For most of you, you’re moving into the warmer months of the year and showing more of your skin will be part of the hot weather ritual. One of the natural ways to get soft, smooth, sensual skin it through exfoliation. This is where the benefits of the pineapple will come into play.

Although we see pineapple in the grocery stores in the winter months, it’s actually a summer fruit.  So what are you eating in January if pineapple  is a summer fruit?  Ok this article is not about GMO’s per se. However it’s very important to know that what you put on your body is like taking in foods through your mouth.

Let’s take a look at some of the beauty benefits of pineapples:

Aromatherapy to Your Skin – There’s nothing like an aromatic body butter to soothe, soften and smooth your skin. A few drops of pineapple oil added to an unscented body butter will do just that.  You can enhance the blend with a little lemongrass or lime essential oil. A wonderful scent blend for warm nights at the beach as you dance the night away at the local club.

Diminish Dark Spots – as women of color, we have a challenge with dark spots whether it’s from acne scars or popping pimples.  When used topically, pineapples are known to brighten and soften your skin.  Go figure!  By dabbing pineapple juice on your dark spots with a cotton ball or crushing the pulp into a paste, you can treat dark spots and minimize their appearance.  Rinse off  after five minutes.

Eliminate Dead Skin Cells – Pineapples are great at exfoliating your skin.   Pouring pineapple juice into a loofah, rubbing it into your skin then rinsing it off, will leave your skin feeling soft and looking clear.  You can also use sliced pineapples in place of the loofah to scrub away rough spots.  Careful, not so hard.

Relieve Cracked Heels – Did you know that exfoliating with pineapple will help shed your skin of dryness and flakiness and provide relief to cracked heels?  Add the fruit into a scrub and watch your  heels take on a whole new look.

Minimize Aging and Wrinkles – Yes melanated skin can get wrinkles.  Pineapples contain antioxidants which are known to stimulate collagen production, which helps keep your skin firm. Try applying pineapple juice to your face with a cotton ball and allow to sit for 3 to 5 minutes. Rinse off with warm water.

Nourish Hair and Scalp – For the record, I haven’t tried this one. However, for those of you brave enough to create a real pineapple shampoo, let me know how it turns out.  It’s been said that pineapple has a large amount of vitamins and antioxidants and enriches hair follicles and improves the elasticity and thickness of your hair.  Because it contains bromelain, its anti-inflammatory properties make it a good ingredient for calming scalp treatments.

Caution:  Always rinse off your skin and hair after using.  Pineapple juice can be acidic, so when using it for your beauty treatments, make it part of your night time regimen.  This way you’ll cut down on any photosensitivity that will come from sun exposure.

And you thought pineapples were for holding  umbrellas onto of tropical drinks.  That’s it for this week.  As always …

Dedicated To Your Beauty,

Juliette Samuel

Esthetician/Author/Publisher

Nyraju Skin Care