Berry Good: Antioxidant Cranberry Facial

A nourishing cranberry facial mask for a clean, bright complexion.

Yes, cranberries are delicious and add fantastic flair and flavor to your Thanksgiving table. But did you know that the anti-aging properties of cranberries also help fight against the free radicals that lead to wrinkles and premature aging of the skin? That’s right, and plus, the easily absorbed antioxidants in cranberries help brighten your complexion while calming redness and inflammation. This recipe is super-charged with red grapes for an extra burst of nourishing antioxidants and vitamin C.

Here’s what you need:

• 3/4 cup fresh cranberries
• 3/4 cup seedless red grapes
• 2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
• 1 envelope unflavored gelatin
• 1 teaspoon flour

Here’s what you do:

Puree the cranberries and grapes in a blender. Add the lemon juice, gelatin and flour and continue blending until the mixture turns into a paste. If the mixture looks too thick, add a few drops of water. If it’s too thin, more flour will help. (It’s like your Thanksgiving gravy, just play with it until it looks right!)

Put the cranberry facial mixture into a plastic container and refrigerate for 45 minutes to thicken. Remove the mixture from the refrigerator and leave it on the counter for about 10 minutes before using.

Apply the cranberry face mask to clean, dry skin with your fingertips. Leave it on your face for about 15 minutes. Rinse well with warm water and follow with your favorite moisturizer. Store the cranberry facial mask for up to two weeks in the frig in a well-sealed container.