Acai benefits for skin are strongly associated with anti-aging - more than any other fruit! That’s because this berry is loaded antioxidants, a warrior in the anti-aging crusade. Abundant in vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as minerals, acai berry extract helps revive skin, heal damaged skin cells, and restore moisture.
You probably first came upon acai when you saw it promoted as a diet aid, or when it became included in many nutritional detox plans. Now it’s almost impossible not to pass any health food store or cafe and not see “acai bowls” on the menu.
In 2009 Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Oz touted the benefits of acai and it became a household name. Let’s face it, once Oprah approves something, it becomes gold!
But while all berries are loaded with anti-inflammatory nutrients, acai appears to have more than most with anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins, protocatechuic acid, procyanidins, and epicatechin.
Adding to the content of vitamin C, vitamin A and dietary fiber, the acai berry is the superstar of them all when it comes to slowing the aging process and boosting health. Some studies show that acai is even richer in protective antioxidants than other berries, such as superfruits blueberry, cranberry and goji berry.
Native to Central and South America, acai berries come from the acai palm tree, which is found in the Amazon rainforest. The fruit looks similar to blueberries and cranberries but much of that is seed, which is inedible. About 10 to 20 percent is left to eat. The berries taste like a combination of berries and chocolate.
Hippocrates said it best: “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Since beauty comes from the inside out, it is always recommended to eat acai. Many use acai in smoothies, desserts, and cereals and, of course, those famous acai bowls.
Not only does acai help with weight loss and maintenance, but it balances hormones, boosts energy, aids heart health, and stimulates metabolic functions.
The acai berry is an aid in preventing early signs of aging. It helps with skin regeneration and, in a report from the National Institutes for Health (NIH), water extracts from the acai berry were evaluated in its positive effect on wound healing.
Acai is available in many forms, including the above-mentioned extract, as well as a seed oil. In supplements, extracts are the one you want, because only the most important parts have been removed from the plant or fruit to be placed in the supplement.
What you do not want is a supplement that says something like “plant or fruit powder,” because it means the entire thing has been ground up and you can not be entirely sure of the benefits or potency.
Look for skin care products that include acai oil. It is a natural alternative to chemical-based products and you’ll be feeding your skin with nutrients galore. As we age, our skin moisture decreases and wrinkles can look deeper. Oil plumps the skin and passes through the lipid layer, improving the absorption of other ingredients.
Besides being so rich in antioxidants, acai oil contains fatty acids that help the skin look tight. In topical formulations, nutrients like fatty acids protect the skin from environmental aggressors and reduce the appearance of aging. This superfruit is also abundant in vitamins and minerals.
Oxidative stress is often referred to in the world of health, and it happens when we are stressed, either physically, mentally or from harsh environmental conditions. That creates free radicals and the skin is usually one of the first places to show it, with wrinkles, fine lines, sagginess, dark spots and discoloration. Many use acai berry to eliminate scars, stretch marks, crow’s feet and dry skin. Antioxidants help the body repair damaged skin cells faster. The result is a more youthful appearance.
One of the many great benefits of acai oil is that it has long-lasting effectiveness. Many other oils can lose potency over time because of exposure to light or oxygen, but the antioxidant properties of acai oil remain consistently high. When acai oil is processed and stored well (cool, dark place), even for a long time, effectiveness is not diminished.
Here’s what you can count on when acai is an ingredient in your skin care:
Remember to consume your nutrients AND use them topically in your creams and oils. Acai is a good source of:
Anthocyanins and flavonoids: Both powerful antioxidants that neutralize free radicals and assist in in the body's cell protection system.
Vitamin A: This vitamin is a wrinkle fighter. An antioxidant, this vitamin keeps your skin moist and clear. Retinol is a form of Vitamin A that promotes clear pores, increases collagen, and reduces fine lines, wrinkles, and skin discolorations.
Vitamin C: A natural antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties. It also protects against UV damage. As a precursor of collagen within the body, it keeps our skin firm, tight, and bright. Vitamin C has been cited in numerous studies for its role in anti-aging.
B Vitamins: B vitamins help us digest our food, which is good for proper absorption. They transport nutrients to all the cells, including our skin, and fight free radicals. When it comes to free radicals, think: “human rust.” Free radicals make us look old and worn out. While all B vitamins do work together, acai is particularly rich in:
In addition, acai includes these minerals:
Acai benefits for skin include the power of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, all of which work together to protect the skin from environmental pollutants and other harmful substances that create free radicals. Not only that, but all of the fatty acids are considered to be the building blocks for collagen, the skin’s connective tissue that makes us firm and tight, making acai benefits for skin quite powerful and enticing.