Is Celery Still A Thing? We Dare to Say Yes

Celery is on the verge of A Moment when it comes to skincare.

Celery. For decades, relegated to brunch cocktail accessory, a vehicle for ranch and/or blue cheese dressing, a boat for more flavorful peanut butter (and raisins). Bought in bunches when all you really need is a stalk or two for a soup base, left to languish, forgotten, in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator.

Poor celery — you’ve had a rough go of it. But the clouds are about to part…celery is on the verge of A Moment when it comes to skincare.

Sure, flashier produce has had the skincare spotlight of late — coconuts, avocados, kale, papayas, bananas, watermelon, pineapple — but now it’s the curly-topped green kid’s time to shine. (Though if history is to be believed, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise: the ancient Greeks used the plant and its seeds in masks meant to preserve skin’s appearance.)

What is celery?

A vegetable! More specifically, it’s a marsh plant that has been “cultivated as a vegetable since antiquity.” It belongs to the same family as parsley, and pretty much the entire plant is edible: stalk, seeds and leaves.

How does celery benefit skin?

This tall, green vegetable is an unassuming powerhouse of vitamins and antioxidants. While the latter is busy fighting free radical damage and thereby slowing down skin aging, celery’s vitamin A, C, K and folate all boost blood flow and circulation. And its signature green hue means celery contains ample amounts of carotenoids, which are known to support skin’s overall wellness on the molecular level aka celery can keep your skin healthy and resilient.

How do I add celery to my skincare routine?

First and foremost — eat the stuff! An oldie but a goodie, celery makes for a great snack on its own, but it’s also incredibly versatile when it comes to cooking. Yup, that’s right: ants on a log aren’t your only option. Get creative! Of course, you could also hop on the celery juice train to drink the benefits, though the flavor may take some getting used to.

The purported benefits of eating or drinking celery juice are many: since the vegetable of 95% water, it’s uber-hydrating. It also has a naturally high sodium content which can raise stomach acid, helping to break down food faster and improve gut health. (Remember: the gut and skin health are very closely linked.)

Like I said earlier, celery is having a moment, skincare-wise, which means you’ve got your pick of products that incorporate the stuff into their formulations. Given that it’s such a hydrating vegetable, it shouldn’t surprise you that one of the best ways to use it topically is via a moisturizer or mask — something that spends a lot of time in direct contact with your skin.

Luckily, APTO Skincare is fully aware of celery’s skin benefits and has already harnessed its power in two forms. Their Celery Juice Mask relies on the vegetable’s vitamin K to calm sensitive skin and redness, leaving behind repaired, nourished skin. Follow it up with the Celery Juice Day Lotion — an antioxidant-rich, free radical-fighting moisturizer — and you’re sure to be a celery convert in no time.