Gobble Up a Glow: 10 Thanksgiving Foods Your Skin Will Love, Too
As Thanksgiving approaches, it’s time to indulge in gratitude, comfort food, and maybe a side of glowing skin. Believe it or not, hidden in your holiday spread are ingredients that are secretly skincare superstars. While you’re passing the gravy and waiting for that second slice of pie, why not get the scoop on how your Thanksgiving favorites can pull double duty for your skin? We're about to spill the beans (or cranberry sauce!) on the skin-loving secrets behind your favorite Thanksgiving foods. Get ready to serve up a feast of beauty benefits that’ll have you thanking yourself long after the leftovers are gone.
1. Pumpkin
This vibrant veggie is rich in vitamins E, A, and C, which are all essential for maintaining the health of your skin. These vitamins help to soothe and hydrate, keeping your skin soft and supple long term. Plus, pumpkin contains enzymes that gently exfoliate, leaving your complexion looking fresh and radiant. Consider adding pumpkin puree to your favorite DIY face mask or whip up a pumpkin spice latte to sip while you pamper your skin.
2. Cranberries
Cranberries are so much more than just a side dish. These tart, little berries are chock-full of antioxidants, including vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production and helps protect your skin from oxidative stress. You can create a homemade cranberry scrub or get similar antioxidant benefits from ACEOLOGY Here We Glow Berry Mask, which uses five berry extracts and 14 fresh fruit extracts to help leave your skin looking fresh, glowy, and plump.
3. Apples
An apple pie or a crisp might be in your Thanksgiving dessert spread, but apples are also loaded with vitamin C and fiber, which can help improve your skin's texture and keep it glowing. The natural fruit acids in apples also act as gentle exfoliants, promoting a fresher complexion. But that’s not all! The Swiss apple stem cells in ACT+ACRE Stem Cell Scalp Serum help promote and extend your hair’s growth phase, while helping to reduce hair loss, thinning, and fall-out—and the apple juice in DERMALACTIVES Apple Cider Toning Spray delivers a burst of skin-brightening antioxidants.
4. Wine
Raise your glass to wine, which is a Thanksgiving classic and a source of grape-skin goodness. Red wine contains resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant found in grape skins that can help protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. Sipping on a glass of red wine in moderation can not only add a touch of sophistication to your Thanksgiving dinner but also provide your skin with an extra layer of protection against premature aging. Looking for the wine benefits outside of happy hour? SERUMKIND Muscat Clearing Drops can help.
5. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but it’s time to work them into your skincare routine, too. Here’s why: They're packed with beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A, a powerhouse for skin health. Vitamin A helps to fight off wrinkles and keeps your skin looking firm and youthful. This Thanksgiving, load up on sweet potato casserole, and you'll be saying thanks for the glowing skin in no time.
6. Turmeric
Turmeric is not only a favorite spice for festive fall dishes and even turmeric lattes, but it's also a skincare superstar. Turmeric’s glowing reputation is thanks to curcumin, a chemical compound that has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits. It’s also antibacterial, meaning it can help clear up acne when you apply it topically. Some scientists even say it can reduce the breakdown of collagen and keep your skin glowing and youthful if you eat it. Get all that goodness (plus so much more) with HERBIVORE BOTANICALS SUPER NOVA 5% Vitamin C + Caffeine Brightening Eye Cream.
7. Honey
Honey has powerful anti-inflammatory properties and has been used for centuries to help heal wounds and other ailments, but honey can heal more than cuts and sore throats: it's nourishing and soothing for dry and sensitive skin, too. We love the plump honey-induced glow we get from MURAD Rapid Collagen Infusion. And because it is low in water and high in sugar, bacteria and microbes are unable to grow on it, making honey an excellent choice for treating acne-prone skin or oily skin.
8. Oats
While oats may be a controversial Thanksgiving ingredient (we’re big fans of an oatmeal cookie during the holidays, but to each their own), its skincare benefits are rock solid. Oats can help calm irritated skin, lock in moisture, and are rich in beta-glucans, which form a protective layer on your skin to help shield it from harsh elements. DEW OF THE GODS The Theory™ Retinol Cream can get you all of these benefits above alongside retinol’s anti-aging magic.
9. Pomegranate
Pomegranates may look like a holiday centerpiece, but they’re also your skin’s secret weapon. Packed with antioxidants, these little gems fight off free radicals like it’s their job. Plus, they also support cell regeneration and give your complexion that bouncy, youthful glow. Why risk staining your favorite sweater when you can just reach for REN CLEAN SKINCARE PHA Exfoliating Facial to get all the pomegranate-powered benefits—no de-seeding required.
10. Citrus Fruit
Citrus fruits aren’t just for sprucing up your Thanksgiving punch—they’re also bursting with vitamin C, your skin’s bestie for a brighter, more even complexion. Think of it as a mini glow-boost, right from nature's candy. Citrus helps to zap dark spots and protect against the dreaded dullness. And if the idea of squeezing oranges all over your face sounds like a total mess, MURAD Essential-C Cleanser has you covered, delivering that zesty goodness in a more user-friendly way.
Ready to level up your skincare routine in time for the holidays? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.
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