The world of skincare is often a wonderful place. No matter what kind of skin issue you’re currently facing—from acne to rosacea to wrinkles—there’s someone, somewhere, who knows how to help. With social media, beauty influencers, and the whole of the Internet at your fingertips, you have virtually unlimited access to all the knowledge you could need about this expansive subject.

Of course, every coin has two sides. With this massive wealth of knowledge comes both the good and the bad. Sometimes, with so much content out there, figuring out where to even begin can be paralyzing. You get so overwhelmed that you decide to avoid the subject entirely.

Well, lucky for you, we’re here to assist. Today, we’d like to get back to basics. Instead of attempting to explain all the newest, trendiest, most complicated skincare ingredients hitting the shelves each day, we’re going to talk about something a bit more simple: superfoods. 

Superfoods are all-natural, organic ingredients that are packed with skin-repairing substances. If you’re looking to break into the skincare realm, but you just don’t know where to begin, superfoods are a great place to turn. While some ingredients may come and go, superfoods are here to stay.

So, without further ado, let’s get into our Superfoods 101 seminar. Read on for absolutely everything you need to know about our favorite super skincare ingredients.

One: Turmeric 

Here at Gleamin, turmeric is one of our absolute favorite superfoods. You’ve probably heard of this one before—it’s often used in cooking, especially in dishes like curry. It has a very distinctive, bright-orange color that lends itself to any food in which it’s featured. However, more importantly (for our purposes, at least), turmeric has tons of powerful skin-saving properties.

First things first, turmeric is full of antioxidants. What are antioxidants, you ask? Well, basically, they’re tiny little molecules that fight compounds called free radicals. In too-high quantities, these compounds can be very harmful, both for the skin and our overall health. So, using ingredients and products with plenty of antioxidants will always help your skin.

So, because it contains a ton of free radicals, turmeric is pretty great for the skin. For example, it helps reduce signs of aging, like wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Similarly, it may assist in fading the appearance of dark spots and acne scars. 

Beyond its antioxidant properties, turmeric also has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial abilities. This really comes in handy when it comes to acne. 

Acne is often caused by a particular strain of bacteria, P. acnes. Fortunately (for us), turmeric may help kill that bacteria, preventing breakouts entirely. However, if you do happen to experience an annoying outbreak of acne, turmeric is perfect for soothing any redness and inflammation you might experience. Essentially, it’s an all-in-one acne treatment.

So, this powerful spice gives the skin an even, natural, glowing look that could only come from an all-natural, superfood ingredient like turmeric.

Two: Kakadu Plum

Next up is another superfood that we just can’t live without: Kakadu plum. While most of you have probably heard of turmeric, we wouldn’t be surprised if Kakadu plum is a bit lesser-known. However, despite its lack of popularity, this ingredient has just as much to offer as the more famous turmeric.

Let’s start with the basics. The Kakadu plum, or Terminalia ferdinandiana, comes from a flowering plant native to Australia. It actually goes by many names, like the gubinge, green plum, salty plum, or billygoat plum.

This powerful plum has been serving up health benefits for thousands of years. Indigenous people of Australia have used this plum as an antiseptic and a remedy for headaches, colds, and the flu for centuries. Now, we in the skincare world have adopted this plum to harness its healing properties.

Like turmeric, Kakadu plums are very high in antioxidants. In addition, the fruit is filled to the brim with vitamin C, which helps keep the skin looking bright and youthful. It also supports collagen products, which in turn reduces signs of aging and fades under-eye circles.

On top of all of these wonderful properties, the Kakadu plum is also ideal for fighting acne, as it has strong anti-bacterial abilities. Likewise, as an anti-inflammatory ingredient, this superfood soothes the skin and helps it heal after experiencing issues like acne.

As you can see, this powerful little fruit brings plenty of impressive benefits to the table.

Three: Desert Lime

Limes are a literal staple in the culinary world, as well as the world of fancy cocktails. There are so many recipes that simply wouldn’t exist without the distinctive, citrusy flavor of those little green fruits. Well, it turns out the lime is the gift that just keeps on giving—it’s just as beneficial for our skin as it is for our taste buds. 

In this case, we’re talking about a particular type of lime: the desert lime, or Citrus glauca. Like the Kakadu plum, this fruit is native to Australia. Thank you, Australia!

What makes the desert lime stand out among every other variation of this common fruit is this—it’s an incredible source of vitamin C, and vitamin C is simply vital for our skin.

Here’s a quick rundown of everything this substance does for your face. It boosts collagen products to combat signs of aging. It reduces dark spots. It helps the skin stay extra hydrated. It decreases redness and soothes the skin. We could go on and on.

It’s safe to say that desert limes are one of the best (if not the best) natural sources of vitamin C out there today. If you’re looking for a skincare ingredient or product that’ll give your skin an instant boost, desert lime is the best way to go.

Four: Grapeseed Oil 

If you’re new to the skincare world or you haven’t paid much attention to trends, you may not be aware that all kinds of oils are showing up in skincare products across the industry. Oil, though traditionally known to be a no-no for the skin, has recently been shown to offer tons of amazing benefits. Today, we’re going to touch on one type of oil in particular: grapeseed oil.

Naturally, grapeseed oil comes from the seeds of grapes. It has a lightweight, silky, thin texture, which makes it easily absorbable and super luxurious when applied to your skin. 

More importantly, grapeseed oil has just as many skin-repairing properties as the superfoods we mentioned above. Namely, it contains lots of antioxidants, and it has potent anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. As you surely know by now, this makes grapeseed oil ideal for skincare.

This oil helps fight acne, reduce the appearance of redness, and even out the complexion. Plus, it keeps your skin feeling super moisturized. Overall, it’s a major powerhouse of an ingredient.

 

Wrapping It Up 

So, there you have it: four of our favorite, must-have superfoods. If you’re a skincare beginner with no clue where to start, be sure to look out for any products containing these potent ingredients. 

If you’re looking for a luxurious face mask that incorporates all of these superfoods and more, be sure to check out our Vitamin C Clay Mask. It’s a true one-stop shop for all your superfood needs.

So, what are you waiting for? Go get your hands on these superfoods today.

Sources:

Turmeric for Skin: Is It Beneficial? | Healthline

Kakadu Plum: Why the Beauty Industry Is Loving This Native Australian Ingredient Right Now | Broadsheet

Desert Lime | Australian Native Food & Botanicals