There are really only two ways to end up with food on your face. Either you’ve been in a food fight or you’ve just re-enacted the steamy fridge scene from "9 ½ Weeks." Now you can throw a third way into the mix. Use foods as home-made moisturizers. Instead of using chemical-based products with fancy labels and price tags, you can use the foods in your kitchen for market prices. The following foods contain antioxidants, vitamins and healthy fats which are all crucial for smooth and supple skin. While a healthy skin care regimen means that you need to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains as well as drink lots of water, it doesn’t hurt to feed the skin topically as well. So, don’t be shy. Start pulling these foods out of the fridge and slap them on your face. You’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Avocado: This fruit is rich in antioxidants (Vitamins A, E C & D), which are nutrients used in many anti-aging products. The good news is you can reap the benefits of the vitamins without exposing yourself to dangerous chemicals. For supple skin, the monounsaturated fat content in the avocado makes a luxurious oil for the skin cells to soak up. Scrape off the pulp closest to the skin of a ripe avocado and apply it to the face. Leave it on for 10-20 minutes and then wipe it off. It makes a lovely night cream.
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Olive oil: Used as an ancient beauty aid, this healthy fat provides the skin with plenty of antioxidants and linoleic acid which is an excellent lubricant. Olive oil can be used as a facial cleanser, removing impurities from your pores and reducing the appearance of fine lines. Again, this food will provide moisture for the skin without any harsh ingredients or chemicals to damage your skin.
Oatmeal: Troubled by breakouts or acne? An oatmeal facial cleanser and moisturizer can help with irritated or inflamed skin. Grind the oats into a grainy consistency and add water until it becomes a paste. Apply this to the face as a mask until it dries, and then rinse off.
Yogurt/Kefir: Yogurt and Kefir (fermented milk with live beneficial bacteria) provide your skin with antibacterial properties, so it is excellent for acne. The lactic acid, which is a type of alpha hydroxyl acid found in commercial beauty products will clear dead skin cells and tighten pores to leave your skin glowing and healthy looking. Choose the plain organic brands, as you'll want the active bacterial content with no added sugar or preservatives.
Banana: Banana peels contain antioxidants to moisturize and revive skin cells. The anti-inflammatory properties of the peel also may benefit psoriasis and eczema. The peel can be used up to three times before losing effectiveness. You will also need to store it in the fridge between uses. A ripe banana mashed and placed on the skin for 10-15 minutes will leave the skin feeling supple and smooth.
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Honey: Raw honey contains vitamins, live enzymes and antioxidants for moisture and skin cell repair. Use as a mask, and apply directly to the face for 15 minutes and rinse off or combine with the above ingredients for a super-duper beauty mask good enough to eat!
Photo credit: Tad Tafelsky
