Let's Focus on Ingredients: Marvellous Maca!

May 13, 2018 Lucy Lee

In this series we will be taking a closer look at some of our favourite ingredients, why we use them in our skincare and what else they can do for us! Here at Evolve we only use ingredients that are beneficial to our skin...so if they are in our products...it’s because they are amazing! This week we are focusing on Maca, an ancient Peruvian plant. You will find this ingredient in our Miracle Mask because it is quite frankly... maca-nificent! (sorry!)

Maca, sometimes referred to as Peruvian Ginseng grows mainly in the Andes of central Peru where conditions are harsh and altitudes are extremely high (4,000 metres). Maca is actually related to vegetables that we eat every day such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage and Kale and although it is more widely available to us now, it has been used for centuries by Peruvian tribes to boost energy and endurance!

Maca is a key ingredient in our Miracle Mask because it stimulates cell renewal and reducing the appearance of wrinkles! It also increases skin luminosity and radiance. Now that’s pretty amazing! So...what else can it do?

The most commonly used part of the Maca plant is the root, this is the consumable part, it is usually dried and consumed in powder form, or sometimes in capsules or as a liquid extract.

A nutritional addition to your diet: Maca is high in antioxidants and a rich source of vitamins, minerals and amino acids, in fact it contains around 20 of them! It also has a nutty, earthy taste so can be a great addition to your daily smoothie, or to sweet healthy treats!

Strength & Endurance: Used as a popular supplement among weightlifters and athletes, Maca has been linked with helping to build muscle strength, boost energy and improve overall sport performance. Clever stuff!

Mood Booster: Maca contains plant compounds called flavonoids which have been shown to be at least partly responsible for enhancing your mood...now that’s worth smiling about! Studies have suggested a link to reducing anxiety and stress and symptoms of depression.

Menopausal & Menstrual Help: Maca has been associated with relieving the symptoms of the menopause and menstrual issues included alleviating cramps and reducing hot flushes. This has not been scientifically proven and reports are mostly anecdotal, but it has been used for thousands of years in indigenous South American cultures for these reasons!

Fancy trying a maca smoothie? Why not give this recipe a go..it also contains Cacao (another amazing ingredient!)
Cacao & Maca Energy Smoothie!

(Serves 1)

1 cup coconut or almond milk

¼ cup raw macadamia nuts

1 Tbsp raw cacao nibs

2 tsp maca powder

½ organic banana (best frozen as it makes the smoothie creamy!)

2-4 ice cubes

Pour the milk into a blender. Add the banana, maca, cacao and ice. Mix until combined and pour into a tall glass. Sprinkle with cacao nibs (optional).

Enjoy and feel energised!

Smoothie recipe source: http://www.superlife.com/energy-smoothie/

Love The Evolve Beauty Team x

If you haven’t already discovered our Miracle Mask...take a look!