Calling all beauty gurus! If you've been wondering if there's something more out there that could add a little glow and health to your skin, look no further than the marine kingdom. Sea kelp skin benefits are a real thing and if you want to know everything about sea kelp, you should turn your focus to the depths of the sea where it's born.
What is kelp good for?
Kelp is a large, brown seaweed that forms underwater forests, providing a habitat and a nutritious, sustainable source of nutrients for marine life. However, lately, sea kelp has been praised for its amazing skincare benefits.
From a nutritional standpoint, kelp is loaded with minerals such as iodine, iron, magnesium, calcium, and vitamins A and B12. And that's just the beginning! Popular for its antioxidant properties, sea kelp is also used to help fight signs of aging and achieve beautiful skin. Indeed, you can find sea kelp in many natural facial creams and lotions available today - perfect for giving your skin some ocean-inspired nourishment.
Pros & Cons of using sea kelp for skin
Pros
- Contains antioxidant properties, which help to protect skin from UVA rays, daily pollution, free radicals, to maintain skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles, besides other environmental stressors.
- It is an excellent nutrient and moisturizer for dry skin
- Detoxifies and purifies skin cells for a refined look
- Increases oxygen in the skin, helping with rejuvenation.
- It has exfoliating qualities that remove toxins and dead skin cells.
- Kelp is an anti-inflammatory that helps reduce redness and irritation caused by dryness.
- Helps to clear your acne and unclog your pores.
Cons
- It may cause allergies in people allergic to iodine.
- Excess of iodine (when its not well processed) could accelerate comedones *aka pimples, whiteheads, and blackheads*
Kelp Ingredient specifications
Clean
Sea kelp is a natural plant from underwater forests, so it’s considered to be a clean skincare ingredient.
Vegan
Since sea kelp is a large brown algae that lives in cool, relatively shallow waters close to the shore, so it is considered vegan-friendly!
Pregnancy safe
There’s no enough information about the safety of using sea kelp for skin, so we recommend you to consult your doctor before adding any new products with this ingredient
Breastfeeding safe
Limited data is available about the risks of applying kepl topically while breastfeeding. We recommend you to consult your doctor before adding any new products with this ingredient
Active ingredient
Thanks to the kelp benefits for skin, this ingredient is used as an active ingredient in many skincare and cosmetic products
Comedogenic
Yes, all algae extracts are comedogenic because they contain a high amount of iodines which clogs pores, triggers inflammation and accelerates comedones. So, for anyone who are prone to acne, they must be careful.
EWG (Environment Working Group) Score
Sea kelp for skin has a score of “1” in the EWG rating, which means it’s considered to be safe and has very low possibilities of causing allergic reactions or being toxic.
CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) Rating: A
The CIR gave kelp an “A”, meaning that it’s safe to be used in skincare products and cosmetics.
PRECAUTIONS: Things to know before using kelp
When to use kelp products?
Sea kelp for skin can be used everyday, however, it depends on the product you’re using. You can use a face mask 2-3 times a week, or a cream two times a day, it varies depending on the manufacturer's instructions for that specific product and your routine.
What skin type is kelp good for?
Kelp can be used by most skin types, including dry, sensitive, and normal. However, its high iodine content makes it a no-no for those with oily, acne-prone, and combination skin, since it can clog pores and cause breakouts.
What you can’t mix with kelp?
Kelp can be mixed with other active ingredients and it won’t cause irritation or dryness. However, we advice to not mix ingredients at home and opt for formulated skincare products that contain the ingredient.
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FAQ’s
What does kelp do for skin?
Kelp acts as en effective anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and as a moisturizer. Is perfect for dry and flaky patches of skin, due to its high iodine content. It calms down irritations, reduces redness, besides using products with sea kelp as an ingredient may help clear your acne and unclog your pores.
Does kelp contain collagen?
Yes it does. The collagen found in kelp is a powerful anti-aging compound that helps prevent damage and reduce wrinkles and fine lines!
Does kelp tighten skin?
It does! Kelp helps maintain skin elasticity and reduces wrinkles. This is because it contains amino acids which help firm our skin tissue, when used on a regular basis seaweed can help tighten and rehydrate your skin.
What are side effects of kelp?
If you have skin problems, you should avoid products with high levels of kelp, because it may cause skin breakouts. You should also be careful if you are allergic to iodine, given the fact sea kelp is rich in iodine.
Tips & Tricks to include in your skincare routine
- Use face masks with kelp to avoid your skin’s dehydration and to get rid of impurities.
- Incorporate a serum with kelp to get a smooth skin.
- Use a cleanser that contains kelp to get rid of dirt form your skin and give your skin a relaxed feeling.
