3 DIY Beauty Treatments With This Amazing Holiday Ingredient

Cranberries are everywhere right now, but rather than just popping a few in a festive, bubbly libation (as one does), do yourself a favor and reap the benefits of these merry berry little balls on your skin and in your hair. “Ingesting and absorbing cranberry nutrients this time of year – when they’re in season – is so beneficial,” explains Maggie Wagner, spa director for Sunrise Springs Spa Resort in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “The anti-inflammatory properties found in cranberries help us manage the stressors that we all encounter on a daily basis and they can also help support our immune system and lower blood pressure since they’re packed with antioxidants.” Well, cheers to that. And if you can’t make it to the spa to get your cran on, fear not. We tapped several top beauty and wellness pros to bring their best DIYs straight to you.

The Super Antioxidant Cranberry Body Scrub

According to Joanna Vargas, celebrity facialist and founder of Joanna Vargas Salons and Skincare Collection, “Cranberries are high in vitamins and antioxidants, so they not only reduce the appearance of wrinkles but improve gut health tremendously, as well as acneic skin and sensitive skin conditions like eczema.” We like the sound of that! Test out Vargas’ recipe for the ultimate de-sloughing scrub below, then be on your way to glowing brighter than a string of holiday lights.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup fresh or frozen cranberries blended (or organic canned)
• 1 cup brown sugar or coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon honey

Directions: Mix all ingredients together in a bowl, then rub vigorously over skin dry (followed by a rinse) or wet skin (also followed by a rinse), then embrace the softness.

The Color-Enriching Cranberry Hair Rinse

via Giphy

If you haven’t been using cranberry on your hair, you haven’t been living your life right. “It’s all about the cocktail in Spain – the cranberry cocktail, that is,” says Shalini Vadhera, global beauty expert and founder of Passport to Beauty. “Women in Spain are known for their magnificent hair coloring, and their secret is that they use cranberry juice as their final hair rinse to give them fab, natural-looking highlights.” The only caveat is this is meant for darker hair hues (like brown and black). Sorry blondies, but you don’t want some freaky tresses on your hands. Vadhera suggests swapping cranberry juice for lemon juice (or chamomile tea) if your locks are on the lighter side, because natural fruits carry natural color pigment.

 Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup cranberry juice
• 1/4 cup of water

Directions: Mix the cranberry juice and water and use it as a final hair rinse before drying or styling.

The Exfoliating Cranberry Face Polish 

When you’re dealing with rough, dry skin (thanks winter), sometimes the only way to get your glow back  is via a good polish, and that’s just what this face mask does, courtesy of Rebecca Eivens, spa and salon director at Well & Being at the Four Seasons Resort & Club Dallas at Las Colinas. Between the skin of the berries and the granular sugar and the moisturizing and soothing qualities in the honey, a parched visage doesn’t stand a chance.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup cranberries
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon honey

Directions: Mix all ingredients together, then apply the mixture all over your face (avoiding your eyes) and gently massage in circular motions. Rinse off with warm water.

Have you guys tried using cranberries in beauty treatments before? Let us know in the comments!