Power-Packed

Supercharge your skincare with superfoods that are good for you inside and out. By Arissa Ha

you’ve heard the spiel: When incorporated into a wellbalanced diet, superfoods—nutrient-rich foods such as kale, goji berries and açai—can give your health a boost, helping your body ward off disease, promoting heart health and lowering blood pressure, among other things. It’s no surprise that the fad has spilled into the beauty world, which has always been quick to harness the benefits of health and wellness trends to improve skin health and appearance. Over the last few years, we’ve seen an exponential increase in the number of superfood-infused skincare, all promising to nourish, repair and strengthen the skin.

For the uninitiated, the main role of superfoods in skincare is to fight free-radical damage, which can manifest as dullness, sagginess, sensitivity, inflammation and a host of other imperfections. But first: What are free radicals? They’re highly unstable molecules produced naturally in the body as a result of cellular metabolism.

They are also present in the environment, and can be found in pollutants such as smog and cigarette smoke. Because they have an uneven number of atoms, free radicals “steal” electrons from other cells in the body to stabilise themselves, resulting in oxidative stress that can damage the cells.

Superfoods can help counteract that damage because they are high in antioxidants—molecules that readily give up their electrons without destabilising themselves to neutralise and eliminate free radicals. When formulated into skincare, superfoods and their antioxidant benefits are delivered right where you need them: The skin, which is usually the last in line to reap the benefits of whatever foods you consume.

Of course, superfoods also come loaded with vitamins and nutrients that help keep skin looking healthy and youthful. So, which are the ones we should have in our skincare and why?

GRAPES

While all grapes have folate, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C and B6, the red ones have a higher amount of anthocyanins— strong antioxidants that also support collagen synthesis. Fermented red grapes present even better skin benefits, thanks to their particularly high concentration of the antioxidant powerhouse resveratrol, touted as a “miracle ingredient” that boosts cellular energy and protects against cellular ageing. TRY: Caudalie’s Resveratrol-Lift Firming Cashmere Cream ($84), which has resveratrol (harvested from the brand’s own vineyard in Bordeaux), hyaluronic acid and vegan collagen to work on reducing signs of ageing.

KOMBUCHA

Who would have thought a fermented tea would be the source of so much goodness? Kombucha has high levels of antioxidants, B vitamins and probiotics, which, among other things, give skin a radiance boost, promote skin cell renewal and help balance the skin’s microbiome, the first line of defence against external aggressors. TRY: Fresh’s Kombucha Facial Treatment Essence ($108). Driven by kombucha, hyaluronic acid, and mandarin peel and kigelia africana fruit extracts, it reduces oxidative stress and protects against pollution while working on overall tone and texture.

MUSHROOM

Long prized in traditional Chinese medicine, the humble fungi is now moving up the skincare hero ranks, thanks to the fact that many varieties have adaptogenic properties and can mitigate the skin’s stress response. Mushrooms are also rich in B complex vitamins, specifically niacinamide, a jack of all trades that helps balance skin, fade scars, reduce visible signs of ageing and more. TRY: Dr. Andrew Weil for Origins’ Mega-Mushroom Relief & Resilience Advanced Face Serum ($138), which has chaga, reishi and cordyceps to soothe and calm, as well as prebiotics and probiotics to support the skin’s microbiome and strengthen its barrier.

GREEN TEA

Touted as one of the healthiest drinks around, green tea is rich in polyphenols— powerful antioxidants that quell inflammation and protect against sun damage. That aside, it has a soothing effect and is great for those with skin sensitivity. TRY: Shu Uemura’s Anti/Oxi+ Pollutant & Dullness Clarifying Cleansing Oil ($135). Formulated with green tea extract as well as those of moringa and papaya, both efficient cleansers, it rids skin of makeup and impurities, including micro-sized pollutants that can adhere to skin as we go about our day in the city.

TURMERIC

You probably know it as the bright yellow spice that packs a flavour punch, but we’ll have you know turmeric has skin game too. Its main active ingredient, curcumin, is a potent antioxidant, and has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and antibacterial properties, making it a very appealing ingredient for use in skincare designed to tackle a whole range of issues. TRY: RE:ERTH’s Multi-Targeted Elixir ($116), a serum with extracts of the rare Japanese white turmeric—which is grown exclusively in Kyushu, Japan—and the Japanese spring turmeric to help brighten and firm skin while evening out its tone.

WATERMELON

Living up to its name, the watermelon is 92 percent water, making it a great hydrating agent. It is also high in amino acids, antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamins A and C, which brighten skin, stimulate collagen production and aid cellular repair. It is rich, too, in lycopene and carotenoids, which help prevent photodamage. TRY: Glow Recipe’s Watermelon Glow Sleeping Mask ($69), which hydrates, soothes and fights freeradical damage with watermelon extract, hyaluronic acid and pumpkin extract. It also has alpha-hydroxy acids to rid skin of surface dead skin cells, leaving it softer and more radiant.

AVOCADO

“High in fat” doesn’t sound like a good thing, but it is if we’re talking about monounsaturated fats, which is what the avocado has in spades. Helping to reduce bad (LDL) cholesterol levels, this “good” fat also improves skin elasticity and minimises the look of wrinkles. The mushy weekend brunch staple comes loaded with vitamins, minerals and fatty acids too, supporting overall skin health and vitality. TRY: Kiehl’s Avocado Nourishing Hydration Mask ($69), a rinse-off mask with avocado fruit extract, avocado oil and evening primrose oil to help restore skin’s lipid levels for a healthy skin barrier.

OATS

Oats have long been celebrated for their ability to soothe itching, irritated skin while alleviating dryness, but did you know they work wonders for acne-prone skin too? That’s because oats contain high levels of zinc, an antimicrobial agent that can reduce inflammation and help soak up the excess oil on the skin’s surface that can clog pores and lead to acne. This nutritious food is also rich in lipids (help maintain a healthy skin barrier), proteins (support cellular repair and renewal), enzymes (stimulate skin cell renewal for a softer, smoother look and feel) and saponins (natural cleansers). TRY: Sigi Skin’s Idyllic Fields ($78), a day moisturiser formulated with nearly 72 percent oats that hydrates and works on rebalancing your skin even as it calms irritation.