Feijoa ~ Pineapple Guava is a Dual‑Use Botanical at Skyezone!
One Fruit, Two Beautiful Purposes.
Our whole‑fruit Feijoa Powder nourishes from the inside, tastes like a chewable Vitamin C tablet, and supports the skin from the outside. Organically grown and multifunctional. Here's the story...
Feijoa sellowiana is known commonly as Pineapple Guava
Feijoas fall to the ground at their peak nutritional value in late autumn. What can you do with a crop that falls almost all at once and if left for a few days become a haven for tiny dresophilla flies! So we’ve been drying and milling them into a whole‑fruit powder to use throughout the year. Rich in vitamin C, prebiotic fibre, natural antioxidants, and emerging research suggests potential activity against prostate, bowel, and gastric cancer cells. * View Pubmed research papers below.
But something interesting happened during testing:
the same powder that works beautifully in food also performs beautifully in skincare. Bingo, a dual‑use botanical.
Why Feijoa Works Inside and Out
Feijoa skin and flesh contain a unique combination of:
- polyphenols (catechins, quercetin, ellagic acid)
- prebiotic fibres (pectin + oligosaccharides)
- vitamin C
- gentle fruit acids
- aromatic antimicrobial compounds
Internally, these support gut health, immunity, and antioxidant defence.
Topically, they offer gentle exfoliation, microbiome support, and environmental protection. ( More detail re: prebiotics below)
How We’re Using It in Skincare
1. As a mask ingredient
This is the simplest and most effective use.
The powder blends beautifully with bentonite, kaolin, oat flour, or rice powder to create:
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- a gentle exfoliating polish
- an antioxidant mask
- a microbiome‑friendly treatment
- Just add water or hydrosol at use‑time.
2. As a hydrosol infusion
Steeping the powder in a hydrosol, like yarrow or chamomile extracts its polyphenols and vitamin C, boosting:
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- brightness
- antioxidant activity
- skin‑microbiome balance
- toners and mists
This means we now have:
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- a dual‑purpose botanical with nutritional and topical value
- a grown-on-site, zero waste, small‑batch ingredient
- a powerful and tasty addition to our household nutrition all year.
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Click to see our Feijoa Powder
Want to know more about Prebiotic Support & Anti Cancer
1.Pectin is one of feijoa’s major prebiotic fibres. It:
- feeds Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus
- helps produce short‑chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate
- supports gut lining integrity
- helps regulate digestion and stool consistency
Pectin is also soothing to the gut — gentle, non‑irritating, and ideal for daily use.
2. Oligosaccharides (Natural Prebiotic Sugars)
Feijoa contains oligosaccharides, which act as selective food for beneficial microbes.
These compounds:
- increase microbial diversity
- help crowd out harmful bacteria
- support immune function through the gut–immune axis
- They’re one of the reasons feijoa is considered a functional digestive fruit.
3. Polyphenols as Prebiotic Modulators
Feijoa’s polyphenols, especially in the skin, behave like prebiotic modulators.
They don’t just feed microbes; they shape the microbiome by:
- encouraging growth of beneficial species
- reducing inflammatory or pathogenic strains
- supporting antioxidant activity inside the gut
- This is why whole‑fruit powders outperform isolated fibre supplements.
4. Feijoa Skin - Prebiotic Powerhouse
Because our powder includes the skin, it contains:
- higher fibre
- higher polyphenols
- higher flavonoids
- more antimicrobial plant compounds
This combination supports a balanced gut environment and helps maintain digestive comfort.
5. Gentle, Daily Digestive Support
Feijoa’s prebiotic profile is:
- gentle (no bloating like inulin can cause)
- slow‑release
- well‑tolerated
- suitable for daily use
- Just 1/4 up to a max of 1/2 teaspoon per day, is enough to support gut health without overwhelming the system.
*PubMed RESEARCH
Reference List
1. Phenolic extracts from feijoa flesh, peel, and whole fruit (prostate cancer study)
(Study by Zhang J et al., Journal of Functional Foods, 2022)
2. Feijoa‑derived flavone as a natural HDAC inhibitor
(Study by Bontempo P et al., Int J Biochem Cell Biol, 2007)
3. Acetonic extract of Feijoa induces apoptosis in gastric cancer cells
“Acetonic extract Feijoa sellowiana induces apoptosis gastric cancer Ebrahimzadeh 2020”
(Study by Ebrahimzadeh MA et al., Avicenna J Phytomed, 2020)
4. Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of feijoa peel, flesh, and whole fruit
(Study by Weston RJ, Food Chemistry, 2019)
Published May 2026
By Jennifer at Skyezone Botanicals