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Sea moss, also known as Irish moss, purple sea moss, or Chondrus crispus, is taking a turn in the limelight of the health and wellness community – and rightfully so. This edible seaweed is packed with 92 of the 102 nutrients the human body needs to function best. Sea moss is commonly taken for its rich nutrient profile, including high amounts of vitamins, trace minerals, antioxidants and iodine. It is touted for its ability to aid weight loss, support thyroid function, promote heart and gut health, boost immunity, improve blood sugar levels, and enhance fertility. You can read all about the research behind sea moss and these benefits in the article linked below:
One benefit not discussed in the above post is sea moss gel for skin health. So, is sea moss good for your skin? The goal of this article is to answer this question and provide some different options for how to use sea moss for skin.
What Is Irish Sea Moss?
Irish Sea Moss is an edible seaweed that has been used by humans for almost 14,000 years for its nutritional and medicinal benefits. This wildcrafted moss can be found growing naturally on the rocky shores of Ireland, and the coasts of Europe and Canada. It comes in a variety of colors including gold, red, and purple. For a complete guide to wildcrafted irish sea moss, read the article linked here:
What Is Sea Moss Gel?
Wild sea moss is usually taken in supplement form. Purple sea moss supplements come raw, as an already made gel or powder, or in capsule or gummy form. Raw purple sea moss is a dehydrated version of the raw seaweed. While you can eat the moss as is, it is not preferred. Rather, it should be soaked and made into a gel for a much easier and much more enjoyable consumption experience. You can follow our five foolproof steps to make your own sea moss gel here:
What Does Sea Moss Do For Your Skin?
Wonders! Sea moss does wonders for your skin. Here are 5 aspects of this underwater delicacy that make sea moss for skin the move you should take to level up your skincare:
Carrageenan:
Sea moss contains natural polysaccharides called Carrageenans. Carrageenans are unique for having thickening, gelling, emulsifying, and stabilizing properties which is why they are used in 20% of pharmacy, skin care, and cosmetics products. If you see, “Chondrus crispus” on your skincare label, then you know it contains this magical seaweed!
In addition to these properties, in studies, carrageenan has also shown potential antioxidant activities which we know fight and eliminate free radicals. Further, carrageenan also positively impacts the inflammatory response through its anti-photoaging activity (1).
The term anti-photoaging, if you are not familiar with it, refers to the cumulative detrimental effects (such as wrinkles or dark spots) on skin that result from long-term exposure to sunlight and especially ultraviolet light – so it is a fantastic property to have when thinking about skin health long-term.
Sulfur:
Sea moss is naturally high in sulfur. Sulfur has antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties that help balance the skin microbiome. High amounts of sulfur have also been shown to reduce excessive sebum, or oil production from the skin (2). This, plus its antibacterial activity, can aid in reducing the severity of acne in people who suffer from this skin condition.
Vitamins & Minerals:
In addition to sulfur, sea moss also contains, but is not limited to, calcium, magnesium, potassium, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and vitamin K – all of which are known to help reduce wrinkles, put moisture back into the skin, and defend against environmental factors and free radicals.
Specifically, vitamin A and omega-3 fatty acids, which are thought by experts to be lacking in the average American diet, both contain anti-inflammatory properties essential to healthy skin. In the end, all of these naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that can be derived though the use of sea moss are beneficial to overall health and work to help heal the skin from the inside out.
Non-comedogenic:
Moisture, your skin loves it! But not when it clogs your pores. Luckily, cmoss is a non-comedogenic, meaning it does not block pores. This helps moisturize deeper promoting healthy, hydrated, and supple skin.
Safety:
In a world where we are constantly discovering hormone disruptors, toxic chemicals and ingredients in our favorite everyday products, sea moss is becoming an extremely attractive tool to use in your skincare routine. The natural polysaccharides in carrageenan plus the trace minerals and vitamins pose numerous advantages over other bioactive substances – they are safer, have non-toxic properties, and come directly from nature.
So, is sea moss good for your skin? I think the answer is clear, and that answer is YES!
How To Use Sea Moss Gel For Skin
Now that we know the sea moss benefits for skin, let’s explore some different ways you can experience the benefits of purple sea moss for skin at home. You might be wondering if consuming irish moss is the only way to benefit, or if you can put sea moss on face skin, too. We’ll answer that question and more as we explore four different ways you can utilize sea moss to reap your own skin beautifying benefits!
Just Sea Moss
One of the advantages to using sea moss gel as opposed to powder, capsules, or gummies is the ability to use the product topically, directly on the skin.
But, can you put sea moss on your face? Yes, you absolutely can.
It is a best practice, however, to first apply a small bit of sea moss gel to your skin (your arm or thigh are good test spots), then observe the area periodically looking for ill reactions of any kind before applying the gel to your face.
Additionally, you may consider speaking with your dermatologist to make sure this is something that will be safe for you and your unique skin type.
This brings us to the first and possibly the easiest way to begin your natural skincare journey – applying sea moss gel directly to your skin, no other ingredients necessary.
Start by cleaning your face, then apply a thin laying of sea moss gel and set your timer. You can leave the gel on for up to 20 minutes. During that time, your skin willy soak in all of those fantastic antibacterial, moisturizing, and anti-photoaging qualities. Finally, rinse with water and finish with your preferred moisturizer to lock everything in.
Homemade Sea Moss Gel Face Masks
The second method you can use to reap sea moss gel benefits for skin is making your own homemade sea moss gel face masks. This simply involves combing different ingredients with your sea moss gel that also promote skin health.
Some ingredients commonly found in these types of DIY masks are aloe vera, turmeric, honey, coconut oil, avocado, and yogurt. Soon, we will post a list of different sea moss gel face mask recipes to try and link it here, but for now, you can easily find DIY face mask recipes online.
Add To Other Products
Another simple way to use sea moss in your skincare routine is to mix a small amount of your cmoss gel with your daily/nighty moisturizer or sunscreen before applying like you normally would.
Ingestion
Last but not least, ingesting sea moss by mouth can help promote healthy skin from the inside out. For this method, you can take purple sea moss capsules, gummies or take 2 Tbsp of your gel, daily. The best part about consuming sea moss this way, is that your whole body gets to share in the full spectrum of potential benefits that sea moss has to offer. If you are taking by mouth, you can still use the product on your skin as part of your daily skincare routine – almost like a two for one!
Conclusion
The benefits of sea moss for skin are numerous. Thanks to the naturally occurring carrageenan, high amounts of sulfur, vitamins and trace minerals, your skin gets the extra help it needs to fight free radicals, balance the skin microbiome, and reduce wrinkles and inflammation in a safe, chemical-free and non-comedogenic fashion. You may choose from applying sea moss gel directly on your skin, to making your own face masks, mixing with your daily moisturizer, or taking internally. Whichever method you choose, your skin will thank you!
Medical Disclaimer
Please speak with your doctor or other licensed healthcare professional before beginning any new supplement including Irish Sea Moss. None of the content on this site is or should be considered medical advice. The purpose of this article is simply to highlight relevant research for those curious about the potential benefits of consuming Irish Sea Moss.
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