By Bess Hochstein
Cranberries generally make an appearance in our households on twodisparate occasions: as a sweet/tart condiment gracing the holiday table and as juice to relieve urinary tract infections. But the cranberry has surmounted these limited uses; the jewel-like fruit is fast gaining recognition as a valuable ingredient in natural skin- and body-care.
Cranberry is one of only three fruits indigenous to North America. Long before the Pilgrims arrived, Native Americans combined dried meat with mashed cranberries to make pemmican, a long-lasting jerky. Medicine men also used cranberries in poultices to draw poison from arrow wounds.
These practices utilized the same antibacterial properties that make cranberry juice a reliable remedy for urinary tract infections. A 1994 Harvard Medical School study gave credence to the cure, finding that regular cranberry juice consumption reduced the amount of bacteria in the urinary tracts of elderly women. In 1998, researchers from Rutgers University identified condensed tannins, or proanthocyanidins, in cranberries that prevent E.Coli from adhering to cells in the urinary tract, causing the bacteria to be flushed out.
These bacteria blockers may lend potency to facial cleansers such as Bare Skin Cranberry Fresh Pore Cleanser and Mychelle Cranberry Cleanser, both of which are recommended for acne-prone skin, as well as other toners, body washes, masques, and scrubs. June Jacobs, whose Spa Collection includes ten cranberry-rich products -from moisturizing sunblock to bath salts – cites more benefits of the bitter berry: “Cranberry is a powerful antioxidant and superb skin conditioner” and Jacobs continues, “Cranberry assists in moisture retention and contributes to lipid barrier protection of the skin. It is also high in vitamin A and phospholipids”
Cranberry is the state fruit of Wisconsin, which is the largest producer in North America. Wisconsin is also home to Fruit Oil Therapeutics, the first company in the world to extract all-natural, cold-pressed cranberry seed oil, which it supplies to body-care and nutraceutical companies and uses in its own moisturizing body lotions, face creams, and lip balms. Founder Tim Heeg touts cranberry seed oil for its high levels of omegas-3, 6, and 9. “It’s the only oil that has an equal balance of omega-3 and -6, which makes it more readily available for absorption into the skin” explains Heeg. “It’s the most unsaturated oil on the market, meaning that it has the most moisturizing properties of any oil. Unlike other sources of omega-3, it’s exceptionally stable, which increases its shelf-life. It’s also the greatest natural source of tocopherols plus tocotrienols, so-called ‘super vitamin E’ which makes cranberry oil an effective antioxidant” The benefits of cranberry are so compelling that Heeg’s brother Todd, President and CEO of Therapeutic Technologies and a 20-year veteran of international personal-care companies, recently launched the n-fruizon Body Therapy brand, an extensive line of hair care products and lip balms featuring a unique delivery system that allows the nourishing and protective properties of cranberry oil to penetrate the scalp and promote healthy hair and follicles.
Dr. Hyla Cass, author of 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, (McGraw Hill, 2005) confirms cranberry oil’s powerful properties: “Cranberry oil is noted for its unique natural balance of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids, as well as its high content of natural antioxidants. The oil is rich in natural vitamin E, a potent antioxidant that helps preserve its freshness. Cranberry oil is absorbed easily through the skin, acts as a superb moisturizer, and helps to relieve itchy, scaly, irritated skin”
While the cranberry craze is in its infancy in the United States, the berry’s benefits have long been recognized in Scandinavia, where arctic cranberry has been used for centuries in traditional medicine and plays a starring role in Lumene Vitamin + Energy Cocktail, super-moisturizing potions from Finland. It was perhaps her Scandinavian heritage and background in herbal medicine that led the late Arcona Devan, founder of the Arcona Studio in Los Angeles, to develop cranberry-based skincare products fifteen years ago. “Arcona, who was years ahead of her time and a pioneer in natural beauty, realized the benefits of what cranberry could do for the body, it’s loaded with phyto-nutrients, anti-yeast, anti-fungal, A, B, and C vitamins” says Chanel Bratcher, co-owner of Arcona’s namesake day spa and product line.
Coast to coast and north to south, spas are taking note of the red-hot berry. In Massachusetts, the Cape Codder Resort (www.capecodderresort.com) and the Dan’l Webster Inn (www.danlwebsterinn.com) offer Cranberry Spa Packages, including Cranberry Rose Scrubs and Massages plus Cranberry Enzyme Facial Peels. Auberge Resort spas feature Arcona’s cranberry products in facials at The Inn at Palmetto Bluff (www.palmettobluffresort.com) in South Carolina and Esperanza, near Cabo San Lucas, Mexico (www.esperanzaresort.com). In Chicago, the Peninsula Chicago offers a Pumpkin Enzyme and Cranberry Foot Treatment to restore circulation (www.peninsula.com). And way up north, in Ontario’s Muskoka resort area, Angel’s Spa and Wellness Centre at Delta Sherwood Inn relies on local bogs for its signature Cranberry Spa Experiences: full-body scrubs and wraps.
Shopping List
Arcona Cranberry Gommage Facial Cleansing Exfoliante. www.arcona.com
Bare Skin by Dr. Bollman Cranberry Fresh Pore Cleanser & Exfoliation. www.bareskincare.com
The Body Shop Cranberry Body Butter. www.thebodyshop.com
Fresh V-Tonic Foaming Shea Butter Body Cleanser. www.fresh.com
Fruit Oil Therapeutics CranOmega Day Creme and Night Moisturizer. www.fruitoil.com
June Jacobs Spa Collection Cranberry Pomegranate Moisture Masque. www.junejacobs.com
Lumene Vitamin + Energy Cocktail line of Fortifying Cream and Energy Drops featuring natural cloudberry and cranberry. www.lumene.com
MyChelle Dermaceuticals Cranberry Mud Mask. www.mychelleusa.com
n-fruizon Body Therapy: Five different shampoos, conditioners, and styling products plus three lip balms rich in cranberry seed oil. www.theratechllc.com.
Do-it-yourself Cranberry Mask
Courtesy of Chanel Bratcher, co-owner of Arcona1/4 tsp. bentonite clay (found at natural food stores)
1 tsp. organic yogurt
1 tbs. organic honey
1/2 cup cranberries that have been blended to a pulp
1/4 cup cranberry juice
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Apply to face and leave on for 10-15 minutes. Rinse thoroughly with cold water. Follow with the moisturizer of your choice.
Leaves skin clean, refreshed, and glowing.
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