Goji berries and their seeds are derived from the plant lycium barbarum, which are commonly found in China and other parts of Asia.
Goji berries are a well-known superfood because of their great nutritional value and antioxidant properties. While Goji berries have been trendy in the west for the past 20 years or so, they have actually been used by humans for centuries. In fact, the use of goji was first written about in a Chinese medicine and agriculture book from 200 BCE! To this day, it is still an incredibly popular medicinal ingredient as well as a superfood around the world.
To get all the great benefits of goji in skincare, we use goji seed oil at Graydon Skincare. While there has been a lot of research on the benefits of ingesting goji berries, we’re still learning more about how topically applying goji seed oil can help the skin. But the results are promising, as since goji has been around for ages, we know a lot about this superpowered fruit!
Other names: Lycium fruits/chinense/barbarum, wolfberry
What it is: anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, barrier-protecting, soothing
You can find it in: Jade Moon Serum
What makes Goji Seed Oil such a wonderful ingredient?
While most of the scientific research on Goji considers the benefits of the ingredient when you ingest it, there are still plenty of ways goji seed oil can benefit you as an ingredient in your skincare. Since one of the nicknames for goji berries is the fruit of immortality, you might not be surprised to learn that goji berry seed oil helps skin appear more youthful. Goji seed oil also has anti-inflammatory properties, protects the skin barrier, and adds hydration to the skin.
Youthful Skin
There are a few reasons why goji seed oil is considered an anti-aging ingredient. The first is that goji seed oil is filled with antioxidants like vitamin C, flavonoids, and quercetin. Though they come in lower amounts than the fruit itself, the seed oil is still packed with antioxidants. These antioxidants inhibit the formation of free radicals.
If you’re unfamiliar, free radicals can be created when the skin is exposed to environmental factors like UV rays and pollution, and they cause damage to the skin cells, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. This damage is called oxidative damage.
Goji seed oil helps protect skin against oxidative damage caused by free radicals.
The next reason is that protecting against oxidative damage can help slow the degradation of our skin’s collagen and elastin levels. Collagen helps the structure of our skin by strengthening and hydrating it. Natural collagen production slows down as we age, which is why collagen is linked to youthful skin. Elastin is what gives our skin its elasticity and firmness. As we age, elastin in our skin also decreases.
Goji seed oil can help us slow the signs of aging by protecting us against the additional damage free radicals cause even as our natural production of collagen and elastin slows down.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Alongside the powerful antioxidants present in goji seed oil, the presence of betaine in the berry and its seeds makes goji an anti-inflammatory ingredient in both your skincare and your diet. Betaine is a gentle humectant–meaning it helps attract water into the skin for hydration without irritation. The soothing nature of betaine can help with irritation and inflammation, and coupled with the antioxidants in goji seed oil, help the skin appear smooth, hydrated, and healthy.
Hydration and Protection
Goji seed oil contains tons of fatty acids known for their ability to help with skin hydration and adds a layer of protection to the skin barrier. Fatty acids like linoleic, oleic, palmitic, and stearic acids (which are all found in goji!) support healthy skin cells. When our skin cells are supported by fatty acids, they are better at holding on to hydration, regulating oil production, and defending against damaging environmental factors. Goji seed oil gives the skin a plump, healthy appearance because of this.
Goji seed oil is a team player–it helps boost the hydrating effects of other ingredients!
The amino acids in goji seed oil also help boost the hydrating effects of other skincare ingredients used alongside them. This boost happens because the amino acids help hydrating agents penetrate deeper into the skin. That is why goji seed oil best suits skincare products that stay on the skin such as a serum or moisturizer rather than, say, a cleanser that gets washed off the face.
Who is Goji Seed Oil good for?
If you’re looking to support your skin as you age gracefully, products with goji seed oil are something we encourage you to try. If you’re dealing with uneven, hyperpigmented skin that irritates easily, goji seed oil’s anti-inflammatory properties can help with that as well, all while providing hydration.
We’d recommend looking for this ingredient in both your skincare and your meals–goji is a superfood that can be added to your diet! In skincare, look for products that will stay on your skin like a serum or cream. Our Jade Moon Serum is formulated with goji and many other ingredients that are antioxidant rich for smoother, bouncier, and healthier skin that is protected against damage.
Summary
- Goji seed oil is derived from the plant lycium barbarum, which originated in China.
- The biggest benefits of goji seed oil are its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and barrier-protecting properties, which suit older skin and/or skin that is dry and sensitive.
- Jade Moon Serum is formulated with goji seed oil so your skin can enjoy the benefits of this superfood ingredient.
