Chia seeds have been labelled as a ‘superfood’, with so many newspaper articles, celebrities advertising the benefits of chia seeds. What exactly makes these tiny seeds so special and how beneficial are they for our skin health? Read on and we’ll explain all you need to know about the benefits of chia seeds for your skin.
What are chia seeds?
You’ve probably heard someone mentioning chia seeds, but may not have tried them yet. Chia seeds are found in South America and have been around for hundreds of years as originally the Mayans and Aztecs used them as basic food. Chia seeds are a complete rich source of protein and contain all 8 amino acids.
Our body needs protein to build and repair tissue and is essential in synthesizing our hormones. It is required in every cell in our body and as it’s not stored we need to eat it every day. Nutiva chia seeds are a fabulous source of vegan protein and can be used within the daily diet and added to smoothies.
How are chia seeds beneficial for our skin?
These tiny china seeds contain many vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants which are great for skin regeneration. Chia seeds contain a high source of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are essential for your body and cognitive function. They exhibit anti-inflammatory properties which can soothe skin disorders such as acne and eczema. The fatty acid aids in inflammation by helping the body absorb fat soluble vitamins and inhibit pro-inflammatory C-reactive protein.
How do chia seeds protect your skin from the damaging effects of the environment?
As you know there are many environmental factors such as pollution, cigarette smoke, UVA/UVB rays, dietary intake and alcohol which affect our skin and can prematurely age us. Factors like this can cause DNA mutations, protein damage which can lead to skin damage. Chia seeds are a natural source of antioxidants (quercetin) which can help protect us against free radical damage from the environment.
What’s the nutritional content of chia seeds?
Chia seeds are highly valued for their nutritional purposes. As they are extremely nutrient dense a 30g serving of chia seeds contains a good amount of the below:
- Fibre: 11g
- Protein: 4g
- Fat: 9g (5g Omega-3)
- Calcium: 18%
- Magnesium: 30%
How can you incorporate chia seeds in your daily skin regime?
Chia seeds are very adaptable and can be used as a face exfoliator as they have a mild abrasive texture which can help remove dead skin cells and clear pores. Below is a simple and easy to prepare natural face exfoliator:
Nutiva Chia seeds exfoliator
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Nutiva chia seeds
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup Nutiva coconut oil
Steps
- Mix all the ingredients together and store in a clean jar
- To use, dampen face and apply scrub in a circular motion
- Allow the mixture to set for two minutes before using a wet washcloth to remove
- Splash cold water on your face when finished
- Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days
- Use up to 3 times a week
Remember nourish your body with nutrients
