The Haircare Benefits Of Sea Moss, Explained

Heard of sea moss (or as it's also known, Irish moss)? Whether you have no idea or just need a refresher, we're here to explain. Sea moss is a seaweed that's been used for years to thicken food. But more and more people are now realizing the many benefits sea moss has for the body. Sea moss supplements are making waves in the beauty world, as is a substance called sea moss gel, which is derived from sea moss. That's because the natural product is packed full of vitamins (A, B, C, E, and K, to be exact, according to WebMD), antioxidants, and minerals, including the likes of iron and zinc. And both can have a positive effect on your hair in particular. Supplements will work on your locks from the inside out, while applying a gel to your strands will keep them healthy from the outside in.

It's no wonder that the rich and famous have been singing the praises of sea moss all over the place. Heck, even Kim Kardashian herself revealed on X, formerly known as Twitter, in 2020 that she likes to enjoy a sea moss smoothie. With big names like that loving sea moss so publicly, it'll probably come as little surprise to hear it's a very hot product in the haircare and beauty worlds. But what exactly can it do for our tresses? We found out.

One of the biggest benefits sea moss has to offer is the fact that studies have suggested that, for some people, it can potentially encourage natural hair growth. According to Prose, this is due to it containing fatty and folic acids, which have been known to help hair grow faster. Looking for more hydrated hair? Sea moss could help there too! Red algae like this can also encourage hair elasticity; as sea moss is made up of carrageenan, it can create a barrier around the hair to lock moisture in, which will help keep brittle hair and pesky split ends at bay. The same can be said for sea moss's ability to protect the cuticle with a barrier around it. That makes it a great detangling product as well, as it can be used as a leave-in conditioner to reinforce the hair's cuticle to stop knots and tangles that cause serious hair damage.

One of the things we really love, though? Sea moss is giving us all of these benefits without the need for synthetic products. Some man-made hair products can actually strip the hair of its natural oils or create too much of a product build-up, which can leave your locks dull and lifeless. However, as registered dietitian Beth Czerwony pointed out to Health Essentials, there's still a lot more to be done to really know for sure what sea moss can do.

It's not just your hair that can see an improvement thanks to sea moss. Many people who incorporate sea moss into their beauty routine will also see a healthier scalp. That's because it has antioxidant, antifungal, and anti-microbial benefits, which will help keep germs at bay and the scalp's skin (as well as your hair, of course) at its best. Sea moss also has its uses when it comes to protecting the hair and scalp, particularly when spending a lot of time in the sun. It's known to be made up of amino acids that can create a barrier on the hair so it's less susceptible to UV damage, as well as the antioxidant fucoidan. According to Pattern, fucoidan can help bring down inflammation caused by sun damage and minimize the impact of free radicals.

But, as with anything going in or on your body, it needs to be done safely. We'd recommend doing a patch test before applying sea moss gel to your hair or skin to ensure you're not allergic. It's also a good idea to check with your doctor or dietician before introducing new supplements into your daily routine. Equally, always ensure your sea moss is from a reputable seller. As registered dietitian nutritionist Samar Kullab told CNBC Make It, "Sea moss can contain heavy metals like mercury or lead, depending on where it's harvested." And that's not at all good.