These Thanksgiving Staples Have Beauty Benefits When Used Topically: Cranberry, Herbs and More
Put those leftovers from your Turkey Day feast to good use
As the holidays approach, especially Thanksgiving, we’re spending a lot of time prepping our shopping lists, writing out our menu and even planning the perfect outfit. But it’s also important to make some time for self-care—and what better way than natural DIY treatments that use some of the antioxidant-rich produce and healing herbs that we’ll be using for Thanksgiving. From cranberry face scrubs to pumpkin masks and sage-infused salves, there’s a number of easy ways to pamper yourself pretty this holiday season. Read on to discover the one that’s best for you.
If you have leftover apples…
Fade age spots with an apple cream
The fruit’s malic acid acts like a mild bleach, reducing discoloration as it absorbs into skin. And mixing with yogurt (it exfoliates to further brighten skin) leaves a more even-toned look in a flash.
Try it: Mix 2 tablespoons of pureed apple and 2 tablespoons of yogurt. Dab onto spots and let sit 10 minutes, then rinse.
Repair scars with an apple peel treatment
Vitamin K found in the fruit’s peel boosts blood flow to damaged tissues to repair skin and help fade scars.
Try it: Place the flesh side of a 1″ piece of apple peel onto a scar. Let sit for 10 minutes, then remove and rinse skin.
If you have leftover rosemary…
Thicken thin hair with an overnight rosemary treatment
The herb’s unique acid increases circulation to the scalp, delivering hair growth-encouraging nutrients to follicles. In fact, studies show the herb’s oil is as effective as minoxidil when it comes to boosting hair growth.
Try it: Add 4 sprigs of fresh rosemary and 2 cups of olive oil to a slow cooker. Cook on high for two hours with the lid off. Let cool for 30 minutes, then strain into a jar and discard the sprigs. Rub onto the scalp at night; rinse in the morning.
Ease facial bloat with a rosemary facial
Anti-inflammatory compounds found in rosemary helps alleviate any swelling in the face and neck. And paired with massage, which redistributes built-up fluids, facial bloat will be gone in no time.
Try it: In a spray bottle, add 2 sprigs of rosemary and 1 cup of warm water. Let steep for 30 minutes, then mist of the face and neck and rub in circular motions until absorbed.
If you have leftover sage…
Soothe rashy skin with a sage salve
Sage is one of the best healing herbs, as its potent anti-inflammatory compounds ease skin redness and irritation on contact. Even better? Pairing it with antioxidant-packed coconut oil repairs the skin’s barrier to alleviate itchiness and prevent future flare-ups.
Try it: Mix 1 ⁄2 a tablespoon of chopped sage (fresh or dried) and 1 tablespoon of coconut oil. Rub onto irritated skin and let sit 10 minutes before rinsing.
Soften dry patches with a sage body polish
An acid found in the herb whisks away dead skin cells while its calcium and vitamin A generate new ones for soft, healthy skin. Pairing it with oatmeal (it soothes irritation) and olive oil (its fatty acids hydrate) speeds the results.
Try it: Mix 1 tsp. of chopped sage, 1 tsp. of oatmeal and 2 Tbs. of olive oil. Massage on damp skin for one minute, then rinse.
If you have leftover pumpkin…
Smooth crepey skin with a pumpkin mask
The gourd is a rich source of vitamin A, which promotes collagen production to firm creased skin. And adding honey (it moisturizes to “plump up” skin) and egg white (its amino acids and protein tighten skin) speeds the skin-smoothing results.
Try it: Mix 1 tablespoon of pumpkin puree, 1 ⁄2 a tablespoon of honey, and the whites from one egg. Rub onto the chest. Let sit 15 minutes, then rinse.
Heal hormonal breakouts with a pumpkin spot treatment
Packed with zinc, pumpkin regulates oil production to keep any excess from clogging pores and resulting in breakouts. Plus, pumpkin’s anti-inflammatory properties soothe acne-related redness so skin looks and feels better faster. And adding exfoliating yogurt to the mix further clears out pores to help skin heal.
Try it: Combine 2 tsp. of pumpkin puree and 1 tsp. of plain yogurt. Apply to breakouts and let sit 10 minutes before rinsing.
If you have leftover cranberry…
Enliven dull skin with a cranberry scrub
The tart berry’s high amounts of vitamin C brighten skin and remove layers of dead, dry skin cells to reveal healthy, luminous skin underneath. When combined with brown sugar (it exfoliates) and avocado oil (it hydrates), it leaves the complexion with a youthful glow, fast.
Try it: Mix 1 ⁄2 a tablespoon of mashed cranberries, 2 teaspoons of brown sugar and 2 teaspoons of avocado oil. Massage onto damp skin on the face for 1 minute, then rinse.
Quell facial redness with a cranberry mist
The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory agents in cranberries reduce redness and increase cell turnover, thereby preventing future flare-ups. Adding in hydrating aloe vera boosts the skin-soothing benefits.
Try it: In a spray bottle, add 1 cup of water, 1 Tbs. of mashed cranberries and 2 tsp. of aloe vera gel. Shake to combine, then mist on a clean face.
If you have leftover sweet potato…
Reverse thinning hair with a sweet potato deep conditioning treatment
Thanks to their potent vitamins and minerals, sweet potatoes increase circulation to the scalp, putting follicles into an active growth phase. Using with fatty acid–rich olive oil (it “swells” strands) creates instant volume.
Try it: Combine 1 ⁄2 cup of pureed sweet potatoes and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Apply all over damp hair and let sit 15 minutes before rinsing.
Brighten skin with a sweet potato rub
Sweet potatoes contain niacinamide, a form of vitamin B that helps break down dead, discolored skin cells to fade discoloration. Plus, it’s enzymes inhibit the output of melanin (skin’s pigment) to also help fade dark spots and thwart the formation of new ones.
Try it: Cut a ½ ” slice of sweet potato and rub it in circular motions on areas with discoloration for one minute. Let sit 10 minutes, then rinse.
A version of this article originally appeared in our print magazine, Woman’s World.
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