Acai is one of the original superfoods, and it’s busily being blitzed into smoothies and sprinkled over overnight oats as we speak. Our founder Laura even travelled all the way to the Amazon Rainforest to discover more about how it’s grown and harvested! So what’s so special about this little berry, aside from its Insta-friendly purple hue?
Like blueberries, acai berries are loaded with antioxidants like anthocyanin. In fact, they can contain as much as ten times the levels that blueberries do! That's a pretty hefty jump. On top of that, the absorption rate of the antioxidants by our bodies is really high, so we gain more benefit from eating them than other foods which seem to be higher in dosage. Antioxidants are excellent for both our skin and our general wellbeing: they help us battle oxidative stress and ageing, amongst other things!
How can we benefit from acai berries in our skincare then? They contain vitamin C, which is hugely anti-inflammatory, so those suffering from acne or irritation should stock up. Whether we use acai topically or include them in our diets, it has been proven that they help to reduce inflammation, so you could see a marked difference to red, inflamed skin. The zinc content helps as well: zinc helps to heal wounds, including acne lesions. Speedier wound healing means that there’s less of a chance that the blemish will become sore and inflamed, and should disappear more quickly too! That’s why acai is one of the key ingredients in our Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum: the Acai-Copaiba Blend is combined with Willow Bark, which is a natural source of Salicylic Acid. Together, these two ingredients calm existing spots and encourage cell turnover, so you have calm, clear skin on the surface.
Vitamin C also naturally protects our skin from UV damage (though you should still use an SPF!), so fewer free radicals are created and there is less overall damage to skin. This damage can present in wrinkles, fine lines, and sun spots, and is particularly noticeable in ageing skin. Acai berries are therefore a brilliant anti-ageing agent: vitamin C is combined with vitamin A, which clears pores and increases collagen production, and so keeps your skin plump and wrinkle-free. Win! As we age, our skin tends to become drier as the epidermal layer becomes weaker and prone to losing more moisture. Acai berries contain magnesium, which is an essential ingredient for healthy, hydrated skin: if you’re deficient in it, you’ll find your skin becoming drier and more inflamed. Time to top up!
It’s not just those with mature skin who should be thinking about collagen production, though. Collagen is known as the building blocks of skin, and an abundance of it leaves skin bouncy, plump, and new. The fatty acids in acai berries promote collagen production, leaving skin glowing. Combine that with their levels of copper, which hydrates and firms the skin, and acai berries seem to be a great ingredient to incorporate no matter your skin type.
Aside from skincare, acai is fabulous for our bodies too. It contains healthy fats which protect our hearts, as well as being full of fibre, which aids digestion. We’re firm believers that your gut health affects your skin and overall health, so we’re fans of anything that helps us to digest! On top of that, we all know we look our best when we feel our best - no bloating here, please!
In terms of including acai berries in your routine, you have a choice: to use them topically or to include them in your diet. We recommend our Rainforest Rescue Blemish Serum, especially if you struggle with oily or congested skin. This utilises acai, blended with copaiba, to decrease the production of sebum and leave skin looking flawless and matte. If you want to ingest your acai instead, why not buy some acai berry powder and stir through your morning porridge or cup of coffee? It’ll give your immune system a great boost!
