Known for its health benefits, now quinoa is being used to give you smoother, more radiant skin
Known for its health benefits, now quinoa is being used to give you smoother, more radiant skin
With grain bowls and organic food gaining increasing popularity, ingredients like kale, spirulina and acai berry have become more commonplace. But of all the superfoods, the humble quinoa – a cereal-like grain originally found in the Andean regions of Peru, Bolivia and Columbia – is perhaps one of the most popular.
Rich in protein, dietary fibre, minerals and vitamins, quinoa itself has plenty of nutritional value. However, during their research into the benefits of this superfood, Kiehl’s made an unlikely discovery.
“As the quinoa seeds were being rinsed, it was noticed that the plant’s discarded outer husks had begun to bubble,” shares Roberta Weiss, Kiehl’s Head of Product Innovation. “This activity led to the finding that quinoa husks have exemplary skin exfoliation benefits. What was once considered waste, is now a unique scientific discovery.”
Besides quinoa husks as the star, the Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate, $99 (30 ml), is also formulated with fruit acids, cactus extract and phytic acid. All these ingredients work in tandem to promote an accelerated cell turnover rate and an even skin tone and texture. This gentle, yet effective treatment also touts itself as an innovative, affordable at-home alternative to pricey dermatologist peels.
“Despite the popularity of chemical peels, they present a number of barriers,” says Dr Adam Geyer, Kiehl’s Consulting Dermatologist. “A single chemical peel treatment can cost between $800 and $1,200. While effective, the treatment may cause skin sensitivity including redness, irritation and in severe cases, scarring.”
To address concerns of using a chemical peel nightly on skin, Kiehl’s also carried out a series of studies. Making sure to include sensitive skin users in their trial, they found that the concentrate performed on par with, or better, than a 20 per cent glycolic peel (a common ingredient in exfoliants) without irritation.
The Kiehl’s Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate is therefore suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin. To use, apply two to three drops to clean skin every night after cleansing, before applying your serum and moisturiser. W
From top: Quinoa, when rinsed, begins to bubble, and Kiehl’s has found this to have skin exfoliation benefits. To promote a culture of sustainable farming, Kiehl’s has teamed up with Bolivian farmers to provide quinoa husks for the Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate.
