Spirulina. The word alone brings up thoughts of health and wellness. But, this blue-green algae does a lot more than hang out in freshwater environments. Spirulina powder is a highly nutritious, antioxidant-packed supplement that populates capsules, smoothie mixes, and health drinks.
It occupies the skin care industry, too. In fact, this superfood ingredient is beneficial to wrinkle and redness-prone skin, and may just be your one-way ticket to smoother, softer, healthier-looking skin. That being said, this guide will explore the many benefits of using spirulina for your skin.
What Is Spirulina?
Spirulina is algae. Specifically, organic spirulina is a blue-green microalga. It’s a well-known supplement and smoothie add-in, but it can also be used in skin care products and has been known to have positive effects.
Here are just a few of the many elements responsible for spirulina skin benefits:
- Beta-carotene
- B vitamins
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Manganese
- Amino acids
With so many healthy heavy hitters hiding in its cells, it’s no wonder why organic spirulina is considered a superfood ingredient. Spirulina supplementation is fantastic for your gut microbiome, and it’s also a terrific topical skin solution for dry, dehydrated skin.
More specifically, spirulina contains four superfood properties that help to feed your face with a ton of nutrients:
1. Phycocyanin
Spirulina contains phycocyanin, a protein that helps the algae photosynthesize light. It contains a vibrant blue pigment, and it is often used as a natural colorant.
Since phycocyanin interacts with light and pigments, it can be used to even your skin tone. Applied topically, it has also been shown to effectively disrupt the biological functions of tyrosinase, an enzyme that produces melanin in the skin causing hyperpigmentation.
Researchers studying phycocyanin are excited about many other possible benefits of the compound. Here are a few functions that blue spirulina may contribute to:
- Phycocyanin may be able to serve as a type of sunscreen, preventing cell death in healthy skin cells exposed to UV rays.
- Phycocyanin may be linked to effective wound healing.
- When delivered to lower dermal layers, phycocyanin may be able to reduce levels of free radicals in the skin.
2. Anti-Fungal Properties
About 25% of the population suffers from a fungal presence on the skin, nails, or hair. When treated incorrectly, these fungi can last for long periods of time and may even refuse to disappear.
Fortunately, spirulina can have anti-fungal properties. Topical anti-fungal creams that utilize these properties are currently being developed and tested by researchers, and their findings have been overwhelmingly positive.
3. Anti-Aging Properties
As healthy skin ages, it loses its elasticity. Less elastic skin means more wrinkles, more sensitivity to environmental factors, and drier, more brittle skin. Your body’s natural collagen production starts to decrease as you get older (collagen is a type of protein that affects skin elasticity). It’s also a primary component of connective tissue.
Many natural face masks for dry skin, topical anti-aging creams, and lotions contain collagen, but absorbing collagen through the skin doesn’t do much. For collagen to reverse aging, it needs to be consumed internally, or produced by the body.
As such, spirulina proteins may address collagen production in the following way:
- Spirulina proteins are taken internally or applied topically.
- Fibroblasts, the cells whose chief function is to produce collagen, absorb the spirulina proteins.
- The proteins encourage the production of collagen and also decrease fibroblasts’ production of elastase, an enzyme that has been clearly linked to the formation of wrinkles.
- Skin gains a more supple appearance.
This process has been observed and documented by researchers, who are very positive about the medical and cosmetic applications of spirulina’s collagen-producing properties.
4. Vitamins and Antioxidants
Spirulina is incredibly rich in nutritious, health-supporting compounds, which makes it one of the best ingredients for dry skin. Some of them are best absorbed through the digestive system, but many have topical applications as well such as a hydrating face mask. Let’s go over just three of the most beneficial components.
- Vitamin E – A potent skin protector, vitamin E is naturally produced in skin sebum. Applied topically, it can increase your body’s natural ability to fight the negative effects of UV rays.
- Vitamin C – A fantastic multi-tasker, vitamin C boosts collagen production, repairs and moisturizes skin, and acts as a natural sunscreen.
- Beta-carotene – With powerful antioxidant properties and the ability to prompt the production of vitamin A, beta-carotene is just one of the provitamins found in spirulina.
Benefits Of Spirulina For Your Skin
So we’ve outlined the key compounds within spirulina and what that could mean for your skin, but what are the main benefits one can hope for after using spirulina-based skin care products?
Can Remedy Dark Spots
Due to the protein phycocyanin and how it affects tyrosinase, spirulina in skincare can help even complexions and could help alleviate under-eye dark circles too.
May Help Clear Acne
Due to this algae’s antioxidant and antibacterial properties, it may be very effective in treating acne. Promoting healthy cell metabolism allows your skin cells to heal faster and prevents bacteria from hanging out too long helping to reduce the opportunity for acne to form. Plus, spirulina can maintain healthy pH levels which can reduce flare-ups on the skin.
It’s Helpful for Different Skin Conditions
Different studies conducted in 2020 show that spirulina can help treat psoriasis and eczema. Due to this superfood’s high levels of healthy fatty acids and antioxidant compounds, it’s been known to reduce inflammation in the skin—helping to potentially curb these skin conditions.
HPPY and Spirulina, a Match Made in Skin Care Heaven
Spirulina benefits the skin in a number of ways, working to keep your face looking supple and refreshed. While the first step is understanding the science behind this advantageous algae, the next is finding a skin care product that keeps each of spirulina’s nutrient benefits intact.
For that, look to HPPY—your all-natural skin care go-to.
We curate cold-processed, all-natural face masks with powerful ingredients to ensure that your face is getting a consistent stream of skin-benefiting properties. In addition to spirulina, our products contain soothing aloe vera, moisturizing hyaluronic acid, and skin-cleaning manuka honey—just to name a few.
No matter your skin type or beauty goals, HPPY Skin has a sustainably sourced, dermatologist-approved skin care product for you.
Shop our collection today—your skin will thank you!
