The Best Superfoods for Your Skin, According to Experts
The worlds of wellness and beauty have long been intertwined. But dietary additions aren’t the only way to get the full benefit of superfoods. Applied topically to your faces and body, your skin reaps all the benefits. These days even lazy girls with green leanings can shop for superfood-infused beauty products (a?aí-nail polish, anyone?) to give their beauty regimens a healthful boost. Read on for eight nourishing superfoods in skincare and why you should try them.
Apple Cider Vinegar
1. The pH Balancer: Adina Grigore, the author of Skin Cleanse and the founder of S.W. Basics, uses apple cider vinegar in her cult-favorite, five-ingredient toner. Grigore explains, “Besides being antibacterial, apple cider vinegar balances the pH of the skin. An imbalance in your pH will typically make your skin seem oily or dry (oily skin has a low pH and dry skin has a high pH). So, ACV has the universal effect of balancing out all skin types.” She points out that raw, unprocessed vinegar with the mother (the bits and bobs that collect at the bottom of the bottle) included is best. Brit + Co Pick: S.W. Basics Toner ($20)
Aloe Vera
2. The Wrinkle Filler: Aloe vera is a skin powerhouse that works overtime to smooth unwanted wrinkles. Athena Hewett, the founder of Monastery, advises, “Think of aloe as super water. It’s been prized as a healing herbal remedy since ancient times because it’s packed with vitamins and enzymes. It’s rich in hydration without being greasy. Vitamins C, E, and beta-carotene help fight the aging process, providing antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and lightening effects, while the enzymes found in the aloe vera plant also help to dissolve dead skin on the surface, helping with an all-over glow.” Brit + Co Pick: Monastery Aloe Hyaluronic Gel ($72)
Turmeric
3. The Redness Fighter: Relieve inflammation with redness-combatting turmeric. “The anti-inflammatory properties of curcumin — the active ingredient in turmeric — [account for] its great ability to reduce redness,” explains Verso founder Lars Fredrikkson. “The use of turmeric goes back thousands of years and can be found in the Chinese and Ayurvedic medical sciences… [but it has recently] gained a lot of attention from the Western world, traditional medical science, and the beauty industry.” Brit + Co Pick: Verso Skincare Antioxidant Turmeric Booster ($95)
Ferment
4. The Hydrator: Ferment complex, which can be found in celeb-adored dermatologist Harold Lancer’s latest skincare launch, stands out for the way it seals in the skin’s natural moisture. Lancer tells us, “The 10 percent ferment complex in the product involves argan, olive, shiunko, and licorice fermented oils that help to lock in moisture — together, this blend features a higher antioxidant and free fatty acid content than other oils. The fermentation process allows for improved absorption and spreadability, while delivering a moisturizing effect by forming a film that reduces water loss [through your skin].” Brit + Co Pick: Lancer Skincare Omega Hydrating Oil With Ferment Complex ($78)
Plum
5. The Nourisher: Plum oil is the reigning champ of beauty oils, with results that surpass other industry favorites. LOLI Beauty founder Tina Hedges incorporates the superfood into her beauty line, noting, “Our Plum Elixir is up-cycled from a very rare plum, the Ente plum, and is a food-grade, edible oil that is eight times more powerful than argan [oil] and six times more powerful than marula [oil].” Brit + Co Pick: LOLI Beauty Plum Elixir ($78)
Seaweed
6. The Detoxifier: Seaweed is tailor-made for detoxification and is particularly helpful for inflammatory skin conditions. Think psoriasis, acne, and eczema. Allison Grossman, founder of The Seaweed Bath Co., which uses hand-harvested bladderwrack seaweed throughout its entire line, notes, “Seaweed is incredibly nutrient rich, full of minerals, vitamins, and amino acids that help detoxify, hydrate, and nourish skin and hair.” SOLD. Brit + Co Pick: The Seaweed Bath Co. Purifying Gel Cleanser ($17)
Chia
7. The Elasticity Provider: Omega-rich chia doesn’t simply hydrate; it also promotes skin elasticity, helping to protect against stretch marks.”Like many of our food ingredients, chia is one that I had such good results with eating it, that I included it in our products,” shares Suzanne LeRoux of One Love Organics. “In fact, the first product I ever made, One Love Skin Savior Balm, has chia in it. Chia is one of the richest, plant-based sources of omega-3s and it helps to nourish and moisturize throughout.” Brit + Co Pick: One Love Organics Skin Savior Multi-Tasking Wonder Balm ($49)
Blue Tansy
8. The Clarifier: The naturally blue oil boasts a number of skin-promoting benefits, from balancing and clarifying, to soothing and healing — making it a protective addition to exfoliating products. The anti-inflammatory ingredient azulene, which is responsible for the azure hue, helps reduce redness and balance complexions. Brit + Co Pick: Herbivore Blue Tansy AHA + BHA Resurfacing Clarity Mask ($48)
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