Maca Root

(Lepidium meyenii)

White bowl filled with ground maca root powder next to whole maca roots on a light wooden surface

What It Is

Maca root is a Peruvian tuber traditionally cultivated in the high Andes and enjoyed as a whole food for nourishment, vitality, and resilience. It contains a unique profile of naturally occurring compounds, including macamides, macaenes, glucosinolates, and polyphenols, which contribute to its long-standing use in food-based contexts.

Why It’s Used in Functional Foods

Maca root is included in functional foods for its role in supporting the body’s natural balance, particularly in relation to hormonal signalling, stress response, and metabolic steadiness. These internal processes can influence how the skin responds and adapts over time.

Rather than acting as a source of hormones, maca is considered an adaptogenic food, meaning it supports the body’s own capacity to regulate its endocrine responses.

How It Supports the Body

Research has explored maca root in relation to several interconnected systems. This includes its involvement in endocrine regulation, support of stress and energy balance, and interaction with inflammatory and oxidative pathways that influence overall tissue health.

These effects are understood to occur through support of signalling pathways and the hypothalamic–pituitary axis, rather than through direct hormonal activity.

Skin & Hormonal Balance Support

Hormonal shifts can influence skin tone, texture, oil production, and clarity. Maca’s role in supporting hormonal balance makes it a relevant ingredient in skin-focused formulations, particularly where skin is responsive to stress or cyclical change.

Research suggests maca may help support balanced hormonal signalling and inflammatory processes that influence skin behaviour, contributing to a more even-looking complexion and overall skin resilience during periods of hormonal fluctuation.

By supporting internal balance, maca contributes indirectly to steadier skin function over time.

Who It’s Commonly Chosen By

Maca root is often chosen by people looking to support hormonally influenced skin changes, stress-related skin shifts, and overall vitality. It is commonly selected by those seeking a holistic approach to skin health that considers endocrine support alongside nutrition.

Important Context

Maca is used in functional foods as a whole-food ingredient that supports normal hormonal and metabolic processes. Its role is influenced by consistency of intake, individual physiology, and overall dietary context. Research helps describe how maca’s compounds interact within biological systems, rather than predict specific outcomes.

This ingredient is shared for educational purposes, to support understanding of maca as part of a balanced, whole-food approach to skin nourishment.

Research references

For those who wish to explore the research context further

Supplamize context

Maca Root can be selected as an optional active in certain Supplamize blends, including: