Juicy Beauty
Look for citrus ingredients in skin care to help clear out pores and fight wrinkles.
By Olessa Pindak
Photography By Mark Lund
Photography By Mark Lund
Next time you slice open an orange, take a deep breath and notice how the fresh, clean scent makes you feel. Happier? Energized? Absolutely, says Ingrid Martin,
an instructor of aromatherapy at Ashmead College in Seattle and author of Aromatherapy for Massage Practitioners (Lippincott, 2006). "Citrus scents lift your energy and mood," she says. But citrus does more than just make you feel
better; it can actually make
you look better. When infused into skin care, it can improve the texture of your skin, fight wrinkles, and clear out your pores. "Citrus is the original cosmeceutical," says Kenneth Beer, M.D., clinical instructor of dermatology at the University of Miami.
But rubbing that slice of orange directly on your face won't do it, cautions Heidi Waldorf, M.D., director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "That will only irritate your skin," she says. Instead, you want to seek out formulas that have citrus extracts to get the following benefits.
Bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids are the plant pigments responsible for the bright colors of citrus fruit. Their antioxidant properties lessen free-radical damage from sun and pollution. "They help protect the skin in the same way that a squirt of lemon juice keeps apples from turning brown," explains Jack Davies, CEO of Davies Gate, a skincare company in Irwindale, Calif.
Astringents
The antiseptic properties of citrus fruits make them great for any natural cleaning formula. "They tighten the skin and remove oil, making them a great choice for oily skin," says Beer.
Exfoliants
"Citrus fruits are full of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that will mildly exfoliate the skin," says Beer. Since AHAs can be intense, be sure to test the product first. "Before using a facial treatment with citrus, try it in a small patch along your jawline to make sure you don't have a reaction," cautions Waldorf.
Aromatherapy
Citrus is known in aromatherapy to be refreshing and rejuvenating, says Waldorf. "Citrus scents have a balancing effect," adds Martin. They can boost your spirits while calming your mind.
But rubbing that slice of orange directly on your face won't do it, cautions Heidi Waldorf, M.D., director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. "That will only irritate your skin," she says. Instead, you want to seek out formulas that have citrus extracts to get the following benefits.
Bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids are the plant pigments responsible for the bright colors of citrus fruit. Their antioxidant properties lessen free-radical damage from sun and pollution. "They help protect the skin in the same way that a squirt of lemon juice keeps apples from turning brown," explains Jack Davies, CEO of Davies Gate, a skincare company in Irwindale, Calif.
Astringents
The antiseptic properties of citrus fruits make them great for any natural cleaning formula. "They tighten the skin and remove oil, making them a great choice for oily skin," says Beer.
Exfoliants
"Citrus fruits are full of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) that will mildly exfoliate the skin," says Beer. Since AHAs can be intense, be sure to test the product first. "Before using a facial treatment with citrus, try it in a small patch along your jawline to make sure you don't have a reaction," cautions Waldorf.
Aromatherapy
Citrus is known in aromatherapy to be refreshing and rejuvenating, says Waldorf. "Citrus scents have a balancing effect," adds Martin. They can boost your spirits while calming your mind.
