Fruit for the skin
Summertime is in full force, and I love all of the fresh fruit that is available to use here in Ontario, Canada.
As much as I love to consume fruit daily, I also love to make my own facial masks. I think masking gets put to the side a lot when thinking of at-home skincare rituals, as it usually takes a little longer to prepare. This is certainly the case if you are creating your own DIY mix, which I tend to do. This allows me to get a little creative with my ingredients and have a bit more control over what my skin needs at the time.
There are gorgeous enzymes in fruit such as strawberries, bananas, papaya, and pineapple that are known to help speed up cellular renewal by gently exfoliating the skin. The enzymes used for exfoliation in skincare are protease (or proteolytic) enzymes, which break down other proteins, including those keeping your older, outer layers of skin stuck on. The enzymes work to break down the keratin protein that the top layer of your skin is made up of, resulting in a smoother and brighter appearance.
I find that enzyme exfoliants work best in my treatment room as well as for at-home skincare. They are much gentler on the skin, and some of them even have anti-inflammatory properties that make them ideal for people who have more sensitive skin types. I also find that fruit enzymes don’t normally mess with your skin’s pH, so they don’t strip that amazing skin microbiome that we all have and need.
It is Strawberry season right now, and I can’t get enough of these delicious berries! I’ve been putting them in my yogurt bowls, smoothies, making jam, pickling the young berries, and mostly…using them in my facial masks!
A few benefits of strawberries for your skin:
Strawberries are rich in antioxidants, including elegiac acid and anthocyanin that helps to reduce UV damage by inhibiting certain enzymes that contribute to collagen breakdown. They contain Folic Acid, which aids in cellular regeneration and the production of new cells in our bodies.
They also contain salicylic acid, a beta-hydroxy acid that can help reduce hyperpigmentation and PIH (post-inflammatory inflammation). I commonly use this on clients with acne-prone skin, as it helps to reduce the amount of acne-causing bacteria that could cause future breakouts
Here are a few strawberry recipes for glowing skin!
Strawberry enzyme face mask
8 or 9 fresh strawberries (mash them up in a bowl with a fork)
2 tbsp raw honey
1 tbsp olive oil, sunflower oil or avocado oil
1 tbsp plain Greek yogurt (full fat)
1 tsp lime juice (if you have sensitive skin omit this part)
Apply to freshly cleansed skin and leave on for 10 minutes! Keep stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Strawberry body scrub
½ cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
10 to 12 fresh strawberries (mash them up in the bowl with a fork)
3 tbsp Olive oil
1 drop Frankincense essential oil (only if you like).
Use in the shower and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days!
- Much love,
Woodside xx