ALL THAT ZAZZ

By Mary N. DiZazzo

SEAWEED—good on your skin!

Ciao bella,

The wonderful beach and all its treasures—hope everyone enjoyed my last column on Dead Sea Salts. Now for some tips and facts on Seaweed.

Did you know it’s an ocean vegetable and we all know how good veggies are for us? It is a multicellular marine plant that is the most complex form of algae. There is thought to be more than 20,000 species of seaweed. It holds the most powerful ingredients of seawater in a highly concentrated form—making it highly compatible to human plasma. Seaweed is rich in vitamins and minerals, including A1, B1, B2, B6, C, K, E, folic acid, niacin, potassium, calcium, iodine, magnesium, phosphorous, iron and zinc.

Seaweed comes from certain locations, such as the coast of France, Ireland and the British Isles and is only harvested at certain times of the year when seaweed has a high mineral content.

Now for the Beauty Tips—Seaweed helps defend the skin against aging, protects against UV radiation, moisturizes, and treats acne. When applied to the skin seaweed draws toxins from the body while releasing nutrients into the skin. Many skin care products contain green, red, and brown algae. Green seaweed is believed to increase collagen and elastin production. In moisturizers, beauty and shampoo products the red algae extract works as a binder. The brown algae are said to cleanse and control cellulite. The phytonutrients present in seaweed also help increase blood flow at the surace of the skin, making it supple, smooth and radiant.

You can find seaweed ingredients in your beauty products by checking the label, Make sure it reads; algae extract, algin, alginate, or alginic acid, carageenan, fucogel, macroalgae, marine collagen, micronized algae, photosomes, phytelene complex, RMA or red marine algae and sea mineral complex.

To find some wonderful products containing the seaweed extracts from body lotion to shower gel just pop by A Matter of Face, 425 Hanover St., right here in the North End—just ask for Paula, Kim or Maria. www.amatterofface.com for more info! Good luck and stay beautiful!

Buona giornata and God bless the United States of America!

Mary

Read prior weeks' "All That Zazz" columns at www.mary4nails.com. Mary is a third-generation cosmetologist and a Massachusetts distributor of Kosmea brand rose hip oil products. She may be contacted at (978) 470-8183 or mary@mary4nails.com