DIY Beauty Recipes with Fruit

Fruit is a wonderful natural beauty ingredient that has been used for centuries to keep our skin and hair clean and clear.  Fruit has some of the same “key” ingredients found in many commercial beauty products. Such as, salicylic acid found in strawberries, Malic acid found in apricots, apples and grapes, Citric Acid found in lemons, and kiwi fruit and Glycolic Acid found in fresh cherries. Using these fruits in body scrubs, facial masks and even in the bath will keep your skin fresh and healthy. The fresh fruit acids help to deep cleanse the skin and clear away surface debris and dead skin cells. These fruit acids also help restore your skins own natural pH level which can be disrupted by some soaps and cleansers. Really clean skin can keep more moisture and look healthy and years younger. The fruit acids also help soften rough skin. Using fresh lemons and pineapple flesh on rough skin spots such as elbows and heels softens them. It is important to use a rich natural oil or favorite cream after using fruit acids as they can be drying to your skin and hair.

Fresh fruits are also useful in conditioning, cleansing, and highlighting your hair. A classic summertime hair treatment is to comb fresh lemon juice through your hair for blonde highlights this is something women have been doing for years and even though it is drying the results are amazingly effective and natural. Fresh fruits are also helpful in removing buildup from your hair caused by styling products or from swimming in chlorinated pools. Buttery fruits such as bananas and avocados are also helpful for treating stressed or dry hair. Use these fruits as a conditioning hair pack. Sun and wind can be hard on your hair so weekly conditioning is a wonderful way to keep it strong, soft, and flexible. It is also an excellent idea to wear a hat to protect your skin and hair when outside in direct sun.

Here are some at home beauty recipes to try. Enjoy!

Fresh Apricot Scrub

Apricot kernel scrubs are popular; and there are many great products on the market today, but it is just as easy and cost effective to create your own. Apricots are an excellent source of vitamin A, which is often called the “beauty vitamin” because it is essential for healthy skin. If you crack open a fresh apricot pit like you would a nut you will find inside a soft, ivory colored nut or kernel this is what is used to make your skin scrub. You do not want to use the tough outer shell as it is too sharp and could damage your skin. Peaches and Nectarine pits also have kernels that can be used in this recipe.

Yield: 4 ounces 

5- 6 fresh apricots

Wash and dry the apricots and remove their pits. Place the pits inside a clean plastic bag and gently crack them open by hammering them on a solid surface. Remove the inner almond shaped kernel. In a food processor or blender place the fresh fruit and kernels and process until you have a rough mixture that resembles coarse coffee grounds. To use: In the shower or bath massage the fresh Apricot scrub into damp skin and rinse well.

Note:  You may also process the kernels by themselves and let air dry. Store your ground kernels in an airtight container and add to your favorite cleanser for a weekly face or body scrub.

Kiwi Fruit Astringent

Kiwi is the commercial name for Chinese gooseberries. These small brown fruits are now grown throughout the United States and are easily found in the grocery store year-round. Kiwi fruit like other sweet citrus fruits is naturally cleansing and astringent when used in skin care. After washing your face, simply squeeze the juice from a kiwi onto a cotton ball and apply as a cooling and refreshing skin toner, then rinse thoroughly. This is especially helpful for oily skin types. If you have dry or sensitive skin, you will want to make this recipe which is milder, and the fresh juice is diluted with water and witch hazel.

Yield:8 ounces

1 cup boiling water

1 ripe kiwi fruit, peeled and mashed

1 tablespoon witch hazel

Pour the boiling water over the mashed kiwi fruit in a glass bowl and let sit until cool (about 20 to 30 minutes). Train the mixture well to remove all fruit solids and seeds. Stir in the witch hazel and pour into a clean container. To use: Apply to your skin with a clean cotton pad. You may rinse your face with cool water after using if you have sensitive skin.

Watermelon Facial Toner

Fresh Watermelon makes a wonderful skin toner. This juicy, red melon has a high amount of vitamins A, B, and C all of which keep your skin healthy and glowing. This is an aromatic, rose colored toner that is perfect for all skin types and can be used daily during the summer. It is also soothing to sunburned skin. You can make fresh watermelon juice by simply processing the watermelon flesh in a blender or food processor and then straining out any solids.

Yield: 4 ounces

2 tablespoons fresh watermelon juice

2 tablespoons witch hazel

2 tablespoons distilled or boiled water

Combine all the ingredients and stir well. Pour into a clean container. To use: Apply to skin with a clean cotton pad.

Peach Cold Cream

Peaches have long been a symbol of beauty, and this simple cold cream made with fresh peach juice will keep your skin glowing and beautiful. Fresh peach juice is a natural emollient and a wonderful skin beautifier. You can make a simple scrub from this cream by adding some crushed peach kernels (see recipe for fresh apricot scrub). For very dry skin apply all over your face and body before showering and let it soak in for 20 minutes your skin will be softer and smoother.

Yield: 3 ounces

1 /4 teaspoon borax powder

1 tablespoon water

1 /4 cup peach kernel oil (you may also use apricot kernel oil or almond oil)

1 tablespoon grated beeswax

1 tablespoon fresh peach juice

1 -2 drops peach essential oil (optional)

Dissolve the borax powder in the water and set aside. Place the peach kernel oil and beeswax in a heat resistant container and heat gently in a water bath or the microwave oven. Add the peach juice to the water solution and slowly pour into the beeswax oil mixture in a thin, steady stream, stirring constantly. You can also pour the mixture in a blender and mix on high until well blended. Pour the thick cream into a container and allow to cool completely. Stir a few drops of peach oil into the mixture for fragrance. The cream will thicken as it cools. Because this cream has fresh juice you may want to store it in the refrigerator for longer shelf life. To use:  Massage into your skin.

Raspberry Melon Facial Mask

Berries are soothing and naturally cleansing to our skin. Fresh raspberries and melons are two of the skin freshening ingredients you can find at your local market. They create a light skin soothing facial mask that is perfect for a day spent outdoors in the sun. All skin types will receive help from this cleansing mask that will give your complexion a boost.

Yield: 2 ounces

1 tablespoon mashed fresh raspberries

1 tablespoon mashed fresh melon (honey dew, cantaloupe, or watermelon)

1 Tablespoon pure honey

Mix all the ingredients until smooth. To use: Spread on clean skin and let sit for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water and pat skin dry.

Lemon Hair Rinse

Fresh lemons have an energizing scent. The lemon is one of the most versatile of all the beauty fruits as it can be used head to toe to soften, cleanse and treat your skin and hair. It has a high citric acid content which kills bacteria on the skin. As a hair rinse it can be used to remove build up on your hair from chlorine pools and styling products. Left on your hair and allowed to dry in the sunshine it will give you subtle blonde highlights.

Yield: 8 ounces

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1 cup water

Mix the two ingredients and pour into a clean container. To use:  After shampooing pour the rinse through your hair and massage well into your scalp. Rinse well with cool water. For highlights pour the lemon rinse in a spray bottle and spritz on damp hair while outdoors.

For more recipes and ideas check out my book Natural Beauty from the Garden

Have a beautiful day!

Janice