Superfoods For Great Skin: Foods and oils for skin that glows

You must have heard the term superfood used a lot on Instagram, blogs and magazines, yet many of us are clueless about what actually qualifies as a superfood. Superfoods are plant compounds that have immense health benefits and nutritional value, and they are known to boost the immune system and improve skin and hair. Today we want to talk about a few superfoods that will help you get glowing, radiant skin by nourishing and protecting it from within.

 

• Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the richest sources of antioxidants that are incredibly beneficial for skin health. Eating just a handful of blueberries will have a positive impact on your skin, and it will help neutralize the free radicals responsible for cell damage. Blueberries help to improve collagen production and smooth the skin texture to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, and dry patches. The vitamin A in blueberries is also marvelous for the skin, and it helps to regulate sebum production and fight acne.

 

• Green tea

Green tea is well-known for its potent antioxidant properties and weight-loss effects, but is equally excellent for your skin. Green tea is packed with antioxidants, most prominently Catechin Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), that helps to detoxify harmful chemicals and keeps your skin with elasticity and moisture. It also has potent polyphenolic compounds that fight inflammatory reactions to keep the skin cells healthy and increase cell turnover and collagen production. 

 

• Avocados

Avocados are a fantastic source of healthy fats, and they are packed with monounsaturated fats such as Oleic acid. These fats have strong anti-inflammatory properties which help improve cell division and maintain cell membranes, while also nourishing the skin. Avocados are also a rich source of Vitamin C and E, both of which are excellent antioxidants and neutralize free radicals in the skin cells so that your complexion looks smooth and radiant naturally.

 

• Dark chocolate

Everyone who loves chocolate would be delighted to know that cocoa or cacao as its sometimes called, is, in fact, a superfood! Dark chocolate can influence our health in more than one way. It contains polyphenols that are scientifically proven to reduce the risk of hypertension, prevent insulin resistance, and increase HDL, which protects the heart. Not only that, but the antioxidant capacity also protects against cell damage and helps you avoid sunburn while increasing blood flow to the skin. If you want to get all these benefits, choose a dark chocolate bar with at least 70% cocoa, and eat at least 20 grams every day for maximum effect. If you want to avoid the sugar in chocolate, go for cacao powder and add to your morning smoothie.

 

• Almonds

Almonds are rich in flavonoids and vitamin E, which is vital to skin health. They can help ward off damaging free radicals and even oxidative damage caused by smoking. Almonds also make a great source of satisfying fiber and protein, and their manganese and selenium content helps keep your hair shiny. Snack on a handful of almonds, or enjoy them in almond butter spread on apple slices. A healthy snack that’s so satisfying!

 

Now that you know what superfoods you can eat for great for skin and hair, we also want to discuss a few remarkable oils extracted from superfoods that work wonders on the skin. You can use these oils topically for healthy, restored skin that glows from within!

Here are our top 7 Superfood skincare oils which we love, and surprise surprise, they make up the core ingredients in our gorgeous Superfood firming serum.

1. Chia seed oil

Chia seed oil is the newest trend in the skincare world, and there is good evidence backing its effectiveness as a face oil. This oil is chock-full of essential fatty acids, Zinc, and Niacinamide, which keeps the skin healthy and fights free radicals. It also maintains the cell membranes, and the small molecular size of the oil means that it penetrates deep in the skin and provides thorough hydration without clogging pores or causing breakouts. Chia seed oil is also perfect to use alone if you suffer from inflamed, dry, and irritated skin.

2. Broccoli seed oil

Much like the broccoli, broccoli seed oil also contains useful nutrients and healthy fats, which are great for the skin. This oil contains 50% Erucic acid, an omega-9 fatty acid that moisturises the skin. Broccoli seed oil absorbs quickly in the skin and deeply repairs the skin cells for a youthful and plump appearance. Broccoli seed oil also has a ‘silicone-like’ texture and literally glides on your skin giving a smooth and non-greasy appearance. Don’t be put off by it coming from a broccoli - like most plant oils, it doesn’t have much of a scent and is gorgeous to use on its own before makeup.

3. Pomegranate seed oil

Pomegranate oil has amazing healing properties that soothe dry skin and helps to restore cracked, irritated skin. It contains a form of estrogen that has a balancing effect on the skin and helps with texture and irregularities.

4. Passionflower seed oil

Passionflower seed oil is a rich source of omega-6 fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid, which makes up 80% of the fat content in this oil. Linoleic acid is excellent to restore the skin's natural moisture barrier, and it works wonders on dry, scaly skin. The best part is that this oil has a thin consistency and it absorbs in the skin in a matter of seconds, so you get all this nourishment without greasiness. We also use passion flower in our incredible cleansing oil, Grapefruit Passion 

6. Baobab oil                                                                                              Baobab oil is a miracle worker, and it helps to regenerate and rejuvenate the skin by supplying essential fatty acids, including omega-3 and 6. The oil is also a wonderful source of vitamin A, B, antioxidants, and fats that soften the skin and reduce sun damage, fine lines and wrinkles.

6. Hemp oil

Hemp oil, or CBD, is becoming increasingly popular in the beauty industry, and for a good reason. This oil has nourishing properties that help to moisturise the skin without blocking the pores. It also helps to balance out the sebum production in the skin, which makes it especially excellent for oily, acne-prone skin. By providing adequate hydration to oily skin, hemp seed oil actually reduces oiliness and prevents breakouts and acne. We not only use hemp oil in our Superfood firming serum, but also in our Sleepy Head balm for its healing benefits.

7. Black cumin oil

Black cumin oil has fantastic anti-bacterial properties that help reduce acne and calm inflammatory conditions like psoriasis. The oil is a rich source of antioxidants, and I'm sure by now you know how important they are for the skin! Black cumin also supplies essential nutrients like Vitamin A, B, C, and magnesium, all of which are key to keep the skin healthy and radiant.