Filed Under: BOTANICALS

What is Spirulina? Skin Benefits and Uses

At the heart of our Replenishing Balm is the heavenly Spirulina Algae - a key ingredient to calmness and recovery. Spirulina contains Phycocyanin, a natural pigment that provides the deep, comforting blue hue of our Replenishing Balm. An essential superfood and adaptogen, spirulina is packed with minerals and vitamins, and provides powerful antioxidant protection.

What Exactly Is Spirulina?

Sourced from the sea, as well as freshwater lakes, rivers, and ponds, spirulina, a microalgae, has thrived for centuries and is known to be one of the oldest life forms on Earth. Its ability to adapt and overcome harsh and extreme environmental conditions has allowed this plant to evolve into a potent, high-performing ingredient, boasting superpowers and supercharged nutrients that benefit the skin. Known for our Farm’s Extremophyte™ Plants, we even joke that Spirulina platensis is in fact the world’s first Extremophyte plant and a perfect addition to our wildly potent ingredients.

A sea of nourishment for skin, brimming with nutrients, minerals, vitamins, proteins, amino acids and essential lipids to help fend off free radicals and purify the skin. Due to the rich amount of Phycocyanin, Spirulina is a deep blue-green color and generates ample amounts of Vitamin C to deliver antioxidant benefits and rescue troubled skin for a rebirth of radiance. Like the calming, gentle movements of the deep blue sea, the Spirulina in the Replenishing Balm brings comfort and clarity to stressed skin.

This beautiful, blue-green algae is used for the health of the body and skin because of its many potent benefits. When it comes to health, spirulina may offer benefits for blood pressure, immune system function, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. Specifically for skin, spirulina supplementation starts with a mindfully formulated product brimming with complimentary ingredients that work synergistically with spirulina to help create radiance from deep within the skin.

What Are the Benefits of Spirulina?

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Spirulina contains significant amounts of calcium, niacin, potassium, magnesium, B vitamins and iron, that support a healthy Mediterranean diet. This superfood has been used as a nutritional supplement for centuries; the first recorded consumption of Spirulina dates back to the Kanem Empire (9th Century), Aztecs and other Mesoamericans. Like its ability to regenerate over the years, Spirulina restores skin’s vitality and provides whole-body wellness. 

Replenishing Balm envelopes and locks in the phytonutrients and omega fatty acids from Spirulina, feeding and nurturing the skin to help support its natural moisture barrier. Influenced by the vastness of nature and benefits of Spirulina, Replenishing Balm gives the skin a rest, providing nutrients and hydration to fatigued skin, restoring its overall luminosity.

Antioxidant Boost

Free radicals are unbalanced molecules that can cause damage to your skin’s cells. This type of damage is referred to as oxidative stress. Sources like artificial lighting, smoke, smog, and stress can cause free radical damage to your skin cells. To keep them safe, your skin needs antioxidants.

Antioxidants protect your skin cells against the onslaught of free radicals faced with each day. Spirulina contains high levels of some of the most potent antioxidants available to your skin, all wrapped up in a natural, sustainable, and eco-supporting package.

The most prominent plant protein found in spirulina, phycocyanin, has twenty times the antioxidant, free-radical fighting power of Vitamin C. For your skin, that means:

  • Skin cell protection
  • Visible radiance
  • Improved skin texture
  • Less visible dark spots and lesions
  • Reduced appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

Because our Replenishing Balm is a good source of spirulina, users see quantifiable results in as little as 30 days of use. 

Soothing Properties

Skin that feels rough, irritated, itchy, or covered in bumps can be frustrating. Targeting one problem, like acne, could cause your skin to become dry. Spirulina is a solution that works for all skin types, even the most sensitive. 

Because spirulina contains phytochemicals that have soothing properties, it’s great for skin that feels irritated or appears red. Studies show that spirulina inhibits certain cells from producing compounds that can cause the skin to be overly sensitive.

If you have blemishes, spirulina can help soothe angry areas and reduce the appearance of redness. Every skin type deserves moisture, and our Replenishing Balm works well for even the most sensitive, dry skin types, helping keep skin calm and improving overall moisture balance.

Key Fatty Acids

Spirulina is known as an excellent source of protein, because it contains both amino acids and fatty acids which are essential for healthy skin function. One of the most nutrient-dense foods, spirulina’s nutritious effects on the body are just as impressive on the skin. 

You’ve probably heard about the omega-3 fatty acids and might even take them as a dietary supplement. While they are indeed effective in helping support internal processes like healthy cholesterol levels and even blood sugar levels, they do double duty by supporting the way your skin functions. 

Packed with EPA and DHA (two of the omega-3 fatty acids), spirulina helps support your skin’s ability to create new collagen. It’s also essential in helping keep your skin hydrated and balanced.

The spirulina powder contained in our Replenishing Balm is harvested in a way that preserves the fatty acid content contained in the original plant, so your skin gets all the nutrients, and you get all the great results. 

Skin Barrier Support

Maintaining your skin barrier means ensuring the healthy bacteria on your skin are kept in balance. Your skin is home to a tiny microbiome of flora that keep your skin healthy, and in turn protect your entire body. 

The effects of spirulina on the skin barrier have been studied extensively, and research shows that spirulina positively affects skin barrier function and improves skin flora homeostasis. That means your skin stays stronger, healthier, and better protected. 

Spirulina is a prebiotic. If you have used a probiotic to help regulate your gut flora and keep your digestive system healthy, you know that probiotics feed on prebiotics. Prebiotics work alongside probiotics by helping feed good flora. When applied to the skin, spirulina helps nourish skin’s flora so it can keep your skin barrier protected. 

The results? Your skin more than functions properly, it thrives. 

How Can I Use Spirulina for Skin Benefits?

It goes without saying the same spirulina tablets you use for internal health benefits aren’t the same as a specially formulated concentration you use on your skin. That’s why it’s so important to use a high-quality spirulina complex that is skin-specific.

Our Replenishing Balm is a 100% natural, reparative balm that can be twice daily (or more if needed) to help soothe, restore, replenish, and rejuvenate irritated and unbalanced skin. Formulated and tested on all skin types, the only side effects you’ll notice are positive results — improved skin clarity, balanced moisture levels, and skin that radiates health. And of course, its foundational ingredient is our award winning, single-origin, organic extra-virgin olive oil, harvested from the ancient olive trees located on our Farm. 

Furtuna Skin Replenishing Balm contains five organic, wild-foraged plant ingredients that work synergistically with spirulina for maximum results. 

  • Wild, organic carrot. This ingredient contains beta-carotene and vitamins A, B, and C to help boost the antioxidant load of our balm. 
  • Wild, organic dandelion. Dandelion contains high levels of vitamins A and K, and plant phenols that further help soothe stressed skin. 
  • Wild, organic hawthorn. Hawthorn contains vitamin C and antioxidants to help kickstart your skin’s restorative processes.
  • Wild, organic St. John’s Wort. This ingredient includes a healthy dose of flavonoids to help soothe and restore skin to its original state. 
  • Wild, organic calamint. Calamint provides protection against free radicals, environmental aggressors, and impurities to keep skin radiant.

Replenishing Balm is also effective on other parts of your body. Dry, chapped lips can find relief from the soothing formula, as well as cracked skin on elbows and knees. We can’t claim our balm has superpowers, but we think you’ll agree that it’s super powerful.  

Combine our Balm with the products you already know and love from our entire skincare line-up for a routine that is sustainable, eco-friendly, and ridiculously skincentric. 

The Bottom Line

The health benefits of spirulina aren’t just reserved for discussions with your nutritionist or doctor. Your skin benefits from this amazing microalgae, too. 

Used on your skin, spirulina helps nourish, restore, and repair your skin from the inside out, increasing hydration, protecting the skin barrier, and helping your skin cells function properly and thrive. 

Furtuna Skin Replenishing Balm gives your skin a healthy dose of antioxidant and nutrient dense spirulina along with several wildcrafted, sustainably farmed plant ingredients that help replenish thirsty, malnourished skin so it can radiate with wellness and beauty. 

Sources:

Antioxidant, Immunomodulating, and Microbial-Modulating Activities of the Sustainable and Ecofriendly Spirulina | PMC 

Spirulina in Clinical Practice: Evidence-Based Human Applications | PMC 

Cosmetic and Therapeutic Applications of Fish Oil’s Fatty Acids on the Skin | PMC 

Clinical Efficacy of Dermocosmetic Formulations Containing Spirulina Extract on Young and Mature Skin: Effects on the Skin Hydrolipidic Barrier and Structural Properties | Omics Online

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