The very first skin care product line, which I have ever bought, was based on the seaweeds and sea minerals. I have already blissfully forgotten the name of the product but it left really good memories. That was my first experience of seaweed in skincare.
My first experience of seaweed in skincare
At that time my skin was a skin of a young girl, under 20 with impurities. After starting use of the series, the superficial roughness and impurities disappeared from my skin. My skin became easy to care and beautiful. I was whacked. Is this how cosmetics work? Why doesn’t everyone use this series and enjoy beautiful skin like mine?
I am afraid this smells little bit like advertisement. However, the experience I told is true. After that, I started to pay attention to seaweed and sea minerals in a whole new way. They seemed to fit my skin perfectly.
How to use seaweed in skincare
Now I want to open up also the world of seaweed and tell how you can use them in skincare. You can of course buy ready-made seaweed products like this. There are plenty of series available in natural cosmetic quality. However, I try to inspire you to try seaweed in DIY-cosmetics.
The use of seaweed in DIY-cosmetics is inspiring because you can influence so many things yourself. You can make different products for different purposes and use seaweed in all of them. Try to add seaweed to this sunflower cream. You can also add other marine ingredients to your products such as minerals, salt and the wonderful Dead Sea mud.
But the most challenging part is getting to know the countless varieties of seaweed and finding new features and uses in them. That’s why I am planning to write a comprehensive opus about seaweed. It is truly wonderful and versatile ingredient.
What kind of seaweed there are?
First, let’s get started on what kind of seaweed there are and what is available in stores and online. I will list all the minerals, vitamins and proteins seaweed contains.
By way of exception, I would also like to mention here the use of seaweed as a food. This is not a food blog and I am not about to create one. However, seaweeds are comparable to dietary supplements. If you really want to improve skin, nail and hair nutrition, you should definitely prepare seaweed dishes from time to time. Seaweed does not need to be used much. You can, for example, use it like spice in dishes.
Why seaweed is so superior?
Seaweed is rich in important minerals. Their mineral content is significantly higher than many land plants. Seaweed contains valuable proteins and vitamin B-12, which are very valuable for vegans. Many people currently have iodine deficiency. Using seaweed can effectively improve iodine intake. Seaweed in skincare is so superior.
- Seaweeds control inflammation of the skin
- Seaweeds absorb heavy metals and impurities
- The nutritional values of seaweed are unmatched
- Seaweed is well tolerated
- The skin and body are able to utilize seaweeds effectively
There are huge quantities of seaweed
A whole new world awaits you under the sea surface. Seaweeds are underwater vegetables and herbs. They are in the sea just as the dry land has different herbs and other plants. Some of the well-known seaweeds are generally on the market because they have been used as food in Asia.
Seaweeds used in cosmetics include, for example, seaweeds from the Laminaria group. The seaweed of the Laminaria group is large and leather-like seaweed. They are used to moisture in the skin, as well as to make the skin glow and beautiful. Seaweed can also help to improve the skin’s blood circulation and eliminate cellulite.
Find out what seaweed exist and what you can use for everything
I’ve listed below the best-known seaweeds. You can use all these seaweed in skincare. It is easier to use seaweed which are commonly available. Of course, all commonly known seaweed can be ordered online. If you do not find them in local online stores you will get them from abroad.
Edible seaweed
I added some tips how to use seaweed in cooking. When used as food, seaweed is incredibly rich in minerals and vitamins. Edible seaweed can also be used for skin- and haircare.
Nori
Everyone knows the Nori seaweed
Nori is used as food, more specifically in sushi and rice balls. Nori is perhaps the most common commercially exploited seaweed in the world. You can find nor seaweed easily.
Wakame
Wakame is well known because of miso-soups in Japanese restaurants. It has a mild taste and it is easy to use. Wakame is extremely high in iodine. Even so much that its use should be restricted. You can add dried wakame for example, to bread or soups.
In skincare, Wakame is one of the best. Unlike many other seaweeds, it is easy to obtain. Wakame is also very easy to use. You can just grind it into masks or make it a herbal infusion.
Wakame seaweed
- Moisturizes the skin
- Protects skin from sun and air pollution
- Works to prevent aging
- Soothes and removes redness from the skin
Kombu
Kombu seaweed is a very strong seaweed. It is used by the Japanese in cooking to facilitate digestion. Kombu seaweed gives Japanese vegetarian food a great umami flavor. Kombu seaweed is not eaten as such but is made into a tasty broth by soaking seaweed in water. Kombu should not be cooked, as it will become bitter and slimy.
Cosmetics manufacturers like Lush is using kombu. Lush appreciates the cleansing and soothing properties of the kombu. For home cosmetics, I recommend a Kombu bath.
Dulse (Palmaria palmata)
Dulse seaweed is dark reddish, like dried beets. Use dulce in chopped salad dressings or as a popcorn spice. Dulse sprinkled on top of eggs is also delicious. Dulse has been a snack food for fishermen in the English and Irish seas. It is rich in minerals and can be eaten without cooking. Fishermen use dulse especially in egg dishes but also in meat dishes. Dulse can also be used to make delicious chocolate.
Nutritional values / 100g
- Iron 33mg
- Potassium 1720mg
- Omega3 and omega6 fatty acids
- Vitamin B-12 6.6micrograms
- Proteins 21.5gr
• Additionally, dulse seaweed contains vitamins A and C, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, zinc, selenium and iodine
Dulse helps soothe the skin and treat skin inflammations such as eczema and acne.
Arame
Arame is very dark, almost black seaweed. Despite its color, Arame is perhaps the most mildly tasting seaweed. Dried it looks like loose black tea leaf. Use soaked, boiled Arame as a salad. Season with, for example, thyme strips, vinegar and a drop of sesame oil.
Arame is recommended for skin detox masks. Arame effectively removes impurities from the skin. It also moisturizes and brightens the skin.
The arame is sold dried as usually all seaweed. It is a good idea to rinse it before use and then soak it in cold water.
Seaweed suitable for the skin
Ascophyllum nodosum
Ascophyllum nodosum, also known as Norwegian Kelp is a very long-lived brown seaweed that is found in the North Atlantic. The Norwegian Kelp can live up to 400 years. Norwegian Kelp is used in skincare products and supplements. Norwegian Kelp helps improve skin color. It makes the skin ball and beautiful. Also in sun products, Norwegian Kelp is used to smooth out the color of the tan. Especially if your skin is sunburned or reddened otherwise it is a great help.
Norwegian Kelp is a highly nutritious seaweed. Its specialty is that it contains 70 different growth hormones. The growth hormone of Norwegian Kelp in agriculture helps the plants repair their own damages. Therefore, Norwegian Kelp is a very popular addition in fertilizers.
Thanks to its high amino acid content, seaweed is an effective anti-aging product. Seaweed amino acids help the skin to bulge and smooth out fine lines.
Rainbow seaweed, Iridaea Cordata
The surface of the rainbow seaweed shines wet in different colors of the rainbow. That gives the name. Rainbow seaweed contains high amounts of proteins, iodine, zinc, iron, vitamins A, E, and C, as well as vitamin B1, sodium, calcium and magnesium.
Rainbow seaweed is the best seaweed for seaweed baths. Its minerals and vitamins nourish the skin as they are able to dissolve in bath water. Rainbow seaweed is very effective moisturizer for the skin.
You can also add powdered rainbow seaweed to facial masks, moisturizers and serums. In facial masks, the dosage is pretty much free. For products to be left on the skin, I recommend a dosage of up to 5%.
The bladder wrack or Fucus Evanescens
Bladder wrack growing on the beach, underwater cliffs is a popular skincare product. The bladder wrack lives in tidal areas, so it is part of the time on completely dry land before being submerged again. The bladder wrack is huge in size. It is a very common seaweed. Bladder wrack has been used extensively in herbal medicine. It was once the only hope for tuberculosis in some areas.
The bladder wrack is an edible seaweed. It is commonly used to thicken soups.
Bladder wrack is high in iodine, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, iron, potassium, lysine, antioxidants, vitamins such as A, C, E, and K. It also contains substances such as algin, mannitol, mucus and fucoidan. Due to the huge variety of different active ingredients, bladder wrack has become everyone’s favorite.
The bladder wrack is super moisturizing to the skin. It treats irritated skin and balances skin color. Flucoidan is one of the most effective ingredients in the fight against redness of the skin. The bladder wrack contains this compound.
The bladder wrack also removes toxins from the skin. You can combine bladder wrack with various clays or peat for an effective detox mask.
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, bladder wrack can be used for sunburns and for the treatment of insect stings.
Irish Moss aka Chondrus Crispus
Irish Moss is a seaweed that everyone has eaten unknowingly. It is the source of the food additive E 407, or carrageenan. Carrageenan is used in foods starting from whipped cream and other liquid products. It is a thickener that has no nutritional value. It passes through the body without being absorbed. Carrageenan is generally well tolerated. It can also be used as a thickener in cosmetic products.
Because carrageenan is herbal, it also works as a cosmetic thickener for vegans.
Here was a pretty quick cross-section of seaweeds that you can use in DIY- cosmetics and also add to natural cosmetics products. Seaweed in skincare is easy to use.
Seaweed has been very dear to me for years. That’s why I wanted to tell you about them. Seaweed in skincare are superior.
Thank you for being involved and reading about the wonderful features of seaweed. I really hope you try them out in some form.
Have you already tried seaweed? Which seaweed did you choose and how did it go?
Please, tell me about your experiences!