Cranberries are AMAZING for your skin
It’s not just for UTIs or Thanksgiving, Cranberries can reduce age-related skin changes!
Cranberries are mainly relegated to the dinner table in November or used as a method to avoid a doctor’s visit for an embarrassing urinary tract infection. But these little wine-red colored berries have so much more to offer because they are vitamin-rich, beneficial to digestion, and may even have anti-cancer properties. Cranberries are among the richest dietary sources of peonidin which helps with inflammation. They also contain the longevity-sustaining powerhouse Quercetin that can help all cells of the body act younger, not just the skin. What is most exciting as they relate to skin, is their ability to interfere with an aging process called glycation.
What is glycation and why should I care?
According to Leslie Bauman, Cosmetic Dermatologist, “Glycation is a naturally occurring chemical reaction that causes sugar molecules such as glucose or fructose to bind to proteins and lipids throughout the body, including the skin. The result is the formation of advanced glycation end products or AGEs. When this occurs, the proteins and lipids involved in the glycation process become damaged and are therefore unable to perform their normal functions properly.” (Metabeauty, Inc., 2021)
Collagen is a protein that we need for various functions in the body. It plays a major role in the appearance of skin. If we have the AGEs, from glycation, damaging the function of our precious collagen protein, this is a problem. Collagen production naturally reduces over time, on its own, why accelerate the process? We need to hold on to those cells for firmer skin.
The number one contributor to Glycation and AGEs is sugar, especially refined sugar. This greatly accelerates the rate at which cells are glycated. Since it is unlikely that the average person looking to improve their appearance will give up cupcakes for life, it is helpful to have other strategies on board to help mitigate our lifestyle choices. This is where antioxidant–rich foods like cranberries can play an important role for your skin.
Here at Elixir Mind Body Massage: Arcona Skincare offers multiple options so you may begin reaping the benefits of cranberry extract today! Cranberry extract can brighten, firm skin, and improve overall skin texture. While this may tempt you to go out and rub raw cranberries on your face, there is a better way. Arcona Skincare has found an incredibly effective method of stabilizing cranberry extract without killing off those beneficial antioxidants and active compounds via cold pressing. This method ensures the skin is receiving the most potent dose of cranberry extract possible.
Want to see how cranberries can make a difference in your skin? Make these 3 Arcona Products the stars of your twice-weekly exfoliating routine: Cranberry Gommage, Cranberry Toner, and Wine Oil.
Twice a week at night, implement the following luxurious cranberry treatment at home:
- Cleanse your skin well and pat dry.
- Saturate a cotton round with the Arcona Cranberry Toner and apply it over the face neck and chest.
- Apply 1 teaspoon of Arcona Cranberry Gommage to the face neck and chest.
- Work gently into the skin with small upward and outward circles.
- Rinse well with lukewarm water until all traces of gommage are gone, then pat dry.
- Lastly, you’ll want to apply a generous amount of Arcona Wine Oil to the face, neck, and chest and lightly massage it into the skin. (Aside from all the amazing skin-preserving benefits of the Wine Oil, this will deeply hydrate your newly soft skin and lock in that precious cranberry goodness.)