Dark Beer? Green Cabbage? The Scoop on St. Patrick's Day's Hidden Beauty Secrets

It’s easy to be green on St. Patrick’s day (March 17th), but many skin care companies are now carrying this torch 365 days a year. And going green isn’t the only St. Paddy’s day tradition that promises beauty benefits.

Companies such as ACURE, Elemental Herbology, Dr. Hauschka, Eminence, John Masters Organics, Derma E and YURRKU make it their business to use natural, organic ingredients that, in some cases, are actually good enough to eat. ACURE’s Tightening eye contour contains seaweed and stem cells form the hibiscus plant.

A good go-to green ingredient to recommend is green tea extract, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the Director of Cosmetic and Clinical Research in Dermatology at Mt. Sinai Hospital in New York City. “Green tea contains polyphenols which are potent antioxidants that reduce free radical damage to the skin,” he says.  This is why many skin care products on the market today contain green tea extract.

Troy, Mich.-based plastic surgeon Tony Youn, MD, adds that pistachios are packed full of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids, which act to moisturize the skin and fight inflammation. “Broccoli contains a nice amount of Vitamin C, one of the most potent antioxidants, and is therefore great for the skin,” says Youn, the author of the forthcoming The Age Fix: Insider Tips, Tricks, and Secrets to Look and Feel Younger Without Surgery.

And don’t forget about (green) cabbage, which is low in calories, high in vitamin C and a staple in the classic St. Paddy's day meal, corned beef and cabbage.

Yes, we hear a lot about the health and beauty benefits of red wine – and the resveratrol it contains, but beer – a St. Paddy’s Day staple – confers some of its own. “Much of the same benefits of red wine on skin health apply to beer only to a lesser degree,” says Seattle Plastic Surgeon Richard A. Baxter, MD, the author of Age Gets Better with Wine. Dark beer (such as Guinness) and beers higher in hops may have more polyphenols and possibly be a better choice."

Just don’t drink too much or risk that green skin tone (the one associated with a hangover) on March 18th.

Cheers!