Moisturizing and nourishing are usually accomplished in the same step. Dry and mature skins, in particular, need extra hydration and oils, as well as minerals and vitamins, to help maintain and regenerate normal vitality.

Fresh fruits and vegetables used as masks are the best way to nourish your skin naturally. However, fruit and vegetable extracts provide the next best way to treat your skin. Many fruits have a revitalizing, nourishing, and often astringent action on the skin. It is the acids they contain and their high vitamin content that provide these benefits.

Some of the benefits derived from fruit are:
• Removal of dead skin, excess fatty deposits, and blackheads
• Helps eliminate freckles and excess pigmentation
• Erases faint lines and wrinkles
• Inhibits the growth of bacteria
• Helps regulate the secretion of sebum
• Unclogs and closes pores
• Tones and hydrates the skin
• Contributes small amounts of trace elements and minerals such as potassium, zinc and selenium

The most beneficial fruits for cleansing, toning and nourishing are apple, apricot, avocado, banana, blackcurrant, cherry, grape, grapefruit, lemon, melon, orange, raspberry, papaya, pineapple, and tomato.

Many vegetables have useful anti-inflammatory action, making effective treatment for sensitive, damaged or inflamed skin. The promote healing by giving damaged skin large amounts of vitamin A, important minerals, and trace elements.

The most beneficial vegetables for skin care are cabbage, carrot, cucumber, lettuce, potato, and watercress. Don’t forget the sea vegetables like sea kelp, Irish Moss and Spirulina.

Other nourishing ingredients include barley, dairy products, eggs, honey, oats, pollen, royal jelly,

Essential oils are an excellent and safe alternative to cosmetic and conventional medical treatment of the skin. They have been used for years with great success to treat the most difficult cases of eczema and rosacea, but they are also irreplaceable for daily skin care.

Vegetable oils and oils cold pressed from seeds and nuts are great moisturizers on their own. They are also useful ‘carrier’ oils for essential oils. The combination of the appropriate oils and carrier oils for your skin type or condition results in a beneficial massage oil for face or body. The right oils are good for your skin, even if you have oily skin. Olive oil is one of the most versatile oils. It is good for all skin types and almost all conditions. Other premium oils to look for in the products you buy are Meadfoam Seed, Rosehip, Wheat Germ, Vitamin E, Hazelnut, Macadamia Nut.

Next article will include recipes for fruit masks, instructions for applying masks and how to use facial massage oil.