Here at Glow & Green, I have been all about green lately (obviously...duh). Today, I want to bring back the “Ingredient Spotlight” series. And today I will talk about Spirulina. (check out more ingredient spotlights: here).
Whether you’ve heard about it before or not, spirulina is a genuine, bona fide superfood. But despite it not being well known, it’s certainly not new. Thanks to Formula Botanica’s robust diploma program, I was able to find this amazing ingredient for use in macerated oil. But then, I went into more in-depth research and found out all about its amazing properties. Today we will talk about what spirulina is along with its benefits as well as how to use it in DIY natural skin care.
Spirulina is a blue color microalga that grows naturally in oceans and salty lakes in subtropical climates. Spirulina grows in tiny spirals, which tend to stick together, making it easy to harvest. It has an intense blue-green color, but a relatively mild taste. Aside from supplements, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows manufacturers to use spirulina as a color additive in gum, candy, and other packaged foods. (Reference: live science.com)
So, now we know more or less what spirulina is. Let’s break down the benefits of this natural skincare ingredient:
Benefits:
Spirulina offers detoxifying, purifying, and exfoliating benefits. Spirulina contains vitamin E, selenium, and tyrosine, which contributes to its powerful anti-aging effects. It helps eliminate free radicals and slows down the aging of the skin cells. However, by applying this ingredient with oat flour, it can also act as a beautiful cleanser. Spirulina also contains chlorophyll, which has cleansing properties, and it also helps your skin retain moisture.
Indeed, this ingredient works well for dull and tired-looking skin. There are a few spirulina pills available on the market, which you can consume orally. Spirulina can cleanse your system internally. With its high content of calcium, iron, phosphorus, and vitamins A, B-12, and E, spirulina works overtime to fight free radicals to purify your system. In the longer term, it helps to restore
Spirulina enables faster cell turnover, which helps your skin heal faster. As we all know, increasing your skin’s metabolism is key to maintaining a consistent healthy glow. With fast cell turnover, you’re naturally shedding those dry skin cells that make your skin appear sallow and dull.
This ingredient is not just right for the skin, it is also an excellent ingredient for the hair. That’s why spirulina is used in various hair masks and hair mists to treat hair loss and dandruff, and to promote hair growth.
I want to finish up this blog post with a simple and easy face mask, as I haven’t published any recipes for a long time!
Spirulina Almond Face Mask: (Great for mature skin types)
1 tbsp Spirulina Powder
2 tsp Bentonite Clay
1-1/2 tbsp Almond Oil
1 Vitamin E Capsule
Recipe: First mix the powders together. Now add almond oil & vitamin E until it has a smooth paste-like consistency. Apply this facemask once a week. It is excellent for mature, dull, and tired skin. This face mask will promote glow on your skin.
Shelf life: For immediate use!
Let us know if you tried this face mask!
Till then, Ciao!