Published
03rd Nov 2026

PDRN is gaining attention in professional skincare, but can topical formulations deliver the benefits associated with injectable treatments? We examine the science, potential skin benefits and what therapists need to know before incorporating PDRN into treatment protocols

Polydeoxyribonucleotide (PDRN) is a DNA-derived ingredient gaining popularity in Korean skincare, with growing interest in its potential to support skin repair, hydration and barrier function. Traditionally associated with medical applications and injectable aesthetic treatments, PDRN is now appearing in professional facial protocols, serums and creams.

But can topical PDRN deliver the same benefits as injectable treatments? And what does the scientific evidence actually show?

For beauty therapists and advanced skin practitioners, understanding the difference between promising laboratory findings, clinical evidence and manufacturers’ claims is essential when deciding whether PDRN deserves a place in professional treatments and homecare recommendations.

PDRN skincare: key facts

• What is PDRN? A collection of DNA fragments traditionally derived from salmon or trout, investigated for their potential role in tissue repair and skin regeneration.
• What are its potential benefits? Early research suggests possible applications in skin repair, elasticity, barrier function and visible signs of ageing, although evidence for topical products remains limited.
• Is PDRN the same as injectable polynucleotides? Not necessarily. PN and PDRN formulations can differ in fragment size, processing and delivery, and the terminology is not always used consistently.
• Can PDRN be used in professional treatments? Certain formulations are marketed for professional facials and specialist protocols, but suitability depends on the specific product, treatment and manufacturer instructions.
• Does topical PDRN work? Some formulation-specific human research is promising, but results cannot be generalised to every PDRN serum or cream.

What is PDRN in skincare?

PDRN consists of fragments of DNA, traditionally purified from salmon or trout reproductive tissue. These fragments have been associated with biological processes involved in tissue repair, cellular activity and inflammation regulation.

Research suggests PDRN may influence the adenosine A2A receptor, which helps regulate inflammatory responses and tissue repair. It may also support cellular activity through the nucleotide salvage pathway, which allows cells to reuse components needed to produce DNA.

Much of the scientific interest originally came from wound-healing research. A 2014 randomised, placebo-controlled study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism investigated PDRN in 216 patients with difficult-to-heal diabetic foot ulcers.

After eight weeks, complete healing occurred in 37.3% of patients receiving PDRN, compared with 18.9% receiving placebo.

Crucially, however, the treatment was administered through intramuscular and local injections, not ordinary cosmetic application. These findings support PDRN’s potential within tissue repair but cannot automatically be applied to topical skincare.

Why is PDRN so popular in Korean skincare?

PDRN’s popularity can be traced to South Korea, where regenerative skin treatments and ongoing skin maintenance have long occupied prominent positions.

“PDRN first gained traction in Korea through the medical aesthetics and dermatology clinic space in the mid-2010s, particularly via injectable skin-booster treatments such as Rejuran,” explains Poppy Smith from Pureseoul, a UK-based specialist retailer of Korean skincare.

Rejuran, developed by South Korean pharmaceutical company PharmaResearch, helped popularise salmon-derived polynucleotide treatments among consumers seeking improvements in skin quality rather than dramatic changes to facial shape.

As medical treatments gained recognition, Korean skincare manufacturers began incorporating PDRN into creams, ampoules and serums, bringing a clinic-associated ingredient into homecare.

“Consumers are becoming increasingly interested in skin longevity, barrier health and low-irritation skincare,” says Smith. “At the same time, the crossover between aesthetics and retail beauty has grown, with more consumers seeking clinic-inspired ingredients for at-home use.”

Dr Michael Kim, chief medical officer and executive managing director of medical strategy at PharmaResearch, believes this reflects a broader shift towards prevention and maintenance.

“It’s not just about treating the signs of ageing or the symptoms we see, but moving into prevention and thinking about the skin’s healthy function, resilience and appearance,” he says.

This interest also reflects the wider movement towards regenerative medicine and preventative aesthetic treatments, as clients increasingly seek improvements in skin quality and resilience.

However, maintaining skin health should not be confused with encouraging increasingly young clients to pursue unnecessary corrective treatments. For therapists, the most relevant lesson is the value of consistent, age-appropriate skincare, barrier protection and professional assessment.

PDRN vs polynucleotides: what’s the difference?

PDRN and polynucleotides (PN) are frequently used interchangeably within beauty marketing, but the terminology requires care.

Within PharmaResearch’s portfolio, injectable PN is described as comprising longer, higher-molecular-weight DNA fragments, while its cosmetic PDRN uses shorter fragments.

“PDRN is a shorter fragment, and this is what is in the cosmeceuticals,” explains Kim. “It needs to be shorter for better absorption.”

Hongyeol Jeon, vice-president and head of development at PharmaResearch, says the company further controls the fragment range of the cosmetic PDRN it uses.

However, this is a description of PharmaResearch’s own materials and should not be assumed to apply to every product marketed as PN or PDRN.

Definitions, molecular weights, sources and processing methods can vary between manufacturers. Therapists should therefore look beyond an ingredient name and ask for product-specific information and supporting evidence.

How do topical PDRN and injectable PN treatments compare?

Topical PDRN skincare

Injectable PN treatments

Delivery

Applied to the skin surface

Injected into skin tissue

Formulations

Serums, creams and professional concentrates

Injectable medical or aesthetic products

Main challenge

Skin penetration and demonstrating clinical efficacy

Injection-related risks, appropriate training and regulation

Evidence

Emerging, formulation-specific human research

Separate clinical evidence base, varying by product and indication

Professional considerations

Formulation, intended use, aftercare and compatibility

Qualified practitioner, clinical assessment and relevant legal requirements

These distinctions describe broad product categories rather than universal chemical definitions. The terminology and characteristics of PN and PDRN vary between manufacturers.

Does topical PDRN actually work?

One of the biggest questions surrounding PDRN skincare is whether DNA fragments can penetrate the skin sufficiently to produce meaningful biological effects.

Traditional PDRN comprises relatively large, negatively charged DNA fragments, making penetration through the protective stratum corneum difficult.

This presents a challenge for products promising effects within the deeper skin, where fibroblasts produce collagen and elastin.

“Traditionally, PDRN has been associated with injectable treatments, so naturally there are questions around how well it can perform when applied topically. This is where the formulation and delivery method become important,” says Amy Holland-Rathmill, head of sales at Million Dollar Facial.

Manufacturers are investigating several approaches, including smaller DNA fragments, alternative molecular structures and delivery technologies intended to improve penetration.

Simone Shoffman, education and clinical director at Healthxchange, describes one approach involving DNA chains folded into a three-dimensional tetrahedral structure, intended to reduce some of the limitations associated with conventional PDRN.

However, a formulation’s theoretical ability to penetrate the skin is not the same as demonstrating meaningful clinical results.

What does the research say about topical PDRN?

A 2026 study published in PLOS One examined a medium-length PDRN preparation using laboratory and skin models alongside a 28-day randomised, double-blind, split-face trial comparing a PDRN eye cream with retinol.

The clinical trial involved 31 women aged 35–55 and compared a formulation containing 0.1% PDRN-850K with a 0.1% retinol eye cream.

The findings suggested improvements in periocular wrinkles and skin measurements, alongside evidence of PDRN-associated material reaching viable epidermal layers.

However, the study examined one particular formulation over a relatively short period. Detecting PDRN-associated material within the skin does not necessarily establish the extent of its biological activity, nor does it demonstrate that all topical PDRN products penetrate or perform similarly.

Further independent human research is needed to determine which formulations deliver clinically meaningful benefits, at what concentrations and through which delivery methods.

What are the potential benefits of PDRN for skin?

The most promising potential applications for topical PDRN concern skin quality, barrier support and recovery.

For clients experiencing dehydration, dullness, sensitivity or visible signs of ageing, PDRN-containing formulations may offer an additional supportive ingredient within a broader skincare programme.

Potential areas of interest include skin hydration and barrier function, visible fine lines and elasticity, skin texture and recovery following appropriate professional treatments.

However, the strength of evidence varies considerably between these applications.

Research published in Molecules in 2023 investigated PDRN extracted from ginseng roots and its effects on skin regeneration and barrier function.

Researchers observed increased activity in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, alongside improvements in barrier-related markers in laboratory and reconstructed skin models.

Importantly, these findings demonstrate biological activity rather than definitive clinical improvements in human skin. Plant-derived DNA preparations should also not automatically be considered equivalent to conventional fish-derived PDRN.

The distinction matters when evaluating claims concerning collagen stimulation, wrinkle reduction and accelerated recovery.

Similarly, improvements in hydration or skin appearance following the use of a PDRN-containing cream do not necessarily establish that PDRN itself was responsible. Other ingredients within the finished formulation may contribute to the observed results.

How should therapists assess PDRN treatment results?

Assessing subtle improvements in skin quality presents a practical challenge.

Kim notes that changes in “pigmentation, redness, pores, hydration and elasticity” can be difficult to demonstrate through standard photography.

“The trend has already moved to skin quality, but the assessment has not followed,” he says.

Therapists should use consistent photography and consultation records where appropriate, while avoiding claims that cannot be substantiated by the product’s evidence.

Professional skin analysis and monitoring tools may help practitioners assess changes more consistently, although measurements should still be interpreted in the context of the treatment and individual client’s skin.

Can PDRN be used with microneedling?

Professional skincare companies are increasingly positioning PDRN as a complement to treatments intended to improve skin quality, particularly microneedling.

Depending on the formulation and manufacturer-approved protocol, it may be incorporated into recovery-focused facials, applied after certain procedures or delivered using specialist technologies.

Lauren Evans, training and development officer at CACI, explains how its needle-free approach combines ultrasonic atomisation, electro-infusion and LED technology with a plant-derived PDRN formulation.

Other professional systems position PDRN-containing concentrates alongside microneedling or as a post-procedure step.

The commercial opportunity is already visible in UK clinics, with many promoting PDRN microneedling treatments.

However, microneedling itself has established effects on skin remodelling. Improvements following a combined protocol cannot necessarily be attributed to PDRN without controlled comparative studies.

Is PDRN safe to apply during microneedling?

Product suitability is particularly important when the skin barrier is deliberately disrupted.

A cosmetic serum intended for intact skin should never automatically be considered suitable for application through microneedling-created channels.

Sterility, formulation, device compatibility and manufacturer instructions must determine its use. Practitioners should also follow appropriate microneedling safety and best-practice guidance.

Products marketed as PDRN skincare should not be assumed suitable for transdermal delivery simply because the ingredient is associated with injectable aesthetic treatments.

How should therapists recommend PDRN homecare?

PDRN’s role in homecare may prove more accessible than its use in advanced treatment protocols.

“I would position PDRN as part of a wider skin-health routine rather than as a single miracle ingredient,” advises Holland-Rathmill. “Good cleansing, hydration, barrier support and daily SPF should always form the foundation of homecare.”

Kim similarly describes skin longevity as a combination of professional intervention, topical barrier care and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and sun exposure.

For clients undergoing professional treatments, PDRN-containing homecare may complement established barrier-support ingredients such as ceramides, panthenol and hyaluronic acid.

However, therapists should assess the complete formulation and the client’s existing routine rather than recommending PDRN purely because it is a trending ingredient.

Post-procedure application requires particular care. Products suitable for everyday use may not be appropriate immediately after microneedling, chemical peels or laser treatments, when barrier integrity is temporarily compromised.

Therapists should follow treatment-specific aftercare protocols and avoid introducing potentially irritating or non-sterile formulations during early recovery.

Is PDRN suitable for all skin types?

PDRN skincare is marketed towards a broad range of skin types, particularly dehydrated, mature and sensitised skin.

Nevertheless, suitability depends on the complete formulation, not simply the presence of PDRN.

Its traditional fish-derived origins mean allergies and ethical preferences should be considered.

Plant-derived alternatives are emerging, including formulations using ginseng-derived DNA fragments. These should not automatically be considered chemically or clinically interchangeable with conventional salmon-derived PDRN.

Therapists should establish the ingredient’s source, check for known sensitivities and assess whether the complete formulation is appropriate for the client.

Extra caution is warranted during pregnancy and breastfeeding, where product-specific evidence may be limited, and on actively infected or damaged skin unless an appropriately indicated product is being used.

What should therapists look for in a PDRN product?

As more PDRN-containing products enter the professional skincare market, understanding how to assess their claims will become increasingly important.

Before introducing PDRN into a professional treatment or homecare recommendation, therapists should ask suppliers several questions.

1. What is the source of the PDRN? Establish whether it is fish-derived, plant-derived or produced using another method, particularly where allergies or ethical preferences may be relevant.
2. What is the molecular profile? Ask whether the manufacturer can provide information about fragment size, processing and the characteristics of the material used.
3. What evidence supports the finished formulation? Laboratory studies on PDRN as an ingredient do not necessarily demonstrate the performance of a particular serum or cream. Product-specific human research is particularly valuable.
4. How is the product intended to be used? Confirm whether it is designed for intact skin, post-treatment application or a specific professional protocol.
5. Is it compatible with the treatment being performed? Products should only be used with microneedling or other barrier-disrupting procedures where their suitability is explicitly established.
6. What contraindications and aftercare requirements apply? Check the complete formulation, manufacturer guidance and the client’s consultation history.

For therapists, the most important consideration is not simply whether a product contains PDRN, but whether its formulation, evidence and intended use make it appropriate for the individual client.

PDRN skincare FAQs

Is PDRN made from salmon sperm?

Traditional fish-derived PDRN is commonly extracted and purified from salmon or trout reproductive tissue. However, alternative sources, including plant-derived DNA fragments, are also being investigated.

The ingredient’s source and processing method should be confirmed with the manufacturer rather than assumed from the term PDRN alone.

Can PDRN skincare replace polynucleotide injections?

No. Topical PDRN skincare and injectable polynucleotide treatments use different delivery methods and may contain materials with different molecular characteristics.

Evidence supporting injected PN or medical PDRN cannot automatically be applied to cosmetic serums and creams, and topical products should not be marketed as equivalent alternatives without appropriate supporting evidence.

Can PDRN be used after microneedling?

Only where the specific product is suitable for the procedure and its use is supported by manufacturer guidance and an appropriate treatment protocol.

Ordinary cosmetic serums should not be assumed safe for application to compromised skin, particularly immediately after microneedling or other treatments that disrupt the skin barrier.

The verdict: is PDRN worth incorporating into professional skincare?

PDRN is a promising development in professional skincare, particularly as interest grows in skin longevity, barrier health and regenerative ingredients.

However, evidence from injectable treatments and medical wound-healing applications should not be used to substantiate claims about topical cosmetics.

Although emerging human studies suggest that certain PDRN formulations may improve aspects of skin quality, further independent research is needed to establish their effectiveness across different products and delivery systems.

For beauty therapists and advanced skin practitioners, the priority should be choosing appropriately formulated products, examining the evidence behind manufacturers’ claims and incorporating PDRN into individualised treatment and homecare plans where suitable.

Ultimately, PDRN should be judged on what a particular product can demonstrate, rather than the wider excitement surrounding the ingredient.

The post PDRN skincare: benefits, evidence & uses appeared first on Best oLive.

If there’s one thing we can’t get enough of right now, it’s electrolytes.

Whether we’re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, recovering after exercise or just in need of a sweet treat come 3pm, here at 7You we love a drink that’s packed full of benefits.

So when we were offered the opportunity to sample bestselling brand The Collagen Co’s new Hydraglow range, we couldn’t wait to get involved.

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Featuring four key electrolytes, collagen peptides collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid and vitamin C, to enjoy these drinks, you simply mix the sachets with water.

There are a number of flavours to choose from, from the popular Choc Coconut to Strawberry Watermelon, Berry Frost and even Lemon Lime, each tasty and full of flavour.

The 7You team recently tested a sample of The Collagen Co’s Hydraglow range. Here’s how we got on.

Sophie has been trying many of the different Collagen Co flavours. Credit: 7You

Sophie, 7You Managing Editor

When it comes to electrolytes, in recent months they have become a mainstay of my wellness regime.

Training for my first marathon in Sydney in August, I would often dream of getting home after my long run to enjoy a nice cold electrolyte icy drink.

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And since then? I haven’t been able to give them up.

So I was all ears when The Collagen Co announced they were releasing an electrolyte range packed full of additional benefits.

Hydration with a side of collagen peptides, Hyaluronic Acid and Vitamin C? Say no more.

I’ve been testing both the Lemon and Lime flavour and the Strawberry Watermelon option, and I am a huge fan, particularly of the Strawberry Watermelon variety.

I particularly like having it after lunch when I want something sweet but don’t want to eat something unhealthy.

On days when I have this, I admit I feel more enhanced mental clarity when a wave of tiredness usually comes over me (hello, 2.30pm).

I’m yet to see any major skincare benefits from enjoying the drink, but it is helping with my water consumption.

Overall, I’d recommend them to someone looking to up their water consumption who needs an afternoon pick-me-up.

Holly picked up the The Collagen Co’s Lemon and Lime flavour and simply can’t get enough. Credit: 7You

Holly, Deputy Editor

The team know that I am a loyal drinker of lemon and lime electrolytes as my afternoon pick-me-up.

So naturally, I reached for the same flavour from The Collagen Co’s latest line-up of tasty drinks.

Now drunk on a daily basis, I simply mix with cold water in my trusty Frank Green water bottle, knowing that I am getting a quick and easy dose of collagen (along with other benefits).

Because I have been a regular drinker of other electrolyte brands, I noticed that the sachet packets contain what seems like a lot more powder.

So upon mixing it in, it did clump more than usual — although nothing a good shake couldn’t fix.

As someone with dry skin who is always looking for ways to hydrate, smooth and plump my skin, I love knowing that this drink helps in the process too.

Jam-packed with other goodies to support energy levels, joint and tendor health, I’d eager to purchase another pack of Lemon & Lime again.

Staying hydrated in the office is a must. Credit: 7You

Ariana, Senior Writer

I love having a little hydration drink every day. It feels like sipping on a refreshing mocktail at my desk while I work, giving me a little moment of enjoyment while keeping my body hydrated throughout the day.

Berry Frost was definitely my favourite flavour. I loved the punchy blueberry taste, which was refreshing, delicious, and perfect for sipping on the daily whenever I needed to quench my thirst.

I also love that it’s more than just a hydration drink. The four-electrolyte formula, featuring sodium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium, helps replenish what my body loses through daily activity, heat, and movement.

Plus, each sachet contains 5,500 mg of hydrolysed collagen peptides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin C to support skin hydration, smoothness, and a healthy, radiant glow.

For me, it’s the perfect little daily ritual that combines refreshing hydration with a beauty boost.

The 3pm slump won’t know what is coming. Credit: 7You

Eleanor, Writer

Getting back into the swing of work is always hard post-lunch break — with a belly full of food after sitting out in the sun, getting back on the grind truly is the worst.

But after having the Collagen Co Hydraglow electrolytes post-break has become a daily ritual I genuinely look forward to.

Initially reaching for the Choc Coconut flavour because curiosity got the better of me, but I quickly realised that I prefer my chocolate flavours in Cadbury form.

Over the past week, my go-to flavour is hands down Berry Frost, with a distinct berry flavour and almost radioactive blue colour, the flavour is second to none.

And as someone who has a very busy schedule, the added benefits have been a very welcome bonus.

Already after only a week, I am feeling more energised to tackle the later part of the day, my skin feels more hydrated, and overall the electrolytes are helping boost my overall water intake.

The Collagen Co Hydraglow range gets a big tick from me.

Find out more on The Collagen Co’s website here.

Always read the label and follow directions for use.

The post 7You tries the new Collagen Co drinks with added skincare benefits. So do they live up to the hype? appeared first on Best oLive.

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It’s common knowledge that sunscreen can prevent premature signs of aging by protecting against the sun’s harsh UV rays. But recently, a dermatologist surprised some when she suggested SPF could go further—potentially even turning back the clock on your skin.

“Consistent sunscreen use over time has actually been shown to reverse sun damage,” California dermatologist Samantha Ellis, M.D., said in a recent TikTok. “Sunscreen makes you look younger over time” by improving skin texture and helping dark spots fade, she added.

Dr. Ellis’ comments come months after a paper published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that most experts agree that sunscreen is a powerful skincare product. For the paper, researchers asked 62 dermatologists at 43 academic centers across the country how effective they thought a wide range of products and skincare ingredients were in treating various skin health issues.

Meet the experts: Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital; Ife J. Rodney, M.D., double-board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics; Gary Goldenberg, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City

The vast majority—96.8%—said mineral sunscreen was their top choice for preventing fine lines and wrinkles. In fact, the data suggested many believed mineral sunscreen was as important as retinoids, which are a mainstay of commercial anti-aging skincare products. (Chemical sunscreen was highly rated, too.)

While many people slather on sunscreen as a preventative measure, the idea that it can promote skin renewal isn’t well-known. Below, dermatologists break down how this works.

Why might sunscreen help skin look younger?

There are a few reasons for this. “Sunscreen is perhaps the best anti-aging tool we have for our skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital. “UVA rays from the sun not only put you at risk for skin cancer, but also for premature aging.” UV light exposure has been linked to the development of fine lines and wrinkles, dark spots, and broken capillaries, all of which can age your skin, he explains.

Sunscreen can also protect against skin discoloration that can make you look older, says Ife J. Rodney, M.D., a double-board-certified dermatologist and founding director of Eternal Dermatology and Aesthetics. “The sun triggers more production of melanocytes—cells that produce the pigment melanin—which can lead to discoloration,” she explains. “Using sunscreen consistently blocks those triggers so you don’t get as much discoloration.”

“UV is also responsible for destruction of adipose tissue in the skin, leading to even more skin sagging,” adds Gary Goldenberg, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist in New York City.

On the other hand, when you wear (and regularly reapply) sunscreen, it blocks out those UV rays. Moreover, it can even promote younger-looking skin. “There is actually good scientific evidence that sunscreen use decreases signs of skin aging,” Dr. Goldberg says. He cites an older clinical trial published in Annals of Internal Medicine that divided 903 adults into groups that used sunscreen daily and sporadically. Those who used sunscreen daily had “no detectable increase in skin aging after 4.5 years.”

Wearing sunscreen allows your skin to do its job more efficiently, Dr. Zeichner explains. He points out that the skin can heal itself more easily when it’s not constantly dealing with free radicals (or unstable atoms) from UV light. “This means healthy skin cell growth and repair with improvements in sun-related dark spots and even enhanced skin barrier function,” he says.

What are the limits of this?

Dermatologists agree that using sunscreen can help preserve youthful-looking skin, lower the risk of sun damage, and give your skin time to repair itself. But Dr. Rodney says it’s important to have perspective on how much sunscreen can do. “I would not say that using sunscreen will undo deep wrinkles and collagen breakdown,” she says. Instead, the effects may be more subtle.

Dr. Zeichner also stresses that sunscreen is only effective when it’s used properly. “It is important to protect yourself from the sun every day, not just when you are at the beach,” he says. “Incidental UV light exposure adds up over time.” That’s why he suggests wearing sunscreen in the car, when you’re eating lunch outside, or even when you plan to be indoors. “You are at risk for sun damage,” he says. “UVA rays penetrate through the clouds and through window glass, so you can expose yourself to sun damage, even if you are outside on a cloudy day or indoors or in the car next to a window.”

Regularly seeking shade also helps, Dr. Rodney adds.

How to maximize sunscreen use for younger-looking skin

Applying sunscreen in the morning and reapplying throughout the day is one of the best ways to maximize the perks, according to Dr. Rodney. “This is one of the main and most important things you can do for your skin,” she says.

Dr. Goldenberg points out that you can use sunscreen along with other beneficial ingredients, which will maximize results. “It can be used together with other anti-aging skincare products, such as retinol and vitamin C,” he says.

Overall, dermatologists agree that daily sunscreen use is the way to go for younger-looking skin. “If you want healthy, clear, and wrinkle-free skin, wear sunscreen daily,” Dr. Zeichner says.

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The post Dermatologists Say This 1 Product Has Surprising ‘Anti-Aging’ Benefits appeared first on Best oLive.

Dullness rarely shows up overnight. It
builds slowly, from sun exposure, pollution, and dead cells that don’t shed the
way they should, until one day your skin just looks flat and tired. A detan
face wash is usually the easiest fix to start with, since it works right at
the surface where tan and buildup collect first. The detan face wash with papaya and Vitamin C combines a gentle
enzyme cleanse with brightening actives in one step.

Cleansing sets the stage, but it isn’t
the whole routine. Skin also needs help with tone and pigmentation over time,
which is where a vitamin c moisturizer comes in, clearing
what’s already on the skin while preventing new dullness from settling in.

Why Dull Skin Happens in the First Place

Understanding why my face looks dull
explains a lot about how to fix it. Dead skin cells naturally sit on the
surface for a few days before shedding, but inconsistent or harsh cleansing
lets that layer build up faster than skin can clear it on its own. Add daily
sun exposure without protection, and pigmentation starts forming underneath,
while pollution and dehydration slow cell turnover further. The result is skin
that scatters light unevenly instead of reflecting it, which is what dullness
looks like at the surface level.

1. Removes Daily Tan and Surface Buildup

Because papain works enzymatically rather
than through abrasion, it clears tan and dulling buildup without the redness or
micro-tears that physical scrubs can cause. This matters for sensitive skin
especially, since it often can’t tolerate daily exfoliation but still needs
regular buildup removal.

2. Works as a Genuine Brightening Face Wash

A well-formulated brightening face
wash doesn’t just clean, it actively lifts dullness with each use. Vitamin
C in the formula helps fade the look of dark spots and evens out skin tone
gradually, so the benefit compounds with regular use rather than showing up
after a single wash, a slower but more lasting kind of brightening.

3. Cleans Without Stripping the Skin Barrier

Harsh detan products often rely on heavy
exfoliants that leave skin dry and reactive. A gentler, enzyme-based vitamin
c face wash cleans thoroughly while keeping the skin barrier intact, since
a damaged barrier tends to make dullness and sensitivity worse, not better.
Skin that stays barrier-healthy also absorbs the actives applied afterward more
effectively.

4. Helps With Uneven Skin Tone Over Time

Repeated sun exposure creates patches of
pigmentation that aren’t always obvious day to day but add up to an uneven
complexion. Regular use of a Vitamin C-based cleanser chips away at this
unevenness, which is part of why vitamin c face wash benefits come up so
often in long-term skin tone discussions rather than quick fixes.

5. Suitable for Most Skin Types, Including Oily Skin

Because the base formula is usually
lightweight and non-comedogenic, this cleanser tends to work well across skin
types, including for anyone dealing with vitamin c face wash for oily skin,
since the gel or foaming texture clears excess oil without over-drying.

6. Prepares Skin to Absorb Actives Better

Clean, de-tanned skin absorbs serums and
moisturizers more effectively than skin covered in dead cells. This is an
underrated reason a detan wash matters, since it isn’t just about looking
brighter immediately, it’s about setting up the rest of your routine, including
a Vitamin C moisturizer, to actually work.

7. Supports a Simple, Consistent Anti-Dullness Routine

Dullness treatment doesn’t need five
extra steps or constant product switching. A dull skin treatment built
around a twice-daily Vitamin C cleanse, followed by a brightening moisturizer,
covers most of what skin needs without overcomplicating things.

Ingredients to Look For in Detan Face Wash

Not every cleanser tackles dullness the
same way, and the two ingredients that matter most here work differently. Papaya
contains papain, a natural enzyme that gently breaks down dead skin cells
without the friction of a physical scrub, making it useful for lifting tan and
rough texture without irritation. Vitamin C works at a slightly deeper
level, as an antioxidant that helps interrupt the process behind pigmentation,
which is why it plays such a direct role in even skin tone over time.
Papain clears the surface while Vitamin C works on the tone underneath, and
that combination largely drives the glow-boosting effect people notice with
consistent use.

How to Use a Vitamin C Detan Face Wash

Wet your face with lukewarm water, since hot water strips natural
oils and dries out skin further.
Take a
coin-sized amount of the face wash and work it into a gentle lather
between your palms.
Massage onto
your face and neck in circular motions for thirty to forty-five seconds,
giving the enzymes time to work.
Rinse
thoroughly and pat your skin dry with a clean towel instead of rubbing it.
Follow up with a Vitamin C moisturizer while skin is still
slightly damp, to lock in hydration.

How Often to Use It

Twice a day, once in the morning and once
before bed, is generally enough for most skin types. Using it more often
doesn’t speed up results and can leave skin dry or sensitive, since even gentle
enzymes have their limits. Consistency over weeks matters more than frequency
within a single day.

Conclusion

A detan face wash built around
Vitamin C and papaya does more than freshen up skin for a day. Paired with a
Vitamin C moisturizer, it addresses both the buildup causing dullness and the
pigmentation underneath it, a far more sustainable approach than relying on one
product for a quick fix.

Read iDiva for the latest in Bollywood, fashion looks, beauty and lifestyle news.

The post 7 Benefits of Vitamin C Detan Face Wash for Dull Skin appeared first on Best oLive.

When my kids were little, I tucked a slow cooker full of fish head stock into a far corner of the kitchen and hoped our babysitter wouldn’t look inside. More recently, I fermented a batch of natto that smelled so much like funky cheese and gym socks that opening the container could clear a room.

These days, I still prioritize traditional, nutrient-dense foods – but in easier, more practical ways. One of my favorite simple habits is to include grass-fed beef liver capsules with breakfast.

Liver may not be especially popular today, but that wasn’t always the case. For thousands of years, many traditional cultures prized liver as an especially nourishing food, sometimes reserving it for growing children and expectant mothers, while hunters also valued it after physically demanding hunts. (1) (2)

Unfortunately, despite many sincere attempts, I’ve never managed to enjoy eating beef liver.

If you don’t love the flavor either, capsules are an easy workaround. Made with desiccated (dried and powdered) grass-fed beef liver, they’re a convenient way to get the benefits of beef liver without actually tasting it.

In this article we’ll dive into what those benefits are, why they’re important, and what to consider when choosing a brand.

As always, none of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA. This article is not medical advice, and it’s not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. Now let’s dive in.

Why The Whole-Food Matrix Matters

Have you ever tried to bake something by tossing a little of everything in your pantry into one bowl? Of course not.

Even when every ingredient is high quality, how they work together matters. Cocoa powder, rapadura sugar, and coconut milk make a delicious dessert, but swap the sugar for cajun seasoning, and . . not so much.

Ingredients matter, but so does the relationship between them, and that’s what makes whole food-based supplements unique. There’s an innate wisdom to nature’s “formulas” – one that factors in synergy, bioavailability, and micronutrient ratios.

For example, with beef liver you don’t just get heme iron, which is generally absorbed more efficiently than non-heme iron – you also get vitamin A and copper, two nutrients that play important roles in normal iron metabolism and utilization.

But beef liver doesn’t just provide nutrients that work well together – it also complements the way most of us eat today. Modern diets tend to emphasize muscle meats like chicken breast, steaks, and ground beef, which are excellent sources of protein but don’t offer the same concentration or variety of micronutrients found in organ meats.

Muscle meats are naturally rich in the amino acid methionine. That’s not a problem – methionine is essential – but the body relies on nutrients like choline and several B vitamins to metabolize and recycle it efficiently. (3)

Liver provides many of the vitamins and minerals involved in methionine metabolism and methylation, supporting the metabolic pathways that rely on those nutrients. In other words, liver doesn’t just add more nutrients to the diet – it provides many of the nutrients that work alongside the ones you’re already eating. (4) (5) (6)

Is Liver Actually “Nature’s Multivitamin”?

When we call something a “superfood,” we usually mean it has a high concentration of one or two uniquely beneficial compounds. Blueberries have anthocyanins, coffee has chlorogenic acid, and broccoli sprouts have sulforaphane.

But when we look at the overall nutrient-density scorecard, beef liver is in a category of its own. It provides an exceptional range of nutrients, including high amounts of preformed vitamin A (retinol), vitamin B12, riboflavin, folate, copper, choline, and highly bioavailable heme iron. It also contains the full spectrum of B vitamins, and smaller amounts of the fat soluble vitamins D, E and K, plus minerals like zinc, phosphorus, selenium, and a variety of naturally occurring compounds including CoQ10, carnitine, carnosine, and taurine.

What makes it even more unique several of its key nutrients are present in highly bioavailable or readily usable forms – ones that are easily recognized by the body.

For example, unlike carrots – which contain beta-carotene (provitamin A) that our bodies have to convert into the active form – liver contains retinol, which is the active form of Vitamin A. That’s a good thing, because nearly half of us may be “poor converters” beta-carotene into vitamin A very efficiently.(7) (8) And weirdly, even when individuals can make the conversion, efficiency drops as the dose of beta-carotene increases.(9)

Ounce for ounce, it’s one of the most nutrient-dense whole foods available – not because it excels in one particular nutrient, but because it delivers an extraordinary range of them. That’s why beef liver has – I believe accurately – earned the nickname “Nature’s Multivitamin.”

Why I Keep Beef Liver Capsules Around

Unlike beef liver, I’ve managed to find ways to enjoy chicken liver, especially in my Superfood Chili, Dirty Rice, and Bacon & Chicken Liver Pâté. But finding high-quality pastured chicken livers where I live can be hit or miss, and making a special trip isn’t always practical.

That’s one reason I keep grass-fed beef liver capsules on hand. They help fill in nutritional gaps on the weeks when organ meats don’t make it to the table.

Because beef liver is so nutrient-dense, its benefits aren’t limited to just one area of health. The vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial compounds it contains support everything from energy metabolism and oxygen transport to vision, immune function, nervous system health, and many of the countless processes your body carries out every day.

Here are a few of the benefits that stand out most.

Supporting Steady Energy

Modern life often keeps us moving long after our energy begins to fade. Work, family, and an ever-growing list of responsibilities require both the wisdom to know what to say ‘no’ to and the stamina for the things worth saying ‘yes’ to.

The connection between liver and physical endurance has been the subject of research lore for decades. In a frequently cited 1951 experiment, rats fed a purified diet containing desiccated liver powder were able to swim considerably longer than rats given the same basic diet with synthetic vitamins. Researchers referred to the unidentified benefit as an “anti-fatigue factor,” but the study could not determine exactly why the liver produced the effect. (10)

Today, many people think the benefit likely came from liver’s unusually broad nutrient profile rather than one mysterious compound. It’s naturally rich in vitamin B12, riboflavin, copper, and highly bioavailable heme iron, all of which play important roles in energy metabolism and oxygen transport.

Riboflavin, for example, helps the body convert the food we eat into ATP – the primary form of usable energy within our cells. Vitamin B12, iron, and copper also play important roles in red blood cell formation and hemoglobin production, which helps explain their connection to oxygen transport.

Liver doesn’t work like coffee, which offers a temporary boost in alertness. Its role is more foundational, supplying nutrients the body uses to support healthy energy levels over time.

Nutrients for a Busy Brain

Some seasons of life can make your brain feel like it has forty-six browser tabs open – and at least two of them are playing music. Between work, family schedules, appointments, and caring for the people who depend on us, there’s a lot to keep track of.

Beef liver contains choline along with several B vitamins and iron, nutrients involved in nervous system function, brain energy metabolism, and the production of neurotransmitters. Together, they support the countless behind-the-scenes processes involved in brain health: memory, concentration, communication between brain cells, and keeping the things that matter to us moving in the right direction.

Nourishing Skin From Within

It’s easy to think of skin care as something that comes in a jar. I love a good topical, too – my DIY Bakuchiol Serum is great for supporting skin elasticity and firmness – but healthy skin also depends on what’s happening beneath the surface.

Vitamin A helps regulate normal skin cell turnover, while nutrients like copper and zinc support collagen formation, tissue repair, and maintenance. Riboflavin and other B vitamins also support cellular energy production and antioxidant defenses that help keep skin healthy.

In other words, beef liver doesn’t replace a skincare routine, but it does provide many of the nutrients skin relies on from the inside out.

A Surprising Connection to the Gut Microbiome

Vitamin A is probably best known for supporting vision and immune function, but researchers have uncovered another interesting connection to gut health.

In one study, researchers introduced 92 different human gut bacteria into mice, then removed vitamin A, folate, iron, or zinc from the diet one at a time. Vitamin A deficiency caused the biggest shift in the microbial community, changing both which bacteria were present and what some of them were doing. When vitamin A was restored, those differences largely disappeared within about two weeks.

That makes more sense when we look at what vitamin A is doing in the gut itself. Its active metabolite, retinoic acid, helps promote the production of IgA – the primary antibody found along mucosal surfaces like the digestive tract. Secretory IgA helps manage which microbes can interact closely with the intestinal lining and plays an important role in keeping the immune system and our resident gut bacteria on good terms.

Vitamin A also helps maintain the intestinal lining and other defenses that create a healthy place for those microbes to live. In that sense, it’s less about creating a “perfect” microbiome and more about helping maintain the neighborhood those microbes depend on.

The study doesn’t tell us that more vitamin A automatically means a healthier gut. It does suggest, though, that getting enough may be an important part of maintaining the intestinal environment that resident gut microbes depend on.

Supporting Your Immune System

Your immune system is constantly working behind the scenes – identifying potential threats, communicating between cells, and deciding when to respond and when to stand down. That kind of coordination requires more than a single “immune nutrient.”

Beef liver provides preformed vitamin A, zinc, copper, selenium, and several B vitamins, along with a small amount of vitamin D. All of these nutrients contribute in different ways to normal immune function. Vitamin A helps maintain the tissues that form the body’s first line of defense, while zinc, copper, selenium, and B vitamins support many of the cellular processes that keep the system communicating and functioning as it should.

So, instead of delivering one isolated ingredient, it supplies a network of nutrients the immune system relies on every day.

Does Liver Store Toxins?

The liver is often described as the body’s filter, but it doesn’t work like the filter in your air conditioner or car, trapping everything that passes through. A better comparison is a chemical processing plant.

In two distinct processes known as Phase 1 and Phase 2 detoxification, it uses enzymes to transform medications, hormones, metabolic byproducts, and many environmental compounds into forms the body can use or eliminate through bile or urine.

In other words, the function of the liver isn’t to store toxins – it’s to neutralize them.

That doesn’t mean liver can never contain contaminants. Like other foods, its quality reflects the animal’s feed, environment, and overall care. That’s why sourcing matters.

I choose liver from responsibly raised, grass-fed cattle, but I don’t rely on those words alone. For supplements, I also look for a company that tests the finished product for heavy metals, pathogens, and other contaminants – and is willing to provide meaningful documentation of the results.

Bottom line: Liver is not a toxic waste bin. It is one of the body’s most sophisticated processing organs, and its role in detoxification is part of the reason it contains such a remarkable concentration of nutrients. With thoughtful sourcing and meaningful testing, that function is not a reason to avoid liver – it’s one more reason to appreciate what an extraordinary food it is.

Safety Considerations

There’s a lot to appreciate about beef liver, but because it’s so nutrient-dense, there are a few important guardrails worth understanding before we talk about what I look for in a supplement.

Pay Attention to Preformed Vitamin A

Liver is naturally high in preformed vitamin A, or retinol. That’s one of its benefits, but it’s also one of the main reasons to check the serving size and consider what else you’re taking. Like vitamin D, there’s a sweet spot for vitamin A consumption – suboptimal intake can lead to deficiency and excessive intake can lead to toxicity, while an appropriate amount supports essential processes throughout the body.

For adults, the established upper limit for preformed vitamin A is 3,000 micrograms of Retinol Activity Equivalents (mcg RAE) per day, which is equivalent to 10,000 IU (1 mcg RAE equals 3.33 IU of retinol). (11) (12). These upper limits apply specifically to preformed vitamin A – the ready-to-use form found naturally in animal foods and also included in some supplements – not to beta-carotene or other provitamin A carotenoids found in carrots and other plants.

Here’s the upper limit breakdown of preformed vitamin A for all ages:

• Birth to 12 months – 600 mcg (2000 IU)
• Children 1–3 years – 600 mcg (2000 IU)
• Children 4–8 years – 900 mcg (3000 IU)
• Children 9–13 years – 1,700 mcg (5,667 IU)
• Teens 14–18 years – 2,800 mcg (9,333 IU)
• Adults 19 years and older – 3,000 mcg (10,000 IU)

That amount includes preformed vitamin A from all sources, including food and supplements, and it’s an upper intake guideline – not a daily goal.

That’s why it’s important to be aware of stacking concentrated sources of preformed vitamin A. Beef liver capsules, cod liver oil, multivitamins, prenatal vitamins, and food sources all contribute to the total.

It’s also important to understand what an upper limit means. The National Academies defines it as the highest level of daily intake likely to pose no risk to almost everyone, and advises the general population not to routinely exceed it. (13)

Here’s how I personally approach these guidelines: One product I have used for years, Perfect Supplements Desiccated Liver, contains 969 IU of vitamin A per adult serving. That’s about 1/10th of the established adult upper limit (UL). I don’t take a multivitamin, but I do sometimes take cod liver oil, so I factor that into my daily intake.

Because foods I regularly eat – including eggs, cheese, butter, and fatty fish – also contribute smaller amounts of preformed vitamin A, I personally leave plenty of room for those sources. My own conservative approach is to keep concentrated supplemental sources below about 5,000 IU on most days, while still paying attention to the total. That isn’t an official guideline; it’s simply the buffer that makes sense for me within the established adult upper limit.

Some traditional-food practitioners argue that these limits are overly conservative, particularly when vitamin A comes from whole foods like liver alongside nutrients such as vitamins D and K. There is some legitimate scientific discussion around those interactions, but current U.S. guidelines do not distinguish between preformed vitamin A from liver and preformed vitamin A from supplements when setting the upper limit. For that reason, I personally use the established limits as conservative guardrails rather than assuming food-based retinol is exempt.

A Special Note About Pregnancy

Vitamin A is especially important during pregnancy because it plays essential roles in fetal growth and development, including formation of the eyes, heart, lungs, and other organs. But pregnancy is also a time when getting the amount right matters even more.

The established upper limit for adults ages 19–50 remains 3,000 mcg RAE (10,000 IU) of preformed vitamin A during pregnancy. Excessive intake of preformed vitamin A can cause birth defects, which is why health authorities recommend avoiding high-dose supplements containing preformed vitamin A during pregnancy.

This is another situation where looking at the whole supplement routine matters. Prenatal vitamins may contain vitamin A as beta-carotene, preformed vitamin A, or a combination of both, and liver capsules, cod liver oil, and food sources can add more. For that reason, anyone who is pregnant, trying to conceive, or could become pregnant should add up their sources of preformed vitamin A and review concentrated liver or cod liver oil supplements with their healthcare practitioner rather than assuming that a standard adult serving is automatically appropriate.

Other Considerations

Beef liver is also rich in iron and copper, which is a benefit for most people but worth keeping in mind if you already supplement with either mineral.

If you have hemochromatosis or another iron-overload condition, check with your doctor before using a liver supplement. Otherwise, the main thing is simply to look at the big picture – especially if you’re taking a supplement that contains iron or copper.

None of this is meant to make beef liver sound complicated or intimidating. The practical takeaway is pretty simple: choose an age-appropriate serving, consider other concentrated sources of vitamin A, iron, and copper already in the diet or supplement routine, and choose a well-sourced product from a company you trust.

With those basics covered, let’s talk about what that actually looks like when you’re standing in front of a shelf . . . or scrolling through dozens of options online.

What I Look For In Beef Liver Supplements

Beef liver capsules are pretty simple by nature – unless it’s a multi-organ blend, there shouldn’t be anything in the bottle besides liver and the capsule itself. With that said, quality can vary quite a bit. Here’s what I look for:

Grass-Fed, Responsibly Raised Cattle

Because an animal’s feed and environment can influence the quality of its organs, sourcing matters. I look for liver from grass-fed cattle raised according to high standards, preferably with clear information about where the cattle come from and how their pastures are managed, including whether pesticides or other chemical treatments are used.

Gentle Processing

Fresh liver contains naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, peptides, and other compounds that can be sensitive to heat and processing. I look for liver that has been freeze-dried or gently desiccated at low temperatures to help protect those nutrients.

Meaningful Testing

“Grass-fed” is important, but it doesn’t tell me everything I want to know. I also look for companies that test their finished product for things like heavy metals and microbial contaminants – and are transparent about the results.

A Clearly Defined Serving

Because liver is so nutrient-dense, I want to know what I’m actually getting. Ideally, a company will tell me both the amount of desiccated liver in each serving and approximately how much fresh liver that represents. I especially appreciate companies that provide vitamin A data, because it makes it much easier to account for other sources in my diet and supplement routine.

Very Few Other Ingredients

Once again, unless it’s a multi-organ blend, I’m just looking for liver – not fillers, proprietary blends, or a long list of unnecessary extras.

The Beef Liver Supplement I Use

After looking at all of those factors, the one I keep coming back to is Perfect Supplements Desiccated Liver.

Their liver is sourced from Argentinian grass-fed cows graze freely on pasture throughout their lives. They don’t receive hormones or antibiotics, and the pastures aren’t treated with chemical fertilizers or pesticides.

Beyond that, they test for heavy metals, microbial contaminants, and glyphosate residue – and they publish the results on their product page.

That transparency extends to the nutritional information, too. A standard serving provides 3 grams of desiccated grass-fed beef liver – roughly equivalent to eating about three ounces of fresh liver per week – along with 969 IU of naturally occurring vitamin A per serving. I like having that information because it makes it easy for me to factor liver into the rest of my diet rather than guessing.

Most importantly, it gives me a practical way to include a food I value nutritionally but have never managed to enjoy eating.

And for me, that’s really the point.

I’m still a big believer in real, nutrient-dense food. I’m also a big believer in finding realistic ways to actually get those foods – and their benefits – into our lives.

Some weeks that looks like homemade pâté or Superfood Chili. Other weeks, it looks like a few capsules with breakfast. If you want to add them to your routine, you can save 10% with the code below.

Sources

1. Riang’a, R. M., Broerse, J., & Nangulu, A. K. (2017). Food Beliefs and Practices Among the Kalenjin Pregnant Women in Rural Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine.
2. O’Dea, K. (1991). Traditional Diet and Food Preferences of Australian Aboriginal Hunter-Gatherers. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences.
3. Institute of Medicine (US) Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes and its Panel on Folate, Other B Vitamins, and Choline. (1998). The B Vitamins and Choline: Overview and Methods. In Dietary Reference Intakes for Thiamin, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Vitamin B12, Pantothenic Acid, Biotin, and Choline. National Academies Press.
4. McCaddon, A., & Miller, J. W. (2023). Homocysteine – A Retrospective and Prospective Appraisal. Frontiers in Nutrition.
5. Korsmo, H. W., & Jiang, X. (2021). One Carbon Metabolism and Early Development: A Diet-Dependent Destiny. Trends in Endocrinology & Metabolism.
6. de Souza, A. P., Marinho, V., & Marques, M. R. (2025). The Fundamental Role of Nutrients for Metabolic Balance and Epigenome Integrity Maintenance. Epigenomes.
7. Tang, G. (2012). Techniques for Measuring Vitamin A Activity from β-Carotene. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
8. Leung, W. C., Hessel, S., Méplan, C., et al. (2009). Two Common Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in the Gene Encoding Beta-Carotene 15,15′-Monooxygenase Alter Beta-Carotene Metabolism in Female Volunteers. The FASEB Journal.
9. Hickenbottom, S. J., Follett, J. R., Lin, Y., et al. (2002). Variability in Conversion of β-Carotene to Vitamin A in Men as Measured by Using a Double-Tracer Study Design. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
10. Ershoff, B. H. (1951). Effects of Liver Feeding on Swimming Capacity of Rats. Proceedings of the Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine.
11. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. (2025). Vitamin A and Carotenoids: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
12. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. (2001). Vitamin A. In Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. National Academies Press.
13. Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. (2001). Vitamin A. In Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. National Academies Press.

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I’m not exaggerating when I say that light changed my life. This often overlooked wellness tool seems so simple, but it can have really impressive benefits. I’ve talked a lot about sunlight, blue light, red light therapy, and more over the years. Today, I’m putting everything into one easy place for you to learn all about the benefits of light and how it can positively impact your life too. 

There’s some overlap in the following sections, but I’ve tried to separate the info into a few different categories. Many of these articles and podcast episodes are purely about light for health, but some of them include other strategies alongside light exposure. 

Healthy lighting is just one tool in the toolbox. And while it can have some pretty drastic effects, other healthy habits like stress reduction, sleep, hydration, etc. are still important. Though I would argue that healthy light exposure boosts the effects of all of these. 

The Benefits of Sunlight

Overall sunlight is a powerful healing tool. When it hits our skin (and our eyes!) it triggers our body to produce the hormone vitamin D. It helps strengthen the immune system, bone health, boost mood, balance hormones, and so much more. 

Yet many of us are cooped up indoors the majority of the time, under flickering artificial lighting. Experts estimate children spend an average of 4-7 minutes outside. A recent poll showed preschoolers only go out to play once a week, or less on average. 

Adults aren’t faring much better. Most adults report they spend less than an hour outside per day. And for over 18% of us it’s less than 15 minutes a day! Prioritizing getting outside into the light at various times of the day can make a huge difference in health. Here are some more compelling reasons to step outside and into the light!

Morning Light Benefits

Morning light has its own health benefits and deserves its own section in this article. When I was recovering from Hashimoto’s I’d set my alarm, head outside at sunrise, and fall back asleep in the natural light. Hopefully you have more energy than I did back then, but even if you don’t, morning sunlight can help! Morning light is unique because it’s a great source of red light and naturally helps balance circadian rhythms, cortisol levels, and more. It’s become a non-negotiable part of my morning routine!

Cortisol and Circadian Alignment

Sunlight exposure, especially watching the sunrise and sunset, is key for circadian alignment. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the circadian rhythm is our body’s natural 24-hour clock. It’s a system that regulates our sleep-wake cycle, hormones, digestion, stress levels, and more. 

Light also plays a role in cortisol levels, aka our stress hormone. We actually want cortisol, we just want the right amounts at the right time. When we’re exposed to blue light at the wrong time of day and other stressors though, it can throw off our cortisol rhythms. Here’s how to use light to improve both cortisol and circadian rhythms. 

Sunscreen and Sunlight’s Role

I’m not the biggest fan of sunscreen most of the time. Contrary to most conventional dermatologists and doctors, I think we need more sun, not less! That said, burning and skin damage is never a good thing. 

Here’s a balanced approach that covers when sunscreen can be helpful and healthy kinds to use. Plus other ways to protect skin when outside and benefits of sunbathing. 

Red Light Therapy 

Morning and evening sunlight (at sunrise and sunset) offer free red light. Then there are red light therapy devices for a more targeted approach. You’ll find red light face masks, red light blankets and panels, and even red light toothbrushes for gum health! 

Here are my thoughts on red light therapy, its benefits, and how to get it from the best sources. 

Healthy Home Lighting

Many of us don’t think about indoor lighting when it comes to light’s benefits. However, the wrong indoor lighting at the wrong time of day can really sabotage our health efforts. LED lights flicker and cause stress to our nervous system, often too fast for our eyes to notice, yet our brain does. 

Blue light at night from screens and overhead lighting tells our brain that it’s daytime and inhibits us from winding down for sleep. Here are some healthier swaps and solutions and what I do when it comes to indoor lighting. 

More Podcast Episodes On Light’s Benefits

I’ve had the opportunity to chat with some amazing experts over the years on the Wellness Mama podcast. Some of my favorite episodes have been on the benefits of sunlight and how to use different kinds of light for health. I love talking about it so much that I’ve also done several solo podcast episodes on the topic.

You’ll find episodes on how to optimize sunlight exposure, its impact on mitochondria and energy, balancing hormones, and more. 

• 429: Andy Mant on How Light Can Heal (or Damage) Your Health & Hormones 
• 609: Dr. Jack Kruse on Junk Light, 5G, Optimizing Sunlight and Longevity
• 949: Light Masterclass: How to Transform Light From Health Sabotaging to Your Greatest Superpower With Roudy Nassif
• 822: Light, Mitochondria, DNA: Sunshine Is the Only Way With Dr. Courtney Hunt
• Episode 1000: What I’ve Learned, Changed, and Still Believe
• 627: Jim Stephenson on Vitamin D Deficiency: Deconstructing the Deception & Stop Fearing the Sun
• 1009: Masterclass: Mitochondria, Light, Phospholipids and Cellular Health With Justine Stenger
• 999: Light and Leptin: Understanding These For Hormones, Fertility, and Health With Sarah Kleiner
• 691: The 80/20 of Health: Light, Protein, Nutrition and Hormones With Dr. Leland Stillman
• 301: How to Use Light to Drastically Improve Health With Matt Maruca
• 245: Ari Whitten on Fighting Fatigue with Sauna, Sun, & Sweating 

Do you prioritize getting sunlight or avoiding certain kinds of light? Have you noticed any positive difference? Leave a comment and share below!

The post Sunlight, Red Light, and How to Harness Light’s Benefits for Health appeared first on Best oLive.

If you’ve hung around here for very long you probably know by now how much I love magnesium, sodium, and minerals in general. I noticed a huge difference in my health and energy levels after I prioritized minerals. And I’ve heard from many of you how minerals have changed your health too. 

This roundup post is a collection of all of the articles and podcast episodes I’ve done over the past 15 years on mineral benefits. They cover what they are, why we need them, side effects of not getting enough, and how to optimize mineral levels. This is your one stop resource guide and reference when it comes to everything minerals on Wellness Mama. 

First up, magnesium and sodium!

Magnesium and Sodium Benefits 

Magnesium is one of my favorite things to talk about, but salt is probably a close second. Most of us are deficient in magnesium due to conventional farming practices and modern life. Things like stress, especially chronic low-grade stress, depletes minerals like magnesium. Sugar is another big culprit for magnesium depletion. 

Sodium is another really important mineral for hydration, energy, brain health, and so much more. Unfortunately it’s been demonized in the past several decades. Real salt has been largely replaced by refined salt in highly processed foods. 

Even people with certain health issues, like high blood pressure, can still benefit from more salt. Be sure to check with a natural healthcare practitioner before adding more salt, but there’s some really good info here and from podcast guests below on salt’s benefits. 

Fulvic and Humic Acids

While these aren’t technically electrolytes I’ve still grouped them in this article because they provide trace minerals. Many years ago these substances were naturally rich in our soil after plants decomposed and microbes transformed them. They naturally have trace minerals, amino acids, organic acids, carbon complexes, and unique compounds we don’t find in modern food.

They’re the conductors and transporters that help our system work better. I like to think of fulvic and humic acids as the translator between the food we eat and our cells. Like the spark plugs for nutrient absorption. The following articles tell about their benefits, how I use them, and how to get them. 

DIY Magnesium and Salt Recipes

We’re circling back to magnesium and sodium in this section. While there’s a lot of information on the health benefits of these electrolytes in these articles, it focuses more on the practical. You’ll find recipes for bath salts, detox baths, topical magnesium, scrubs, and more. 

Using sodium and magnesium topically is a great way to get more of their benefits! Plus it’s a relaxing way to pamper yourself a little. Sometimes I’ll make these for myself and my girls. And I’ll often make extra to give to family and friends as gifts. 

Mineral Rich Recipes to Eat

Technically any of the nutrient dense recipes on my site made with whole foods have some minerals in them. Since modern food (even organic) is so much lower in nutrients and minerals than even a hundred years ago, I like to take a targeted approach.

Yes, I supplement as needed, but I like making mineral rich recipes as well. They’re delicious and the kids love them too!

Mineral Mastery Article Series

I love talking about minerals so much that I did a whole dedicated series on them. This series in particular focuses on how minerals support cellular health and energy. Magnesium, potassium, and sodium work together to fuel every cell in the body. This is why when we don’t have enough the side effects can be so wide ranging. 

Mineral Mastery Podcast Series

In addition to the above articles (which are more of the Cliff Notes version), I recorded a whole mineral podcast series. These go into more depth and dig deeper into the science and practical uses of minerals. 

I cover the big three: sodium, magnesium, and potassium. Then I go into fulvic and humic acids benefits for cell health. And finally the series wraps up with an overview of how they all work together and why we need optimal levels of all of them. 

Podcasts About Minerals

Some of my favorite podcast recordings over the years have been on the topic of minerals. I’ve had the privilege of interviewing some of the top experts in these fields and I’ve learned so much from them. These podcasts delve into the benefits of different minerals, how they work in the body, and how to optimize your levels. 

I love listening to podcasts while I’m in the sauna or cleaning and they’re also great during long car trips too!

• 616: The One About Magnesium – Short Series 
• 786: Mythbusting Minerals – Understanding Minerals Starts in the Cells with Caroline Alan
• 787: Plant-Based Minerals: What They Are & How They Work With The Mineral Geek Caroline Alan 
• 659: Silica, Salt, and Minerals for Collagen and Overall Health with Eidon Minerals
• 744: Discover Plant-Based Minerals With Caroline Alan
• 989: Stabilized Ions of Minerals to Trigger Healing Enzymes to Repair and Protect the Body With Dr. Carolyn Dean
• 662: Why Most of Us Are Mineral Deficient, How to know, and What to Do About It With Barton Scott
• 988: The Magnesium Miracle: Why It’s the Most Overlooked Mineral in Women’s Health With Dr. Carolyn Dean
• 638: Dr. Chris Masterjohn on Understanding Key Nutrients: Biotin, Sodium, Potassium, and Omega-3s 
• 639: Morley Robbins on a Deep Look at My Labs and My Life (What I’m Deficient In)
• 983: The Surprising Truth About Salt, Inflammation & Longevity: What Most Doctors Get Wrong With Mara Labs
• 596: Morley Robbins on Magnesium, Stress, Mineral Balance and the Root Cause Protocol
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Do you prioritize getting enough minerals in your life? How have you incorporated them into your routines? I’d love to hear about it below!

The post The Ultimate List of Mineral Benefits and How to Use Them appeared first on Best oLive.

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What’s the story

African coriander seeds, commonly known for their culinary uses, are now making waves for their skincare benefits.
These tiny seeds are packed with nutrients that can do wonders for your skin.
From improving skin texture to giving it a natural glow, African coriander seeds are a natural way to take care of your skin.
Here is how you can use them in your skincare routine.

The post 5 skincare benefits of coriander seeds  appeared first on Best oLive.

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What’s the story

African moringa leaves are becoming a popular ingredient in skincare, thanks to their rich nutrient profile.
Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, these leaves provide a natural way to enhance skin health.
The benefits of moringa leaves are being explored by many, making them a promising addition to skincare routines.
Here are five skincare benefits of African moringa leaves that are worth knowing.

Rich in antioxidants

Moringa leaves are loaded with antioxidants like quercetin and chlorogenic acid.
These compounds help fight free radicals, which are responsible for skin aging and damage.
By neutralizing these harmful molecules, moringa can help keep your skin looking youthful and vibrant.
The antioxidant properties also help reduce inflammation and redness, making it ideal for sensitive skin types.

High vitamin content

The vitamin content in moringa leaves is impressive.
They are rich in vitamins A, C, and E, which are essential for healthy skin.
Vitamin A promotes cell regeneration, vitamin C boosts collagen production, and vitamin E protects against environmental stressors.
Adding moringa to your skincare routine can give you these vital nutrients that support overall skin health.

Moisturizing properties

Moringa leaves also have natural moisturizing properties, which can help keep your skin hydrated without making it greasy.
The fatty acids present in moringa oil, extracted from the seeds of the plant, are similar to those in human skin sebum, making it an excellent moisturizer for all skin types.
This makes it particularly useful for those with dry or combination skin.

Anti-inflammatory effects

The anti-inflammatory properties of moringa leaves can help soothe irritated or inflamed skin conditions, such as acne or eczema.
Compounds like isothiocyanates work to reduce swelling and redness by calming the body’s inflammatory response.
Regular use of products containing moringa may lead to a noticeable reduction in breakouts and improved overall complexion.

Promotes wound healing

Moringa leaves also promote wound healing, thanks to their high levels of zinc and magnesium.
These minerals are essential for repairing damaged tissues and promoting faster recovery from minor cuts, blemishes on the face, and body areas affected by acne scars.
Regular application could lead to a smoother, clearer complexion over time.

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