7 tropical fruits, flowers and plants with benefits for the skin

Exotic fruits and flowers are increasingly used in natural cosmetics, to which they provide unique aromas, attractive textures and different applications.

​Current cosmetics recover traditions from distant cultures and include tropical fruits and flowers such as pineapple, passion fruit or tiaré flower in their formulas. The splendid vegetation of the tropics, with bright colors, peculiar aroma, exotic shapes and great flavor of its fruits. An attractive appearance that hides vitamins and mineral salts capable of improving our beauty.

From the tropics come succulent fruits that, in addition to pleasing the palate, provide the skin with the water and oils it is so grateful for.

7 TROPICAL INGREDIENTS USED IN COSMETICS

The list of fruits, flowers and tropical plants used in cosmetics is endless.

1. AVOCADO

Avocado is an effective rejuvenator for rough, dry, and malnourished skin.

2. AMAZON UNCARIA

Rejuvenates and detoxifies, thereby improving acne problems.

3. TEPEZCOHUITE

It is a regenerator and healing that the Mayan culture has passed on to us.

4. SHEA NUT

Shea nut is an excellent lip balm from the African savannah.

5. COCONUT

Coconut hydrates, nourishes and protects the skin against external aggressions. Its water reduces wrinkles, while its oil soothes dry and irritated skin. It can also be applied as a mask to damaged, rough and dull hair. To prepare a coconut mask for dry skin, mix a tablespoon of crushed coconut with another of natural yogurt and ten drops of almond oil.

6. HANDLE

Of similar properties is another exotic fruit: the mango or “peach of the tropics”. Its vitamin C is involved in the formation of collagen and is excellent as a moisturizer for dry skin. It also contains beta-carotene, which improves tanning, and vitamin A, essential for the good condition of skin, hair and nails. Its potassium regulates the water balance of cells. It is, like coconut, ideal for dry and damaged hair. The mango hair mask is prepared by crushing half a mango with two tablespoons of cream, applied to the hair for 20 minutes and rinsed. Ideal after sun exposure.

7. LYCHEE

In southern China , lychee ripens, another fruit with phytoactive components that nourish and hydrate the skin . Maracuyá or passion fruit , from Central America, is also moisturizing , which also has a deodorant effect.

8. LOTUS FLOWER

To hydrate the skin , the lotus flower is ideal: it quenches the skin’s thirst by hydrating it deeply .

9. YLANG-YLANG

With a delicate aroma, it is used to care for dry skin, brittle nails and rough and damaged hair. Its essential oil helps to release tension and is used in massages.

TAURUMI: MASSAGES AND OILS WITH TROPICAL INGREDIENTS

Taurumi is a traditional Polynesian massage technique that has been passed down from generation to generation and is given to babies by parents after bathing.

Through a comprehensive face and body massage, energy is balanced. It is relaxing, decontracting and activates blood circulation, thereby releasing the muscles from tension.

To give the massage, the entire body is rubbed with mono’i’ for about an hour. Mono’i’ means “scented oil” in Tahitian. It is obtained by macerating tiare flower ( Gardenia tahitensis ) in coconut oil and has been used by Tahitian women for centuries to moisturize and nourish skin and hair.

Tahitian is also noni, a fruit whose name means “gift from the gods” that grows on a tree that is already abundant in the Caribbean. It is reminiscent of a small pineapple and has been used for centuries to hydrate and nourish the skin.

It has antioxidant properties, making it an excellent rejuvenator. Due to its high caffeine content, it helps, when used externally, to combat cellulite.

To prepare a noni tonic, mix 95 ml of rose water with 5 ml of noni juice. Provides well-being and freshness to the skin.

TROPICAL FRUITS AGAINST CELLULITE AND AGING

The pineapple, native to South America, is known by the natives as pineapple or “excellent fruit.” It has multiple cosmetic applications, since it dilutes lipids and reduces cellulite. Its vitamin C provides hydration and luminosity to the skin, which it rejuvenates.

With the water obtained from cooking the peel, a tonic against acne is obtained and its crushed pulp helps to erase the spots produced by the sun.

Guarana , from the Amazon, also acts against cellulite , which also softens the skin and hair. One tablespoon of guarana powder is mixed with two of clay and a concentrated infusion of horsetail is added until a fluid mask is obtained that is easy to apply.

Two other fruits from South America should be highlighted.

Papaya , for its exfoliating properties and for its usefulness in combating oxidative stress caused by sun exposure; and guava , which applied locally neutralizes free radicals responsible for premature aging.

You can prepare a nourishing exfoliating mask by mixing a piece of papaya with 20 drops of almond oil. And a tablespoon of yogurt.

In Asia, Africa and Oceania, bamboo combines both properties. Its micronized cane exfoliates the skin without damaging it and due to its magnesium content it is an excellent regenerator.

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