Fighting Signs of Aging With Pineapple

Very few of us adore the aging process—fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin and pounds that are not needed creep up on us, leaving us with a moment of realization in the mirror that we may resemble our parents a bit more than we’d like. We begin fighting the signs of aging with store-bought goods in an attempt to turn back the clock.

We rush to the store, looking for the latest serum, the latest cream or the latest craze in skincare so that we may have a few more precious days in our youth. Little do we know that the best-kept secret for anti-aging is right in our own refrigerators. Fighting the signs of aging just got easier with the introduction of a bit more pineapple into your daily routine.

Pull Out the Pineapples!

Pineapples are more than just decorative receptacles for your summer pina colada; they are packed with vitamins and minerals that can actually help turn back the clock a bit. Eating, drinking and even topically applying pineapple to our skin on a regular basis is an insurance policy against those fine lines and wrinkles, and it will help you feel better from the inside out, too. Read on to see some of the best ways to use this power-packed gift from Mother Nature as part of your arsenal against Father Time:

1. Eat for Healthy Teeth and Gums

Pineapple contains copious amounts of vitamin C; eating slices helps strengthen your gums, which in turn keeps your teeth healthy and strong. As an added bonus, enzymes in pineapple help to scrub off those stains, leaving your tooth enamel gleaming white.

2. Apply to Your Face for Youthful Skin

The antioxidants and alpha hydroxy acids in pineapple help fight free radicals that can damage your skin. A number of pineapple-themed face masks are available that you can make right in your own kitchen to leave your skin deliciously fresh and glowing. Check them out here.

3. Use on the Skin for Fewer Wrinkles and Warts

Applying pineapple juice to the face for five to ten minutes can help ward off moles, blemishes and other skin abnormalities. Large amounts of bromelain in this delicious fruit can plump up fine lines and wrinkles, and the addition of pineapple juice to a facial scrub adds a youthful glow to your complexion. You’ll look—and smell—amazing.

4. Apply to the Lips for a Softer Touch

Exfoliating your lips can be tricky business, as the acidity of pineapple juice can be too much for some. Pineapple lip scrubs and pineapple juice, when applied to the lips, can help soften scaly, rough outer layers and leave your lips soft and supple once more.

5. Apply to Dark Spots to Lighten

Liver spots, dark patches on the face and hands, are lightened considerably with the application of pineapple. Simply rub a slice on the affected areas, or dip a cotton ball in juice and apply directly to the skin. Splash with warm water within ten minutes for best results.

6. Strengthen Your Hair Naturally

Eating that ambrosia salad—with pineapple, of course—can significantly strengthen your hair follicles. Large amounts of vitamin C and various antioxidants can fight the free radicals that contribute to frizziness and breakage. If you’ve had enough ambrosia for a while, consider the application of pineapple juice or shampoo with fruit extracts to brighten and condition hair naturally.

7. Get Pedi-Ready

Ever get embarrassed by the sign of cracked heels and brittle nails as you go in for a pedicure? If you spend plenty of time on your feet, consider applying pineapple juice or slices to your feet to get rid of dry, cracked skin. Bromelain in pineapple helps reduce inflammation and breaks down dead skin.

8. Brighten That Complexion

Pineapple not only gets rid of acne, but the bromelain in it also contributes to the reduction of redness and inflammation. Your complexion will be light and bright, and your skin will be softer than ever.

Pineapple and its miraculous ability to fight the signs of aging were among the best-kept secrets of beauty industry insiders, but the information is now ours to use and benefit from. With every delicious morsel, every application, we will look and feel better than ever before, and we’ll uncover new levels of youth and vibrancy. Bon appétit!