AGE WELL, LIVE WELL

Summer fruit can benefit your health and your skin

Thu. August 3, 2006 12:00 AM
by Omeed Memar, M.D.

Summer fruit can benefit your health and your skin. Below are a couple of recipes for facial masks and scrubs. Fresh peaches, plums, and nectarines are sodium-free, cholesteroal-free and contiain no fat. They also contain Vitamin C and other important vitamins and minerals including potassium and Vitamin A.

Not only will you enjoy the aroma of the fruit when you’re preparing these mixtures, but when applied to your skin but feel luxurious. They enrich, moisturize and tone tired, dehydrated skin. As an added benefit, they are also a great source of antioxidants which can protect skin from damaging UV rays by counteracting free radical activity. The epidermis absorbs the vitamins and nutrients from topically applied liquid juice solutions that can greatly benefit the elasticity and general appearance of the skin. Facial formulas are easy to make and use.

Peaches & Cream Mask

* 1 large peach
* 2-3 tablespoons cream

Peel and pit the peach, then mash. Add cream until smooth. The mixture can be a little runny. Let is sit for 10 minutes or more and rinse with warm water.

Nectarine and Honey Face Scrub

* 1 nectarine
* 1 small cactus fruit (prickly skinned fruit)
* ¼ cup oatmeal (uncooked)
* 3 teaspoons raw sugar
* 3 teaspoons honey
* 2 teaspoons green tea

Wash nectarine and dice up. Peel cactus fruit and discard skin. Slice in quarters, set aside. Using food processor or blender combine oatmeal, nectarine, cactus fruit, green tea and honey. Mix until pureed. Place in glass or rubber mixing bowl. Stir in sugar until completely mixed. Store in covered container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Apply small amounts to cheeks, forehead, chin and neck. Using finger tips and circular motion work it into the skin. Apply more product as needed until entire face and next are covered. May be left on skin for up to 10 minutes. Rinse completely using warm to cold water.

Peach Tightening Mask

* 1 ripe peach, peeled and pitted
* 1 egg white

Whip peach and egg white together in a food processor until smooth. Gently pat the mixture all over the face. Let is sit for 30 minutes and then rinse off with cool water.

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