Written By Kirsten Hudson
If you're up on foodie culture, you've likely heard a lot of buzz about chia seeds lately. Once used by Aztecs, Incas and Mayans as a staple food, chia has seen a food renaissance recently. Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, protein and fiber, these trendy seeds are loaded with nutritional goodness. Wouldn't it make sense then that they'd do just as much good for the outside of your body as the inside? While less well known in the beauty community, chia seeds are starting to pop up as a key ingredient in organic beauty products.
These unassuming little seeds, when cold pressed into an oil, work beauty wonders on skin. Chia seed oil is super moisturizing. It hydrates, rebuilds, protects and calms skin. The powerful antioxidants in the oil work to protect skin against damage from free radicals associated with aging and UV damage. Chia also contains high levels of vitamin B3, which is highly anti-inflammatory and reduces redness and blemishes.
Those omega-3 fatty acids praised for their nutritional benefits, also mean that chia seed oil, which is heavy with the acids, encourages the formation of collagen and elastin to keep skin firm and supple, and reduce those pesky wrinkles.
We found two amazing beauty products that include chia. Both products work to moisturize and condition sensitive facial skin. They prove that chia is much more than just a superfood; it's a fresh and nourishing beauty ingredient.
Annmarie Gianni Anti-Aging Facial Oil
This luxurious oil smells divine, and it's no wonder. Full of deluxe ingredients like organic carrot seed oil, organic red raspberry seed oil, organic blueberry seed oil and, of course, chia seed oil, it has a delicious mixture of healing herbs, antioxidants and moisturizing oils.
With just a few uses, it leaves skin feeling bright and glowy. If you've never tried a facial oil, it doesn't do what you might expect. Instead of leaving your skin greasy, it makes skin feel super hydrated and smooth.
The chia seed oil in Annmarie Gianni Anti-Aging Facial Oil adds a rejuvenating element. "I love chia seed oil because it is one of the richest plant sources of omega-3 oils," said Annmarie Gianni, founder of Annmarie Gianni Skin Care. "Anything high in these essential fatty acids will help build collagen and elastin. These both are important to keep your skin looking youthful and healthy. Chia seed oil--just like the seeds--is also amazingly hydrating. It can help bring back the healthy glow to those with acne prone, dry, peeling or irritated skin."
One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm
This beauty balm works two-fold. You can use it as both a facial cleaner and a moisturizer. How fun! It uses pure cold-pressed plant oils to whisk away dirt and makeup without stripping your skin of its natural protective layer.
The light citrusy scent can get addicting, but you don't have to worry about indulging. With just nine quality ingredients you can feel good about massaging this balm into your skin. One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm contains: organic cocos nucifera (virgin coconut) oil, organic glycine soja (sweet soy) seed oil, organic beeswax, mangifera indica (mango) seed butter, salvia hispanica (chia) seed extract, avena sativa (oat) extract, citrus aurantium dulcis (orange) peel wax, organic vanilla planifolia fruit extract, and tocopherol (vitamin E).
The chia in this balm adds to its super hydrating properties. "I am wild about this ingredient," said Suzanne LeRoux, creator of Skin Savior. "I first discovered chia as a superfood and I take chia every day. I was so impressed with it as a food that I began to investigate its use as a cosmetic ingredient. I found it to be as helpful for wrinkles as it is acne and I knew we had to include it in our multi-purpose balm."
Editor's Note: Organic Authority would like to thank Hip Apotheca for providing a sample of One Love Organics Skin Savior Waterless Beauty Balm. Run by a staff of natural beauty junkies, Hip Apotheca is an online shop dedicated to finding the latest most innovative natural and organic lifestyle products and delivering them straight to your door. Also, thanks to Annmarie Gianni Skin Care for providing a sample of Annmarie Gianni Anti-Aging Facial Oil.
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image: little blue hen