Thanksgiving Ingredients That Are Good For Your Skin
Thanksgiving is almost here and you may not know it, but many of the common seasonal ingredients used to prepare your holiday meal also have skin benefits. While enjoying some of your favorite foods this Thanksgiving, pamper your skin at the same time! Here are 7 Thanksgiving ingredients our skin can be thankful for this holiday season.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin is a good source of vitamin C, which helps protect the skin from free radicals and promotes collagen production. Carotenoids, which are the antioxidants responsible for giving pumpkins their orange hue, help to improve skin texture and prevent UV damage. Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc, which helps protect cell membranes, maintain collagen, fight acne, and promote skin renewal. Lastly, pumpkin is a good source of most of the B vitamins, including niacin and folate. Niacin helps treat acne and improve circulation and folate also helps to improve circulation, which increases cell turnover and renewal.
Cranberry
cranberry sauce–in the name of skin health! Cranberries contain resveratrol, an acne-fighting compound, and cranberry juice has antiseptic properties that, when applied directly to the skin, help to ensure thorough cleansing. Due to the high levels of vitamin C found in cranberry juice, it is effective in the promotion of collagen production. The function of collagen is to help blood vessels beneath the skin carry oxygen, giving your skin that youthful appearance and radiant glow we all desire.
Cinnamon
In addition to adding flavor to many of your favorite foods this season, cinnamon is one of nature’s greatest antibacterials. The antimicrobial properties found in cinnamon can help eliminate acne blemishes and when added to your exfoliant, cinnamon helps remove dead skin cells and restores skin’s suppleness and shine. Cinnamon can also help in giving your skin a fuller, more plump appearance because it brings oxygen and blood to the outer surface of the skin.
Apple
An apple a day…keeps the wrinkles away! In addition to an abundance of vitamin C, apples are also a great source of copper. Copper helps you make melanin, the brown-black pigment that colors your skin. Melanin is what protects your skin from the sun’s UV rays and being able to produce it provides natural sun protection, important for keeping the skin wrinkle-free.
Carrot
Carrots are most well-known for their beta-carotene content, a carotenoid that is converted into vitamin A inside the human body which is helpful in repairing skin tissues. Carrots are an abundant source of vitamin A, antioxidants, and vitamin C, all of which contribute to healthy, vibrant skin. But what you may not know is that carrots are a rich source of potassium. Dry skin is found to be caused by a deficiency of potassium, so daily consumption of carrots can lead to naturally more hydrated skin.
Rosemary
The scent of rosemary alone should provide incentive enough to apply to your skin. When applied directly to the skin, this herb increases elasticity and the anti-inflammatory benefits are key to eliminating puffiness from lack of sleep or consuming too many sugary cocktails. Rosemary contains iron, calcium, and phytonutrients which help to protect skin cells from damage caused by free radicals and sun exposure.
Sage
The antioxidants found in sage protect skin against free radicals and reverse the signs of aging. Battling an oily complexion? Applied directly to the skin, sage oil acts as a toner by regulating sebum production. The anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties found in sage have been found to help cure acne and even relieve the symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.