If you have or have had a Tik Tok account you know what Sea Moss Gel is, but do you know what it can do for you?
Sea Moss has a long list of benefits that are good for your skin and other aspects of your health. Some benefits involve eating the gel while others can be used topically. Whether you are open to eating the often expensive or you are trying to figure out if buying skincare with it is worth the hype, we are ready to break down the skin benefits of Sea Moss Gel.
So.. What is Sea Moss?
Sea moss gel is also known under the names Irish Moss or Red Seaweed. It is a type of seaweed that grows year-round in tidepools and inlets. It is often harvested in New England and used as a gelatin-like (did you know gelatin is not vegan and is very common in marshmallows!) substance used in baked goods or cosmetics.
Sea Moss is famously known as a skincare powerhouse due to its high mineral and vitamin content. Some of the great benefits of sea moss are:
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Chromium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Iron
- Iodine
Many choose to use Sea Moss as a daily vitamin and take it by the spoonful or use it in smoothies due to its salty taste.
What Does it Taste Like?
Sea Moss Gel has a thick, slimy texture and tastes similar to what we could imagine the ocean would taste. It can be salty and earthy. If seafood-like tastes do not sit well with you, sea moss might be harder to ingest by a spoonful. That being said, some say that high-quality sea moss does not have a strong taste.
When put into smoothies the saltiness still can come through, but more as a hint instead of at full force. We are not discussing the overall health benefits of eating sea moss, just the skin benefits!
The Benefits
- Moisture
Sea moss gel has been compared to hyaluronic acid when it comes to retaining moisture, which can be found in our Vegan Collagen Boosting Blends. Due to its high amount of polysaccharides, the very thick gel can give off a film over the skin that can help keep moisture in.
This quality of Sea Moss is what is helpful for it to be in moisturizers and serums (and even some hair care products). Using it helps thicken the product while it has been linked to helping skin and hair retain moisture.
- Anti-Inflammatory
The gel has a high concentration of zinc and sulfur which gives it powerful anti-inflammatory properties. This can help aid any dry skin concerns you may have. It also has a lot of our essential micronutrients and fatty acids which could aid eczema, psoriasis, and sunburned skin.
You can use the gel straight on your skin or you can choose a cream that has the all-in-one ingredient as a daily treatment.
- Skin Barrier
As we discussed before, sea moss can leave a film over the skin to help support moisture retainment. The film is similar in molecular structure to your skin’s proteins which is what makes it potentially helpful to protect your skin from outside elements during the day.
- Balance Oil
The levels of sulfur in sea moss also can help skin with excess oil that is due to an overproduction of sebum. It has been linked to helping bring balance to your skin due to its moisture and protecting benefits.
- Maintain Complexion
Another great piece of sea moss is that it is found to be non-comedogenic, which means that the ingredient of sea moss in your skincare or alone will not clog your pores. The minerals found in sea moss can benefit a healthy complexion and give you what we like to call the #CopinaCoGlow.
It also has antibacterial properties that have been linked to helping guard your skin health which helps maintain a healthy and glowing complexion for longer.
- Acne
Due to its non-comedogenic and hydrating qualities, sea moss can support keeping acne and blemishes at bay. Its antibacterial quality of it also can help keep pores clean and clear.
- Elasticity and Plump-ness
Sea moss can help defend skin stressors that will help improve your skin’s elasticity and firmness over time. This is why some choose to go beyond the skincare ingredients and use them in their daily diet. Some find it in gel form or use it in a powder to add to their smoothies or meals.
Small note: Doing a patch test when trying a new product or ingredient is always the safest way to go. Some say if you have a sensitive skin type, you might experience some irritation from sea moss, especially if it is in a DIY mask and not a store-bought one.
How You Can Add it Into your Routine
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On its Own
You can pretty much use sea moss on its own and reap all the benefits. All you have to do is apply it to a clean face and allow it to soak into your skin for 15-20 minutes. Afterward, rinse the thin layer off your face and apply a moisturizer.
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In Masks
We personally love a DIY face mask, and sea moss would be a great addition to any of the recipes we have on our website. Some ideas for good additives for a face mask are:
- Avocado
- Aloe vera
- Turmeric
- Honey
- Yogurt
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Other Products
Sea moss in your everyday skincare regimen is great to get the added benefits without having to just buy the gel. We do not have any specific brands we recommend with sea moss incorporated into their products, but if you do let us know on our Instagram or Tik Tok!
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Eat It!
Another way to get some benefits from sea moss gel is to add it to your meals or to take it as a daily vitamin. You can add it to a smoothie, check out our favorite skin-centered smoothie recipes to add your sea moss to!
When we found out about the benefits of sea moss we could not wait to see how it could also benefit our hair and skin. Our Collagen Boosting blends also help lock in moisture and help keep skin plump and elastic, we love finding extra ways to keep our skin happy and healthy.
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