BY CHELSEA SIMMONS

The health benefits of apples are widely acknowledged. These green, red and yellow gems are packed with vitamins and minerals, as well as phytonutrients. Research has shown a range of possible health benefits from lowering levels of bad cholesterol to reducing the risk of certain cancers¹. This super fruit is even celebrated in kid-friendly rhymes like "an apple a day keeps the doctor away." But, did you know that apple is secret weapon in our healthy skin arsenal too?

Apple Extract: Healthy Skin Benefits

Pyrus Malus Fruit Extract, commonly known as Apple Extract, is great for two things: anti-aging and skin-smoothing. It is high in antioxidants to protect your skin from free radicals, and to help it maintain youthful elasticity for longer. If that's not enough for you, the mildly acidic nature of Apple Extract makes it a gentle exfoliator, giving you soft, nourished skin. Not to mention, it has a light, crisp fragrance to revitalize your mood. We harness the benefits of apple extract in a number of products to ensure our skincare and cosmetics contain the best ingredients for healthy skin. You can find it in: Smooth Affair Facial Primer & Brightener, Smooth Affair for Oily Skin Facial Primer, Glow Time Full Coverage Mineral BB Cream, BeautyPrep Face Moisturizer and HandDrink Hand Cream.

Eating your Way to Healthy Skin

While topical application of Apple Extract through our products is great for the skin's surface, we also recommend feeding your body and skin from the inside. We stand by the tried and true "apple a day" saying, and recommend you do the same. Here are two of our favorite apple recipe ideas for fall, in case you want to swap your crisp bite of fresh fruit for something a little more decadent.

Mulled Cider Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cinnamon sticks (3 inches)
• 3 whole cloves
• 2 whole allspice
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 quarts apple cider or apple juice
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon grated orange peel
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• Dash salt
• 1 to 1-1/2 cups brandy, optional

DIRECTIONS

1. Create a spice bag using two layers of cheesecloth and place the cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice and bay leaf in it; close the bag using kitchen string.
2. In a large saucepan, steep spice bag in a mixture of apple cider, orange and lemon juices, orange peel, brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil; then, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 30 minutes.
3. Carefully pull out the spice bag. Then, strain the cider mixture.
4. Serve immediately, with or without brandy.

Image and recipe courtesy of Taste of Home.

Healthy Baked Apples Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 6 apples (Gala or Fuji), bottoms sliced so apples stand
• 1 fresh lemon, halved
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch ground black pepper
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1 cup whole milk, heated
• 2 teaspoons finely grated orange zest
• 1 1/2 cups cooked quick-cooking steel-cut oatmeal
• Low-fat Greek yogurt

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
2. Cut off the top third of each apple. Then, using a small knife, carefully carve out the center of the apple (including the core) about 2 inches in diameter.Rub the inside with lemon and put the apples into a baking dish. Dice the carved-out parts of the apples, without the seeds, and set aside.
3. Melt the butter in a small saucepan, and whisk in the cinnamon, pepper and 4 tablespoons of the brown sugar; cook until smooth. Brush the inside of the apples with the butter mixture. Pour the apple cider into the bottom of the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil and bake until the apples are tender, about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for 5 minutes longer.
4. Transfer the apples to a platter. Carefully strain the cooking liquid into a small saucepan and bring it to a boil. Cook until it is reduced and thickened, about 5 minutes.
5. While the apples are baking, stir the hot milk, remaining brown sugar, reserved chopped apples and orange zest into the warm oatmeal and cook for a few minutes. Divide the oatmeal among the baked apples. Top each apple with a dollop of yogurt and drizzle the reduced cider over the top.

Image and recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay and Food Network.

What's Your Dish?

In the comments below, share your favorite apple recipe for a chance to have it featured in a future blog post. ¹UC Davis Health System, P. (2016). Apples offer some surprising health benefits. Ucdmc.ucdavis.edu. Retrieved 25 October 2016, from http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/medicalcenter/healthtips/apples.html.