Beauty from the Sea
By Jessica, May 2, 2011
Seaweed and other products of the sea have long been used in skincare. Seaweed wraps are still one of the most popular body treatments you will find in a spa, while mud and other nutrients from the Dead Sea are particularly sought-after in facials. Both ingredients are also increasingly included in skincare products for use in the home – but did you know just how beneficial they are?
Seaweed
Seaweed is rich in pantothenic acid, folic acid, niacin, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, manganese, iodine, Vitamins A1, B1, B2, B6, B12, C, E and K, and around 60 other trace elements. If you’re not too familiar with some of these vitamins and minerals it’s because they rarely occur naturally in other plant forms, making seaweed a goldmine of otherwise difficult to find nutrients.
Seaweed is said to assist with the removal of toxins from the body, making it popular for the treatment of cellulite as well as tired and sagging skin. Many of the essential minerals in seaweed are absorbed through the skin and help to disperse fatty deposits beneath the surface while giving a nourishing boost.
Dead Sea Mud
Dead Sea mud on the other hand pulls toxins and pollutants from the pores as it dries out, meaning it is often used in leave-on masks. Containing several key minerals and salts, the mud is rich in many of the elements which are often lacking in problematic skin. It is said to be particularly purifying, making it helpful in treating conditions such as acne and psoriasis.
Another popular treatment option using Dead Sea mud is arthritis relief. Like seaweed, it contains many vitamins and minerals that can help alleviate the symptoms of arthritis and is commonly used in a heated form to allow the benefits to reach a deeper level.
Dead Sea Salts
The waters of the Dead Sea are far more salty than any other waters on earth, making them unusually dense and causing the unique floating experience it has become known for. But the salts are good for more than floating, high in calcium and a number of other minerals it is highly effective in increasing circulation, relieving fluid retention and alleviating symptoms of eczema and psoriasis.
Dead Sea salts are most commonly found in scrubs and exfoliators and often incorporated into spa treatments to slough off dead skin cells. In their pure form they are effective when added to a hot bath to relieve muscular aches and pains.
For more, see further information on Irish Seaweed Baths, or check out our favourite sea-inspired skincare products for use in the home.
