Does your natural skin care treatment routine fall apart during the holidays? Use these holiday recipes to turn your kitchen into a spa.
Big dinners, special deserts, a cup of good cheer with friends and family – it all adds up to a lot of fun and a diet of delicious food that we, unfortunately, eat much more of than during the year. Along with the few extra pounds that invariably become part of our new year’s resolutions, the holidays also take their toll on our skin. However, what you may not know is that many of the traditional holiday foods also make great natural skin care ingredients, to turn your holiday kitchen into a much-needed holiday spa.
Your first order of business should be a facial – and your holiday kitchen has all the natural skin care ingredients you need. One that is sure to be at your fingertips is the pumpkin. A superfood that’s good for you inside and out, pumpkin is high in protein, essential fatty acids, potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron, copper, Vitamins C, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, Folate, B12, A and E. It nourishes the body and fights free radicals – a major cause of aging. In some countries, pumpkin is a staple – where we serve potatoes, they serve pumpkin. Pumpkin has everything you need in a good natural skin care treatment.
- To make a holiday pumpkin masque, skin and seed a ripe papaya, mash a cup of pumpkin, beat an egg white to meringue consistency and puree it all with a teaspoon of honey. Smooth it on your face and continue your holiday preparations. Rinse it off after five or 10 minutes and your skin will be soft and smooth.
Next is the cranberry. While not on the superfood list, cranberries are nevertheless being recognized for their therapeutic value. High in phytonutrients and antioxidants, cranberries prevent bacterial build up in the body. However, they also provide special protection as a natural skin care treatment for dry, chapped lips in the winter months.
- For a great tasting lip balm, combine a drop of Vitamin E, a teaspoon of honey, a tablespoon of sweet almond and 10 fresh cranberries. Bring just to a boil in a double broiler, stirring frequently and crushing the cranberries. Let it cool for two or three few minutes, strain to remove the cranberry pieces, and continue to cool to room temperature. Spoon it into a small jar you can carry with you.
Do you make apple pies during the holidays? Apples are high in Vitamins A, C and K, and several minerals. These vitamins are essential basics in natural skin care treatment.
- To make a holiday toning masque, peel, seed and core an apple, then puree with two tablespoons of whipping cream or sour cream. Smooth in onto your face and rinse off after 20 or 30 minutes – by that time you should be ready to put your pie in the oven.
Last, but not least, is the holiday turkey. Don’t worry, I’m not going to suggest you puree it with a little dressing and gravy and take a bath in it. But it does help with one thing we all need during the busy holiday season – a good sleep. Turkey contains an essential amino acid called tryptophan. Tryptophan helps the body produce niacin, niacin helps produce serotonin, and serotonin calms the brain and helps us sleep. How important is sleep to natural skin care? Try being short on it for a few nights and you’ll see the difference.
Although pumpkins, cranberries, apples and turkey are common in the holiday kitchen, you may want to use these recipes for natural skin care treatment throughout the year!
Dr Lisa Benest has been practicing general and cosmetic dermatology in Burbank, California for over 9 years. She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com
For permission to reprint this article in full or in part, contact info2006@lisabenestmd.com
