Is Kimchi really good for your skin? (2024)

New Delhi,UPDATED: Aug 14, 2023 17:18 IST

The secret to Margot Robbie's radiant skin might be found in the traditional Korean dish, Kimchi. As she prepared for her role in Barbie, the actress incorporated this fermented food into her diet, as revealed by skincare expert Jasmina Vico in a recent interview.

“Margot was also eating fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir, all kinds of bitter foods, and berries,” Vico told a publication while adding that it was all to do with “promoting the healing and reducing the stress in the body.” The idea behind adding it to Barbie cast’s regimen, she said, was to go beyond “external products”.

“It didn’t make any sense for me just to treat the skin! Skin is connected to your body; you’ve got to include the diet and lifestyle,” skincare expert Vico said.

Kimchi, a staple in Korean cuisine, is made from fermented vegetables like Napa Cabbage and Korean Radishes, seasoned with chilli pepper, garlic, ginger, and jeotgal (fermented seafood). The fermentation process produces probiotics, beneficial live bacteria and yeasts that support gut health.

IndiaToday.in got in touch with health experts to understand if Kimchi is really good for your skin. Does it have any other health benefits as well? Read on to find out.

Gut-skin axis

In order to know how kimchi helps the skin, it is first important to understand what the gut-skin axis is.

“A healthy gut can reflect on the skin. The concept of the gut-skin axis suggests that an unhealthy gut can lead to inflammatory skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. Probiotics, like those found in kimchi, can support a balanced gut microbiome,” said Dr Batul Patel, celebrity dermatologist and founder of The Bombay Skin Clinic.

Also agreeing with Kimchi’s benefits for gut health is Dr Manoj Kutteri, Medical Director at Atmantan Wellness Centre.

Benefits of eating Kimchi

“Kimchi contains a lot of probiotics, which are good bacteria. By encouraging a beneficial balance of gut bacteria, assisting with digestion, and maybe enhancing the immune system, these probiotics enhance gut health,” he said.

“Kimchi contains antioxidants, which combat free radicals. Free radicals can damage skin cells, leading to premature ageing, so consuming antioxidant-rich foods might help protect the skin,” Dr Batul said while talking about how eating Kimchi helps the skin.

Furthermore, it is low in calories and carbohydrates but high in essential vitamins and minerals like vitamin K, vitamin C, and folate.

How Kimchi helps improve your skin?

But how does Kimchi improve skin texture? The answer lies in its components. The probiotics produced during fermentation can reduce inflammation in the body, which often leads to skin flare-ups and issues like acne. Additionally, Kimchi is a source of essential vitamins such as vitamin C and some B vitamins. Vitamin C plays a crucial role in collagen production, a protein that maintains our skin's firmness and youthfulness. The minerals in Kimchi also contribute to maintaining healthy skin.

Some ingredients used in Kimchi, like ginger and garlic, have anti-inflammatory properties. “Reducing inflammation in the body can help maintain smoother and clearer skin,” said Dr Batul.

Fibre present in Kimchi doesn’t impact the skin texture directly but supports a healthy digestive system, thereby promoting the gut-skin connection.

However, it's important to remember that skin health is multifactorial. Factors such as genetics, overall diet, hydration, UV exposure, and skincare routines all play significant roles. Don’t think of Kimchi as a magic potion for flawless skin, it certainly is a delicious addition to a balanced diet that promotes overall health. Expecting drastic changes from Kimchi alone might be unrealistic.

Fermented foods for the win

Some of the other fermented food items you can add to your diet to keep your gut and skin healthy are yogurt, kombucha, kefir, tempeh and pickles. “Eating probiotics can help you stay healthy as they promote the immune system, gut health, skin texture and heart health,” said Dr Manoj Kutteri.