals, vitamins, and free radical bashing polyphenols, which are great to slow down the aging process.
Almonds
Chock-full of vitamin E, this nut also prevents the early onset of wrinkles and fine lines. It helps offset sun damage and is great as an exfoliant. The oil can be used for a head or body massage as well.
Pineapple
This golden treasure contains bromelain. A protein digestive enzyme that helps get rid of dead skin and fight free-radical damage. Like papaya, the application of the juice or fruit pulp leaves the skin feeling healthier and fresh almost immediately.
Tomato
Lycopene is the star in your tomatoes, which battles against free radicals. The acid present in the juice helps bring the impurities to the surface of the skin and vitamin C aids collagen reproduction resulting in smooth, supple skin.
Cucumber
It is still an old wives remedy but cucumber slices on your eyes do work wonders for dark circles and tired eyes. The veggie is filled with minerals, potassium, sodium, and sulfur and is great as a beauty aid to quell skin eruptions and prevent blackheads.
Milk
Cleopatra knew what she was doing when she immersed herself in a fragrant bath of milk and rose petals. The liquid is great for moisturizing the skin while vitamin A is beneficial for repairing skin tissue. Can be used to make pastes with Fuller’s Earth and other fruit or vegetable pur�es. Alternatively, throw a cup of milk powder into your tub and have a soak.
Other kitchen Ingredients That can be used for beauty:
- Vitamin E and sesame seed oils for head and body massages
- Sugar for exfoliation
- Egg white to help tighten the skin
- Cooled chamomile tea bags for the eyes
- Sea salt for scrubs
Papaya Face Peel
- 1 papaya
- 1 packet of unflavoured gelatine
- 3 tablespoons of water
Mix gelatine and water in a saucepan over low heat until the gelatine melts. Pur�e the papaya thoroughly, strain, and save the papaya juice. Mix together gelatine and papaya, refrigerate for 20 minutes then apply to the face and neck. Leave for 15 minutes then rinse off.
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