POWER TO THE BERRIES! Cranberries, Raspberries, and Blueberries … not only taste great and are packed with antioxidants, but they’re also incredibly good for your skin.
With more antioxidants than almost any other fruit, potent vitamins, and many essential minerals, Berries are very efficient at fighting free radicals, healing irritated skin, protecting the skin from the damaging effects of the sun, and boosting the skin’s natural collagen.
Fun Fact – despite its name, the Strawberry, Raspberry, and Blackberry aren’t true berry in the botanical sense. But the Banana, Eggplants, Grape, and Oranges are. (Berries are derived from a single flower with more than one ovary, making them a fruit. True berries are simple fruits stemming from one flower with one ovary).
However, looking at the chemical composition of what we identify as ‘berries’, we find a lot of similarities. Berries are truly a powerhouse of:
FLAVONOIDS
Powerful Polyphenols that protect the skin from environmental stress + anti-oxidant + anti-inflammatory
VITAMINS
A (Immune system boost), C (Collagen replenishment), K (Skin repair) + anti-oxidant + skin renewal
MINERALS
Calcium, Copper, Iron, Magnesium, Manganese, Phosphorus, Potassium, Selenium, Sodium, Zinc
Hit your local supermarket and stock up with fresh berries like Strawberries, Blueberries, Blackberries, Raspberries… and dried ones like Cranberries, Goji, Gooseberries, Red Currants – we’ll teach you how to make at home brightening and antioxidant face masks without breaking the bank.
Here are some ideas for basic masks – have fun and experiment using more than 3 ingredients.
1) RADIANCE MASK – ALL SKIN TYPES
- 3/4 Strawberries
- 5-6 Blueberries
- 1/2 Avocado
- Lemon juice
TIP – Mash all ingredients together until you get a smooth paste. Apply liberally on the face avoiding your eye area. Leave for up to 15/20 minutes then rinse off with lukewarm water.
2) ANTIOXIDANT BOOST MASK – NORMAL SKIN
- 2 tbsp dried Goji berries
- 1 tbsp plain yogurt (unsweetened)
- 1 tbsp of Honey
- 1 – 2 tbsp of colloidal Oatmeal (Oatmeal flour)
TIP – Pre-soak the goji berries in a little bit of warm water for a few minutes so they become softer. Blend or mash all ingredients until you get a smooth paste. Apply the mask on a clean face and leave it for 15/20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
3) BALANCING & ANTIOXIDANT MASK – OILY AND BLEMISHED SKIN
- 8-10 Raspberries
- 1 tbsp of Aloe vera Gel (see how to make your own Aloe Vera gel here)
- 1 – 2 tbsp of Clay
- 1 tsp Honey
TIP: Mash the raspberries with a fork until you get a paste. Add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix well; finally slowly add the clay. Apply the mask on a clean face and leave it for 15/20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
4) NOURISHING MASK – ALL SKIN TYPES
- 5-6 Cranberries
- 1/2 Avocado
- 1 tbsp of Chia seeds
- 1 tbsp Honey
TIP – For this mask, you will need a blender. Start with the Chia seeds, then add all ingredients slowly until you get a smooth paste. Apply the mask on a clean face and leave it for 15/20 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Check out other DIY masks ideas with
Happy masking!
