You already know the importance of incorporating greens into your daily diet -- everything from kale and spinach to seaweed and celery plays a key role in providing your body with the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants it needs to function at top-notch. But your internal body isn't the only part craving these essential nutrients -- your external body needs some love too.
"Our skin is our largest organ, our protective layer, and yet, it is the last place our body delivers antioxidants, minerals, vitamins and protein," explains Annie Jackson, co-founder and VP of Merchandising and Planning at Credo Beauty. "Applying superfoods directly to the skin can support optimal skin health by ensuring nutrients penetrate the skin in order to be used by the dermis (second layer of the skin where the magic happens) to repair and prevent damage." It's the molecular makeup of these plants, herbs and extracts, she explains, that contain properties used by the circulatory system of the skin to aid in treating many skin conditions.
Beauty from the inside out is how women are living today, which is why we're gathering up the 15 best products containing super-fueled ingredients, like collagen-boosting kale and broccoli, or algae and seaweed, that give you brighter, more hydrated and healthier skin.
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Alba Hawaiian Refining Aloe & Green Tea Oil-Free Moisturizer, $9
In addition to smelling like a tropical paradise, thanks to its exotic fruit enzymes and Hawaiian extracts, this light, hypoallergenic formula is infused with green tea and gotu kola extract. Both of these powerful antioxidants have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that work hard to fight signs of aging, protect against free radicals in the environment and eliminate pesky acne and blackheads. It gently moisturizes with glycerin and hyaluronic acid, so it won't leave your face with a greasy feeling.
Pacifica Cactus Revive Milk to Foam Face Wash, $10
Kick dirt, grease and shine to the curb with this creamy, cleansing milk. Its key ingredients include cactus oil, which helps stimulate healthy cell turnover, coconut water, a hydration carrier, and sodium hyaluronate, which can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water -- a solid moisture boost! Just squeeze a quarter-size amount in your hand and rub together until you get that perfect foamy, bubbling texture. Not only is it a staple in your anti-aging routine, but it smells incredible too.
Whether you are looking for an organic, gentle, plant-based formula for your bubble bath or a non-irritating body wash for your shower, this product promises to deliver for either occasion. It's even been certified by the Gluten Free Certification Organization (GFCO) for undergoing rigorous gluten testing. Its green ingredients include a combination of cucumber, aloe and botanical extracts, which cleanse, replenish, hydrate and nourish the skin in a soothing and gentle way.
Youth To The People Age Prevention Superfood Mask, $44
The key age-fighting ingredient in this super-enriched mask is none other than spirulina, an ingredient you'll likely see continuing to crop up in your skin care products. This blue-green algae offers countless benefits for your skin and body, working hard to maintain your skin's collagen and elastin levels (major anti-wrinkle points!), fighting inflammation and protecting against pesky skin conditions such as eczema. This mask is also loaded with kale, spinach and green tea so it sincerely acts like a smoothie for your skin.
