Article at a glance:
- One of the many reasons chlorella is incredible as a supplement is its rich nutrients that deliver anti-aging benefits on your skin and from within.
- Chlorella Growth Factor and other components of chlorella also showed an effect on collagen production, which is crucial for the skin’s health as people age.
- Sun exposure and poor diet are some of the external factors that can cause premature aging, but chlorella’s antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties may help you achieve healthy skin.
Chlorella is one of the most nutrient-dense superfoods because it’s a brimming source of antioxidants, amino acids, fatty acids, and other vitamins and minerals that all contribute to improving our overall health.
You’ll be amazed at how many of these nutrients are the reasons behind the fantastic chlorella skin benefits. So keep reading to learn how taking chlorella supplements can help keep your skin healthy.
What Does Chlorella Do for the Skin?
The best way to answer that is by learning about the essential nutrients that deliver the benefits of chlorella for the skin.
1. Is Chlorella Anti-Aging?
Like other body parts, the skin goes through a natural aging process. Other factors can speed this up as well. Free radicals like reactive oxygen species and harmful UV exposure both contribute to oxidative stress, which plays a role in skin aging. What does the body need to fight oxidative stress? Well, it’s the antioxidants.
So if you’re asking, “is chlorella good for anti-aging?” The numerous antioxidants rich in this green algae need to be pointed out. Many studies suggest chlorella skin benefits may include anti-aging effects, for the skin and other organs, because of its antioxidant properties.
For instance, beta carotene is one of the three established major carotenoids in chlorella, following lutein and fucoxanthin. Beta carotene was noted as an anti-aging serum in a 2020 medical review because its antioxidant activity is strong enough to scavenge free radicals even at very low concentrations.
Pigment-protein complex from Chlorella pyrenoidosa also exhibited anti-aging properties due to the availability of antioxidants, according to a 2019 animal study. This was further supported by a clinical study in 2021, which utilized Chlorella pyrenoidosa water extract. Participants were asked to consume 27 ml of either a chlorella supplement or a placebo for 90 days. The study suggests that taking chlorella may provide an antioxidant boost, reduce oxidative stress, and protect the liver.
2. Does Chlorella Help in Collagen Production?
Collagen is the richest type of protein in the human body and is vital to the structure of skin, bones, muscles, connective tissues, cartilage, and tendons. Unsurprisingly, the natural collagen produced in our bodies plays an important role in keeping our skin firm and youthful.
However, the body starts producing less collagen in the skin every year when we reach our 20s. This causes the skin to become more fragile and vulnerable to sun damage, making fine lines and wrinkles more visible.
Is chlorella good for wrinkles? One of the widely reported benefits of chlorella for the skin is it may enhance collagen production. This may be due to the chlorella growth factor (CGF), a bioavailable nutrient complex unique to chlorella. It may be able to induce collagen synthesis in fibroblast (Hu02) cells, according to a 2021 study.
Dermochlorella, an active ingredient developed from Chlorella vulgaris extract, also positively affected collagen synthesis. Together, these developments provide foundations for claims of chlorella’s skin tightening benefits by way of stimulating collagen production.
3. Is Chlorella Good for Wound Healing?
Because collagen is key to binding the skin and other connective tissues, chlorella’s effect on its synthesis may also deliver desirable results for wound healing. Chlorella’s direct effects on wound healing were demonstrated in various animal studies through different applications.
A topical application of an ointment with 15% chlorella extract effectively increased fibroblast cells and improved the healing process in pig’s ears skin. Supplementation of chlorella, either alone or combined with spirulina, also helped heal diabetic ulcers in rats in 21 days.
4. Does Chlorella Help With Hyperpigmentation and Dark Circles?
Dark circles can be caused by lifestyle factors such as sleep and alcohol intake but can also result from hyperpigmentation. Unfortunately, sun damage isn’t the only thing that triggers hyperpigmentation — changes in our hormones, the medicines we take, our age, or genetics can also be factors. So it’s understandable if skin lightening is one of the chlorella beauty benefits you hope to get.
The good news is a 2007 research found promising results from supplementing chlorella. The test included 15 women, ages 50 to 65, who applied a face cream with a 1% concentration of a Chlorella vulgaris extract. Using colorimetric analysis, researchers observed that pigmentation decreased by 11.5% on average and as high as 113% on 73% of the participants who used the said face cream twice daily for 28 days.
5. Is Chlorella Good for Dermal Protozoan Disease Prevention?
Chlorella has been known as one of the macro and microalgae with known antibacterial properties. As early as the 1940s, experts discovered that a substance extracted from chlorella, named chlorellin, can inhibit the growth of bacteria. A 2018 experiment backed this information after finding that chlorellin can fight bacteria from the hand.
The findings led researchers to suggest that the chlorella substance’s antimicrobial activity could fight Staphylococcus bacteria and certain antibiotics.
6. Does Chlorella Improve Skin Vascular Imperfections?
Due to blood vessel damage, spider veins are more accurately classified as vascular imperfections. Since they cause tiny red lines to appear on the face and other parts of the body, it’s recognized as one of the common skin impurities.
Procedures like laser treatment are used to treat or manage vascular skin imperfections. However, reducing their appearance may also be one of the chlorella skin benefits.
Codif researchers developed an amino acid concentrate extracted from Chlorella vulgaris called Dermochlorella D. Their testing showed it reduced facial redness due to vascular imperfections after 28 days. You can see this particular benefit of chlorella on the skin in the before and after photos provided by the researchers.
7. How Can Chlorella Help With Acne?
Acne develops from clogged pores or hair follicles due to the buildup of either sebum (oil) or dead skin cells. Bacterial growth is also the main cause of severe breakouts. Hence, those same antibacterial properties indicate potential chlorella benefits for acne.
A scientific review previously noted that acne is primarily an inflammatory disease. It’s worth noting that chlorella is an anti-inflammatory agent, suggesting that chlorella’s benefits for the skin may also include managing acne.
The same research that found the green algae’s anti-aging effect also found that it has anti-inflammatory properties. An animal study also determined chlorella has “significant effects” against skin inflammation.
The chock-full of nutrients in chlorella may also fight acne, especially antioxidant vitamins C and E. Separate studies found that patients with chronic inflammatory skin conditions like acne, atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, and psoriasis have lower levels of vitamin E.
An earlier study also found that combining vitamin E with vitamin A, which is also rich in chlorella, fights off a type of acne called comedones from forming.
Vitamin C is primarily an antioxidant, and a 1999 study found that topical ascorbic acid may also have anti-inflammatory benefits, especially in reducing sun damage on facial skin.
There’s also evidence that chlorella helps lessen post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, which are dark spots that can occur from acne scarring and other skin injuries.
8. Does Chlorella Help With Eczema?
There are different types of eczema, but overall, it’s a common condition that causes patches of itchy and dry skin. Depending on your specific condition, it may be chronic, or you may have flare-ups due to allergens.
Experts encourage more studies to be conducted to definitively classify chlorella as an eczema treatment. Available literature can shed some light on the question, is chlorella good for eczema?
A study published in 2015 concluded that oral administration of chlorella supplements helped improve skin lesions similar to atopic dermatitis, a common type of eczema. Diet supplemented with chlorella regulated the immune responses of mice models used in the said study. Researchers added that the results suggest the feasibility of using chlorella supplementation to treat other allergic diseases.
How to Take Advantage of the Chlorella Skin Benefits
There are several ways to supplement your regimen with chlorella supplements if you want to take advantage of its many health benefits for the skin. Some of them can be more advantageous, but you just have to find the best option for you.
Chlorella Supplements
Chlorella is widely available as a dietary supplement in tablet and powder forms. These are also the best options to ensure that you’re taking pure, raw chlorella supplements.
Just make sure you’re buying from a trusted company that uses high-quality, organic chlorella. This way, you’ll have peace of mind that you’re getting the maximum benefits of this green algae superfood.
Thanks to chlorella’s nutrients and antioxidants, taking it as a dietary supplement may reinforce your skincare regimen—next thing you know, your skin’s back to having its youthful glow.
Taking chlorella this way will also allow you to receive tons of health benefits from essential fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. It’s a great source of vegan protein, too!
Skincare Products Infused With Chlorella
Many studies have shown that chlorella can be an incredibly important skincare ingredient. So it’s been a popular active ingredient in many facial creams, serums, and other skincare products. This can be a very easy way to enjoy chlorella’s skin benefits, but you’ll miss out on its other desirable effects for a healthier body.
DIY Facial Masks With Chlorella
If you love a do-it-yourself skincare routine, you can also use chlorella this way. You can find facial mask recipes that use pure and organic chlorella powder and other ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chlorella Pore Clogging?
When applied topically, a certain concentration level of chlorella can deliver its skin benefits. Those with acne-prone and oily skin types should not do this too often.
Chlorella and other algae are commonly listed as pore-clogging ingredients. You may not have to avoid them completely, but using skincare products with these components in moderation is best.
How Long Does It Take Chlorella to Work?
When taking chlorella supplements in powder or tablet form, you may notice its benefits in just a few weeks. Some of the chlorella benefits, like heavy metal detoxification, may take longer.
How Much Chlorella Can I Take a Day?
Whether it’s chlorella powder or chlorella tablet, the standard daily dose recommended for most adults is 3 to 5 grams. If it’s your first time, you can also start with a lower dosage.
The best organic chlorella products also have informative labels, where you should find the manufacturer’s suggested serving per day.
Some people who have been supplementing their diet with chlorella for a long time can consume higher doses with minimal to no side effects. It’s best to consult your healthcare provider, especially if you’re taking other medications.
Is Chlorella Good for Skin and Hair?
As you can see above, there’s mounting evidence that chlorella may have several benefits for skin health.
What about our hair? Several studies found a link between hair loss and deficiency in certain nutrients like vitamins C, D, riboflavin (B2), and iron. Chlorella is a good source of these vitamins and minerals.
Don’t Miss Out on These Chlorella Skin Benefits
Does chlorella make you look younger? It’s something that we’ve asked about other superfoods as well. In chlorella’s case, plenty of scientific evidence suggests its components may help with healthy skin and aging. Many of the vitamins that may boost our overall health are the same ones that can also improve our skin’s health. And you can supplement your diet to ensure you’re getting enough of these nutrients by taking chlorella.
So you’re getting added help for your skincare routine, and taking chlorella is also a great, natural option to get the essential nutrients your entire body needs.
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