Goji Berry Benefits for Skin: Everything You Need to Know
The benefits of goji berry for skin are seriously impressive. Unlike hyaluronic acid or retinol—two ingredients known for their ubiquity in the skincare world—goji berry extract is still flying relatively under the radar. We’re set on changing that and finally giving goji berry benefits the credit they deserve; so much so that we made goji berry extract one of the star ingredients in all 12 of our our Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss shades.
What exactly are the skincare benefits of goji berry extract though? We tapped two experts for the full lowdown on the superfood. Ahead, find everything you need to know about the anything-but-ordinary berry.
What is goji berry extract?
You’ve likely seen dried goji berries sprinkled atop smoothie bowls or in trail mix, but what exactly are goji berries? According to cosmetic chemist Ginger King, goji berries (scientifically known as Lycium barbarum; also known as wolfberry) are a type of antioxidant-rich red fruit native to Asia typically used in traditional Chinese medicine for promoting good eye health. They are rich in vitamin A and zeaxanthin, which is like your eyes’ built-in sunscreen to protect them from UV rays.
The superfood is packed with nutrients, carotenoids, and fatty acids, giving goji berries a wide range of health benefits. In addition to vitamin A, goji berry extract is also very high in vitamin C, so it possesses powerful anti-inflammatory, immune system-boosting, and antioxidant properties that balance blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure. Antioxidants (like lutein, lycopene, and selenium) aid in thwarting free radical damage caused by environmental stressors, like UV rays and pollution. Protection from the aforementioned oxidative stress helps keep aging skin cells strong, healthy, and calm.
Goji berry extract also contains amino acids, which help to maintain a healthy production of core skin proteins, namely collagen and elastin—both are super important for skin hydration, smoothness, and plumping. In other words, this little berry is a powerhouse ingredient for healthy skin.
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How is goji berry extract used in cosmetics?
Goji berry extract is a key ingredient for the overall health and well-being of your skin because it can help soothe skin while bringing brightening and collagen production benefits. In other words, it keeps skin “looking young and healthy,” King adds. Because of this, it’s often used in skincare for its antioxidant, anti-aging, and moisturizing properties.
You can currently find goji berry extract in skincare products such as serums, moisturizers, face masks, and cleansers—however, it’s still an up-and-coming ingredient found in skincare routines; one we expect to see a lot more of in the coming years. Chat with your dermatologist to find out the best ways to harness the effects of goji berries with your skincare routine.
What are the benefits of goji berry extract?Because it offers superior antioxidant protection, goji berry benefits the skin in multiple ways. “Antioxidants in goji berries help protect the skin from oxidative damage caused by free radicals, UV rays, and other environmental aggressors,” says board-certified dermatologist, Sejal Shah, M.D. “They also reduce inflammation in the skin, and by [doing that], they allow it to repair itself and help correct visible skin damage, improving both texture and tone.” Goji berry extract can be especially helpful for those struggling with hyperpigmentation, rosacea, or dullness, as it helps to fade dark spots, reduce redness, and brighten skin. It’s also ideal for anyone looking to stave off premature signs of aging because it’s loaded with vitamin A, which is famous for its ability to keep skin looking youthful, bright, and firm—no matter what your skin tone may be. Overall, much like hyaluronic acid, retinol, or niacinamide, goji berry extract is a great multi-purpose ingredient that can help improve skin health in both the short and long term. Which Milk Makeup Products contain goji berry extract?So glad you asked! After discovering the major skin benefits of goji berry extract, we decided to make it a power player in our Odyssey Lip Oil Gloss. The innovative skin-loving formula acts as a hybrid lip oil/lip gloss that drenches lips in soothing hydration and high shine, leaving them plump, smooth, and soft all day long. No more dry skin. No more dull lips. Just a hydrating glow. A single swipe of Odyssey instantly fades the appearance of fine lines on your lips while you wear it. The skin on our lips is thinner than the rest of our faces, so they are more susceptible to premature signs of aging. Goji berry extract is particularly helpful for slowing the process down due to its ability to enhance collagen production. Luckily, you now have 12 stunning, semi-sheer pigments and shimmer shades of Odyssey to choose from. Unlike some glosses and oils, our formula clings to lips for lasting hydration, so you don’t have to worry about constantly reapplying. However, you may want to—that’s a side-effect of it smelling so darn delicious. |
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A single swipe of Odyssey instantly fades the appearance of fine lines on your lips while you wear it. It’s also worth noting that the skin on our lips is thinner and therefore more susceptible to premature signs of aging—goji berry extract can help slow the process down due to its ability to enhance collagen production.
You have eight stunning, semi-sheer pigments and shimmer shades of Odyssey to choose from, and unlike some glosses and oils, our formula is long-lasting so you don’t have to worry about constantly reapplying. However, you may want to—that’s a side-effect of it smelling so darn delicious.
Meet the Experts
Ginger King (she/her) is the founder & CEO at Grace Kingdom Beauty, a cosmetic product development firm in New Jersey specializing in helping create beauty brands from concept to launch. She has been the keynote speaker for brand launches and has spoken at various trade conferences on product development and In-Cosmetics on product innovation. Ginger is an oft-quoted beauty expert and has been on radio and video chat with leading beauty magazines as well as a regular TV appearances on Good Day Sacramento. She has been quoted by over 35 top beauty magazines such as Allure, Self, Marie Claire, Harper’s Bazaar, Shape, Teen Vogue, and Women’s Health.
Sejal Shah, M.D. (she/her) is a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director and founder at Smarter Skin Dermatology in Manhattan, New York. An expert in the latest treatments and techniques, Dr. Shah received her medical degree from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, where she is currently a faculty member in the Department of Dermatology. She’s the go-to expert for many top media outlets, including Refinery29, Allure, InStyle, and Self.
