Some foods are just as good – if not better – when applied to the skin, rather than eaten. But it’s not as simple as pureeing a few pomegranate seeds or mashing an avocado. Extracts of these incredible edibles must be specially formulated and blended to be truly effective as skincare.
1. **Honey
**Why it’s good: Honey is one of nature’s most potent healers. It’s great for reducing scarring, for moisturising and softening the skin as well as fighting the ageing process.
**2. Apple
**Why it’s good: Apples contain an antioxidant that is easily absorbed into the skin. The rare Swiss apple also has amazing longevity and doesn’t wrinkle or go bad for months after it’s been harvested.
**3. Cocoa butter
**Why it’s good: Cocoa butter has been used to heal and moisturise skin for centuries.
**4. Wine
**Why it’s good: Extracts of grape seed and their skins have been shown to brighten skin, plus reduce pigmentation and redness.
**5. Pomegranate
**Why it’s good: Pomegranate is bursting with antioxidants and is a natural skin-brightener. It also helps reduce inflammation and regenerate cells.
**6. Goat’s milk
**Why it’s good: Goats’ milk has pH levels similar to those of our own skin, so it’s non-drying. The ancient Egyptians loved it as it contains natural alpha-hydroxy acids to cleanse and exfoliate, leaving skin soft and smooth.
**MY BEAUTY SECRETS
**Denyse Saunders (54) is the author of Beautiful You (HarperCollins, $39.99).
My beauty philosophy is… To look and feel as good as I can by doing what I know works without surgery or wasting time or money on things that I know don’t work.
The skincare products I can’t live without are… I love Dr LeWinn’s Line Smoothing Complex S8 range.
My haircare secret is… Use good, professional products. I use De Lorenzo plant-based haircare. They don’t have any animal by-products in them and they’re not tested on animals, which is important to me as a vegetarian. But best of all, they do what they say they do and smell gorgeous!
The products I always have in my makeup bag are… Whenever I buy a new lipstick, lip pencil and gloss I always buy two, one for my bathroom and one for my bag. Currently I’m wearing Chanel lip gloss Brilliant Lèvres number 66, lip pencil in natural and Brilliant Lèvres Lip Shine in Bali. I always have Lucas’ Papaw Ointment. It fixes just about everything and makes a great lipgloss.
My favourite beauty treat is… Giving myself the Nu Skin ageLOC Galvanic Spa facial treatment. I love it! It takes five to 10 minutes twice a week at home to give myself a face-lift without surgery. Plus I love having eyelash extensions applied.
My biggest beauty sin is… I was lucky to have a mother who cared about skincare, so from a young age I’ve looked after my skin and body the best that I can.
The best thing my mother taught me about beauty was… To cleanse, tone and moisturise every day without fail; never go to bed with makeup on; and to smile as it is the quickest and easiest face-lift in the world.
