Chlorella refers to a group of green algae that grows in freshwater. Chlorella is also known as a superfood because it is nutrient dense. It contains amino acids, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids. When consumed, chlorella can help to detoxify the body. It can also enhance the immune system as well as have a positive impact on blood pressure, blood sugar levels, aerobic endurance, etc.
What it is: antioxidant, skin conditioning and emollient
You can find it in: Phyto Clear
We use: Chlorella Vulgaris (Chlorella) Extract
There are over 20 species of chlorella and each one offers a different combination of benefits. One of the most commonly used types of chlorella is Chlorella vulgaris - which we will now dive deeper into.
So what makes Chlorella vulgaris such a wonderful ingredient?
Since it is rich in phytonutrients, Chlorella vulgaris boasts an impressive nutritional profile. It also makes for an amazing skincare ingredient.
When applied topically, Chlorella vulgaris extract can help your skin to synthesize more collagen. And if you’re a skincare lover like us, you’re probably aware of the importance of collagen. Hint: It’s a protein naturally produced within our body that provides our skin with structural integrity and helps our skin to look smooth, plump and radiant. So if you’re gonna take away one thing, just know that collagen is our baby and we must protect it at all costs.
What’s even cooler is that Chlorella vulgaris extract also has anti-collagenase and anti-elastase effects. In simpler terms, they help our skin to fight against the enzymes that break down collagen and elastin (another wonderful naturally-produced protein in our body that provides our skin with elasticity). Chlorella essentially helps to prevent our skin from aging prematurely and ungracefully.
So, who is it good for?
If you’re someone who wants to 1) age as gracefully as possible 2) look your best at any age or 3) have a more well-rounded approach to your skincare routine, then you should consider adding this superfood ingredient to your regimen.
Sources
Mourelle, M. Lourdes, et al. “The Potential Use of Marine Microalgae and Cyanobacteria in Cosmetics and Thalassotherapy.” MDPI, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 1 Nov. 2017, www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/4/4/46/htm.
Morvan, Pierre-Yves. “Effects of Chlorella extract on skin.” (2007).
Sawant Desai, Sneha & Kelkar Mane, Varsha. (2017). Correlating the Anti – Aging Activity with the Bioactive Profile of Chlorella emersonii KJ725233; Its Toxicological Studies for a Potential use in Cosmeceuticals. Pharmacognosy Communications. 7. 152-157. 10.5530/pc.2017.4.22.
