On a particularly dark day, I ate about a pound of grapes. The fiber weighed me down and I was convinced I had a stomach flu until someone told me that I had simply eaten too many grapes. This was long before I knew the benefits of black grapes for skin and even before grape seed oil became a daily ingredient in my hair care routine. Each time I popped another grape into my mouth, I had assumed I was consuming empty calories, instead of a fruit that could benefit my skin and hair needs in a major way.
Grapes have always been one of my favorite fruits, especially when I'm feeling particularly dehydrated from yesterday's meal. Since grape seed oil mirrors the oil our skin naturally grows, I've always incorporated it into my skin and scalp treatments. Mostly, I gobbled up grapes because they're cheap, delicious, and filling, but I was completely ignorant to what the actual fruit could do to benefit my natural beauty topically. While all grapes have a substantial amount of antioxidants and nutrients, black grapes are the healthiest to use in a natural beauty regimen. That's right, these grapes ain't just for making wine — they have a boatload of healthy benefits that can aid in our skin and hair care routine as well.
According to Stylecraze, black grapes are high in antioxidants which carry anti-inflammatory properties that can heal and protect against sun damage, dark spots, and inflammation. Containing a substantial amount of vitamins C and E, this fruit is a natural at combating aging and acne. The combination of vitamins C and E can also lighten scars and work together to increase blood circulation to the scalp and skin.
If you are looking for a natural ingredient to help restore your faith in your beauty routine, these grape uses will hook your springtime regimen up.
Grape Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
This grape hair rinse is a great opportunity to cleanse your hair and scalp. Mash or blend about 15-20 Concord grapes and then add 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar. Apply on soaking wet hair for about 10 minutes before rinsing well.
Sweet Grape Tea Hydrating Facial
This slightly altered face mask from BeautyLish is great for all skin types looking to restore a natural glow, complexion, and take down acne. Just use equal parts of chamomile and sugar cane juice, then add about 6-8 mashed black grapes (add more for a thicker consistency). Apply directly on face and neck for about 10 minutes and rinse well with lukewarm water.
Image: J Mark Dodds, Mi Mitrika, Marc Lagneau/Flickr; Giphy
