Kale is one of the best foods for great skin. Kale has a variety of nutrients that are beneficial for the skin, and it has many of these nutrients in substantial quantities.
Nutrients Found in Kale That are Great for The Skin
Vitamin K: One cup of raw kale contains 684 percent of the daily recommended dietary intake of vitamin K (ib).
How Does Vitamin K Benefit the Skin:
•Vitamin K can benefit the skin in a multitude of ways such as reducing the appearance of wounds, diminishing the appearance of stretch marks. (studies)(1)
•Vitamin K can reduce the appearance of dark circles around the eyes (ib).
Vitamin A (Beta Carotene): One cup of raw kale Contains 206 percent of daily recommended dietary intake of vitamin A (beta carotene).
How Does Vitamin A Benefit the Skin:
• Beta Carotene helps shield the skin from the sun which can help prevent skin damage and wrinkles.
Vitamin C: One cup of raw kale contains 134 percent daily recommended dietary intake of vitamin C. Vitamin c is good for collagen production.
How Does Vitamin C Benefit the Skin:
•Vitamin C can prevent fine lines and wrinkles because vitamin C assist with collagen production.
Vitamin B6: One cup of raw kale contains 9 percent.
How Does Vitamin B6 Benefit the Skin:
Vitamin E: One cup of raw kale will contain a small amount of vitamin e. One cup of cooked kale will contain a little bit more vitamin E. It’s important to note however, that vitamin e is found in small amounts in kale.
How Does Vitamin E Benefit the Skin:
• Vitamin E is antioxidant that can help prevent damage to the skin caused by free radicals.
With All of Its Contents Combined, How Can Kale Benefit the Skin?
Helps Protect Skin from Sun and Other Forms of Free Radical Damage
As already mentioned, Kale has vitamin K and vitamin E which are great for fighting free radical damage
Kale contains antioxidants that can help fight free radicals from damaging the skin. It’s good to protect skin from the sun because, over time, sun exposure can eat away certain proteins in your skin, ultimately leading to wrinkling.
Things like pollution and eating not so great foods can also lead to free radical damage.
Free radical damage can overtime break down contents in the skin which and over time degrades the skin.
Can Help Prevent and Reduce the Appearance of Wrinkles and Fine Lines
As stated before, kale has vitamin C. Kale can help with collagen production and maintenance. Collagen is a protein content that helps skin bounce back after the skin is creased or folded because of certain movements, which helps prevent wrinkling.
Can Help with Skin Discolorations
As mentioned before kale can help reduce the appearance of dark spots, wounds, and stretch marks.
Kale can also help with dark circles around the eyes.
Methods For Using Kale to Benefit the Skin
Kale can be eaten or applied topically for skin benefits.
Some people even make kale face mask.
Popular ways kale can be applied as a face mask: