INGREDIENT 101
TOUCH OF GREEN Superfoods like kale and algae aren’t just for eating. New skincare products put their benefits at your fingertips By Mishal Cazmi
This light moisturizer uses Japanese superfood algae from Okinawa, rich in polysaccharides, to help hydrate skin. TATCHA The Water Cream, $82, Sephora.ca
Photo: Shutterstock (Kale)
COME WARMER WEATHER, we all
crave greens, and we’ll take them however we can get them—from cold-pressed juices, in salads or via supplements. Now, they’re also available in skincare form, thanks to beauty brands that are tapping into their abundant health benefits. Greens have earned the “super” in superfood for good reason: “Foods like kale, algae and spinach are rich in anti-inflammatory phytonutrients and potent anti-oxidants that can protect the skin from the effects of sun damage and free radical damage,” says Dr. Jennifer Pearlman of Toronto-based PearlMD Rejuvenation. Cruciferous veggies in particular (like cabbage, kale and broccoli) are full of nutrients such as beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, vitamin C, E and K, folate and minerals. In skincare, these nutrients are said to do everything from brightening and hydrating, to reducing inflammation. Beta-carotene, for example, helps protect against harmful free radicals and gives skin a healthy glow, while vitamin C brightens.
But is there any merit to getting your fix from a face cream instead of the old-fashioned way? “The green skincare trend is more than just a marketing fad,” says Dr. Pearlman. “It is based on the realization that a comprehensive beauty plan must start from within, and plant-based, whole-food diets can deliver a full dose of skin-enhancing nutrients.” That said, Dr. Pearlman notes that while superfoods in the diet can have health benefits, it’s less clear if applying them topically is as effective. Beauty brands continue to harness the power of greens in everything from serums and scrubs to face masks. At first, kale, spinach and green tea were at the forefront in launches like Origins’ By All Greens Foaming Deep Cleansing Mask and Nip + Fab’s Kale Fix range, and vegan skincare brands such as Youth to the People. This year, spirulina, sprouts and algae are being harnessed for their skin-boosting properties. The grass certainly seems greener on this side of skincare.
SUMMER 2017 | COSMETICSMAG.COM
A green complex of algae, Irish moss, green tea and eucalyptus help this exfoliating scrub to absorb oil and unclog pores. OLEHENRIKSEN
Pore-Balance Facial Sauna Scrub, $34, Sephora.ca
This cleanser boasts microgreens such as Swiss cress sprouts, while detoxophane helps combat free radicals and sun damage. ÉMINENCE ORGANICS
Stone Crop Cleansing Oil with Detoxifying Microgreens Complex, $56, Beautysense.ca 65