I’ll wager that you know the saying “an apple a day keeps the doctor away.” I’ll also wager that whoever came up with that saying said it because apples, like other fruits, are filled with vitamins, fiber, minerals, and phytonutrients such as flavonoids and resveratrol. Nearly all fruits are packed with good-for-you nutrients, but some do an especially good job at giving your body tons of vitamins and antioxidants. Enter superfruits.
Superfruits aren’t actually a set category of fruit, but the term typically indicates fruits that are packed with a ton of nutrients. “It likely refers to fruit extracts and concentrates that deliver beneficial ingredients like polyphenols,” says Whitney Bowe, MD, a New York–based dermatologist. Polyphenols are compounds found in fruits that have antioxidant properties and other health benefits.
While there’s no specific definition for a superfruit, some widely accepted examples include pomegranates, açaí berries, goji berries, plums, grapes, avocados, cherries, and more. Think of these fruits as antioxidant powerhouses.
So-called superfruits are being blended into skincare products so that you can start reaping the benefits of these fruits through your skin. “When you apply these directly to the skin, they can have some antioxidant and moisturizing benefits,” says Bowe. Below are some good-for-your-skin benefits of superfruits:
1. Superfruits are packed with antioxidants. Antioxidants work to ward off environmental aggressors and help the skin repair damage.
2. Superfruits can be moisturizing. Thanks to high-powered oils found in some superfruits, these powerhouse ingredients can supremely hydrate your skin.
3. Superfruits contain tons of vitamins. These fruits can have tons of different vitamins, including skin saviors like vitamins C, A, and E.
4. Superfruits can help reduce signs of aging. Polyphenols contain tons of anti-aging properties.
5. Superfruits protect skin from environmental aggressors. Aggressors like pollution, sunlight, radiation, cigarette smoke, and more can generate free radicals that lead to skin damage.
Bowe is also excited about new research that shows that ingesting these superfruits doesn’t just provide antioxidants and nutrients for your body, but it can also make your skin better. “If you consume certain concentrations of plant polyphenols, which often come from fruits like pomegranates, blueberries, grapes and blackberries, you can actually see real benefits in the skin,” she says. “For example, pomegranate polyphenols have been shown to actually protect the skin from UV and sun damage when ingested daily and even impact the skin microbiome.”
Armed with Dr. Bowe’s expertise, I rounded up the best skincare infused with superfruits, and some supplements that contain superfruits so that you can also get the benefits from consuming these superstar polyphenols. Of course, when in doubt, it never hurts to stop by the grocery store and pick up some fruit.
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