Learn More About the Products Seen on Yesterday’s KXAN “Studio 512” Superfoods in Beauty Segment!

Earlier today, I appeared on KXAN’s “Studio 512″show to chat about how superfoods have made their way into the skincare and haircare realms. If you’re not familiar with the term “superfoods,” it’s basically a descriptor for nutrient-dense veggies, fruits, herbs, grains, teas, and other nature-based edibles. If a food contains a high concentration of vitamins A, B, or C, if it’s rich in protein or amino acids, or if it contains loads of antioxidants, it will likely be categorized as a superfood. From kale and brussel sprouts to cranberries and quinoa, superfoods are bountiful. And, as we become better informed about the nutritional benefits of different foods, beauty companies are studying their respective chemical compositions, conducting experiments to assess any benefits they might offer when applied topically, and developing formulas that contain these buzz-y natural wonders.

Now, for the question I’m sure many of you are pondering: if you’re already consuming these foods, why do you need to incorporate them into your skincare or haircare regimen? Well, it’s not an “either or” proposition — the truth is you should be consuming these foods as often as possible and, yes, to some degree, a diet rich in fiber- and vitamin-packed foods will likely result in healthier hair and skin. At the same time, consider that when you apply these foods topically, your skin (or your hair) is enjoying those benefits first, so that you’re feeding it from the outside in rather than the other way around. And given that the skin is the body’s largest organ, doesn’t it deserve a prime meal? Also, most skincare and haircare products that integrate superfoods into their formulas contain powerful extracts that amount to a much higher concentration of these foods than what most of us would consume on a daily basis. Think about it: you may have a kale salad with cranberries for lunch, but what about that bagel you had for breakfast or that fried chicken you had for dinner? You get the point: by applying these nutrient-packed superfoods to your hair or skin, you can best benefit from their anti-aging, radiance-boosting, hydrating, fortifying, and antiseptic properties.

Now, I focused on six superfoods in the segment — guava, goji berries, Manuka honey, buckthorn berries, artichoke, and Matcha tea — with each corresponding to a beauty product or product range.

Here are more details on each superfood and the beauty products that harness its properties!

SUPERFOODS: GUAVA AND GOJI BERRIES

PRODUCT POWERED BY THESE SUPERFOODS: SHEAMOISTURE SUPERFRUIT COMPLEX BATH & BODY COLLECTION

I referred to guavas as the unsung heroes of the fruit world, and it’s so true! Guavas are not only delicious, but they’re extremely rich in vitamin C — in fact, per ounce, they contain up to four times more vitamin C than oranges. Goji berries, meanwhile, have been used in traditional Chinese medicine for almost 2,000 years, but they’ve only recently become part of the nutrition conversation in the US. Raw goji berries are reputed to boast up to 500 times more vitamin C per weight than oranges, while dried goji berries can contain up to seven times more vitamin C than oranges. Goji berries are also rife with antioxidants and beta-carotene, so that they can work wonders for the skin. The high vitamin C content of both these fruits, meanwhile, helps to stimulate collagen production so that the skin remains taut, toned, and lifted, while also giving it a radiance boost.

SheaMoisture’s Superfruit Complex collection, then, taps into the powerful properties of both guava and goji berries, combining these superfoods with antioxidant-rich açai berries and raspberries, then adding fatty acid-rich shea butter, to produce a range of bath and body products that leave the skin soft, smooth, supple, and glowing. In particular, I highlighted the SheaMoisture Superfuit Complex Body Wash ($9.99 at Target, Ulta, and SheaMoisture.com), the SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex Body Lotion ($9.99 at Target, Ulta, and SheaMoisture.com), and the SheaMoisture Superfruit Complex Bath, Body & Massage Oil ($9.99 at Target, Ulta, and SheaMoisture.com). Not only are these products effective, but they’re incredibly affordable and they smell delicious!

SUPERFOOD: MANUKA HONEY

PRODUCT POWERED BY THESE SUPERFOODS: MANUKA DOCTOR APICLEAR RANGE

We’ve all been told to drink a little tea with honey when we have a sore throat or cough — and with good reason! Honey has excellent antibacterial properties, plus it’s a natural humectant, drawing moisture to the skin (which is really important in any wound healing process). Now, Manuka honey is the Queen Bee of the honey kingdom, containing even greater antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory properties than ordinary honey.

What is Manuka honey? Well, it’s a type of honey produced in New Zealand by bees that pollinate the native Manuka bushes. From a scientific perspective, part of what makes Manuka honey so interesting is that it contains an enzyme that produces hydrogen peroxide, a natural antiseptic that we’ve all applied to cuts and open wounds to disinfect them properly. Because of its extraordinary antibacterial and antiseptic benefits, then, Manuka honey is great for tackling acne-prone skin as it can help to draw out impurities and eliminate bacteria, all while soothing the skin and reducing any redness or inflammation.

Now, during the segment, I focused on Manuka Doctor’s Apiclear collection — specifically, on the Manuka Doctor ApiClear Purifying Facial Peel ($45.95 at ManukaDoctor.com), the Manuka Doctor ApiClear Foaming Cleanser ($34.95 at ManukaDoctor.com), and the Manuka Doctor ApiClear Facial Moisturizer ($43.95 at ManukaDoctor.com).

The Manuka Doctor ApiClear Purifying Facial Peel, shown above, contains the brand’s signature ingredients — Manuka honey and purified bee venom — along with fruit extracts and botanicals that work together to draw out impurities from deep inside pores, purify the skin, exfoliate dead surface skin cells, and leave skin healthy, glowing, and silky soft. Right now, the brand is running an awesome promo on Instagram whereby you can post a selfie of yourself wearing the peel-off mask and include the hashtag #MDFacialPeelChallenge for a chance to win a $100 credit at ManukaDoctor.com.

Next, there’s the Manuka Doctor ApiClear Foaming Facial Cleanser, which helps to control sebum production, detoxify the skin, and eliminate dead skin cells, thereby keeping acne at bay.

And to complete the regimen, there’s the ApiClear Facial Moisturising Lotion, which refreshes the skin while balancing its pH levels so that it’s not too dry or too oily.

SUPERFOOD: BUCKTHORN BERRIES

PRODUCT POWERED BY THESE SUPERFOODS: PHYTO PHYTOSPECIFIC CLEANSING CARE CREAM

Sea buckthorn’s scientific name is “hippophae,” which means “shiny horse” in Latin. Apparently, this plant’s name was inspired by ancient Greek legends about its berries’ ability to give horses’ coats a stunning shine. One of these legends revolves around Pegasus, arguable the most famous mythological horse. While Pegasus is a fictional character, there is a great deal of truth to the claims that buckthorn berries can make strands more lustrous. The orange berries of the sea buckthorn plant found in the northern regions of Pakistan and India (and typically available in the US in dried form) are the richest known source of palmitoleic acid, a rare omega-7 fatty acid that has been shown to promote hair growth.

Buckthorn berries, then, are an integral part of the PHYTO PhytoSpecific Cleansing Care Cream ($29 at PHYTO.com), which is designed for curly, coiled, and relaxed hair. This cleanser also contains castor oil, hibiscus flower extract, and marshmallow extract, and it gently cleanses, replenishes, and detangles strands while giving them a burst of hydration. Because of its handy nozzle applicator, you can apply the cleansing cream directly to the scalp, massaging it on there so as to help it stimulate those hair follicles and promote hair growth, then work it down the lengths of hair, combing it through to ensure even distribution, before rinsing off. Unlike a co-wash (or conditioner-only wash) which can sometimes leave product sitting on the scalp and on strands, leading to build-up, this cleanser leaves no residue behind. And it makes caring for curly locks that much easier!

SUPERFOOD: ARTICHOKE

PRODUCT POWERED BY THESE SUPERFOODS: ORIGINS PLANTSCRIPTION POWERFUL LIFTING CONCENTRATE

I know: when you think of artichoke, dreams of creamy dips dance in your head. But before you start chopping that artichoke and blending it with cream cheese, consider this: the thistle species has been shown to help diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles when applied to the skin. In fact, artichoke is loaded with folate, vitamin C, vitamin K, iron, copper, magnesium, and potassium, as well as  antioxidants like beta carotene, lutein, and ferulic acid. In 2013, researchers found that artichoke’s cynaropicrin can suppress skin aging (namely dark spots and wrinkles) caused by overexposure to UV radiation.

The Origins Plantscription Powerful Lifting Concentrate ($62 at Origins.com), then, taps into artichoke’s anti-aging benefits. This powerhouse treatment —which also includes red microalgae,  African anongeissus (a deciduous tree found in Ghana which has a bark that has been shown to boost the skin’s fibrillin and give it greater bounce), commiphora (extracted from a tree native to India and shown to restore lost volume to the skin), and acacia gum (which gives the skin a lifted feel) — helps to preserve skin’s elasticity, give skin drooping skin a lift, diminish wrinkle depth, and give facial features greater definition.

SUPERFOOD: MATCHA TEA

PRODUCTS POWERED BY THESE SUPERFOODS: H2O+ AQUADEFENSE MATCHA COLLECTION

If you’ve discovered the Green Tea Matcha in Starbucks’ secret menu, then you already know it’s delicious. But matcha, which is made of finely milled green tea leaves, is also an antioxidant powerhouse: one cup of matcha actually has as many antioxidants as ten cups of brewed green tea. Matcha is particularly rich in polyphenols (and among those, catechins in particular) that can counteract the effects of free radicals like UV rays and pollution, both of which can damage cells and lead to premature aging signs.

In the segment, I highlighted the H20+ Aquadefense collection, which includes products powered by Matcha tea. In particular, I featured the H2O+ Aquadefense Protective Matcha Facial Moisturizer ($48at H2Oplus.com), H2O+ Aquadefense Protective Matcha Moisturizer SPF40 ($48 at H2Oplus.com), and the H2O+ Aquadefense Shielding Matcha Facial Essence ($42 at H2Oplus.com).

The H20+ Aquadefense Protective Matcha Facial Moisturizer features Matcha tea extract, as well as rice bran extract (which contains vitamin E, minerals, and fatty acids to hydrate and soften the skin), shea butter (which conditions the skin and makes it appear more supple), and coconut oil (which hydrates the skin and gives it a glow-y finish). The H2O+ Aquadefense Protective Matcha Moisturizer SPF 40, meanwhile, is a great option for daytime use since it incorporates that built-in SPF protection and it’s light enough that you can reapply every two hours!

Last, but definitely not least, I showed off the H2O+ Aquadefense Shielding Matcha Facial Essence, a lovely mist that hydrates, revitalizes tired-looking complexions, minimizes pores, and both sets and refreshes makeup.