He stood proudly in the arena, slowly turning towards the enthralled spectators and said: “My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius…” Who could forget that famous line, immortalised by Russell Crowe in the cinematic masterpiece Gladiator, directed by Ridley Scott?
Not into Gladiator movies or the rise and fall of the Roman Empire?
You’re here for skincare advice, right? And what would Maximus Decimus Meridius know about that? What beauty advice could he offer us? These are all fair questions.
While Maximus battled hungry tigers under the bright Roman sun, it’s likely he didn’t concern himself much with protecting his skin or the free radicals activated by sun exposure.
However, what we do know is that historically, ancient civilisations, including the Romans, were quite innovative with their skincare, using various substances like olive oil mixed with powdered minerals to shield themselves from the harsh sun—perhaps the earliest form of sun protection.
Introducing Spirulina Maxima.
Inspired by Maximus and the ancient Romans, let’s turn our attention to another age-old source revered by the Aztecs: Spirulina Maxima. This blue-green algae evolved from thousands of years of sea life and is a food source that helps fight against the internal storms caused by free radicals, safeguarding us from oxidative stress.
It’s a serious contender for the status of a potent and powerful antioxidant that protects our internal health and leads to visible improvements in our skin—an oceanic warrior with remarkable benefits for our overall health, including our skin.
It genuinely befits the mantle of a superfood loyal to its natural heritage as a sustainably ethical food source.
Spirulina is cultivated in large tanks or containers, where it receives the necessary nutrients and sunlight. This efficient method of growth does not rely on extensive land use, thereby reducing the need for large agricultural fields.
Like other plants, spirulina absorbs carbon dioxide and releases oxygen, contributing positively to the environment.
Spirulina Maxima Extract for internal health.
Spirulina Maxima Extract for internal health.If we look at its nutritional profile, it’s an oceanic bounty highly valued for its potential to support overall health.
- High protein content with all the essential amino acids.
- Vitamin A, the B vitamins (including B12, often hard to find in plant sources), and vitamin E.
- Minerals, iron, magnesium, and calcium.
It enhances well-being and energy levels, boosts immune function, potentially lowers blood pressure and cholesterol levels, improves gut health, and offers anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects.
Spirulina Maxima Extract for skin health.
In skincare, it’s prized for its antioxidant properties and ability to nourish and protect the skin.
One of the key attributes of Spirulina Maxima is that it improves skin firmness and elasticity. Naturally, these benefits pique our attention, and rightfully so. None of us want sagging jowls! Firm, plump skin that bounces back is always the ideal.
Ingredients like Spirulina Maxima contribute to long-term skin firmness by providing essential nutrients that help maintain collagen and elastin levels, protect against oxidative stress, and enhance hydration, among other benefits.
Improved skin elasticity and firming are based on the following attributes:
- Antioxidant: Spirulina maxima is loaded with antioxidants such as phycocyanin, vitamin A (beta-carotene), and vitamins C and E. These antioxidants can combat free radicals and oxidative stress that contribute to skin ageing, including the loss of elasticity. By neutralising these damaging molecules, Spirulina maxima helps to maintain the skin’s firmness and resilience.
- Amino acids: Spirulina maxima contains a high concentration of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins. Since collagen and elastin, two essential proteins responsible for the skin’s elasticity and structure, are made of amino acids, spirulina’s amino acids can support the skin’s natural ability to produce these proteins, enhancing skin firmness and elasticity.
- Minerals: This blue-green algae is a rich source of minerals such as iron, magnesium, and selenium, vital for skin health. Selenium protects the skin from UV-induced damage, which can degrade collagen and elastin fibres and decrease skin elasticity.
- Vitamins: Spirulina Maxima contains vitamins B, C, D, and E, which are essential for maintaining healthy skin. Vitamin C, in particular, is crucial for collagen synthesis, while Vitamin E helps protect the skin from oxidative stress.
- Hydration: Spirulina’s capacity to promote hydration in skin cells extends beyond superficial moisturising. It helps keep the skin hydrated by communicating with the cells to ensure a water balance within the skin cells, which is essential for skin health and improved elasticity.
The combination of these nutritional components and properties makes Spirulina Maxima Extract a beneficial ingredient in skincare formulations to improve skin elasticity and overall skin health.
Where to find Spirulina Maxima in a skincare formulation.
The French skincare brand Ella Bache offers a collection of Spirulina products. The day and night creams are luxurious and comforting and support the skin to reduce the loss of valuable moisture.
If your skin struggles with moisturisation and is dehydrated, you’ll love the immediate relief these products provide.
SpirulinesLift Firming Day Cream: A Daily Shield.
The SpirulinesLift Day Cream from Ella Baché is infused with a potent blend of Spirulina Maxima and other antioxidants. It provides a protective barrier against daily environmental stressors and is deeply moisturising. The cream’s formula supports the skin’s natural defence mechanisms, ensuring your skin remains hydrated and resilient throughout the day.
SpirulinesLift Firming Night Cream: Overnight Renewal.
SpirulinesLift Firming Night Cream: Overnight Renewal.As night falls, the Ella Baché SpirulinesLift Night Cream takes over the task of rejuvenation. This rich, nourishing cream works in harmony with your skin’s natural nighttime repair process, leveraging the regenerative power of Spirulina Maxima. It’s rich and deeply moisturising to improve moisture balance while you sleep.
Can we lift and firm with skincare?
When a skincare brand names a product in a way that expresses its lifting and firming capabilities, it’s worth noting that this is an indirect consequence and long-term proposition.
Any skincare ingredient with anti-ageing and firming effects is due to the support it offers to the skin’s natural processes rather than a miraculous instant lift to firm your skin.
Having said that, your skin will respond immediately when a topical cream includes natural plant-based oils, such as those found in the Ella Bache SpirulinesLift day and night creams, which mimic the skin’s natural lipid barrier and protect it from lost moisture.
Applying these ingredients to your skin offers quick relief and hydration, which can improve your skin’s appearance and texture. This not only benefits your skin but also aids other active ingredients, such as spirulina maxima, in penetrating the skin. As a result, it helps prevent damage caused by free radicals and oxidative stress while also communicating with skin cells to maintain the proper balance of hydration.
See you next time,
