Superfruit Skincare - Is It Worth the Hype?

Superfruits. The name alone sounds like something that we should be incorporating into our day-to-day - it’s super, after all!

And these fruits - which include things like pomegranate, blueberries, cranberry, and avocado - have certainly been mainstays in the health and fitness industry for years.

So what does that mean for your skin? Let’s dive in.

Superfruits: The Basis

The name “superfruit” is essentially a marketing term - there’s no regulatory organization or FDA designation that qualifies a fruit as “super” across the board. That said, this group of fruits has one main thing in common: antioxidants.

In general, these antioxidants - which include things like vitamin C and vitamin E - are known to combat free radical damage. In the big picture, this protects the body from developing larger damage-related issues like autoimmune disorders, wrinkles, and even cancer.

But how effective are these superfruits at actually combatting these concerns? And do they actually have a place in skincare?

Superfruits in Skincare

In short - yes. There’s tons of research to show the effectiveness of superfruits in skincare. Here are some of the most popular options, what they can help with, and where you can find them.

Goji Berries

Known as antioxidant powerhouses, goji berries are a major source of vitamin C, polysaccharides, amino acids, minerals, and carotenoids. All of these can have a range of health benefits on the skin, helping to improve skin elasticity, boost collagen production, reduce inflammation and more.

Then, there’s the number of antioxidants. So, there’s something called ORAC. It stands for oxygen radical absorbance capacity, and it was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in 1999 when they found that foods with high ORAC values may help slow the aging process and protect your cells from free radicals. The higher the ORAC number, the more antioxidant power something has.

Blueberries have an ORAC of 2400, prunes 5700. Goji berries, on the other hand, have a staggering 25,000, making them one of the top free-radical fighters on the list. Not too shabby.

Raspberries

Raspberries, which actually come from a plant in the rose family, are one of the most consumed berries on the planet. They have an ORAC of 6058 (per 100 grams) and they have many compounds - including vitamin C, anthocyanin, and phenolic acid - that have been known to:

• Help maintain cardiovascular health
• Help inhibit the growth of cancer cells
• Aid in weight loss
• Boost eye health
• Provide anti-inflammatory benefits

Plus, raspberry seed oil, in particular, is rich in vitamin A, vitamin E, and essential fatty acids. It can also absorb UV rays and provide moisture without being comedogenic.

Find it in: No Plans face mask and All In eye cream (raspberry seed oil)

Pomegranate

Pomegranate has been used to fight disease for centuries - and today, there’s research to back up its benefits.

It’s full of the same free-radical fighting polyphenols that are found in green tea, along with isoflavones and ellagic acid, which is believed to play a role in fighting cancer.

So how does that play into skincare? Well, pomegranate can help:

• Hydrate:Pomegranate seed oil is rich in punicic acid (the main fatty acid in the oil), and it also contains oleic acid. This helps turn it into a slow-drying, non-comedogenic oil  that’s super nourishing for the skin.
• Smooth:Pomegranate actually contains 50% of your daily value of vitamin C, which is a huge concentration. This makes pomegranate super effective at brightening, helping with acne, and more.
• Improve elasticity:Pomegranate has a great mix of antioxidants, phytonutrients, minerals, fatty acids, and vitamins - all of which can work together to help plump the skin and promote collagen production. This can help create a more bouncy, youthful appearance.
• Anti-Aging. Pomegranates protect against premature aging and age-related issues like sun damage, wrinkles, and fine lines. It can also help prevent hyperpigmentation and age spots.

Find it in:No Plans face mask

Cranberry

Believe it or not, cranberries have one of the highest concentrations of antioxidants - more than other superfood staples like strawberries, spinach, or broccoli. Plus, they’re an amazing source of additional vitamins and nutrients, including fiber, manganese, essential fatty acids, and vitamins C, E, and K.

In skincare terms, this translates to:

• Decreased dryness:Cranberry oil is the only oil that has the perfect ratio of omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids. This makes it an excellent oil to moisturize and protect the skin’s natural barrier.
• Improved elasticity:Cranberries are incredibly high in polyphenols and vitamins C and E, all of which work to fight free radicals and minimize the visible signs of aging, including fine lines and wrinkles, hyperpigmentation and loss of elasticity.
• Minimized acne:These powerhouse berries are also a natural source of flavonoids (an antioxidant) and salicylic acid (a beta hydroxy acid or BHA). Each of these ingredients has astringent and antiseptic properties that reduce sebum, clear pores and minimize the look of pimples.

Find it in:Find cranberry in the All In eye cream and cranberry fibers in Zen Out of Ten bamboo scrub.

Blueberry

There are tons of healthy compounds in blueberries, including:

• Vitamins A, C, and E, all of which promote cell turnover and help firm, tighten, brighten, and soothe skin. Vitamin A can also stimulate the creation of more collagen and elastin, which can create a plumper, more youthful complexion
• Resveratrol, which can keep acne at bay while preventing sun damage and premature aging
• Anthocyanin, a substance that repairs damaged skin and helps promote healthy cell turnover
• Gallic acid, which can reduce existing sun damage, including dryness and wrinkles

Find it in:All In

Avocado Oil

Yes, it’s a fruit! These days, avocado is super known for its creamy texture and high fat levels, both of which make it a fantastic anti-aging skincare ingredient.

It’s loaded with healthy omega-3 fatty acids, along with vitamins A, D, E, and chlorophyll. What are the specific benefits? Well, it can:

• Moisturize:Ingredients like vitamin E, potassium, and lecithin make avocado oil for skina great moisturizing ingredient. The skin can easily absorb and use these molecules, so it’s effective moisture that won’t just sit on top of your face.
• Relieve inflammation:Avocado also contains antioxidants and vitamins that can help soothe skin and reduce inflammation related to psoriasis, eczema, and other conditions.
• Improve acne:Avocados can help moisturize the skin in a non-comedogenic way since they don’t leave an oily residue behind. This can help rebuild the skin’s natural barrier without  clogging pores - which means it can help prevent acne from forming.
• Accelerate healing:One 2013 study found that the essential fatty acids and oleic acid in avocado oil can actually promote collagen synthesis. In other words, they can help you create new connective tissue and heal the skin quickly and effectively.

Find it in:All In