Spirulina Face Mask + Chia Breakfast Pudding

Spirulina, the superfood of all superfoods, is a powder derived from algae that is high in protein, iron, vitamins, and 18 different amino acids—a true super food, indeed! Its rich, dark-green color comes from chlorophyll, which helps eliminate toxins from our body, supports vibrant skin (especially when used as a soothing spirulina face mask), and boosts our immune system, all at the same time [source].

This nutrient-rich sea plant is often added to juices and smoothies, but the spirulina powder benefits go on and on, including its antiaging and anti-inflammatory effects on our skin and hair.

Spirulina Skin Care Benefits

Spirulina is probably the number one choice for natural green food color. Whether you’re dealing with dandruff or looking for a formidable opponent to fight free radicals, inflammation, and aging, spirulina just might be your dream come true [source]. The antioxidants found in spirulina are 4 times the amount contained in most berries!

This deep green powder can help boost skin tone and complexion and leave you with that sought-after dewy glow. 

Here are some more things spirulina can do:

—Encourage cell turnover
—Support healthier nails
—Promote hair growth
—Fight acne 

Brightening Honey + Spirulina Face Mask

This simple and easy face mask is an excellent choice for all skin types. It will even out your skin tone and fight bacteria while leaving your skin feeling moisturized and bright.

Ingredients

—1 tablespoon organic raw honey
—1 tablespoon spirulina powder

Instructions

1. Make sure you cleanse your skin well first, then mix the 2 ingredients together to form a paste.

2. Apply the paste to your face and neck using your fingertips or a facial brush. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes, and then rinse off with warm water and a washcloth.

3. Once the entire mask is removed, follow with a moisturizer, facial oil, or serum for added hydration.

You can also try this supercharged avocado face mask with spirulina and avocado oil that's packed with good fats to hydrate dry skin.

Spirulina Health and Body Benefits

If you’re looking for the most nutrient-dense food or trying to address a specific health concern, you might want to start adding spirulina into your diet. This plant is high in vitamins A, B, C, D, and E and packed with over 60% protein, meaning a little goes a long way when it comes to curbing appetite and helping you power your way through a workout.

Rich in amino acids and beta-carotene, spirulina contains many of the B vitamins the body needs (B1, B2, B3), as well as copper and iron in significant quantities. Magnesium, potassium, and manganese are also present in its composition, together with trace amounts of many other vital nutrients [source].

Spirulina can prevent skeletal muscle damage and improve endurance even with the oxidative stress seen when you are deconditioned and start to exercise [source]. Research has also shown that spirulina aids in weight loss, lowers your blood lipids, and reduces your appetite [source]—pretty much everything that most people are looking for!

It is one of the most beneficial dietary supplements for detox [source]. 

Here are some other benefits spirulina provides:

—High calcium content [source]
—Anti-inflammatory properties
—Support for gut health [source]
—Potent antioxidant action [source]
—Allergy relief [source]

[To see what the science has to say about spirulina, click here.]

3 Ways to Use Spirulina in Your Diet

What’s not to love? Well, spirulina is a bit of an acquired taste. Your best bet is to combine it with other flavors by adding it to recipes. We’ve rounded up some of our favorite ways to use spirulina below. (And if you’re still not a fan? It comes in tablet form, too!)

Layered Coconut Spirulina Chia Pudding

The perfect complement to your spirulina face mask, this chia pudding is loaded with antioxidants and soluble fiber [source] to help stimulate your body's natural detox process.

Ingredients

—5 tablespoons chia seeds
—1 cup almond milk
—½ cup organic coconut milk
—2 teaspoons organic raw honey (if vegan, replace with agave or maple syrup)
—1 avocado, peeled and cut into chunks
—1 teaspoon spirulina powder
—1 ripe banana, peeled
—To garnish: fresh blueberries, coconut flakes

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mix the chia seeds with the plant milks and honey (or its replacement), then set aside for 30 minutes until the seeds absorb all the liquid.

2. Meanwhile, add the avocado, banana, and spirulina into the food processor and pulse to obtain a fine puree.

3. Distribute the soaked chia seeds evenly into the serving bowls/jars, top with a green layer of spirulina puree, garnish with coconut flakes and additional chia seeds, and serve.

Alkaline Spirulina Lemonade

This vibrant green lemonade uses the intense detox properties of spirulina [source] and wheatgrass powders to maintain an alkaline environment within your cells and help them neutralize those toxic free radicals.

Matcha powder is a natural energy booster, which helps your stress levels [source], brain function [source], and mood [source], while having intense antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and health-promoting properties [source]. Lime adds an extra vitamin C boost, to support collagen production [source] and help your skin glow.

Ingredients

—4 cups purified water
—Juice from 3 limes
—2 teaspoons organic raw honey
—1 teaspoon spirulina powder
—1 teaspoon wheatgrass powder
—1 teaspoon matcha powder

Instructions

1. Blend all ingredients until well combined and serve on ice.

Super Green Spirulina Smoothie

In this easy green spirulina smoothie recipe, we combine leafy greens, spirulina, the sweetness of apple juice, and a dash of ginger. Despite the small number of ingredients, this smoothie is filled with health benefits.

Spirulina is an excellent ingredient in smoothies, whether you're looking to enhance your overall health or to replenish the body during or after an illness, excessive stress, or even a workout. Its main active component, phycocyanin, is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, which benefits health in a number of ways [source].

You'll get an extra dose of greens power with kale. Kale is packed with immune-boosting vitamin C, and also with beauty-favorites A, D, and K, and lots of antioxidants [source]. And the ginger we added is not just for taste—it's a known immunity booster [source], digestive aid, and can even relieve pain [source].  

Ingredients

—1 cup apple juice
—1 tablespoon spirulina powder or several spirulina tablets
—Handful of kale (or spinach)
—Handful of ice cubes
—Dash of ground ginger

Instructions

1. Add spirulina and kale and/or spinach into the blender. Sprinkle in some powdered ginger to spice it up a bit.

2. Fill with apple juice to the 2-cup line. Blend until smooth. Add ice as needed to thicken or water to thin the consistency.

Spirulina FAQ

Can I use this spirulina face mask on my hair?

Yes, definitely. The nutrients that make spirulina so great for skin can also do wonders for your hair. Just whip up a larger batch and apply evenly throughout your hair. Cover with a hair cap and let sit for about 15 minutes before rinsing out. Follow up with shampoo and conditioner per your usual routine. 

Can I use chlorella in place of spirulina?

If you already have chlorella on hand, feel free to use it in place of spirulina in both of these recipes. While spirulina is made from a cyanobacterium in the blue-green algae family and chlorella comes from green algae, they're both extremely nutrient-dense and provide a range of beneficial vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Is it safe to take spirulina every day?

To be safe, follow the instructions on the back of your spirulina bottle. For prolonged use, it's best not to exceed the recommended dosage specified by the manufacturer.

Are spirulina tablets as good as the powder?

Powders may break down more easily and provide slightly more nutritional benefit since they're more bioavailable. But if you only have the tablets, either crush them with a mortar and pestle or use a coffee grinder to create a powder before mixing them with other ingredients.

How can I buy spirulina that doesn't contain heavy metals?

Since spirulina is grown either in the sea or in man-made water tanks, heavy metals will always be something to look out for. To keep them to a minimum, choose high-quality spirulina brands that value purity and do strenuous third-party testing on their products.

Personally, I use Pure Hawaiian Spirulina because it's grown in Hawaii—meaning it undergoes strict FDA oversight—and they do third-party testing to ensure heavy metals and other toxins are low. But it's a personal decision, so do your own research and look for a brand you trust.

References (in order of appearance):

1. Finamore A, et al. Antioxidant, immunomodulating, and microbial-modulating activities of the sustainable and ecofriendly Spirulina. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2017.

2. Wu Q, et al. The antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activities of Spirulina: an overview. Arch Toxicol. 2016.

3. Lu HK, et al. Preventive effects of spirulina platensis on skeletal muscle damage under exercise-induced oxidative stress. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2006.

4. DiNicolantonio JJ, et al. Effects of spirulina on weight loss and blood lipids: a review. Open Heart. 2020.

5. Neyrinck AM, et al. Spirulina protects against hepatic inflammation in aging: an effect related to the modulation of the gut microbiota? Nutrients. 2017.

6. Gutiérrez-Salmeán G, et al. Nutritional and toxicological aspects of Spirulina (Arthrospira). Nutr Hosp. 2015.

7. Hu J, et al. Dose effects of orally administered Spirulina suspension on colonic microbiota in healthy mice. Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2019.

8. Nourollahian M, et al. Clinical comparison of the efficacy of spirulina platensis and cetirizine for treatment of allergic rhinitis. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2020. 

9. Karkos PD, et al. Spirulina in clinical practice: evidence-based human applications. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011. 

10. Ali NM, et al. The promising future of chia, Salvia hispanica L. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2012.

11. Unno K, et al. Stress-reducing function of matcha green tea in animal experiments and clinical trials. Nutrients. 2018.

12. Baba Y, et al. Effects of daily matcha and caffeine intake on mild acute psychological stress-related cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults: a randomized placebo-controlled study. Nutrients. 2021.

13. Mancini E, et al. Green tea effects on cognition, mood and human brain function: a systematic review. Phytomedicine. 2017.

14. Xing L, et al. Recent advances in the understanding of the health benefits and molecular mechanisms associated with green tea polyphenols. J Agric Food Chem. 2019.

15. Telang PS. Vitamin C in dermatology. Indian Dermatol Online J. 2013.

16. Romay C, et al. C-phycocyanin: a biliprotein with antioxidant, anti inflammatory and neuroprotective effects. Curr Protein Pept Sci. 2003.

17. Kapusta-Duch J, et al. The beneficial effects of Brassica vegetables on human health. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2012.

18. Yücel C, et al. Immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory therapeutic potential of gingerols and their nanoformulations. Front Pharmacol. 2022.

19. Rad HA, et al. Effect of ginger and Novafen on menstrual pain: a cross-over trial. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol. 2018. 

This post was medically reviewed by Dr. Jennifer Haley, a board-certified dermatologist with extensive experience in medical, cosmetic, and surgical dermatology. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice, and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Photos by Ana Stanciu

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