The often neglected fruit from the beauty spotlight, the ever understated apricot will now have its chance to shine right here, right now! I am surprised at the beauty benefits of this tiny fruit. It is true what they say, “great things come in small packages”. Apricots are great for those of us women who want radiant skin. It is packed with provitamin A (carotene) and also packed with powerful antioxidants. Apricots also stimulate the production of melanin (enhances colors of eyes, skin tone and hair, as well as mild protection of UV sun rays) while encouraging hydration for the skin. Hence, radiance!

If your preference for fruit is minimal to non-existence, or quite simply, busy lives leads to forgetting there is perishables in your food supplies, try apricots dried! The vitamins in these babies have a stronger potency than their fresh counterparts since the process of making these strip their water content without taking away their nutrients.  It has a higher beta-carotene content (which contributes to greater eyesight) and a great sources of minerals like calcium, iron and potassium.

DIY Homemade Apricot Facial Mask: 1 cup dried apricots, 1 cup plain yogurt, and 1 cup plain dried oatmeal and 1/2 cup water. First, soak the apricots in a bowl of water for a few minutes. Then, puree the apricots, yogurt, oatmeal and water in a blender. Finally apply the mixture to your face, wait for 20 minutes before washing off with warm water.

So the next time you think snack,  first think beauty, then think APRICOTS!