If you want your lips to feel soft and hydrated, using a DIY nourishing lip balm may be your best bet. Oftentimes, store bought lip balms contain ingredients that can actually cause dryness. Your efforts to moisturize them with the lip balm cancel out because the ingredients don’t work together to seal in moisture. Fortunately, the ingredients in this DIY lip balm recipe work to soothe chapped lips.
What Is Sea Moss?
Contrary to what you may think, sea moss is not merely moss that exists in the sea. Sea moss is a type of red algae that grows on rocks in deep ocean water. Similar to other algae species, sea moss contains a rich nutritional profile. It exhibits beneficial antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory compounds that can help benefit the skin. The zinc, potassium, sulfur, phosphorus, magnesium, and other vitamins help encourage healthier skin. Let’s explore some of sea moss’ benefits below.
It Is Moisturizing
According to studies, algae is a better humectant than hyaluronic acid when used topically. Sea moss, in particular, exhibits moisturizing properties, which experts attribute to the high polysaccharide content. Carrageenan, specifically, acts as a thickening agent that forms a protective, occlusive film on the skin. That film-forming property is why sea moss is such a great moisturizer. Carrageenan gives skin care products their signature thick and rich feel because it binds to water to help the skin hold onto moisture.
Helps Protect Skin Barrier
As mentioned previously, sea moss leaves a film over the skin that is very similar, on a structural level, to the skin’s own proteins. For that reason, sea moss forms a protective seal over the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer. By sealing in moisture and protecting the skin from external aggressors, you can maintain hydration and skin barrier function.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
According to several studies, the high concentration of zinc and sulfur makes sea moss a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient. If you have dry or chapped skin, or other skin concerns, sea moss may provide some relief. Other studies revealed that sea moss may give the skin extra photo-protection against UVB exposure. Plus, the carrageenan we mentioned exhibit antibacterial properties.
Can You Use Sea Moss On Your Lips?
A lot of people consume sea moss to help improve immune and thyroid function, as it’s a great source of vitamin C and iodine. Sea moss is also rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium, and vitamin A, all of which promote healthier skin. Sea moss can be used on the lips to help prevent chapping, but slathering sea moss on your lips is less than ideal. That’s why you can incorporate it into a lip balm, lip scrub, or lip gloss to reap its benefits.
DIY Sea Moss Lip Balm
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons sea moss oil
- 1/2 ounce beeswax pellets
- 5-10 drops essential oils of choice (geranium, lavender, or frankincense are great)
Instructions:
- Fill a medium saucepan with about an inch or two of water and place over medium-low heat.
- Fill a small, heat-safe glass jar with dried sea moss and place it in the saucepan. Pour enough of your favorite carrier oil into the jar and let the oil infuse for a couple hours. Olive oil, avocado oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil are all great options.
- After the time elapses, carefully remove the jar from the saucepan. Strain the oil into a heat-safe vessel and set aside to cool.
- Add the beeswax to the top of a double boiler over medium-low heat. Make sure that the water in the bottom portion is simmering.
- Once the beeswax melts, remove from the heat and stir in the sea moss oil and essential oil. Pour that mixture into lip balm tubs or tins and allow them to cool at room temperature. Use a funnel to pour to make your life easier.
- Once they harden, cap the tins or tubes and use as needed to restore moisture to the lips.
