This $8 Hydrating Oil Can Reverse Signs of Skin Aging and Strengthen Your Hair
You may already enjoy sprinkling chia seeds in your meals, but you might want to consider picking up a bottle of chia seed oil to give your skin and hair a boost, too.
All of the nutritional perks found inside the tiny seeds that keep our gut healthy, balance blood sugar, and help us lose weight also work wonders when applied topically. We’re talking about the omega-3, omega-6, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), and healthy fats that get extracted into the oil, which can moisturize and strengthen skin and hair.
Although anyone already prone to oily skin and hair might want to avoid it clogging up their pores, chia seed oil works particularly well for those who feel constantly dried out. In fact, one small study tested how well the oil works with a group of participants who all battled dry, irritated, and itchy skin. After eight weeks, they all found significant improvements in overall hydration — and no more frustrating itchy patches! Researchers attributed this to the high level of omega-3.
Those hydrating omegas along with ALA can also restore the moisture barrier on skin that becomes drier as we get older. This will help ward off signs of aging like fine lines, sun damage, and wrinkles.
Luckily, there are a ton of budget-friendly options, like The Ordinary’s Organic Virgin Chia Seed Oil (Buy at Sephora, $7.40). Reviews claim the product soaks into the skin and hydrates without leaving behind a greasy feeling.
As for hair, we all know that moisturized strands are stronger and less likely to break or thin out. Chia seed oil is especially great at penetrating the surface of our scalp and follicles to lock in that hydration and maintain soft, silky hair. You can use a few drops of the same oil you’d use on your skin, or look for hair-specific products that include chia seed oil, like Hask Chia Seed Oil Shampoo and Conditioner (Buy on Amazon, $16.99).
Whether you’re eating the seeds or slathering the oil on your skin and hair, there’s clearly a lot of great perks to adding chia seeds to your daily routine!
