Food for Thought
Holiday left-overs no longer have to be tossed into the trash or stored in your fridge. Most of what we eat during this time of year has alternative benefits, rather than just satisfying your appetite. Such seasonal delights can often be turned into creative do-it-yourself beauty treatments that work to reduce eye puffiness, improve skin tone and/or fight flakiness. Follow my tips below and say cheers to the holiday season and fabulous left-over finds for your face –your waist will thank you!
Champagne:
Benefit: Makes for a great toner!Champagne detoxifies the skin with antioxidants while lightening Tartaric Acid helps even out the skin tone.For those with oily skin, its antibacterial properties aid in leaving last year’s breakouts behind.
Use: After washing your face, soak up a cotton ball with the left-over champagne and swipe all over face, neck and décolleté.Be careful around the eyes…this is alcohol after all!Let the champagne fully absorb into skin, allowing it to close pores, leaving the surface tight, firm, and glowing! Note people with very sensitive or dry skin should do a patch test on a small, non-visible area of the neck or hands.
Caviar:
Benefit: A household party favorite, caviar is rich in Amino Acids, Phospholipids and isfull of Vitamins A, D, B1, B 2 and B6.Caviar’s structure is similar to human skin cells; therefore it has the ability to speed up the natural production of collagen.Whether you gulp it down or slather it on your face, caviar helps firm, smooth and rejuvenate the skin, resulting in a more youthful appearance.
Use: To make a caviar mask, simply apply the left-overs all over the face, neck and décolleté.After 30 minutes, rinse off with lukewarm water; skin is left thoroughly hydrated and renewed!
Sweet Potatoes
Benefit: High in Iron, Fiber and Beta-Carotene which aids in the production of new skin cells and helps to smooth out fine lines around the eyes.
Use: For a wrinkle-reducing eye treatment, slice two pieces of cold sweet potato and place on each eye for 20 minutes.The colder the sweet potato slices, the more effective the treatment will be.
Cranberries
Benefit: Considered one of the most powerful antioxidants in all food groups, cranberries are anti-bacterial as well as anti-inflammatory and can help to stimulate collagen.
Use: For an exfoliating mask, mash up leftover cranberries with raw sugar, oatmeal and a little cranberry juice.Leave the mask on for 10 minutes and rinse to create a healthy glow.
Coffee
Benefit: Caffeine helps to treat skin redness, inflammation, the appearance of cellulite.
Use: After your morning cup of joe, take the granules into the shower and rub them onto your body, focusing on areas that need extra tightening. They also make a great exfoliating addition to any facial product.
About the author
Marina Peredo M.D., F.A.A.D. is a nationally recognized board certified dermatologist with over 20 years of experience.Dr. Peredo has successfully treated patients with skin-related conditions and is also regarded as one of the leading dermatologic experts for non-invasive/minimally invasive cosmetic procedures.She participates in many key professional organizations, conducts numerous clinical studies, is a national trainer, speaker and educator for prestigious dermatologic companies and does pro-bono work for Beyond Our Borders.