4 miraculous face masks from kelp

The popularity of homemade cosmetics, which include algae, is confidently approaching the top of the hit parade. The reason for the marine theme is prosaic - the human body contains more than 70% water. Life originated in the depths of the sea, and the similarity of the composition of its waters with the internal fluid of the human body was proven by scientists back in the last century. This explains the rejuvenating effect of marine components on skin cells.

Masks made from kelp, or seaweed, as it is usually called, have miraculous properties. The vitamins and minerals included in their composition give the skin elasticity and a radiant appearance. The low cost of pharmaceutical algae allows you to regularly arrange spa treatments without compromising your budget.

What is a mask with kelp used for and how does it work?

The kelp thallus contains a large amount of alginates, iodine and bromine salts, amino acids, organic compounds, as well as vitamins A, D, E, K, C and B vitamins. This cocktail has the most beneficial effect on our skin, and kelp masks are practically suitable for any type .

A face mask with seaweed and kelp will effectively moisturize dry skin, make oily skin matte, and refresh normal skin and effectively smooth out wrinkles. In addition, a kelp mask perfectly fights puffiness.

Valuable chemical composition of kelp thallus

This natural product contains a lot of useful substances that have the most beneficial effect on our epidermis. Thus, brown algae contains:

Vitamin C has anti-aging properties and is an antioxidant that fights premature aging and wrinkles.
Choline - soothes irritations, heals mature skin, whitens pigmentation.
Calcium - improves the appearance of the epidermis.
Iodine - normalizes fat production, making the skin smooth and silky.
Niacin - provides a radiant and healthy complexion, also has a brightening effect.
Iron - improves blood circulation, providing epidermal cells with the necessary amount of oxygen.
Potassium is an excellent moisturizer.

Therefore, seaweed can be used for any type of epidermis. It is quite versatile.

Rules for preparation and application

The base of the mask is prepared from dry plant materials. It is best to buy kelp thallus at a pharmacy, because no one can guarantee you the quality of kelp purchased in a store or on the market.
Before use, the kelp is soaked for an hour or longer. The water used for this purpose should be at room temperature or lukewarm.
The mask should be applied to clean skin.
The mask exposure time is fifteen minutes.
The frequency of use of a kelp mask is once a week, no more .

Do not use hot or boiling water to soak the seaweed - boiling water will “cook” all the beneficial substances of the kelp, and the benefits of its use will decrease significantly.

Pieces of ready-made swollen kelp do not adhere well to the skin, so it is best to first grind the dry algae thalli in a coffee grinder to a fine powder.
This powder is more convenient to mix with the other components of the mask, and the whole mixture then adheres better to the skin.

Benefits of kelp for facial skin

Luminaria is a type of brown algae. They contain about 70 useful microelements.

Some of them are responsible for the beauty and youth of the epidermis.

Ascorbic acid is a natural brightener and a powerful antioxidant that prevents aging processes.
Tocopherol soothes, moisturizes the epidermis, fights free radicals, and neutralizes their oxidative effects.
Vitamins B12 and B3 tone, eliminate inflammation and redness.
Omega-3s provide intense nutrition and strengthen dermal cells.
Zinc protects against harmful environmental influences such as pollution, ultraviolet radiation, and wind.
Sulfur gently exfoliates and removes dead layers.

Homemade mixtures brighten and rejuvenate the face and help reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles.

A classic recipe for a face mask made from dry kelp at home:

pour one or two tablespoons of kelp powder into a glass of water for swelling;
after an hour or an hour and a half, the swollen seaweed must be carefully squeezed out through several layers of bandage or gauze so that the mask does not flow down the face;
gently spread the swollen seaweed over your face;
After fifteen minutes, rinse off the mask with warm water.

To pour kelp, you can use boiled or mineral water . It will be useful to freeze the excess liquid after squeezing in special molds and then use these pieces of ice to wipe your face.

Other recipes

Face mask with blue clay and kelp

mix a tablespoon of swollen kelp powder with about one tablespoon of blue clay;
if necessary, dilute the mixture with boiled or mineral water - the amount of water is taken by eye, so that the mask turns out to be the consistency of thick sour cream and is convenient to apply to the face;
apply the finished mask to your face;
After 15 minutes, rinse with warm water.

Instead of blue, you can also use white, pink or other clay, depending on its properties, but blue clay is universal.

Mask with kelp and aloe for acne

peel a branch of freshly cut aloe;
grind the aloe pulp in a blender;
mix a tablespoon of aloe pulp with a spoon of swollen kelp powder;
Apply the mixture to your face, after twenty minutes, rinse with warm water.

Laminaria masks are washed off only with water ; there is no need to use soap or other detergents.

Firming mask with kelp and gelatin

You will need:

gelatin - tablespoon;
water for soaking gelatin - two tablespoons;
vitamins A and E in drops;
swollen laminar powder - a tablespoon.

Pour gelatin with water and leave for an hour to swell. After swelling, mix gelatin with kelp, add one drop of vitamins A and E, apply to the face and after twenty minutes, rinse with warm water.

A mask with gelatin and kelp very well tightens the skin of the face and removes wrinkles. Recommended course – 10 procedures .

A mask that helps get rid of blackheads

This mask will help clear pores of dirt. This mask is useful to make in winter and spring; it moisturizes and nourishes the skin.

Ingredients:

40 grams of dried kelp seaweed;
30 grams of ground oatmeal;
20 milliliters of aloe juice;
1 tbsp grapefruit juice.

Add filtered water to the dried seaweed and let stand for half an hour. Then add ground oatmeal and agave juice. The skin of the face needs to be prepared (steamed) in advance, and only then apply the mask. The mask is applied to the forehead, nose and chin area. After twenty minutes, remove the mask from your face with warm water, and then wipe your skin with freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. It is recommended to do such a mask once every seven days in the summer and three times a month in the winter.

Good reviews about this mask are left by girls who have problems with the sebaceous glands.

Reviews of a face mask made from dried kelp

Our readers, who have already tried to make a face mask from kelp thallus, shared with us their impressions of the procedure and left their reviews.

Victoria, 35 years old

I've used kelp before. But then I did an anti-cellulite wrap with seaweed. Of course, the procedure is dirty and not very convenient - the swollen algae is slippery and falls all the time. And it is very difficult to wrap yourself in film without outside help. With a face mask it was much easier for me. I first ground the kelp in a coffee grinder; I got a very fine powder, which is much easier to work with. Therefore, the process of applying the mask was very successful - the kelp swelled, I squeezed it out and applied it to my face without any problems. The result is noticeable the first time - the skin is saturated with moisture and tightened.

Expert comment: Laminaria is not the most convenient mask ingredient to use. Therefore, it is easier to do kelp wraps and masks while lying down, literally applying the seaweed to the skin. This way it will slip less, and the process itself will be less messy.

Varvara, 34 years old

On the advice of a friend, I recently tried a nourishing mask made from kelp with honey. Liquid natural honey is mixed with pre-soaked kelp in equal parts, you can add a couple of drops of vitamins, and then all this is applied to the face. I would never have thought that a twenty-minute mask could do any good, but it does. My face immediately felt fresher and my skin became much better. Even to the touch. And the course of masks gave a simply stunning effect. True, it confuses me - does the fact that I grind it affect the properties of kelp? In powder, of course, it is much more convenient to use, but in salons they generally use kelp plates.

Expert's comment: Laminaria ground into powder does not lose its beneficial properties. But if it makes you feel better, then chop a small amount of seaweed immediately before preparing the mask, and store the rest of the kelp untouched. As for salons, they use kelp in different forms. Simply crushed algae is used for “small” procedures such as masks and applications, and the plates, due to their size, are more convenient to use for wrapping problem areas of the body, such as the abdomen or thighs.

Elena, 28 years old

I'm genetically not very lucky with my skin and face. I, like my mother and grandmother before, periodically experience slight swelling. And the first wrinkles did not appear as late as we would like. That’s why I never drink water at night and constantly experiment with masks in search of “mine.” I quite liked the kelp mask. The skin was noticeably smoother, moisturized, and small spots on the skin disappeared. True, kelp has a specific smell, and it is better not to see the process itself from outsiders or male eyes. But still, I wouldn’t refuse to make a seaweed mask twice a week instead of once - what if the results get stronger?

Expert's comment: Laminaria contains a fairly large amount of iodine and other substances, the effects of which last for a week. Be patient, the effect of the mask is cumulative, and more is not always better. Excessive use of a kelp mask may cause an allergic reaction.

Rules of application

Like homemade white clay preparations for the face, kelp-based products have a number of rules regarding use. Only a responsible attitude to these rules will allow you to achieve the desired result. So, the fundamental nuances that you must take into account when using popular formulas include:

Frequency . The effect of algae is long-lasting, which is why the compositions are not recommended to be used frequently, so as not to oversaturate the dermis with useful microelements.
Pre-cleaning . In order for the mask to bring a truly bright and unforgettable effect, monitor the condition of your skin, namely its cleanliness. Before the procedure, be sure to rid the dermis of dirt and makeup residues. It would also be a good idea to go over problem areas with a scrub.
Position . Algae-based compositions have a rather slippery structure, which is why experts recommend applying homemade masks while lying down or reclining.

Session time. The beneficial structure of kelp, enhanced by other ingredients, only takes 15 minutes to have a positive effect on human skin. Next, it is better to remove the composition from the dermis.
Washing. Cleaning of formula residues is carried out with cool tonic water, which allows you to quickly close nourished pores.

Note! Laminaria-based compositions are particularly effective when working with mature skin. On young skin, the result will not be so noticeable.