Is Maca Root Good for Your Skin?

In 2003, the highest UV index ever recorded was a 43.3 at the top of the Licancabur Volcano in the Andes. In fact, the Andes as a whole are known for their extreme climate, with consistently record-breaking ultraviolet radiation resulting from the region’s high elevation, intense tropical sun, and naturally low ozone levels. It’s hard to believe that any living thing could thrive in such an environment.

And yet the Andes remain home to thriving farming communities, inhabited for centuries by the Inca people, and by their descendants today. The mountain range is also home to abundant flora and fauna, ranging from vibrantly colored macaw parrots to adorably fuzzy chinchillas…and, of course, one of Peru’s most important exports: maca root.

But did you know that maca is more than just a valuable cultural and economic asset? It’s also played a role in making life in the Andes safer for the region’s inhabitants. This is due to its many benefits, one of which is its adaptogenic qualities that may play a role in protecting skin from dangerous UV radiation.

Maca and Hormone Health

We’ve gone into detail on maca’s ability to help regulate your hormone health in the past. Considering that your hormones can significantly impact the condition of your skin, it’s no surprise that there’s a link with maca consumption there. But what does this have to do with UV light?

Sun exposure causes the skin to produce the hormones responsible for triggering pigmentation, which can in turn result in discoloration; hormones are also behind flare-ups of acne resulting from stress. In short, keeping your hormones in check is key to maintaining skin health.

Maca root doesn’t contain hormones. What it does do is act as an adaptogen, exerting a kind of balancing effect on the body, helping it regulate hormones that might otherwise wreak havoc on everything from your skin to your central nervous system. Maca stimulates the body to produce and balance hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and others that play a significant role in maintaining your overall skin health.

Maca is also an excellent source of antioxidants. Antioxidants act to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. What exactly are free radicals, besides one of those buzzwords you hear thrown around in health food circles? In short, they’re chemically reactive atoms, molecules, or ions capable of causing cell damage. It’s this kind of cell damage that can cause wrinkles, fine lines, and other signs of aging - signs that may be mitigated by the antioxidative and nutritional qualities of maca root.

Maca and Nutrition

It’s no surprise that nutrition is a factor in skin health. Maca root is a good source of numerous vitamins and minerals that are essential for healthy skin, like vitamins B, C, and E as well as zinc and iron. They help keep the skin hydrated and nourished, improving its elasticity.

Research has also shown that maca can have anti-inflammatory and anti-melanogenic effects. Melanogenesis can result in hypo or hyperpigmentation, and research has found some link between it and inflammation, which means that maca root is doing double-duty in fighting skin discoloration. This is also due to maca’s nutritional values, which include a relatively high dose of copper and manganese, both of which exhibit anti-inflammatory properties.

Maca and Skincare

Can you use maca in your skincare? There’s some debate as to whether or not adding substances like maca root to hair and skincare products can produce visible results. We recommend enjoying your maca root directly through ingesting our maca products, whether that means fixing yourself a nutritious maca smoothie with one of our premium maca root powders or taking maca capsules throughout the day. But some of our customers have reported that their skin tone and hair strength have improved when using shampoo and lotion enhanced with maca. To try it out for yourself, simply take one tablespoon of maca powder per half a cup of hair or skincare product and mix them thoroughly. We’d love to hear about your results!

Why Buy Maca from The Maca Team?

Our Organic Peruvian-grown maca root is just that - maca root, with no fillers or additives. It’s certified organic and Fair Trade, GMO-free, and harvested in small batches at the peak of the season to ensure that you’re getting the freshest maca possible. Take a look at our Testimonials page to see what some of our happy buyers have to say about our products.

If you have any more questions about our maca,, we’d love to hear them! Don’t hesitate to Contact Us using our web form, or call us toll-free at (888) 919-8616.

Enjoy the day!