Kale: A Superfood for Skin Care

If you haven’t heard of kale yet, you’re either living under a rock or just missing out on one of the greatest superfoods the earth has to offer. Kale is often referred to as the “King/Queen of Greens” because it's a popular vegetable that’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients! Now that you know that kale is the real deal, what exactly can it do for you and your body?

THE BENEFITS OF KALE 

You’re probably not surprised to find out that kale is loaded with benefits. From something as simple as supporting your bones to as extensive as fighting cancer, kale can be an easy and affordable prevention tactic or solution. Um, did you say “fight cancer”? Yes, I did. Kale contains cancer-fighting carotenoids. These are antioxidants that protect the cell’s DNA from damage caused by free radicals. Kale also helps to:

• Strengthen the immune system
• Fight oxidative stress
• Protect your eyesight
• Promote healthy blood clotting
• Aid in healthy weight loss
• Protect against heart disease

Not only is kale great for the body, but it’s also great for the skin.  Remember, what you put in your body is just as important as what you put on it and the skin is no exception. Kale helps to promote collagen production, treat hyperpigmentation, and can reduce skin inflammation allowing you to appear less bloated. The vitamins found in kale is what helps keep your skin hydrated and radiant-looking. Vitamins include:

• Vitamin A- promotes healthy cell growth and repairs damaged skin cells 
• Vitamin B6- fights overproduction of sebum and in low doses, helps to fight acne
• Vitamin C- gets rid of fine lines, free radicals, and brightens overall complexion
• Vitamin E- moisturizes & protects skin from sun damage
• Vitamin K- improves skin’s elasticity, heals scars, minimizes bruising and dark circles

INTRODUCE KALE INTO YOUR SKINCARE ROUTINE

So now that you know just how great kale is for your skin, what’s stopping you from incorporating it into your routine? If you don’t know where to start, here are some tips:

• Eat it. Some may say it’s not the tastiest of all the veggies, but you don’t need to eat a whole bowl to reap its benefits. You can add kale to smoothies or salads! There are so many recipes out there that can mask the flavor. For reference, it’s recommended to consume at least 1-2 servings a day.
• DIY skincare: You can add kale to home-made face masks along with other beneficial skin ingredients like honey or turmeric!
• Take the easy route and buy skincare products that have kale already included in their formula. Kale has been a big trendsetter these past couple of years. Because of that, many skincare companies have already begun to add the leafy superfood to their products!