Let’s face it the majority of us would like to have smoother skin without sun spots, especially those of us who spend a lot of time outdoors in Minnesota's extreme weather conditions!
With a slew of beauty products on the shelves and on cable tv channels, choices become confusing. And then factoring in what possible chemicals are in those products that only “hide” problems with possibly delivering more later on and, frankly, you're exhausted just thinking about it. Or maybe that's just me.
How about growing your own beauty products? We all know that berries taste good and are good for us internally but what about externally? Turns out what’s good going IN is good going ON.
I recently read an article in Organic Gardening Magazine about natural beauty companies using all sorts of berries for better skin. Ido Leffler, co-founder of the Yes To brand, says berries are inherently full of nutrient-rich antioxidants, vitamins, flavanoids and more. They also provide rich colors for lipsticks, glosses and cheek colors. You know how stained your fingers get with blueberries! Although I’m not sure that’s MY shade, it might work for you. An antioxidant called anthocyanin provides the blue, red and purple pigment in berries and helps mitigate skin damage from free radicals.
Want to hydrate your skin, reduce inflammation? Care to iron out a few wrinkles? Try ellagic acid. While the word acid may not sound so tantalizing, fruits such as blackberries, cranberries, raspberries and strawberries store them. Rub out the wrinkles with raspberries using this recipe. Mash up a handful of raspberries with a spoonful of honey and apply the mask to clean skin for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
I’ll share more information and recipes on my website Garden Bite. The important thing to note is that we can grow all of the berries mentioned in our climate zone. But remember that blueberries and cranberries must have acidic soil and cranberries prefer bogs. Don’t mix these up with our native Highbush Cranberries, they’re not even related!
Do not use store bought berries for your facials. You don't know what chemicals were used on them. If you can't grow your own then buy from a local producer where you know their management practices or talk with your local co-op.
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