bLACKbERRY dIR rECIPES fOR hAIR + sKIN
Blackberry's anti-oxidant capability prevents damage to the skin cells. When the cells of your skin are protected from harmful effects, it consequently clears the skin and leaves a glow effect on it.
Vitamin A enhances the texture and provides elasticity to your skin. It is also good to use for removing spots, marks, acne and minimizing any type of skin irritation.
Vitamin K together with Vitamin C also contributes to nourishing the skin. It goes deeper to do the task of removing dirt and works as a cleanser. In addition to this, it stimulates collagen and prevents discoloration of your skin.
Antioxidants in blackberries save your scalp from being damaged and strengthen the hair from the root level. On the other side, the scalp is kept hydrated with the abundant presence of water in blackberries. The Fair amount of vitamin C provides collagen to hair while other nutrients reduce hair fall which enables you to flaunt your voluminous hair.
Here are a few #dIY recipes to try! remember to always do a patch test first
Nourishing Blackberry Hair Mask
Blend equal amounts of raspberries, blueberries and blackberries and a little water in a blender to form a paste. Directly apply to wet hair and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Wash hair as usual and follow with typical styling.
The antioxidants will fight the damaging environmental effects on hair and leave hair shiny and voluminous. Be sure you use dark towels and protect anything from berry stains as this one might get a little messy. I recommend doing the hair mask in the shower or bath tub.
Berry Yogurt Age Fighting Mask
Blackberries are extremely high in antioxidants, vitamins A, C, and K. They fight free radicals that lead to premature aging and are a wonderful ingredient for a facial mask.
They have more antioxidants than strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. Combine their antioxidant power with yogurt’s gentle exfoliating properties, and you’ve got a match, I mean mask, made in heaven.
Berry Age-Fighting Mask
2 tablespoons plain organic yogurt
2 tablespoons raw organic honey
1/4 cup blackberries or mixed berries
Combine yogurt, honey and berries in a blender and pulse until smooth. Apply to clean skin with facial brush and leave on for 10-20 minutes. Rinse off with warm water and follow with moisturizer.
Blackberry Honey Body Scrub
Maybe you have a few blackberries on their way out, or you didn’t need the whole batch for your smoothie? Instead of throwing them in the trash use them for an exfoliating blackberry body scrub.
4 tablespoons organic honey
2/3 cup blackberries
2 teaspoons fine sugar
Mash the blackberries with a fork, or pulse in a blender until chopped. Add in the honey and sugar and mix well. The coarser the sugar the more exfoliating/abrasive it will be.
In the shower, because this may get messy, gently apply and rub the sugar in circular motion, concentrating on rough areas such as the elbows and knees. Once you have thoroughly scrubbed your body, you can then leave it on as a body mask as well for 10 minutes for optimal benefits. After 10 minutes, shower off and apply body a moisturizer. Enjoy softer, smoother skin.
Strengthening Blackberry Hair Mask
If your hair breaks easily when you brush or comb it, try a blackberry hair mask to improve hair elasticity. Blackberries are rich in hair-strengthening vitamin A to repair fragile hair.
2/3 cup blackberries
coconut milk
In a blender, pulse blackberries until smooth. Add enough coconut milk to make a paste, then apply directly to wet, clean hair. Let sit 15 minutes then rinse.
- Danielle Lasit