PROJECT BLUEBERRY - THE NEW SUPERFOOD IN SKINCARE
Yes, we pile our acai bowls sky high with them, drop them in our morning smoothies and the yogurt we pick up in the grocery store always has them in it, but blueberries aren't just delicious - they carry some amazing skin benefits too!
Did you know, that blueberries have arguably more antioxidants than green tea and are packed with vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E? With that type of resume, we can definitely call blueberries a “superfood." Want that "I woke up like this" glow? Eating blueberries on the reg can give you youthful looking skin and brighten up dull or sun-damaged skin. Need more reasons to sign up for a weekly blueberry delivery? Well, we've got them - consuming blueberries has been proven to smooth the skin, prevent fine lines and wrinkles, increase elasticity, eliminate scars, fight against blemishes and acne, balance levels of oil in the skin, and help even out skin tone. Besides being great for your skin, blueberries also improve brain function, boost your immunity, help maintain weight and blood sugar levels, and neutralize free radicals. What else can you ask for?
There are plenty of natural cruelty-free skincare products on the market that use blueberries, but you can also make your own. We have compiled some of our favorite all-natural products containing blueberries as well as some fun DIY one's for those overachievers out there!
FACE
FOR PURCHASE
Company: Laurel
Product pick: Honey Berry Enzyme Facial Mask
What it is: The Honey Berry Enzyme Facial Mask is a Laurel cult favorite! It gently exfoliates the skin without the need for manual exfoliation and nourishes the skin with 5 rich superfoods. This mask features raw Royal Jelly, a bee secretion that is well known for its anti-aging abilities. It is high in Vitamin B and is considered a super antioxidant. Organic Strawberries and Blueberries are used for their enzymes and cleansing actions as well as their antioxidant content. Raw honey is nutritive, hydrating, and plumping, as well as antimicrobial to help control breakouts – the list goes on! Vibrant organic and therapeutic grade essential oil of Grapefruit is included to firm the skin and uplift and brighten the spirit.
Skin Concerns: Aging skin, dull condition, clogged pores.
Price: $54 (50 ml)
FOR PURCHASE
Company: Odacité
Product pick: Bl+J | Cell Energy - Blueberry Jasmine Serum Concentrate
What it is: Highly regenerative serum that helps revive skin at the cellular level by reinforcing free-radical defense and guaranteeing the integrity of skin’s cells. Genuine treasure of antioxidants, deeply penetrating Blueberry seed oil helps to repair deeper skin layers, thus encouraging the apparition of perfect and healthy skin. Often prescribed in naturopathic medicine to help heal burns, Jasmine oil promotes new cell growth and helps healing scars
Skin Concerns: Cell energy, dull condition, aging skin.
Price: $45 (5 ml)
FOR PURCHASE
Company: BEECAUSE
Product pick: Honey & Blueberry Face Mask
What it is: This handcrafted 100% natural and certified cruelty-free ultra conditioning and antioxidant-rich formula is filled with real blueberries and raw honey. The combination of Argan nut oil helps to fully hydrate and nourish the skin, a necessity in preventing aging skin.
Skin Concerns: Aging skin, wrinkles, dull condition, clogged pores.
Price: $15 (4 oz)
DIY AT HOME
A simple google search results in a variety of simple DIY options with minimal ingredients. Our favorite includes mixing together 1/8 cup of blueberries and adding whatever below ingredient to help aid your current skin situation. Make sure to keep all applicable items refrigerated prior to use and check that all items are still within their sell/use by date.
Plain Yogurt – Helps clear off damaged skin.
Oats – Shrinks pores and evens out the texture of your skin.
Honey – Eliminates acne and makes your skin glow.
Olive Oil – Cleans and moisturizes and is even a great make-up remover.
Sour Cream (not low or non-fat) – Helps with acne, wrinkles, and freckles, activates the production of collagen and exfoliates and carries a lot of the same benefits for your skin as blueberries do.
Aloe Vera – Heals, soothes, moisturizes and evens out skin.
Lemon Juice – Not only aids in better skin but it also helps to keep your hair and nails healthy. It can dry out acne, soften skin, get rid of blackheads, even skin tone and help protect against the sun.
BODY
FOR PURCHASE
Company: Eminence Organic Skin Care
Product pick: Blueberry Soy Sugar Scrub
What it is: Eminence Blueberry Soy Sugar Scrub gently sloughs off dulling, dead dermal cells to reveal smooth, radiant skin. Raw sugar cane granules and ground flax seeds exfoliate as sweet almond oil nourishes and conditions to soften. Formulated with blueberry pulp and juice, it offers rich, antioxidant benefits as coconut and avocado oils replenish moisture for healthy, hydrated skin with a silky and supple feel.
Skin Concerns: dry/dull skin, rough skin
Price: $48 (8.4 fl oz)
DIY AT HOME
In need of some full-body nourishment? Try out a blueberry homemade body scrub to get your skin squeaky clean!
- 1/2 cup frozen blueberries, thawed
- 1 cup natural sugar (can substitute with regular white sugar)
- 1/8 cup coconut oil, melted
Puree blueberries with a food processor or hand blender. Stir in sugar and coconut oil and spoon into a mason jar. Get your scrub on. Use this particular scrub on your body (not face). Store in the fridge for up to one month.
Hair
FOR PURCHASE
Company: Curls
Product pick: Blueberry Bliss Hair Growth Oil
What it is: Did you know that Blueberry Extract is proven to repair and restore damaged hair, prevent breakage and increase hair growth? Formulated with certified organic Blueberry Extract, Pomegranate Seed, Argan and Gardenia Flower Oil and proven to grow, repair, protect, and restore damaged tresses.
Concerns: damaged hair, breakage, hair loss, dry/dull hair
Price: $12 (4 oz)
DIY AT HOME
Blueberries help to stimulate the growth of hair due because they contain proanthocyanidins – a plant chemical. Proanthocyanidins are a class of polyphenols found in a variety of plants. This chemical interacts with hair follicles to help accelerate growth. Blueberries are also packed with antioxidants and vitamins A, C and E. Blueberries also aid hair growth by improving oxygenation and circulation of blood in the body, particularly the scalp.
- handful of blueberries
- olive oil
Blend both the ingredients together by a hand processor or blender. Apply to hair, concentrating on the roots. Rinse using warm water after 20-30 minutes.
Blueberry is a clarifying ingredient, and when used in large amounts, can cause excessive dryness. For hair that is inherently dry, use blueberries sparingly and adding honey to the hair mask is recommended.