Sea Kelp Makes a Splash in Skin Care!

If you’ve spent any time at the beach this summer, you’ve probably come across one of my favorite ingredients for healing and protecting the skin – sea kelp. This marine algae is primarily known for naturally purifying the ocean and, likewise, provides distinct detoxification benefits to the body.

How? Well, our bodies’ structural fluids have the same chemical constitution as deep sea water. So sea kelp naturally draws on its numerous antioxidants to detoxify, balance and protect us inside and out. It has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, for nutritional and intestinal balance, and, more recently as an anti-inflammatory and antibacterial aid on the skin.

Seaweed oil/extract is a genuine natural moisturizer derived from the sea plant. Rich in vitamins and minerals, it imparts a silky texture, smoother, younger looking skin, and softens and strengthens the skin and hair. It’s also known for its detoxifying and toning properties, oxygenating the tissues, stimulating cellular metabolism and may help in decreasing cellulite. Look for it in LATHER’s Balancing Sea Kelp Body Oil, Sea Kelp & Ginseng All-Over Mask, Sea Kelp Body Wash, and Sweet Almond & Sea Kelp Body Lotion.

LATHER’s Sea Kelp & Ginseng All Over Mask in particular packs a healthy dose of the algae’s attributes. Sea kelp extract draws out toxins and replenishes lost moisture; sea algae oil provides anti-aging and antioxidant benefits; and bladderwrack extract improves skin’s elasticity and increase hydration. Combined with healing ginseng plus aloe and St. John’s Wort, this mask is powerful yet gentle enough to use on a sunburn, sensitive facial skin, even hair!

Almond Joy.

Almonds have been gaining popularity as a healthy snack option, touted as a rich source of Vitamin E as well as monosaturated fat - one of the two “good fats” for lowering LDL cholesterol. But almonds have a long history in treating the skin, revered for their hydrating and moisturizing properties.

Almond trees are native to southwest Asia and North Africa, but have been cultivated in countries across the world with temperate climates. Many people are surprised to learn that, botanically, the almond is classified as a fruit, not a nut. In fact, the almond belongs to the same group of plants as the plum, cherry, and peach. But that only partly explains why I’m so sweet on almonds!

Almond Oil is a potent essential oil obtained from the dried kernels of the almond tree. It’s an excellent emollient, softening and soothing to the skin. It also helps to balance the loss and absorption of moisture, making it particularly effective for chapped and irritated skin, soothing while nourishing and protecting.

LATHER uses organic sweet almond oil in a number of products, including our Sweet Almond Exfoliating Crème and Sweet Almond Face Moisturizer. Both are ideal for normal to dry and mature skin, and include a high concentration of antioxidants to protect and heal. Check out our face chart if you’d like to learn more about perfecting your complexion.

We also draw upon almond meal (finely ground up almonds) as a soft and gentle exfoliant. Found in LATHER’s Honey Almond Soap, almond meal perfectly complements soothing honey to treat dry and sensitive skin.

Pure sweet almond oil is gentle enough to use directly on skin, and can be purchased at most health food stores. But since beauty also comes from the inside, I try to make whole almonds a regular part of a healthy diet. Try a quarter-cup three times per week as a snack, mixed with your favorite dried fruits.

Be well, Emilie.