
Remember when “me time” was a late-night movie marathon, sleeping in the next day and – most importantly – sitting in silence for as long as you want to? Yeah, me too.
Though I wouldn’t trade these days with my littles for anything, I do love to sneak in some good old-fashioned pampering as often as I can.
Sometimes it’s one of these methods for rebooting my body’s stress response, and sometimes it’s a luxurious at-home facial.
This seaweed mask recipe is similar to the $175 signature service offered at my local spa, but I can get one every week for about $0.25 – $0.35, depending on what I use as a base for the mask.
Seaweed = Skin Superfood
It’s no secret that I love to use sea-derived ingredients in my recipes – this sea mud soap, for example. They’re deeply nourishing and very affordable if you make your own.
If you’ve never incorporated seaweed into your skincare routine, you’re in for a treat. It nourishes skin with vitamins, macro minerals, trace minerals, polysaccharides and antioxidants that support collagen production.
That’s the short version, of course. For the geeky science details, check out the section below. If you’re in a rush and just want the recipe, skip to the bottom.

Benefits of Seaweed for Skin
If you’ve ever poured water over dried seaweed and watched it plump up, you’ve already it’s incredible ability to retain moisture. Here’s an overview of some of it’s other benefits.
L-Fucose for Collagen Support
In this study, researchers found that a 1% extract of Fucus vesiculosus – a type of brown algae/seaweed – supported collagen production when applied to skin. This is huge, because not all nutrients are well absorbed by the skin.
Collagen is the perfect example of this – it’s molecules are too large to penetrate the skin, so it just sits on the surface until it is rinsed away. Dietary collagen is actually more helpful for improving skin hydration and elasticity, sleep quality, gut health, bone health and more.
Back to seaweed though: Some researchers believe the benefits of Fucus vesiculosus are due in part to substantial amounts of L-fucose, a polysaccharide that is also found in other types of brown algae/seaweed. (1)
The kelp I use in this recipe – Ascophyllum nodosum – is confirmed to also contain a significant amount of L-fucose. (2)
Clinical research has also shown that a cream containing 1% chlorella – the other algae used in this recipe – had a beneficial effect on firmness and tone. (3)
As you’ll notice in the recipe below, I sometimes rotate kelp with chlorella.
Minerals
Seaweed offers “one of the broadest ranges of minerals of any food,” including macro-minerals like potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, calcium and copper plus over 70 trace minerals including selenium, iron, zinc, manganese and molybdenum. (4)
Minerals such as copper, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus and manganese are essential to the synthesis of collagen. Fortunately, unlike actual collagen, many of them can be directly absorbed.
For example, magnesium is well-absorbed by the skin, which is why it’s so commonly used in bath salts to help relax muscles. Or as Oregon State University put is:
Unlike many organs, skin nutrition may be enhanced directly through topical applications. Topical application of micronutrients can complement dietary consumption, leading to a stronger, healthier protective barrier for the body.” (5)
Vitamins
Kelp and seaweed contain carotenes (a precursor to vitamin A), vitamins B-1 (thiamin), B-2 (riboflavin), B-3 (niacin), B-9 (folate), C, E and K1- all of which support skin health. (6)
In many (if not most) cases, these vitamins are thought to work synergistically with minerals to facilitate absorption – for example, vitamin C increases the body’s absorption of iron. (7)
These vitamins also often have an antioxidant effect – several water and alcohol extracts of seaweed have demonstrated antioxidant properties, including an extract made from the kelp used in this recipe (Ascophyllum nodosum). (8) (9)

Blending With Water Vs. Oil
Some of the nutrients found in seaweed are fat soluble, meaning that they need fat of some kind to be present in order to be absorbed. However, based on the research I’ve done many of the minerals in seaweed are probably better absorbed with a water base.
For that reason, I tend to alternate which type of base I use between aloe vera gel (which is water-based), yogurt (which contains both water and fat), and oil.
Video: Seaweed Mask Recipe
Awhile ago I stopped by Thrive Market and made this mask in their studio using aloe vera gel, kelp granules and spirulina – so I thought I would share it so you can see how easy it is!
Oh, and there’s one last thing you need to know . . .
Like my beloved valerian root tincture that supports deep sleep, this seaweed powder has a not-so-appealing scent.
It’s not very strong, but you may want to incorporate an essential oil to improve the fragrance while also imparting additional skin benefits.
DIY Seaweed Mask Recipe With Kelp & Chlorella
Ingredients
- ½ tsp kelp powder*
- ½ tsp chlorella powder (Spirulina can also be used but be aware that it can impart a temporary light yellow tint to skin)
- 1 tbsp full fat yogurt OR aloe vera gel OR 2 teaspoons skin nourishing oil
- 1 drop skin nourishing essential oil (Optional. I love this anti-age blend – it’s affordable, it smells like honeysuckle and it's wonderful for skin.)
Instructions
- If using an essential oil, add it to the kelp/chlorella powder and stir until it is thoroughly blended in.
- Add in yogurt/aloe vera gel/oil and blend again. If needed, add more liquid until the mixture creates a smooth, spreadable consistency. (If using yogurt or aloe vera, I typically add water. If using oil, I add more oil.)
- Scoop out the seaweed mask with a spoon, then use your fingertips to apply it to your face and neck (if desired). I use a circular, rubbing motion to gently exfoliate as I apply.
- Allow it to sit for 15-30 minutes, then rinse. Follow with moisturizer.
Notes
- *I use this kind and it’s amazing, but it’s a little coarse. I usually sift mine with a flour sifter and use the coarse stuff to make body scrub, but when I made it with kelp granules at Thrive Market I liked the texture it added, too. Just use what you have. 🙂
Shelf Life
This recipe is intended to be used right away, but it will also stay fresh if stored in a clean airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days.FREE Ebook: DIY Body Care Gifts Made Simple
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Sources
- Miller, Tamara (2015) Seaweed Therapies
- Foley, Sara et. al. (2011) An unfractionated fucoidan from Ascophyllum nodosum: extraction, characterization, and apoptotic effects in vitro
- Personal Care Magazine (2017) Effects of Chlorella Extract On Skin
- Pereira, Leonel (2011) A review of the nutrient composition of selected edible seaweeds
- Oregon State University. Skin Health
- Rajapakse , Niranjan and Kim, Se-Kwon (2011) Nutritional and digestive health benefits of seaweed
- Magee, Elaine (2004) Food Synergy: Nutrients That Work Better Together
- Gore Allen, Vivien et. al. (2000) Tasco: Influence of a brown seaweed on antioxidants in forages and livestock—A review1
- Ismail, Amin and Hong, Tan Siew (2002) Antioxidant Activity of Selected Commercial Seaweeds
Melissa
Hi – the kelp powder link only goes to another page on your site. Which kind do you like?
Heather
Oops! Thanks for letting me know. Just updated the link 🙂
Patricia
Heather I am Patricia from Australia, I really enjoy your E mails, I would like to receive them, your information is very much appreciated by me and my husband and we value your principles and the way you want to do things.
warm Regards
Patricia
Marianne
Can you add the link to the essential oil blend you like? Thanks!
Heather
Oops! I thought I included it – thanks for pointing out that I didn’t. Here’s the link 🙂
Renee
Great recipe, I’m loving seaweed. Can’t wait to try this.
Heather W.
Do you readily know of a seaweed source that tests their products for radioactivity? Thanks!
sandy
Check with Eden Foods they are great about checking every batch of soy so they may be checking everything from Japan etc because they are a good macrobiotic source.
Marie
Does this make enough for just one use? Multiple uses?
Linda Pond
How much do the items cost for the receipe
Nicole
I’ve always been intrigued by Lamere products because they contain some form of seaweed that they call “Miracle Broth”. This probably has similar benefits for much cheaper. I’ve done kelp masks but never thought about using chlorella. Very cool, def going to try this 🙂
Deanna
What size jar did you use?
Samantha Teague
I am so making this for my 35-year old face that needs a little TLC. Thanks for sharing!
Nicole
Heather, do you have a post with your face care regimen? I hit 29 and all of a sudden my pores are huge and I have wrinkles forming. My skin is incredibly dry, so I know that makes it worse than it seems. Any advice? Thank you!
suzann
I hear French green clay is a seAweed clay. Know anything about it that you can share
Augustine
What kind of coconut oil do you recommend? Can it be washed off in the sink or shower or does it need to be removed with a cloth first?
Love your site, thank you for your posts!
Marc
hi Heather, could you use different seaweed ?
I’m a seaweed harvester in the west of Ireland .
I collect a lot of different seaweed this why i ask the question.
Heather
Yes, I believe you could. How well it spreads will mostly depend on how finely you can grind it.
Kathy Weber
Hello Heather,
I have heard that wakame is also good for skin. Can I grind the wakame seaweed and add it kelp/chlorella mixture? I want to get the most benefit for my mature skin. Thank You
Meghan
Could you mix the yogurt and aloe vera gel together as the base to get the benefits of both? Also what essential oil would you recommend for combination skin, that’s acne prone, but also starting to get fine lines?
Heather
Yes, you could mix them. Any of the essential oils listed above should be beneficial.
Carol L
You actually did not mention any essential oils except for the anti age blend…..
Sharmeen
Thank you for the recipe. Heather. It seems pretty amazing. Can’t wait to try!
Sharmeen
Melinda
How long will this mask keep before spoiling?
Jamie
Why is the shelf life only two days?
I made the mask and loved it! But it would nice to not have to make everytime fresh…
Heather Dessinger
It has a short shelf life because it doesn’t contain a preservative. 🙂
Nancy
I love this mask! I had none, not even one, of the ingredients (not even yogurt or aloe at the time) but purchased everything through your links and have been masking myself like crazy and gifting it with the string attached that they must send me a selfie when they look like the wicked witch of the east! I have a question on the 3 day shelf life of this mask. If aloe is used, not yogurt, will this keep for a longer period, say 6 months or so? What is it about the combination of the ingredients that makes it an immediate-use only recipe? I’d love to gift it in 2 oz-4 oz jars, but if it must be used right away, there is no point.
Thanks, and thank you for sharing the recipe.
Ingrid
Hello Heather, if aloe vera gel is required, can I use the gel from my own aloe vera leaves or does this weaken the shelf-live?
Thanks for your reply
Heather Dessinger
This mask should be used right away because it doesn’t have a long shelf life, so using fresh aloe would be fine.