Posted on: May 23, 2008
Face the Food
Cucumber slices are an age-old remedy for puffy eyes, but hidden skin benefits exist in many of nature's finest crops. Try these home remedies to get better skin the natural - and edible - way
By Dawn Klingensmith
CTW Features
Got puffy eyes? Parched skin? While going to a pricey spa to perk up your complexion isn't a daily luxury most people can afford, a trip to the supermarket could be just as good. Many of the foods we eat also double as homemade skin care products.
"You can save a lot of money by shopping the produce section instead of the cosmetics aisle," says Donna Maria Coles Johnson, founder of MakeYourCosmetics.com. "A lot of foods contain really great ingredients for topical skin care, so why not raid the refrigerator and pantry and make your own beauty remedies?"
Johnson's Web site features hundreds of recipes and an ingredient encyclopedia, which explains the beauty benefits of different foods. For example, egg whites and coffee aren't just breakfast buddies but also topical beauty aids - each acts as an astringent to tame oily skin. Mashed avocados or bananas make a creamy, dreamy moisturizer, and pineapples and apples both contain natural alpha hydroxy acids that slough away dead skin cells for a smoother complexion.
Honey, a natural humectant that helps skin attract and retain moisture, has been used in beauty regimens since Cleopatra's reign. For a tropical twist on this tried-and-true ingredient, Jennifer Masterson of the National Honey Board, Madison, Wis., suggests pureeing a half papaya, seeds removed, and a half cup of diced pineapple in a blender or food processor; pouring the fruit into a glass bowl; and adding two tablespoons each of honey and steeped green tea. Mix well, apply to your face, recline for 10 or 15 minutes and then rinse with tepid water and a washcloth.
One of Johnson's favorite facial scrubs doubles as an edible fruit dip. Combine one tablespoon each of whole oats, finely powdered almonds and amaranth seeds (available in health food stores), plus one teaspoon each of all-natural apple juice, grape juice and pineapple juice. Add two tablespoons of whipping cream and stir well. Add a half cup of brewed chamomile tea a little at a time until a loose, creamy mixture forms, which you can use not only to cleanse your skin but also to curb your appetite.
Angelina Umansky, owner of Spa Radiance, San Francisco, recommends clients make a simple, two-ingredient mask to maintain a rosy glow between professional spa facials. In a food processor, mix half an avocado with olive oil to create a smooth paste. Spread a thin layer onto your face, lie down and relax for 20 minutes. Rinse it off with cool water.
