Give Thanks to Your Skin

By Lindsey Galloway

The autumn fruits and roots we feast on during the holidays contain nutrients that can feed your skin as well as the belly. So prep your skin for winter woes with these traditional Thanksgiving treats. Pumpkin. The enzymes in pumpkin pulp act like alpha-hydroxy acids, making the pulp an effective exfoliator for any skin type. Puree a bit of pumpkin in the blender, daub it on apply on your face, and let it set for about ten minutes, or use Institut DERMed’s Pumpkin Exfoliating Cream ($32, 1 oz; www.idermed.com).Cranberry. The rich color of cranberries comes from the fruit’s proanthocyanidins, antioxidants that may be 35 percent more potent than vitamin C. This berry’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties also make it a great acne fighter. Try a toner like Lotus Moon’s Clarifying Tonic ($24, 4 oz;
www.lotusmoon.biz).

Wild Yam. For centuries, women have used wild yam to balance hormones, but the Aztecs in particular were known for using the root to rejuvenate their skin. Its plant-based phytoestrogens simulate human progesterone and bestow its antiaging properties and ability to promote collagen growth. Slather on REN’s Wild Yam Omega 7 Firming Body Repair Cream ($57, 200 ml; www.renskincare.com) to keep skin elastic.

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