There are a multitude of existing and new Indie Beauty Brands that are made with food, including their extracts, seeds, oils and pulps. At times it can get overwhelming choosing the right product, and often we depend on the scent to make that choice. Brands work really hard to find their place on the shelves – what makes them stand apart and above their competition? Let’s take a deeper look into what foods are blended, squeezed and dolloped into our skincare products.
When Did Food Become A Big Part Of The Beauty Industry?
The cosmetic industry’s food obsession isn’t all that surprising. Some of the world’s best cosmetic brands started in the kitchen. For instance, in the early 1920s, Estee Lauder started mixing homemade cosmetics in her Queens apartment. Likewise, Mark and Mo Constantine, creators of Lush cosmetics, began working with pantry supplies to create the vegan and vegetarian products they couldn’t find anywhere else. But it wasn’t always like this. “Foodie Skincare” has risen since 2015 and is not a trend that is about to die down any time soon. Making skincare with food extracts sounds both appetizing and relatable when it comes to equating health to skincare products. Providing a recognizable list of ingredients that can quickly be whipped together at home makes the product feel safe and ‘better for you’. Using food ingredients make the product seem “cleaner” and healthier than those with synthetic ingredients. But like any product, you have to look at all of the ingredients to decide if it makes the cutoff for your expectations. Using food, however, is a pretty sweet marketing strategy.
Another reason for the rise in “kitchen beauty” is that consumers want to feed their skin from the inside out – and vice versa. Overall health and well-being includes nutrition, both for what you put in your body and on your skin. We know that our skin is our largest organ, and what we apply to it gets absorbed into our bloodstream. Topical nutrition has become extremely relevant, now more than ever, as people recognize the dangers of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates on their skin.
All-natural skincare brands have carved their own niche in the skincare market, focusing on how clean, organic and botanical ingredients deliver real benefits and a healthy result. One such organic brand is our very own, Renu Naturals. Below is a list of seasonal and tropical foods from around the world used in our skincare products:
- Carrots: Carrots come rich in beta-carotene, and help keep skin healthy and clear due to the vitamin C and antioxidants. Beta-carotene is a precursor to vitamin A - the vitamin responsible for cell regeneration—so when it's applied topically, it steps up the skin's rate of cell turnover, bringing the younger, healthier skin cells to the surface. You can get a healthy dosage of Carrot Seed Oil in our rich antioxidant Luxury Face Oil.
- Walnuts: Walnuts are great to eat and can be used on the skin for benefits. The shells can be finely grounded to create an exfoliant, Hydra Whip Exfoliant. The walnut shell acts as a gentle scrub to remove dead skin, congestion and debris in pores. This product is great year-round and leaves your skin polished and renewed. It also delivers the perfect infusion of lavender essential oil and vitamin E.
- Coconut: Coconut Oil has several benefits for skin, including reducing inflammation, keeping skin moisturized and helping heal wounds. The medium-chain fatty acids found in coconut oil also possess antimicrobial properties that can help treat acne and protect the skin from harmful bacteria. Cold-pressed virgin organic coconut oil is used in most moisturizers, especially in Renu Naturals Nourishing Night Cream. Whipped to perfection, this cream improves collagen production and helps tighten skin. With regular use, it can increase skin elasticity. It is also used to collect organic lip balms such as the Organic Coconut Lip Balm with SPF-15.
- Olive: Olives, both green and black, are remarkable for our health as they lower blood pressure and are anti-cancerous. Olive oil might be more dispersed in the food market than skincare, but it has its uses. It is rich in vitamins A, E, K, and D, and it is antibacterial and antioxidant. These properties make olive oil a perfect addition to Renu Naturals Bath Bomb’s Set.
- Avocado: This super fruit has an impressive resume to offer. Full of healthy fats, minerals, and vitamins, Avocado oil contains a high percentage of Vitamin E, as well as potassium, lecithin, and many other nutrients which can nourish and moisturize your skin. The oleic acid also promotes collagen production, which helps grow new skin. This accelerates the healing process, helping with issues like sunburn. It is used in Renu’s Repair Eye Cream. Coupled with Retinol, it helps reduce signs of aging, wrinkles, and crow’s feet near eyes. Overall it has a rejuvenating effect on the skin.
- Watermelon: Watermelons are the go-to fruit in summers. Another super fruit, watermelons are full of antioxidants and vitamin C and A. These help fight off free radicals to slow down signs of aging. Its consumption can help the skin stay supple and young. Organic Watermelon Mint Lip Balm with SPF-15 is best for chapped lips in the coming winter months. It is nourishing and bound to keep your lips plump and moisturized all year long.
- Sunflower Seeds: Nuts and seeds are an excellent source of nutrients that have skin-boosting benefits. Sunflower seeds are a perfect example of such skin-boosting nuts. Rich in vitamin E and are an essential source of antioxidants. Sunflower seed oil is often used as a skincare base in most products, as in Renu Repair Eye Cream. This eye cream tackles fine lines,wrinkles, dark spots, and any dehydration around the eyes. You’ll also find that all of our organic lip balms are made with sunflower seed oils as well to keep your lips moisturized.
- Oranges: Oranges are chock full of vitamin C. Vitamin C helps your body produce collagen that makes the skin firm. Oranges are also high in beta carotene, which aids in the body creating and processing vitamin A. Vitamins are essential for cell growth and rejuvenation. Orange extract also helps to hydrate dry skin and calm sun-damaged skin. Renu Brightening and Resurfacing Toner has oranges as one of its main ingredients. This hydrating toner helps brighten, balance, and boost your complexion.
- Cucumber: Cucumber can be used in a number of ways, from its peel to its water, with every part of the cucumber beneficial to our skin. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it best to calm down irritated skin and swelling. Pure Radiance Moisturizer with active Peptides makes use of the cucumber peel as one of its ingredients. This moisturizer is packed with active natural ingredients full of vitamins and botanical goodness that nourishes and heals skin. It is lightweight and offers instant relief to irritated skin. It also helps with skin ailments like eczema and psoriasis.
Bottom Line
Food has made its way in the beauty and skincare industry, and it is here to stay. Even if it’s a marketing strategy, we’re on board with it. Whether commercial or all-natural and organic, food derivatives as ingredients in skincare products are a good thing. From tropical fruits like mango to astringents like ginger, incorporating food ingredients provides a kind of halo-effect around skincare products. Seeing healthy and recognizable ingredients gives the products a wholesome vibe and makes us feel connected to what we put on our skin, and also makes the products feel a bit safer. Feel free to feed your skin a healthy range of ingredients that will clear, protect, nourish and treat your skin, beautifully.
