Maca For Skin Health

If you’re reading this article you probably already have heard that adding maca root to your diet can support energy, healthy bones, mental focus, fertilty and more.   You may also already know that maca can support the healing of hormonal related acne.  But did you also realize that maca can support your skin in a variety of other ways, from promoting elasticity to reducing fine lines?   In this article we’ll take a deeper look at how maca can be a great addition to any skin care regime.   We’ll cover the following:

• Overview of Maca Root
• What’s In Maca Root To Nourish The Skin?
• What Customers Share About Using Maca for Skin Health
• Two Ways To Use Maca to Support Your Skin
• Which Maca Is Best For Skin Health?
• Final Words

Overview of Maca Root

Maca is a root vegetable that grows in the high Andes mountains of Peru and Bolivia.   People indigenous to these extreme alpine environments have used it both as a staple food source and as a medicine for thousands of years.  And at one time, during the height of the Incan empire, maca roots were used as a form of currency.    Due to the remoteness of the region, maca consumption was largely confined to the high Andes until the 1960s.   Since that time, it has become more and more known outside of the region as a potent and nutrient rich superfood.  

Traditionally used as a natural energizer to boost activity levels, increase stamina and enhance fertility, maca root has since been associated with a variety of other positive wellness outcomes.   From ongoing scientific research, we do know that this humble root somehow has a positive effect on the endocrine systems of people who take it.   Since hormones are such a key element to many aspects of overall vitality, it’s not surprising that maca root benefits are broad ranging.   People all over the world have reported benefits in everything from muscle building to relief of menopause, to sharpened mental acuity and more.    Another of these benefits is maca’s support of skin health.    Although it may be an ancillary benefit for some in the sense that people taking maca for other purposes also notice that it supports glowing skin, for others it’s a main reason to start taking it in the first place.     

What’s In Maca Root To Nourish The Skin?

The appearance of our skin is considered by some to reflect the equilibrium of our overall internal health.  Rough, dry skin may be an indication of a lack of healthy fats in a diet.  Acne prone skin may indicate the opposite.   Either way, since our skin is our largest organ it’s certainly important to take good care of it.

A variety of hormones, including estrogen, progesterone, cortisol and melatonin play an important role in maintaining overall skin health.  Interestingly, maca root does not contain any hormones at all.  If that’s the case, you might wonder, how it can be effective in supporting healthy skin.?   There are five main reasons:

1. Maca stimulates the body to produce and balance hormones.   Research indicates that of all foods, maca is unique in this function in particular because of two amino acids found in maca called macaenes and macamides.  While the mechanism is not 100% clear, we do know that these aminos support endocrine balance.  
2. Maca root is also a good source of antioxidants.  Antioxidants are important to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.  Free radicals are unstable molecules that can cause damage to cells, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals, helping to prevent damage and keeping the skin looking youthful.
3. Maca products are a good source of several vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy skin. The most important of these are vitamins B, C, and E, as well as minerals such as zinc, iron, and selenium. These nutrients help to keep the skin hydrated and nourished, and can improve the elasticity and the appearance of the skin.
4. Maca root may also help to reduce inflammation. Inflammation can cause damage to cells and lead to wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging. Maca root is relatively high in both copper and manganese, which both have anti-inflammatory properties and can thereby help to reduce inflammation and protect the skin from damage.
5. Maca may help regulate the production of sebum, the oily substance that the body produces to keep skin moist.  Acne can be caused by an overproduction of sebum, which can clog pores and lead to inflammation. And maca root may help regulate that.   

What Customers Have Shared

We have years and years of feedback from people all of the world who have noticed benefits from adding maca root products to their lives.  Here are a few that relate directly to overall skin health.

"I have noticed a remarkable different in my hair and skin since starting the red maca. I am very pleased and I will continue to purchase this product." - JoAnn

"Thank you so much for sending me such an amazing product! The taste is great.  I see results in less than a week! I feel great and my hormones my skin everything feels better and looks better thank you so much.  I’ve been buying this maca root powder for 8 months now and I don’t plan to stop" - Abigail Magdaleno

"Best tasting maca I have had. I keep a bottle with me and put a dropper full under my tongue 4-5 times a day. I have only been using it a couple of weeks but I notice better muscle gains after I work out. I don't know how to describe it but I just feel better. My skin is looking better and I feel calm. I prefer this extract because it's really easy to keep with me and remember to take." - Jen

Two Ways To Use Maca to Support Your Skin

There are two main ways to use maca supplements to support your skin health.  

First you can take it internally.   Maca powders can be added to smoothies, yogurt or oatmeal and can be used in a variety of tasty maca root recipes.   If you don’t enjoy the taste of maca powder you can take the exact same powder in capsule form.  We control the processing of our capsules and can assure you that you get only 100% maca powder in all of our capsules.  Also, you may like to try one of our maca extracts.  These are great to take with you on the go and, because they are liquid, are rapidly absorbed in the body.  

Second, maca can be used topically.     Many of our customers have made a mask by mixing powdered maca root with honey or yogurt to create a paste that can be applied to the skin.  Alternatively, it is possible to mix maca powder in with your favorite lotion or shampoo to improve both skin tone and hair strength.    In order to enhance a shampoo or lotion with Maca simply take 1 T of Maca per 1/2 cup of product and mix them thoroughly.   

Which Maca Is Best For Skin Health?

We recommend using our high quality red maca products to help support your skin health.  Black maca is our second recommendation.   Both of them come in forms of extract (liquid), capsules, and powder.

If you’re new to maca, we suggest trying our standard (not premium) maca products as most people find that they taste better. If you have a sensitive stomach, go for a gelatinized (pre-cooked) maca over a raw one. We also suggest that you add a bottle of our red maca extract to your order as it produces faster results by just taking a couple droppers!

While maca has positive effects to treat acne, it should be a supplement to a healthy diet. In addition to adding maca to your routine, you should also follow healthy habits, such as:

• Eating healthy with a well-balanced diet
• Exercising and staying active regularly
• Using skincare products that complement your skin type
• Trying a cleansing or detoxing program
• Managing stress through meditation, rest, or any relaxing ritual you prefer

Note: keep in mind that although maca root is a natural food and has no known contraindications, you should consult with a competent health care professional if you have any doubts about adding it to your wellness regime.   

Final Words

 
We hope this article has given you a sense of the potential benefit of using maca root to support healthier skin.   Even if you are using maca for another purpose, you might notice positive effects in terms of your skin’s health.    
If you have any questions or doubts please reach out to us and let us know.  We’re always happy to help.   

Enjoy the day!