Spirulina Skin Care

August 1, 2019 | by Aurora Solis

Super Greens for Skin Health

Fitting greens into our diet seems to become easier and more accessible every year. From green smoothies and juices to powders and plant-based comfort foods, eating veggies is no longer a burden on our taste buds. Greens are full of beneficial vitamins and minerals. And as it turns out, they are just as good for outer beauty and health as they are for inner health and wellness. Greens are making their way into skin care and body care products through way of the latest trending superfood: Spirulina. Let’s uncover the what, why and how of spirulina skin care.

What is Spirulina?

Spirulina is a natural organism that grows in fresh and salt water. In fact, spirulina is likely one of the oldest forms of life on Earth! Also known as blue-green algae, spirulina is a cyanobacterium that is safe to be consumed by humans. The term Spirulina refers to the dried biomass of A. platensis, a particular species of cyanobacteria. Spirulina is mainly found in Africa, but is also found in Asia. A close relative cyanobacterium, A. maxima, is found in California and Mexico.

“Spirulina is likely one of the oldest forms of life on Earth!”

Spirulina’s nutritional profile makes it one of today’s most popular superfoods. It contains healthy amounts of:

calcium
iron
magnesium
phosphorus
potassium
vitamin C
thaimin
riboflavin
niacin
folate
vitamin B6
vitamin A
vitamin K

Spirulina has also been shown to assist with weight loss, as it is a high-nutrient and low calorie food.

Studies suggest that spiraling may also assist in promoting gut health because of its easily digestible nature. It has also been shown to help lower blood sugar and improve liver enzyme markers in mice and to help lower cholesterol.

A small 2014 study showed that people who took six grams of spiraling daily experience beneficial metabolic effects and weight loss.

Spirulina in Skin Care

With its rich nutrient profile, spirulina may help enhance the overall appearance and radiance of skin. With vitamins, fatty acids and amino acids, spirulina helps:

decrease inflammation
tone the skin
encourage cellular turnover
detoxify

When taken both orally and applied topically to the skin, spirulina works best at promoting a healthy glow from within.

Spirulina is also rich in phytonutrients and carotenoids, antioxidants that help fight free radicals and protect the skin. Spirulina is especially effective at treating acne, as it helps reduce inflammation and increase the skin’s metabolism.

Spirulina Facial

Spirulina is making its way into cleansers, moisturizers and especially facial masks. When combined with other plant-based ingredients, spirulina makes for a deliciously green facial smoothie of vitamins and minerals to help brighten the skin and improve overall wellness.

Spirulina is popularly sold in powder form. Add it to clay and other powder based masks to add a superfood punch to any clarifying and brightening facial treatment. Also, look for spirulina in lightweight, oil-free moisturizers targeted towards oily skin and acne.