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You knew Kale is a health food, but did you know that kale also has skin benefits when used topically?
In case you don't know what kale is:
Kale is a dark, leafy vegetable. It is a member of the cabbage family. Kale is one of the most nutritious plant foods known.
Raw kale is a potent source of our daily dose of many minerals and vitamins:
- Vitamin A: 206% of the DV (from beta-carotene)
- Vitamin K: 684% of the DV
- Vitamin C: 134% of the DV
- Vitamin B6: 9% of the DV
- Manganese: 26% of the DV
- Calcium: 9% of the DV
- Copper: 10% of the DV
- Potassium: 9% of the DV
- Magnesium: 6% of the DV
- It also contains 3% or more of the DV for vitamin B1 (thiamin), vitamin B2 (riboflavin), vitamin B3 (niacin), iron and phosphorus
Skin Types That Benefit from Kale
- Dehydrated
- Blemished
- Irritated
- Sensitive
All skin types will benefit from Kale. The skin types mentioned above will benefit the most. Kale is packed with nutrients that detox and clear out debris that causes blemished skin. It improves hydration and new cell turnover. Kale is easily the new must-have ingredient in your skin care regime.
Keep reading to learn how this superfood can benefit your skin.
Kale Skin Benefits
Because of Kale's high content of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, it is an excellent ingredient for use on the skin.
Vitamin K
Kale is one of the best sources for Vitamin K, with one cup containing 7 times the recommended daily amount.
Vitamin K helps reduce dark circles under the eyes and helps tighten the skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps reduce swelling and lessen scars.
Antioxidants
There are some powerful antioxidants contained in kale, including Vitamin C, Quercetin, Kaempferol, and the carotenoids Lutein and Zeaxanthin.
Vitamin C helps reduce dark spots, brightens the skin tone, repairs sun damage, and helps keep collagen production healthy and robust. There is more Vitamin C in a cup of kale as there is in one orange.
Quercetin and Kaempferol are antioxidants that fight free radical damage and help keep the skin looking young and healthy.
Lutein and Zeaxanthin are carotenoids that help promote healthy skin by increasing hydration and elasticity of the skin, as well as offering protection from UV induced damage.
Vitamin A
Kale contains beta-carotene, which is then converted to Vitamin A in the body. Does the skin also convert beta-carotene to Vitamin A? There is some evidence that indeed it does.
Beta carotene protects your skin from cellular UV damage. When it is converted to Vitamin A on the skin, it helps speed up cellular turnover, rebuilds collagen, and keeps skin cells healthy and flourishing. It is one of the most potent anti-aging compounds known.
Copper
The mineral copper boosts the synthesis of melanin; a pigment that protects your skin from the sun.
How to Incorporate Kale into your Daily Life
So now that you know the benefits of kale, how do you start using it?
Add Kale to your Diet
Kale is super easy to consume if you know how to prepare it. My favorite ways to use kale are turning it into chips, cooking it with garlic and butter, and adding it to smoothies.
Kale Smoothie Recipe
This is one of my favorite smoothie recipes:
- 4 stokes of kale
- 1 pear
- 1 banana
- Juice of half a lemon
- Half an avocado
- 3 celery stalks
- 1 cup of coconut milk
In this recipe, you're getting lots of hydration, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats that will benefit the largest organ of the body- the skin.
How to Make Kale Chips
Learn how to make your own kale chips in the video below:
Use Kale Topically
Look for serums, cleansers, moisturizers, or masks containing kale and incorporate them into your skin care.
Eminence has a couple of outstanding products containing this superfood, the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque and the Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum.
Note: I only recommend buying eminence products online from Amy's Organic Skincare. You do not want to purchase eminence from Amazon because there are no authorized dealers there. Many of the products sold are past their due date and are inconsistent. It is not worth your money.
Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Masque
This masque is like a smoothie for your face! Kale, Spinach & Broccoli Sprouts bring antioxidants and minerals to the mix, stabilized Vitamin C (l-ascorbic acid) reduces redness and soothes inflammation, citrus fruit oils tone and balance oil production, and rhubarb adds more antioxidant protection to this skincare concoction.
Citrus & Kale Potent C+E Serum
Containing similar ingredients as the masque, including stabilized vitamin c, kale, spinach, and broccoli sprouts, and citrus fruit oils, this serum is fast-absorbing and light. Hyaluronic acid helps the skin retain moisture, and ferulic acid delivers antioxidant benefits.
Make Your Own Kale Mask
Take a handful of Kale, some yogurt, and a little honey and lemon juice, add to a blender, blend until smooth and apply to your face. It's that easy!
Conclusion
Including Kale into your daily skincare regime will have significant benefits to your skin. Don't miss out on this favorite superfood, jam-packed with nutrients that work hard even at the cellular level.
Do you know anyone who would benefit from Kale in their skincare? Be sure to share with your friends!
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