Each year growers carefully tend to their crops so we can put food on our table and enjoy many skincare products made with natural ingredients. It’s been a challenging year for growers. In Midwest states, farmers had a late spring planting due to weeks of heavy rain. Floods stripped top soil from fields. Hurricanes hit the East and Gulf states while wildfires burned on the West coast. Still, growers are a resilient lot. Bumper crops, inclement weather, and market competition are forces they face every year. Yet they continue to plant, often generation after generation. When the fall harvest comes, they learn what their toil has brought. Hera are some ways ingredients from the fall harvest act as natural skin enhancers:
- Collagen stimulators
- Moisturizers
- Anti-inflammatories
- Cell repairers
- UV ray protectors
- Circulation boosters
- Stress relievers
- Germ killers
The following fall harvest ingredients may be ingested as food and flavor enhancers or applied topically through skin care products such as oils, masks, serums, soaps, scrubs or lotions.
Pumpkins
Pumpkins contain vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc and essential fatty acids. When eaten or applied topically through oils or masks pumpkin can help ward off signs of aging. Don’t forget the seeds. Nutrition expert Joy Bauer calls pumpkin seeds a “skin superfood.” She describes the zinc found in pumpkin seeds as a natural protector of cell membranes that help maintain collagen and promote skin renewal.
Olives
California is the lead grower of olive trees and producer of olive oil in the USA. Certified Organic Extra Virgin oil is full of linoleic acids, oleic acids, palmitic acids and polyphenols, which contain antioxidants. When absorbed into skin, they combat free radicals. Polyphenols also protect against ultraviolet rays and may encourage new cell growth, replacing damaged skin cells. Certified Organic Extra Virgin Olive oil in skin care products is used to soothe and moisturize the skin. Its antioxidants form a protective barrier, trapping moisture on the skin. YASOU skin care uses certified organic extra virgin olive oil as their main ingredient in there Calityl-O Complex which is in most of the skin care line creams.
Apples
Apples contain malic acid, a natural humectant that helps keep skin hydrated. It’s a natural antioxidant with properties that fight free radicals. Mandelic acid reduces discoloration. Most antioxidants are found in the apple peel. Skin care products containing apple extract use it for its toning, exfoliating and rejuvenating benefits.
Cranberries
Cranberries contain high amounts of vitamins C, a collagen booster that helps keep skin firm. Natural acids in cranberries act as an exfoliant helping to prevent clogged pores. Its antioxidants are free radical fighters that bring out the glow and suppleness of skin.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg comes from evergreen trees in the tropical islands of the East Indies. It is a collagen stimulator and protects against UV rays. Nutmeg oil has antibacterial properties and is believed to boost circulation.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon contains antimicrobial properties that may diminish acne. Cinnamon is often used in lip plumping products, masks, oils, powders and of course for flavoring food. Cinnamon extracts have highly potent antioxidant properties. For use on the skin, cinnamon oil should be made from tree leaves, not the bark.
Carrots
Beta carotene contained in carrots is an antioxidant that the body converts to vitamin A, which promotes healthy skin cell production. The content of flavonoids in carrots is high in autumn. These phytonutrients areantioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits
Rosemary
This fragrant herb is used in teas, pure essential oils and as flavoring for food. Rosemary extract is known to tone and firm sagging skin. It helps reduce swelling and puffiness due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
Almonds
L’Occitane, a popular French beauty company, is so enthralled with the skin care benefits of almonds that it partners with local almond growers that produce high quality product through sustainable practices in Provence. In addition to high protein, almonds are rich in omega-3 and omegea-6 fatty acids, contain powerful antioxidants and moisturizing properties.
Beets
Beets contain a mix of healthy nutrients including folate, fiber, vitamins A and C, manganese, iron, and potassium. They help stimulate cell renewal, guarding against premature aging and wrinkles.
Kale
Kale contains a powerful range of antioxidants that work from the inside out. Its own antioxidants help protect the plant from damaging UV rays, and thus help protect our skin. Its high Vitamin C content supports firm, soft skin.
High grade, quality lavender oil regenerates skin and helps in the healing of cuts and scars. Lavender contains antiseptic and antifungal properties. As a bacteria fighter it helps keep acne at bay. Lavender essential oil is known to have calming and sedative properties, promoting relaxation and sleep. It can be applied directly on the skin, or as an ingredient in skincare products.
Seasons affect the concentration of phytochemicals in plants. Phytochemicals are compounds derived from plants that have biological activity in humans.Fall harvest ingredients are nurtured by the soil and sun under the watchful eye of growers. When you use choose skincare products with natural and organic ingredients you are enhancing your skin and supporting growers who know when crops are ripe and ready to be reaped.