DIY Pomegranate Beauty Recipes

Pomegranates have been an important staple in the Middle Eastern diet and folklore for thousands of years (it’s rumored that Eve’s forbidden fruit was a pomegranate, not an apple!). Native to modern-day Iran, this leathery winter fruit has a bitter membrane that holds hundreds of dazzling, vitamin-rich seeds. These juicy gems actually carry more antioxidants than green tea and contain high levels of folic acid, iron, and potassium—it’s no wonder the pomegranate has jumped to superfruit status. Most drink the juice or eat the pulp, but have you ever tried using fresh pomegranate seeds on your face and body? The potent antioxidants in the juice help stimulate collagen production and counter the effects of free radicals, while the crushed seeds make an amazing exfoliator. If you don’t have any fresh pomegranates lying around, oil extracted from the seeds (available at health-food stores and specialty online retailers) is also highly nourishing and perfect for eczema-prone, inflamed skin.

Many brands such as Murad, Korres, and Weleda already spotlight pomegranates in their product formulas, but you can always prepare your own DIY skin care with fresh fruit. Try this scrub recipe and see why the multitasking fruit deserves a spot in your winter pantry. Don’t worry, we promise this pomegranate scrub won’t stain your skin.

Pomegranate Scrub

1. 2 Tbsp avocado oil

2. 2 Tbsp brown sugar

3. 2 Tbsp honey

4. 1 Tbsp pomegranate seeds

5. 1 tsp orange peel

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix. Apply the mixture onto your body in the shower and gently scrub for one or two minutes. Rinse away with warm water.