You’ve probably heard about the multi-mineral and skin-boosting-promising sea moss gel online. We’ve talked about it before, giving you the run-down on Irish Sea Moss, its skin benefits, and How To Use Sea Moss On Your Face. Now you might be sold and are wondering where to go to get some Sea Moss to experience its amazing benefits. Let’s take a look at best practices for buying sea moss in person and online!
Okay But, What is Sea Moss?
You might already be well-versed on sea moss 101 and if you are feel free to skip this portion. If you want the bare basics of sea moss and its benefits keep reading!
Sea moss gel is also known under the names Irish Moss or Red Seaweed. It is a type of seaweed that grows year-round in tidepools and inlets. It is often harvested in New England and used as a gelatin-like (did you know gelatin is not vegan and is very common in marshmallows!) substance used in baked goods or cosmetics.
Sea Moss is famously known as a skincare powerhouse due to its high mineral and vitamin content. Some of the great benefits of sea moss are:
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Chromium
- Magnesium
- Zinc
- Iron
- Iodine
Many choose to use Sea Moss as a daily vitamin and take it by the spoonful or use it in smoothies due to its salty taste. If you want to learn more about the skin benefits in particular, head over to our skin benefits of sea moss gel blog.
Types of Sea Moss
Like many other plants, there are multiple types of sea moss. Sea moss is also known as Irish moss or chondrus crispus. As a red algae, the most widely known and used is the chondrus crispus. Sometimes there are other species of seaweed referred to as “sea moss” due to their similar uses or nutrients. Below are common types of sea moss.
- Chondrus Crispus: a very popular type of sea moss often used for culinary and medicinal purposes. It has a high carrageenan content and acts like a gelatinous substance that can be used as a thickener in products. It grows in cooler waters, mainly near Great Britain, the coast of Ireland, Maine, Canada, and other places that have cooler waters. You can find it in gel form or in a dried form that you can use to make it into a gel form (either for eating or as a face mask!). Most commonly called Irish Sea Moss.
- Gracilaria: another type of red algae that is referred to as sea moss. It is also used in food products and contains carrageenan. It grows in much warmer waters like the Java Sea, Celebes Sea, Solomon Sea, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans.
- Eucheuma Cottonii: often used in the production of carrageenan and is found in the Pacific region. It grows in much warmer waters like the Java Sea, Celebes Sea, Solomon Sea, Caribbean Sea, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans.
Though there are many varieties of sea moss, each pretty much has similar health benefits and uses. Sea moss overall is so popular as a superfood because of its nutritional content, but it is important to note where your sea moss comes from to understand its type.
We always recommend before applying to the face to patch test the sea moss to pre-determine if there is an allergy or to consult with your doctor before using it as a supplement.
How Can I Tell Its Quality?
As always, you want your money’s worth when it comes to buying a new product. When it comes to a cultivated and grown product like sea moss, you want to also ensure you are getting a safe and high-quality one too! Let’s look at some key things to consider when assessing the quality of your sea moss.
- Source and Origin
Knowing where the sea moss is grown is important to evaluate if it was grown in clean waters that is free from pollutants and contaminants. Sea moss that is harvested in unpolluted sea waters with responsible farming practices is going to most likely be of a higher quality.
- Appearance
A high-quality sea moss should have a vibrant color, either a dark purple or brown to green. This depends on the species. Dried sea mosses might have a different color. It should be relatively clean and free from excessive debris or odd matter.
- Smell
Fresh sea moss will have a mild seaweed-like scent.
- Rinse and Soak
If you are using dried sea moss, make sure to rinse it thoroughly to remove debris. Soak it in water for a few hours until it expands and softens. If your dried sea moss is high quality it will rehydrate well and will maintain the gel-like consistency.
- Purity
The sea moss should be free from additives, chemicals, or artificial preservatives in order to be pure sea moss.
- Sourcing
Look at reputable sellers or brands that source organic sea moss. This is extremely important because organic sea moss is free of pesticides and certain kinds of chemicals that can be found in non-organic sources. Organic sea moss is the highest quality variety.
- Reviews
It is always important to check customer reviews and feedback on products to see how the quality is interpreted. Are customers satisfied with their products?
- Packaging and Storage
High-quality sea moss should be stored in proper packaging that helps maintain its freshness. This packaging for fresh sea moss should be airtight and kept in a cool, dry place. If buying dry, make sure the package is also airtight and stored at room temperature at the hottest.
If buying wet sea moss gel, be aware that the product can have a very short shelf life and must be refrigerated. This fact can make purchasing sea moss in gel form inconvenient and expensive.
Sea moss is a natural product, meaning appearance and texture can vary from species, harvesting methods, and how it was processed. Not all sea moss will look the same. If you are having a hard time sourcing high-quality sea moss you trust, consult with a knowledgeable herbalist, nutritionist, or healthcare professional for guidance.
Buying Sea Moss Online vs In-person
How you buy your sea moss can create a different experience for you. Not everyone has in-store options to buy high-quality or fresh sea moss. There are certain things to look for if you are buying your sea moss online or in person.
If you are buying Online:
- Research the Seller
Look at sellers that are reputable or websites that specialize in selling sea moss or sea greens. Read their reviews and ratings to know their track record with products.
- Check for Authenticity and Quality
When buying online, make sure the sellers are providing detailed information about the products. This could include the type of sea moss, the origin of sea moss, and its harvesting process. If they don’t offer this information online, check if they will email more detailed information.
- Customer Reviews
Look into the feedback from previous customers online to see if the promised quality, packaging, and delivery experience is well received.
- Shipping and Packaging
See how long the delivery takes and the cost to ship the sea moss. It is important to know the sea moss is packaged to maintain its quality during transit time.
- Compare Prices
You’ll want to compare the prices of sea mosses between different sellers to see if the price and shipping cost is fair and reasonable. Sea moss isn’t necessarily inexpensive, but it has become a trendy item.
If you are buying In-Person:
- Inspect the Product
Buying sea moss in-person has its perks because you can see the product in real-time. Carefully inspect the product to see if it has an unusual coloring, mold, or spoilage. You’ll want it to look fresh and vibrant.
- See the Source
If the packaging permits, see what the origin and harvesting methods of the sea moss are. If it is not on the packaging you might want to consider checking the website if the seller has one.
- Organic Status
Make sure to buy organic sea moss for the highest quality and purest product possible.
- Storage Conditions
Ensure the store’s storage practices for the sea moss make sure it is maintaining quality. This means minimizing direct sunlight or high humidity.
- Seller’s Reputation
Even though this is in-person buying, you will still want to know if you are buying sea moss from a well-established health food store or specialty store.
- Expiration Dates
With any food product, please make sure the sea moss has a valid expiration date to make sure you are not buying it when it is past due!
How to Use Sea Moss
On Its Own As a Skin Treatment
You can pretty much use sea moss on its own and reap all the benefits. All you have to do is apply it to a clean face and allow it to soak into your skin for 15-20 minutes. Afterward, rinse the thin layer off your face and apply a moisturizer.
To be honest, you can reap all the benefits just by using sea moss gel straight on your skin. This can be through a homemade sea moss gel or a store-bought one. If you are using a store-bought gel, make sure to check the ingredients label to ensure it is plain sea moss gel. If you are interested in making your own gel, here is how we have it.
- Remove sea moss from container
- Rinse thoroughly until all salt, sand, or dirt is removed.
- Soak your sea moss overnight in a bowl of warm water, some even soak it for 24 hours. Make sure all sea moss is covered with water when soaking.
- Drain and rinse again
- Place Sea Moss in a blender with equal parts water. Try less water and add water to meet a gel-like consistency.
- Store in refrigerator.
In Masks
We love a DIY face mask, and sea moss would be a great addition to any of the recipes we have on our website. Some ideas for good additives for a face mask are:
- Avocado
- Aloe vera
- Turmeric
- Honey
- Yogurt
- Other Products
Sea moss in your everyday skincare regimen is great to get the added benefits without having to just buy the gel. We do not have any specific brands we recommend with sea moss incorporated into their products, but if you do let us know on our Instagram or Tik Tok!
Eat It!
Another way to get some benefits from sea moss gel is to add it to your meals or to take it as a daily vitamin. You can add it to a smoothie, check out our favorite skin-centered smoothie recipes to add your sea moss to!
Here are some of our favorite smoothies that would pair lovely with added sea moss!
- Skin-Boosting Blueberry & Vanilla Smoothie
- Vanilla Avocado Protein Smoothie
- Mint Chip Vegan Collagen Boost Smoothie
- Reese Witherspoon’s Green Smoothie
Adding sea moss to your daily diet can be a great way to support your skin and body due to its amazing benefits.* If you are still having questions about buying sea moss online vs in-person or what might be our favorite ways to utilize sea moss in our day, message us on Instagram!
Did you like this wellness-inspired article? You’ll love our other sea moss and nutrient benefit blog posts!
- Irish Sea Moss 101
- Skin Benefits of Sea Moss
- How to Use Sea Moss on Your Face
- 5 Functional Beauty Mushrooms for Youthful Skin
- How Ashwagandha and Amla Berry Can Potentially Help With Hair Loss
