Skin Food: Pomegranate

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Skin Food: Pomegranate

Pomegranates are one of the most antioxidant-rich foods, says Dr Sarah Freilich at Advanced Dermatology. “Recent research shows that they provide potent molecular defence and makes us less susceptible to free radical damage”.

Eat some fresh or use it as an age-fighting facial scrub. Available all year round, Pomegranates are one of our favourite fruits in Advanced Dermatology’s anti-ageing tool-kit.

Research has shown that Pomegranate has incredible anti-microbial, anti-ageing, and anti-inflammatory properties. These go a long way in encouraging super radiant skin, both when eaten and applied topically onto the skin. It also makes a great home-made face scrub. Keep reading for more tips.

 Pomegranate juice anyone?

Recent research shows that pomegranate fruit’s juice has more anti-inflammatory antioxidants than green tea and red wine. Its popularity has seen pomegranate juice available from most local supermarkets, but why not make some yourself? Most of us are afraid of the pomegranate eating challenge but this tip will help: try separating the rind from the seeds by opening up the Pomegranate, dividing it into quarters and then soaking them in water for 15 minutes. Most of the seeds will fall to the bottom making them much easier to separate, and those that don’t will be easier to remove as well. Then throw the seeds into your juicer or blender for a super antioxidant rich drink. We prefer using a high-powered blender over a juicer, because we find that it keeps more of the important nutrients in place. Here’s our technique:

1. Following our separation method above place separated seeds into a blender.
2. Pulse the seeds a few times to break away the juice. Don’t blend them for long period because this will cause too much seed breakage and cloud the juice.
3. Use a straining mesh to strain the pomegranate, leaving the seed pulp in the strainer.
4. Using either a potato masher or the back of a spoon push against the seed pulp left in the strainer to leash out as much of the remaining pomegranate juice as possible.
5. Pour out into a glass and serve chilled!

 Medicine of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks!

The pomegranate fruit is one of the oldest medicine remedies known to man. First documented in Egyptian texts over 3,500 years ago for its ability to treat a whole host of disease. Medical Physicians in ancient Greece prescribed the pomegranate fruit juice as a treatment for viruses, circulation disorders, digestion problems and arthritis. The fruit also has a lot of symbolism for the ancient Persians and significant meaning in the Jewish faith, being mentioned a number of times in the Torah.

More recently, it’s polyphenol and antioxidant properties have been studied extensively by scientists with some interested discoveries. The most studied of the polyphenols within Pomegranate is known as Ellagic acid, a powerful free radical scavenger it protects our DNA by increasing the body’s own in built antioxidant molecule, glutathione. It’s long been known that increasing Gluthione can have profound health and longevity benefits. These findings are so profound that some of the leading skincare brands have started incorporating it into their own skincare.  We’ve tested and reviewed many of these products at Advanced Dermatology, and find that the doses are usually not sufficient enough (sometimes as low as 1%) to produce a desired result.

 Homemade Pomegranate Beauty Scrub

Here’s a quick face scrub idea you can use to apply to your skin once a week to exfoliate away dead skin cells and provide a super dose of skin restoring anti-oxidant nutrients into your skin.

1. Cut open a pomegranate and break away the seeds (don’t forget our handy hint mentioned above to help you do separate the seeds from the rind).
2. Using a blender or food processor combine three heaped tablespoons of the pomegranate seed fruit with 1 cup of cooked oatmeal, 2 tablespoon of extra virgin organic olive oil and 1 tablespoon of raw honey (antiseptic).
3. Apply to the face for a 10-15 mins then rinse with warm water.

As you’ve discovered there are a lot of benefits to eating pomegranate, both eaten and applied to the skin. We hope you enjoyed our tips and would like to invite you to share your tips or thoughts in our comment sections below.  Spread the word by sharing  and recommending this post to your friends.

 

7 replies
  1. Julie Heseldon
    Julie Heseldon says:

    I can only find imported Pomegranate varieties mostly from the USA and would like to know when they are in season in Australia. Does any know? I tried making pomegranate face scrub without the oatmeal once and it too runny, i guess the oatmeal with make it thick enough to scrub properly. Oatmeal also has enzymes which act as exfoliating agents but you did not touch on that one.

    Reply
  2. Monica
    Monica says:

    Loved this article, thank you for sharing this piece! I never new pomegranates were good for your skin as well as your general well being. I wonder if there are any skincare products that have pomegranate in them? The scrub recommend here sounds good but a little messy, haha.. I would prefer a proper facial scrub.

    Reply
  3. Petra
    Petra says:

    Thank you for the advice! I have never tried making a mask from pomegranate but I love eating them. It is interesting how in the ancient Greeks and Egyptians used to use the fruit to fight diseases and keep healthy, not only with pomegranate but other fruits yet today we rely on anti-biotic and what not to keep us healthy.

    Reply
  4. Melanie Flemming
    Melanie Flemming says:

    It is after this article that I looked into pomegranate and its benefits. I have always known that it was good for your wellbeing and other great health benefits from it. I have always felt good after drinking pomegranate juice, as part of my morning routine I have pomegranate juice every morning with my breakfast. I absolutely love it.

    I also use only natural based organic skincare only and I was keen to know if there was any pomegranate based skincare. I found this brand Weleda, they are a US based skincare brand that makes organic skincare. They offer a range of products from skincare to hair care. I am just waiting for my order to arrive I look forward to trying it out and Ill post about the outcome! :)

    Reply
  5. Julie
    Julie says:

    Pomegranates really a super fruit. I haven’t tried that mask but I have tried a similar one. It was an exfoliant but pomegranate was the active ingredient and you could really notice results immediately after use so I am assuming it was due to the pomegranate extract that was in there. I am very intrested in learning more about the organic skincare options. It is concerning when you realise just how much stuff they put in the normal products you buy from the shops. You pay a lot of money but you don’t even know what you are putting on your face. I look forward to reading more about your results @ Melanie.

    Reply
  6. Amanda
    Amanda says:

    Just relating to the organic skin care the above comments were mentioning, I have been using Kora by Miranda Kerr who apparently uses only organic ingredients in their products and I can tell you that there has been no results what-so-ever. I purchased the 3 step system and Ive been using it for over a month now and no change and my skin certainly does not look as “flawless” as Miranda`s or as they promised. Considering my experience with Kora, I have become a little sceptical about the whole organic/natural skincare products.

    Reply

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