Have you ever eaten a greasy fast-food meal or heavy dairy ice cream before bed and woken up the next morning with a breakout or unwanted skin flare up? This happens because there is a strong connection between the gut and the skin; having a solid diet full of key nutrients and vitamins is essential to achieve a clear complexion and nourish your body from the inside out.
Just as consuming an abundance of antioxidants, omega 3 fatty acids, and vitamin C can enhance glowing skin, nutrient-dense superfoods can also be applied topically! Similar to how one might ingest turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties, superfoods can be applied to the skin to provide health benefits directly to the source.
Now, I’m not telling you to pour your favorite green smoothie onto your face, but many popular skin care companies such as First Aid Beauty and Mario Badescu are releasing superfood-based products that address our biggest skincare needs. The best way to find the right superfood product is to look for the superfood that specifically addresses your skincare needs. Remember to also carefully read the back of the product to make sure that the superfood is listed as one of first few ingredients, confirming that there’s enough of it in the product to make an impact.
Keep scrolling to learn about four products filled with superfoods to boost your skincare routine.
- Superfood: Chia Seeds
This is by far my favorite superfood product I have ever used and has become an essential part of my skincare routine. The chia seeds, rich antioxidants, and omega fatty acids absorb into the skin leaving a radiant and deeply moisturized finish. My skin quickly eats this product up, leaving a glowy and dewy feel!
- Superfood: Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is commonly consumed to retain water and stay hydrated. When it’s applied to the skin, it has the same refreshing and hydrating effect. I use this spray before applying moisturizer or whenever I want to feel refreshed and glowy!
- Superfood: Turmeric
The anti-inflammatory properties of turmeric calm redness in the skin while simultaneously brightening your complexion. Turmeric also contains salicylic acid, which helps fight acne! Use this product once a week to deeply cleanse and exfoliate the skin, removing dead skin cells while improving skin tone and clarity!
- Superfoods: Matcha and Daikon RadishÂ
Although I have yet to try this product, many beauty gurus have raved about it as a must-have. Matcha is full of antioxidants, which when consumed or applied to the skin acts as a barrier to toxins in the air and harmful rays from the sun. Daikon Radish contains Omega 6 and 9 which deeply nourishes and hydrates the skin. This will definitely be the next product I try!
We already know that it’s important to include lots of healthy fruits and vegetables in our diets, so why not take our wellness to the next level by adding superfoods to our skincare routine too? Scientific studies show that when applied directly to the skin, antioxidants can reduce inflammation and protect the skin over time, so it makes sense that superfoods—which are stocked full of antioxidants—are gaining so much popularity in the skincare industry. As consumers are becoming more aware of the pesticides, preservatives, and chemicals that often make up typical skincare, the demand for natural and organic products is ever increasing. This year, watch as the skincare aisles of beauty stores start to look more like products found in your local supermarket.
COVER PHOTO: EcoWatch
About Zoe Shirken
Zoe Shirken is a sophomore from Santa Monica, CA. As a certified yoga sculpt teacher, Zoe loves fitness as well as cooking and photography.
Zoe Shirken is a sophomore from Santa Monica, CA. As a certified yoga sculpt teacher, Zoe loves fitness as well as cooking and photography.