You might initially find the idea of slathering moss on your skin weird but sea moss has often been consumed for its health benefits, especially in the Caribbean and Irish cultures. This little-known beautifying ingredient has been around for a long time.
In modern formulations, you’ll find it often combined with other superfoods like spirulina, chlorella, kelp, wakame, and nori.
There are many claims surrounding this wonder weed's health benefits. Fitness enthusiasts claim that incorporating sea moss gel in a smoothie can boost immunity, improve skin health, and strengthen joints. It’s also applied topically because of its anti-aging properties.
Others believe it to be a great supplement for reducing inflammation and improving health concerns like low libido. Because of its wide range of benefits, some consider it a cure-all. Indeed, sea moss’ reputation makes it a compelling superfood to try.
In this article, we look at the amazing benefits of sea moss.
A Quick Look At Sea Moss
Otherwise known as Irish moss, sea moss is a kind of Seawood that is rich in vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the hair and skin. In Irish culture, dried sea moss is consumed in salads or boiled in warm milk. The consumption of sea moss in the Irish diet goes as far back as the 19th century.
It’s also the key ingredient in the famous Jamaican Irish Moss Drink, which consists of sea moss, nutmeg, cinnamon, vanilla, and coconut or dairy milk. Yum! The drink is said to be an aphrodisiac, a claim that is probably linked to sea moss’ libido-enhancing properties.
Sea moss can be ingested in many forms such as:
Found on the Atlantic coasts near the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, sea moss is an alga that grows in a variety of colors like green, yellow, red, purple, and black. The reason why sea moss is very popular among health enthusiasts and natural wellness advocates is because of its high vitamin and mineral content.
Some of the vitamins and minerals found in sea moss are:
Calcium
Magnesium
Potassium
Chromium
Zinc
Iron
Vitamin A
Vitamin B2
Vitamin B12
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Omega 3
Omega 6
Benefits of Sea Moss for Skin and Hair
Sea moss is used to address various skin concerns such as dermatitis, eczema, burns, and psoriasis, among others. It’s also hailed as a nutritive treatment for hair, and can be used to aid healthy hair growth.
Some of the other benefits of sea moss gel for the skin and hair are:
1. Hydrates and Exfoliates the Skin
Because sea moss contains sulfur, it can be used as a face mask or exfoliant for deep cleansing one to two times a week. It also contains nutrients such as magnesium, calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin K which are known to aid healthy function and promote hydration in the skin.
Because it’s deeply hydrating, sea moss gel can be used to retain skin moisture over harsh winter months as well as prevent skin aging due to harsh sun exposure.
2. Reduces Inflammation and Treats Acne
The sulfur content in sea moss also reduces bacteria and excess sebum on the skin. This makes it helpful for treating acne, particularly for those who have oily, acne-prone complexions.
Meanwhile, its vitamin A and omega 3 content help reduce skin inflammation. This can be especially useful in treating inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis.
Sea moss has great antibacterial, antiviral, and antimicrobial properties, making it an excellent option for people dealing with acne. Because of its hydrocolloid composition, it also helps promote wound healing by retaining healing fluids over the wound. As such, it can reduce the appearance of scars.
3. Reduces Wrinkles and Fine Lines
Sea moss is incredibly effective in reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles thanks to its high vitamin C content. Alongside its deeply hydrating properties, sea moss improves skin elasticity and helps encourage the production of collagen in the skin.
During extreme weather conditions, sea moss can help soothe the skin by alleviating irritation and reducing the damage caused by extreme dryness.
4. Promotes Hair Growth
Stress can accelerate hair loss. Thankfully, the vitamin E content in sea moss has proven effective in combating oxidative stress. This condition is largely caused by nutritional imbalance, injury, genetic disorders, chemical exposure, and more. Experts say that oxidative stress contributes to hair aging, specifically graying and hair loss.
Because of this, sea moss can be used as a topical hair treatment to combat hair aging and promote healthy hair growth. The vitamin E in sea moss acts as a protective compound that shields the cells from damage caused by oxidative stress while its other components retain moisture and nourishment in the hair.
5. Deeply Conditions Dull, Dry Hair
Sea moss can be used as a daily conditioner or as a deep conditioning treatment for the hair. It can leave hair smooth, nourished, and manageable because of its deeply moisturizing properties.
The gel benefits of sea moss gel include revitalizing dry and dull hair that has been damaged by coloring, bleaching, and heat styling. Simply apply it as a leave-in conditioner, or use it as a serum before styling to help lock in moisture and enhance shine.
6. Strengthens Hair Against Breakage
Hair fall and breakage can be reduced by applying sea moss gel. The vitamin E in sea moss combats hair aging and helps stimulate hair growth by moisturizing and nourishing the scalp.
The rich nutrients in sea moss also strengthen hair strands to help reduce breakage and shedding, allowing you to achieve thick hair with volume. It’s also great for maintaining natural curls because of the way it holds onto moisture and retains your hair’s natural bounce.
7. Detoxifies and Moisturizes the Scalp
Because of its antioxidant properties, sea moss can remove build-up and toxins in the scalp, hindering hair growth and dulling hair. It also eliminates the presence of harmful bacteria and fungi that cause dandruff.
Vitamin A in sea moss encourages adequate sebum production which maintains healthy levels of moisture in the scalp to avoid itching and irritation.
Where to Find Quality Sea Moss Products
Chalises Heavenly Inspired has an excellent line of skincare products and supplements that use sea moss and other natural ingredients. Chalises carries a wide range of sea moss products, like:
Body butter and skin creams
Soaps and body washes
Skincare serums and lotions
Plain sea moss gel and with fruit or herbal supplements
Smoothies and freeze pops
Sea moss gummies and capsules
Visit our website to shop for a wide range of all-natural, all-organic skincare essentials and supplements.
References and Citations:
Chalises Heavenly Inspired. Shop. Chalises Heavenly Inspired. (n.d.). Retrieved January
8, 2022, from https://www.chalises.com/
Comments