Nourish Healthy Skin with Spirulina

The benefits of spirulina for skin make it one of the top choices for people who love all-natural skincare.

While there are loads of great products on the market to try, some of the best things for your skin aren’t actually products at all. They’re food! Eating a healthy diet is one of the best ways to support clear, healthy skin, no matter what age you are.

In this post, we’ll explore the potential benefits of spirulina for the skin, including its purportedly rich antibacterial properties, antimicrobial properties, and anti-aging effects.

What Is Spirulina, and Why Is It Good for Your Skin?

Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that grows in bodies of fresh and saltwater. It is harvested around the world, and there are three species of the plant: Arthrospira platensis, A. fusiformis, and A. maxima.

The first species, Arthospira platensis, is what’s used to create dietary supplements like spirulina powder. 

Spirulina is great for skin health thanks to its high nutritional value. It’s packed full of B vitamins, copper, and protein. As a result, taking spirulina can help with skin inflammation, sagging skin, skin aging, and acne. Let’s look at these benefits more closely.

6 Possible Benefits of Spirulina for Skin

You might turn to spirulina as a skin care supplement if you suffer from acne or if you’re trying to protect yourself against the signs of skin aging. These are six of the greatest potential benefits and reasons to try it, especially if it's in a daily greens powder.

1. May Support Younger-Looking Skin

Many people struggle with a loss of elasticity and sagging skin despite being in their 30s or 40s. Spirulina powder can help you deal with some of the effects of premature aging thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties.

Amy Shapiro, MS, RD, CDN, told Healthline, “Spirulina fights free radicals and, therefore, can prevent skin damage that can lead to wrinkles and signs of aging.”

This is thanks in part to phycocyanin, the active ingredient in spirulina that gives the blue-green algae its distinctive color. Spirulina also contains amino acids, the molecules that form proteins, which can help support collagen production.

So, if you want to protect yourself against free radical damage, a spirulina supplement could be a great addition to your anti-aging skincare routine.

2. May Assist with Acne

Millions of adults suffer from acne—whether it's chronic inflammation, blackheads, or cysts. One of the more natural alternatives to skincare products with salicylic acid is spirulina. Spirulina has strong antibacterial properties, which may help combat some of the underlying causes of acne and skin irritation.

One of the strongest benefits of spirulina for the skin is its anti-inflammatory properties. Because people with acne tend to struggle with red, inflamed pustules, taking spirulina powder or tablet form could help reduce the severity of breakouts.

3. May Aid Dark Circles

If you have dark circles under your eyes, boosting your diet could help their appearance. Spirulina’s nutrients have a detoxifying effect. This may result in fresher, clearer skin that looks more refreshed, in combination with proper diet and hydration.

In the case of spirulina, the presence of vitamin E can hydrate, moisturize, and reduce hyperpigmentation (darkening of the skin). Thanks to these algae, some of super greens powder benefits are skin health support and a natural glow.

4. May Help Reduce the Risk of Skin Problems

The inclusion of antimicrobial properties makes spirulina a great preventative ingredient in many dietary supplements. Specifically, spirulina may help limit the growth of candida, a common cause of fungal infections.

Because it also has anti-inflammatory properties and fights free radicals, you may decide to consume spirulina to help ward off other skin problems, too, like rashes and dermatitis.

5. May Tighten Sagging Skin

One of the best ways to think about spirulina, according to esthetician Nicole Caroline in an interview with InStyle Magazine, is like “green tea on steroids.” In addition to being a great antioxidant, it contains a lot of fatty acids that may help firm skin, elasticity, and boost collagen production.

Furthermore, spirulina powder and similar supplements could help aid skin cell repair. This makes it effective at helping with fine lines and wrinkles, just like other skincare products designed to do the same thing.

6. May Refresh Dry Skin

Whether you take it internally or apply it externally, spirulina is a multipurpose, effective algae. It shows up in both skincare products and dietary supplements because its rich nutrient content makes it a phenomenal natural skin aid for many people.

It not only aids hydration but also helps fight off osmotic stress—a damaging side effect of dehydration.

Where to Get Spirulina for Skin

Though you can find some skin products on the market with spirulina as an active ingredient, the best way to try spirulina is through a dietary supplement like Live it Up Super Greens. Using their greens blend, you can easily incorporate spirulina and other skin-nourishing nutrients into your diet as a drink or tasty powder in your food.

If you have allergies, you should talk to your doctor about using spirulina.