It’s highly likely you’ve never thought about putting acai berry, pineapple, papaya or coconut on your face to make your skin radiate with health. And I don’t blame you – doing so sounds rather odd in theory, really. But the benefits of food-based ingredients in beauty products simply need to be boasted about.
‘Natural ingredients have been used for centuries by natives from all over the world, and have demonstrated their proven effectiveness time and time again,’ says Vicki Engsall, co-founder and product director of The Jojoba Company. ‘People are becoming more conscious about avoiding chemicals in their diets and in their skin care products, and are choosing to use natural alternatives in order to avoid a chemical overload.’
But which ingredients should we jot down on our beauty shopping lists? These ones are a fabulous place to start…
Coconut
Did you know coconut can do more than just make you smell gorgeous? ‘Coconut provides superior hydration because of its high concentration of fructose and glucose,’ says Vicki, making it a marvellous ingredient for those with dry, dehydrated skin. ‘It will also soften, cleanse and condition the skin,’ she adds. Coconut’s antiseptic properties enable it to repair and heal the skin, too, while acting as a moisture barrier. Oh, and those sweet little coconuts are also fabulous for reinvigorating dry hair and boosting shine, so feel free to go a wee bit nuts with it! Try: endota spa lemon & organic sugar scrub and Lush Curly Wurly.
Acai berry
Touted as one of nature’s best superfoods, acai berry supplements are a must- have for the ultra-healthy beings who walk among us, but this wonder fruit has a multitude of benefits when applied topically, too. Corinne Morley, inhouse beauty expert for Trilogy, explains why the brand makes use of this tiny purple berry in a number of its products. ‘It’s known to nourish the lipid barrier and stimulate the regeneration process by encouraging new collagen production,’ says Corinne, which makes it an essential ingredient for those wanting to combat premature signs of ageing and maintain healthy, glowy skin. ‘Acai berry is also jam-packed with antioxidants such as phytosterol that condition the skin. It’s like a healthy meal for your skin, really.’ Try:Trilogy Rosehip Oil Antioxidant+, Sukin Purely Ageless Intensive Firming Serum and Burt’s Bees Rejuvenating Lip Balm with Acai Berry.
Papaya and pineapple
‘Papain, a natural fruit enzyme derived from papaya, is made up of sugars, enzymes and AHAs that help break down and loosen dry, damaged or older cells from the surface of the skin, promoting brighter, more radiant skin,’ explains Corinne. It also contains vitamins A and C, which makes it a powerful wrinkle- fighter and free radical-protector. Pineapple is equally as brilliant for dull, lacklustre skin, so bring them together and you have a very powerful duo. Corinne adds: ‘Bromelain, which is derived from pineapple, is another source of sugars, enzymes and AHAs that help remove dead and damaged skin cells.’ It’s also great for hydration, and promotes a clearer, brighter, more luminous complexion. Try:Alpha-A Gentle Daily Exfoliant andOPI Papaya & Pineapple Mask.
So, it sounds like your skin will be more than happy to snack on these ingredients, huh?
Did you know these foods were so good for your skin? Are any of these ingredients a part of your current skin care routine? Are you keen to try them out?
No fruits on my face atm, but acids I use could be derived from them?