As many of us know, seaweed is often touted for its incredible health benefits through a variety of edible sea vegetables. Whether associated with sushi and other delicious recipes, or kelp powder for weight loss, pet food, or fertilizer for the garden. But what about the benefits of seaweed for skin?
For as long as humans have existed, we have looked to and headed to the sea as a way to take care of ourselves. In fact, there is even a word for using seawater for therapeutic reasons - Thalassotherapy. It’s not shocking then, that seaweed has been long associated with beauty and skin health, and used as a natural remedy for various skin conditions. It is said that those in Ancient China looked to the benefits of seaweed for skin to treat burns, and in the 1950’s, seaweed skincare became popular among the Hollywood elite through seaweed baths to improve complexion.
Marine algaes both micro and macro have been used for millennia, and for good reason. Many seaweeds offer numerous benefits for your skin, and modern research has only confirmed its effectiveness in improving skin quality. To this day, there is less known about the depths of the ocean than the surface of the moon, so there is still plenty of room to discover innovative ingredients from under the sea. In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of seaweed for skin that we know about today.
seaweed helps reduce the appearance of lines & wrinkles
Some seaweeds are a cocktail of wrinkle fighters. One of the key benefits of seaweed for skin is its high antioxidant content. Seaweed is rich in antioxidants, which can help protect your skin from oxidative stress and premature aging. Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage skin cells and lead to premature aging. Vitamins C & E are two key antioxidants found in marine algae that can provide some major benefits to the skin. Vitamin C helps to brighten and even out skin tone, while also promoting collagen production for a firmer, more youthful appearance. Vitamin E, on the other hand, helps to hydrate and soothe the skin, while also providing protection from harmful UV rays. You can help protect your skin from environmental damage and maintain a healthy, youthful glow by creating a seaweed skincare routine.
seaweed calms & controls irritation and inflammation
Fighting wrinkles? The benefits of seaweed for skin doesn’t stop there. Seaweed also is a powerhouse for redness and irritation. Inflammation is a common underlying factor in many skin conditions, however due to seaweed's high concentration of natural minerals and vitamins, it has been found to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties giving it the ability to nourish and hydrate the skin, while at the same time reducing inflammation and redness. This property makes seaweed a great added ingredient to any skincare routine, but especially for those with sensitive or acne-prone skin, as it can help soothe and calm irritated, reactive skin and prevent breakouts, and simultaneously provide a boost of essential nutrients, leaving skin looking and feeling healthier and more radiant. Fucoidan, a long chain polysaccharide found in most brown seaweeds, has been touted in over 2000 studies for its benefits as an anti-inflammatory for the skin, gut health, and beyond. Up your seaweed skincare routine by adding our unbelievably relaxing Rose Seaweed Bath Soak to soothe the skin. While seaweed calms the skin, rose works to regenerate skin tissue.
seaweed hydrates and plumps
Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. For some of us, keeping this in mind is one of the simplest ways to take care of our skin, whether it means drinking more water or using a variety of creams and moisturizers - especially during dry seasons. However, our beloved marine algae can help us with this too, as they contain several natural compounds, vitamins, minerals and amino acids that can help your skin restore and retain moisture, such as hyaluronic acid and alginate. These compounds can help plump up your skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Seaweed is particularly effective at boosting the skin's natural moisture barrier, which can help to prevent moisture loss and keep the skin looking and feeling soft and supple. Microalgae also contains a compound called alguronic acid, which has been found to boost cell regeneration and improve skin elasticity, leading to a more youthful and radiant appearance. By incorporating seaweed into your skincare routine, you can help to improve your skin's hydration levels and maintain a healthy, glowing complexion. There is no better way to hydrate & get the benefits of seaweed for skin than soaking in a hot tub of our Traditional Seaweed Bath Soak. It’s a therapeutic treatment that does wonders for the skin, body, and mind.
seaweed firms & tightens
If you’re not already on board, we’ve got another one for you. As we age, our skin loses its elasticity and becomes less firm. Seaweed can help improve skin elasticity by boosting collagen production, making it a popular ingredient in anti-aging skincare products. This is due in part to the high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids found in seaweed, which can help to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity. Collagen, a huge benefit of seaweed for skin, is a protein that gives the skin its firmness and structure, but production of collagen declines as we age, leading to a loss of firmness and the development of wrinkles and fine lines.
seaweed exfoliates and purifies
Seaweed really is the superhero in our story, because the benefits of seaweed for skin don’t stop there. Seaweed is a natural, gentle, but efficient deep-cleansing ingredient and exfoliant that can help to remove dead skin cells and impurities from the skin's surface. That’s why we use it in our Kelp & Sea Salt Body Scrub, the perfect way to start or end any day. Plus, as we’ve mentioned (and we will say it again), seaweed is a rich source of vitamins and minerals. But, we haven’t yet discussed its high concentration of vitamin A, vitamin B12, and iodine. All of these nutrients can help improve skin texture, reduce roughness, and promote a smoother, brighter, more even complexion.
Today, it’s not hard to incorporate this abundant gift from our ocean into your seaweed skincare routine. There are many seaweed skincare products on the market that have some form of marine algae, such as cleansers, toners, and masks. Some contain seaweed extracts as an active ingredient. You can also use seaweed powder or Organic Kelp Flakes like the ones we have in our seaweed shop to make your own homemade skincare products. You can also help provide your skin with the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and radiant, by reaping the benefits of seaweed for skin through your diet by adding seaweed, either by eating seaweed snacks or incorporating it into your meals.