Super foods have the power to heal your skin.
As a hardcore health enthusiast, I love finding an excuse to work super foods into my skin care formulations. What's amazing for you inside, must also be amazing for you outside, right? Actually, yes! Super foods are classified as nutrient-rich foods considered to be especially beneficial for health and well-being. Though there are many super foods, I like to focus on the best of the best, those exotic gems which highest in antioxidants and super rich in vitamins and minerals. They're so fantastic, we use some of them in our facial masks, like a super food smoothie for your face.
Though the list of super foods is extensive and some are as common as the foods we eat every day, there's also these elite super foods that I try to make a regular part of my diet and incorporate them into my skin routine. Their greatest powers include anti-aging and reduction of inflammation due to a high content of anti-oxidants. Inflammation is something you never want in your body, it not only causes discomfort but can adversely affect the way your body functions. In terms of beautiful skin, this means inflammation can make you look tired, haggard, dull, red, sallow, dry and even congested. Now without further adieu, in no particular order.... the super foods!
Cacao
Cacao is the unprocessed form of chocolate, free of sugar, refinement and additives. It's always preferred to use raw cacao over refined chocolate for it's amazing, unadulterated benefits.
Cacao is high in anti-oxidants that prevent free radicals that cause premature aging. It's also high in vitamin C and magnesium which helps protect the skin. Cacao contains omega-6 fatty acids and raw enzymes that help heal cells which can heals scars and skin damage. It helps increase blood flow to the skin keeping skin looking glowing and radiant. Lastly, it improves skin hydration which will keep skin looking youthful. Find this super food in our Wild Cacao Facial
Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is the male seed of a flower blossom which are collected by the honey bees and mixed with the bees' digestive enzymes. Bee Pollen is a complete nutrition, a super nutritious, perfect food, these tiny pollens contain almost all the nutrients required by the human body and are enormously rich in proteins, vitamins, minerals, beneficial fatty acids, carotenoids, and bioflavonoids which are anti-viral and anti-bacterial. It's also the only plant source of vitamin b12. There are also more than 100 active enzymes present in fresh and unheated pollens.
Applied to the skin, pollen is beneficial for healing acne and absorbs damaging free-radicals which cause premature aging while stimulating growth of new tissues. Bee pollen helps to balance the immune system which can reduce inflammation and skin conditions like dermatitis and eczema. We use bee pollen in our entire Honeybee Collection
Goji berry
Goji berries have been used in traditional chinese medicine for 2,000 years and thought to help maintain energy, vitality, stamina and longevity.
These tiny berries are anti-oxidant powerhouses responsible for maintaining healthy, youthful skin. Goji berries contain high amounts of vitamin c which protect skin, promote firming and tightening, and can fade scaring. They contain amino acids which are the building blocks of protein, which smooth the look of your skin and improve tone. We've added these powerful little babies to our
Wild Cacao Facial
Acai berry
Acai berries are native to central and south america where they grow in the rainforest.
Acai berries are famous for their high content of antioxidants which are anti-aging, even thought to have a higher content than blueberries and goji berries. It's rich in vitamins A, B, C, and E so it's going to revive your skin, heal damaged skin cells, and restore moisture. They are also have anti-inflammatory properties which can calm and reduce acne. They are beneficial for getting rid of scars, stretch marks, crows feet and dry skin. We doubled up on the berry benefits in our Wild Cacao Facial with both Acai and Goji
Guayusa
Guayusa is found primarily in Ecuador. Although it's not related to green tea, it has similar benefits.
Guayusa contains 50% more anti-oxidants that green tea. making it an obvious choice for anti-aging skin care. Anti-oxidants like Polyphenols, theobromine, flavonoids, and saponins reduce inflammation and defend against free radicals which can cause wrinkles and premature aging. We use guayusa from Wild Foods, whom sources some of the finest super foods available.
Chaga mushroom
Chaga mushroom is a hard, charcaol-looking fungus that grow on birch trees. Look into your backyard, you might actually have some growing!
Besides it's numerous health benefits, it's extremely high in anti-oxidants. " Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is present in chaga in very large quantities. SOD effectively neutralizes the damage done by free radicals, protects against disease and slows down the aging process.) Chaga has a high Melanin content, which is also the main pigment in our skin. Melanin is a powerful anti-oxidant known to protect the genes and the DNA. It can protect the skin from sun damage and heal age spots. It helps skin to keep it's elasticity and firmness while also reducing inflammation. Chaga is also an adaptogen, meaning it helps your body deal with stress or whatever it's going through. It increases the power of resistance against stressors such as environmental, chemical or biological. Chaga is one of the featured super food ingredients in our Wild Cacao Facial
Kale
My favorite leafy green, Kale is actually a member of the brassica family, not the lettuce family.
Kale is rich in chlorophyll, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients that will leave your skin glowing. The vitamin K in kale helps reduce dark circles under your eyes and also tightens skin which reduces wrinkles. It also promotes collagen production so your skin looks plump, not crepey or saggy. It's high content of antioxidants prevent free radical damage so you can stay looking healthy and young. You may fall in love with our Coconut Water & Kale Facial, infused with madagascar vanilla and rose oil.
Tumeric
Tumeric is part of the ginger family and native to southern Asia. Known for it's bright orange color, it might stain your skin temporarily but will generally fade quickly and you'll be left feeling rejuvenated.
Tumeric is antiseptic and anti-bacterial, making it an effective treatment again acne. It can clear acne scars and inflammation while reducing oil secretion. It's also been known to reduce wrinkles and brighten skin. It is a great exfoliating agent which will slough off dead skin cells to reveal renewed glowing skin. It's high content of anti-oxidants help to keep skin looking young. This is yet another powerful ingredient in our Wild Cacao Facial.
Chia Seeds
Chia seeds come from a flowering plant in the mint family native to Mexico & Guatemala. It has long been an important food crop for the Aztec people.
Chia seeds help increase skin hydration, alleviate itchy skin, and fortify skin barrier function, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and leaving skin soft and smooth. Considered the richest botanical source of omega-3 fatty acids found in nature, they promote production of collagen and elastin, which prevents sagging skin. They also help maintain moisture levels, which plump skin and hide fine lines and wrinkles. Chia seed oil is also a great source of vitamin B3, a natural anti-inflammatory, and zinc, which helps calm skin oil production and reduce acne breakouts. We use chia seed oil in both our Wild Cacao Facial and our Coconut Water Kale Facial.
Maca Root
Maca is a plant grown in Peru, related to mustard, turnip and cabbage and is at least 3000 years old.
Maca is packed with vitamins, plant sterols and fiber. This mineral-rich powder can enhance the firmness of skin and improve skin luster. It also contains 19 amino acids which are the building blocks of hormones and protein. Taking maca internally can regulate hormones and actually eliminate hormonal acne. Maca improves blood circulation which speeds up healing and regeneration of cells for youthful skin. Lastly, maca can improve skin tone due to it's high nutritional content and hormonal balancing effects.
Lucuma fruit
Lucuma is a beloved Peruvian fruit which is sometimes used as a natural sweetener due to it's maple-like taste.
Lucuma, which is renowned for its outstanding anti-inflammatory properties, has been used as a topical treatment for skin wounds and abrasions for centuries. Helps to repair sun damaged skin and can even prevent fine lines, wrinkles and skin tone.
Noni fruit
Tropical Noni fruit has been prized for its medicinal properties.
This natural detoxifier is a potent source of vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants. This tropical fruit has been used medicinally for over 2,000 years in the south pacific and is known for its antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiseptic and antifungal attributes which help fight acne and skin conditions.
Mangosteen Fruit
Mangosteen is a fruit native to the tropics of south east Asia. It has been used by healers for thousands of years for it's medicinal and body healing properties.
The antioxidant properties of mangosteen are even stronger than those of vitamin E, to prevent cell damage and premature aging. Mangosteen is also a powerful anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, making it a great acne fighter and skin decongestant. It also can dilate blood vessels which increases blood flow to bring oxygen and nutrients to your skin and organs.
Coconut Water
Coconut water is different from coconut milk. It comes from fresh young coconuts and unlike the milk, contains no fat or cholesterol. It does however, contain electrolytes, and important vitamins like A, C, proteins, Iron and calcium. It's an amazing energy booster and body replenisher as a drink but also scores huge points in the beauty department when applied topically.
Coconut water is anti-aging and encourages cell growth. It can improve the appearance of fine lines and dark spots while it's anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties lighten acne and heal blemishes. It can be used as a hydrating cleanser and naturally tones skin and reduces the size of pores. It helps to hydrate skin without increasing oil production. Coconut oil contains high levels of anti-oxidants and vitamin c which can help heal sun damage and soothe sunburns.
Vanilla
Vanilla is sometimes classified as a boring flavor but it's benefits are anything but boring. Use raw, unrefined and unprocessed vanilla for more magnified benefits.
Vanilla is an antioxidant powerhouse super food that fights free radicals that can cause premature aging. It is full of Antioxidants, Vitamins and Minerals, Magnesium, Calcium, Potassium, Manganese, Zinc, Iron, Vitamin B2, and Fiber, all of which help to keep skin healthy, silky-smooth, supple and clear. We use vanilla in both our Coconut Water & Kale + Wild Cacao Facials
Matcha
Matcha is a green tea that is stone-ground into a super-fine powder. Instead of steeping the leaves in water for tea, the powder is whisked into water so that you get every benefit of the entire leaf.
Matcha is an amazing anti-inflammatory that helps to heal skin conditions like eczema, roscacea and acne. The extremely high content of anti-oxidants help protect skin from environmental pollutants and extreme weather conditions. The high amount of EGCG antioxidant in matcha slows cell degeneration to slow the aging process, promoting smooth, firm skin that retains moisture. Chlorophyll makes matcha a strong detoxifying agent, cleansing the body’s entire system of toxins and toxic chemicals or other impurities, leaving the skin glowing and radiant.
Rooibos
My very favorite tea, Rooibos tea, also known as red tea or african bush tea is my personal favorite. It comes from a broom-like plant in south africa and has been consumed for ages for it's amazing health benefits.
Rooibos tea is rich with the enzyme superoxide dismutase, which it is an excellent anti-aging substance. The alpha hydroxy acids it contains help to reduce wrinkles and signs of aging. Rooibos is hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial, making it perfect for all skin-types, especially allergenic skin prone to dermatitis or sensitivities. No more sensitive skin with this baby. Rooibos tea also has high levels of many minerals and vitamins that promote healthy skin, especially zinc and vitamin D.
Velvet Bean
Velvet bean is a legume from asia and africa which has long been used in ayurvedic medicine.
It contains potent anti-oxidants which fight free radicals to protect your skin from wrinkles and other signs of aging. Free radicals from pollution, UV rays, smoke and more can cause eczema and other allergic skin conditions. In addition, velvet bean has been used to treat mood, improve concentration and increase energy levels.It has a high concentration of L-dopa which is the feelgood hormone dopamine.
Wheatgrass
This ulltimate superfood is a type of Blue-green algae that contains vitamins A, C, E, K and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, zinc, copper, manganese, phosphorous, iron, potassium, selenium and calcium in spirulina makes it a wonderful food for toning skin as all these nutrients are essential for glowing skin. Spirulina contains vitamin E or tocopherol, tyrosine, and selenium. All of these nutrients are known for their anti-ageing effects. Spirulina removes heavy metals and toxins from your skin. A high concentration of chlorophyll in it eliminates the free radicals and makes your skin smoother and softer. The anti-bacterial nature of spirulina quickly eliminates the dead cells, and enhanced metabolism encourages the production of new cells and protects your skin from acne breakouts. We use wheatgrass, spirulina and chlorella in our Green Goddess Mask and our
Deep Sea Mud Mask
Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue green algae and fresh water plant.
This ulltimate superfood is a type of Blue-green algae that contains vitamins A, C, E, K and vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, zinc, copper, manganese, phosphorous, iron, potassium, selenium and calcium in spirulina makes it a wonderful food for toning skin as all these nutrients are essential for glowing skin. Spirulina contains vitamin E or tocopherol, tyrosine, and selenium. All of these nutrients are known for their anti-ageing effects. Spirulina removes heavy metals and toxins from your skin. A high concentration of chlorophyll in it eliminates the free radicals and makes your skin smoother and softer. The anti-bacterial nature of spirulina quickly eliminates the dead cells, and enhanced metabolism encourages the production of new cells and protects your skin from acne breakouts.
Chlorella
Chlorella is a type of fresh water green algae.
Chlorella is a powerful detoxifier and can slow down the aging process by reducing free radical damage in the body that cause us to age faster. High in vitamins A & C and chlorophyll, it removes impurities in the skin, making it more radiant and renewed. The nutrients in chlorella also work wonders healing eczema and similar skin conditions.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Some of our favorite, active, super food skin products...
_____________________________________________________________________________________________
Wilder North Botanicals cannot be held responsible for any actions made, implied or expressed by anyone as a result of this guidance.
The above statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. They are in no way intended to heal, prevent or treat any illness. Please consult your doctor if you are seeking medical advice.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
References
DavidWolfe.com
The Beauty Detox Solution by Kimberly Snyder
https://www.vitamonk.com/blogs/health/what-are-ada...
