There are so many things that can stand in the way of healthy skin in this toxic world, yet at the same time, there are so many actions that you can take to help it thrive! One of the most significant is to consume organic, non-GMO whole foods that are specifically designed by God’s green earth to nourish your skin and your whole body.

Notice I said consume. This is because some whole foods really are miracles, since they have the ability to heal the skin and the whole body from the inside out, as well as at the surface level. The three delicious fruits that I am going to showcase for you in this article have been proven to benefit your skin not just when you eat them as part of a healthy diet, but also when you apply them topically as well!

#1 Berries

It is no secret that the colorful goodness of berries – blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, and the like – extend far beyond their amazing flavor. Berries are absolutely packed with nutrients that can benefit your whole body, including your skin.

When consumed internally, berries can lower inflammation, boost the immune system, and even work at the genetic level to restore balance. (1) Berries are also packed with essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C and K, minerals copper and manganese, as well as omega 3 fatty acids. Probably the most exciting thing about including berries in your diet are the benefits that specific phytonutrients can bring to skin healing and repair. Berries contain phenolic acids that have the ability to protect your skin from the environment while at the same time actively help repair skin-related signs of aging. A very recent 2023 study sponsored in part by North Carolina State University found that blueberry consumption may significantly “bolster cutaneous systems and defensive mechanisms.” (2)

As if that wasn’t enough, some berries can be especially beneficial for the skin when used topically. Red raspberry seed oil has been shown to help with psoriasis and eczema, as well as soothe the itching and swelling that can come from skin inflammation in general. (3) In addition, cranberry seed oil can allow skin to naturally retain more moisture, due in part to high levels of omega 3 fatty acids contained within it. (4)

#2 Citrus Fruits

Citrus, including lemons, limes, grapefruit, oranges, tangerines and even bergamot (which is also part of the citrus family), is another whole food group that is a nutritional powerhouse, especially when it comes to skin-fortifying vitamin C. In fact, did you know that it was the lowly lemon (and also its smaller, greener cousin, the lime) that saved  the lives of thousands of sailors during scurvy epidemics in the mid to late 19th century? Scurvy is a disease caused by severe vitamin C deficiency. By the early 20th century, British (and eventually American) ship captains got smart and began packing barrels of limes and lemons to hand out for sailors in their rations. Just this small amount of citrus every day was able to prevent these fatalities. As a caveat, this was also why British sailors in those days were called “Limeys.” (5)

Besides vitamin C, all citrus contains high levels of the anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant phytonutrient limonene. Limonene is a terpene and all terpenes are small enough to move past the blood-brain barrier. This is why limonene can also help balance mood and lower both depression and anxiety. (6)

Of course, all this good news applies to your skin as well! This is why pretty much every formula that CHARLÍS creates has some amount of citrus in it (and if you are already a CHARLÍS customer, you have probably already noticed our signature citrus aroma that comes in each bottle).

The kinds of citrus within CHARLÍS formulas include grapefruit, orange, bergamot, and more. Organic Citrus Paradisi peel oil, i.e grapefruit oil, is a natural source of cell renewing alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs), which can help promote that youthful look no matter what your age. (7) Organic citrus aurantium dulcis oil, i.e. “sweet orange” oil, can be a gentle exfoliator, helping to detox and cleanse while at the same time providing powerful UV protection. Orange can also boost collagen production to strengthen skin. (8)  

Finally, bergamot, or Citrus bergamia, is best known as the main ingredient in Earl Grey tea. There is a reason, however, why this kind of tea is so popular with so many around the world. Not only does bergamot have a refreshing taste when brewed, it also has a noticeably calming effect on the nervous system. A 2017 pilot study conducted in part by researchers at Brigham Young University concluded that bergamot oil alone can be an “effective adjunct treatment to improve individuals’ mental health and well‐being.” (9)

If bergamot can be that affective just when we breath it in, think how healing it can be for calming skin-related conditions, including rash and breakout. Citrus Aurantium Bargamia, is available in CHARLÍS Nourishing Anti-Aging Toner and CHARLÍS Restorative Anti-Aging Overnight Serum. (10)

#3 Apples  

Is it true what “they” say… that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away?” Well, when you look at all the goodness that apples can provide for health, it’s hard to argue with this statement!

Apples are nutritional powerhouses that contain many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidant phytonutrients like vitamin C, potassium, and quercetin. Apples are also rich in fiber. A 2004 meta-analysis published in Nutrition Journal correlated the consumption of apples with “reduced risk of some cancers, cardiovascular disease, asthma, and diabetes.” Other studies have found that apples can inhibit cancer cell growth, lower cholesterol, and decrease oxidative stress. (11)  

When it comes to skin health, apples are usually included as straight extract or in the form of apple stem cells. Here at CHARLÍS, we use both! First of all, Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, (i.e. Apple Extract) can be used for general skin anti-aging. Do you want to experience smoother skin overall? Then apple extract is the way to go! It has been shown to help improve skin elasticity. Because apples are rich in antioxidants, it can also help protect your skin from the stressors of everyday life. In fact, because of this, apple fruit extract has also been shown to help clear up acne. (12)

On the other hand, Swiss Apple Stem Cell Extract can take your skin healing to the next level. It is “Swiss” because the benefits of using apple stem cells for skin health originally came from Swiss scientists. These researchers were fascinated by a common apple variety that grows in rural areas of that country. Uttwiler Spätlauber apples seemed to always thrive for longer than other varieties, no matter what. Stressors like punctures to the fruit skin or tears in the bark of the tree quickly healed. They wanted to know why, and they wanted to harness the hardy healing power of these humble Swiss apples. Eventually they did, in the form of Swiss Apple Stem Cell Extract.

Stem cells in any organism are “blank slate” cells. They have the ability to “grow into” anything they are needed to be to help the organism. When used topically, apple stem cells have the ability to work in the same capacity as human stem cells; they will “go” where they are needed to go in order to protect and repair the skin. They can also provide significant inflammation-fighting support for your skin, as well as boosting collagen.

Both Apply Extract and apple stem cells, in the form of “Malus Domestica” Apple Cell Culture Extract, can be found in the CHARLÍS Breath of Life Oxygen Face Serum. These two ingredients, along with others, are why this product in particular has been such a beauty-altering, rejuvenating addition to the face care routine for so many!

Consume Sweet, Delicious Fruit for Skin Health Today!

So there you have it, three “sweet treat” miracle fruits that are good for you, both inside and out. For your good health, be sure to consume phytonutrients, antioxidants, and vitamin C-rich berries, citrus, and apples in moderation as part of a healthy, whole foods diet. And don’t forget to take advantage of what these amazing foods can do for your skin topically, as well by benefiting from their skin-healing goodness that can be found in every bottle that is part of the CHARLÍS Face, Body, and Serum Collection!

References:

(1) Red grapes, blueberries may enhance immune function
(2) Blueberry Supplementation and Skin Health
(3) Characteristics of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) seed oil
(4) Cranberry Seed Oil
(5) The British Limeys were Right: A Short History of Scurv
(6) Limonene has anti-anxiety activity via adenosine A2A receptor-mediated regulation of dopaminergic and GABAergic neuronal function in the striatum
(7) Dual Effects of Alpha-Hydroxy Acids on the Skin
(8) Effects of hydrolyzed collagen supplementation on skin aging: a systematic review and meta-analysis  
(9) Bergamot (Citrus bergamia) Essential Oil Inhalation Improves Positive Feelings in the Waiting Room of a Mental Health Treatment Center: A Pilot Study
(10) Efficacy of bergamot: From anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative mechanisms to clinical applications as preventive agent for cardiovascular morbidity, skin diseases, and mood alterations
(11) Apple phytochemicals and their health benefits
(12) Polyphenol-rich apple extract inhibits dexamethasone-induced sebaceous lipids production by regulating SREBP1 expression