Who needs expensive spas when we’re surrounded by nature’s greatest beauty bounty? Francesca Santoro dives in
Who needs expensive spas when we’re surrounded by nature’s greatest beauty bounty? Francesca Santoro dives inbeauty and health . The Greeks believed that Aphrodite rose up to creation from the sea foam. Legend has it that the Queen of Sheba discovered the therapeutic nature of the Dead Sea which Cleopatra later put to good use. The world’s oceans are teeming with lifegiving elements that will help to re-energise your body and soul.
Thalassotherapy, which is the medical use of seawater and comes from the Greek word ‘thalassa’ meaning ‘sea’, was created with this in mind. Since ancient times, those in search of a cure have sought the healing energy of the oceans.
So why not take a tip from the sea and treat yourself to some home-grown healing marine therapy?
Seaweed
Concentrated in these leafy sea greens are the vital cell-regenerating minerals, vitamins and amino acids that keep skin youthful and cleansed, encouraging good circulation at the skin’s surface. Vitamins A and C help to maintain collagen, the protein in our skin which creates connective tissue, whilst vitamin K helps to regulate our hormones.
By a process of osmosis, seaweed draws out the toxins from our cells and replaces them with their essential elements. Seaweed is high in iodine which is particularly important for ensuring that the thyroid is able to control the metabolism rate and its alginic acid draws out unwanted metals from the blood and helps them pass through the intestine.
This is Mother Nature’s capsule of all of the nutrients, minerals and vitamins that a human being could possibly need. Coming from the sea, it is free from pesticides and it is totally organic. Plus, if you live by the sea, it’s free! Testimony to its benefits is the use of Irish Sea moss and kelp in cellulite creams, anti-ageing products and treatments for skin disorders.
Home spa therapy: Sea green soak
If you have collected your own seaweed, give it a good wash in fresh water. If not, you can buy dried seaweed from most supermarkets or specialist oriental shops.
Once you have filled your bath with warm water, add a generous amount of seaweed and wait until the leaves have released their goodness, turning the water a light brown colour. Add a few drops of lavender oil to aid relaxation and slowly ease yourself into the bath. The seaweed will release its gelling agent which will moisturise your skin, allowing its nutrients to absorb and work their magic. Sit back, close your eyes and think of the sounds, smells and feel of the sea. If you want an added boost of minerals, pour in Dead Sea salts and together with the seaweed, rub these into your skin in circular motions to exfoliate and encourage absorption.
Home spa therapy: Kelp cream face mask
This simple mixture uses three of nature’s best moisturisers to penetrate the skin and unleash their purifying qualities. This mask is great for spotty skin in need of special relief from the environment. For this mask, you will need a tablespoon of kelp powder, which you can buy from specialist health shops, half a tablespoon of honey, and half a tablespoon of aloe vera gel.
This sticky mix could be messy so make sure you wash your hands after you apply it to your face! Gently massage the mask into your T-zones to rid them of unwanted blockages. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
Home spa therapy: Sea salt body scrub
Another valuable product from the sea is its salt, not just for its mineral make-up but also for its grainy texture, which makes it the perfect exfoliant. Rubbing salt onto your skin will sting if you have any open cuts or you have shaved within the last 24 hours so it’s probably best to avoid this! Simply mix together four tablespoons of sea salt, a tablespoon of kelp powder or crushed dried seaweed and enough almond oil to create a rich paste. Rub this onto your wet skin in circular movements and wash it off as soon as you have treated your whole body.
Float away
The sea will not just infuse your skin with nutrients, it can also bring to you a deep sense of tranquillity. Salty, dense water has long been used in floatation tanks for this purpose, as have open swimming pools such as Nirvana Spa’s Dead Sea pool. Floating in heated water in complete silence limits outside sensual stimuli, allowing your mind to reach an almost trancelike state. The body feels as though it is suspended in zero gravity making total muscle relaxation possible.
This treatment is based on Reduced Environmental Stimulation Therapy (REST) and research suggests that during these sessions, areas of the brain are suddenly activated when they become free from the strains of powering the nervous system. The brain becomes more open to creative inspiration, your learning abilities and visualisation as it achieves a state known as ‘theta’, also experienced through Zen meditation . We usually only achieve this state whilst we are asleep.
This has a knock-on effect on the rest of the body. Tension is released and the heart rate drops together with blood pressure and oxygen intake. Pleasure-giving endorphins are released throughout the body, replacing stress chemicals. This is all achieved by the natural reactions of the body. All you have to do is lay back, relax and drift away.
Go with the flow
Sally Minty-Gravett started swimming in the sea when she was five years old. Living in Jersey allows her to swim every day providing conditions are favourable. She has swum the English Channel four times and her favourite achievement was swimming the Catalina channel in the Pacific. “I was taught to swim in the sea long before indoor pools were built in Jersey so the sea is much more appealing and more natural for me,” says Sally. When not swimming, Sally teaches others to swim both indoors and outdoors. “When I am swimming outside in the fresh air, even when it’s windy, it is so exhilarating and refreshing. It clears the mind, it’s a great stress buster and the ‘feel good factor’ is incredible!” says Sally. “It’s good for the soul.”
“Floating in heated water in complete silence limits outside sensual stimuli”
Mineral magic
The sea is a source of healing minerals. But which ones do what?
Magnesium
The nerves need this to calm their endings, making it the anti-stress mineral.
Potassium
This particularly mineral is good for maintaining the body’s acid/alkaline balance which reduces skin puffiness.
Sodium
The skin needs this mineral to drain water from its cells. It improves the skin’s tone and elasticity.
Iodine
This is necessary to encourage skin cell regeneration and balance the metabolism.
Bromide
This mineral aids relaxation of the nerves and mind.
Sulphur
Its anti-bacterial cleansing properties speed up the healing of wounds.
Calcium
This works to improve skin tone and elasticity.
Marine beauty
Try these sea-themed beauty treats to freshen up your act
Cowshed Spearmint Exfoliating Sea Salt Scrub, £39 is made with essential oils and pure sea salt crystals and enriched with seaweed and honey to nourish and soften the skin.
Elemis Pro-Collagen Marine Cream, £75, combines the marine algae Padina Pavonica with Absolutes and Gingko Biloba liposomes that enable deep penetration of moisture into the skin.
Have your own personal spa with ESPA Detoxifying Seaweed Bath, £24, which contains detoxifying laminaria digitata, the seaweed used in France’s thalassotherapy centre.
Ole Henriksen Natural Hair Wash with Kelp, £20, is a gentle shampoo that harnesses the cleansing properties of kelp to leave hair glossy and smooth.
NUDE Moisture Balance, £46, contains laminaria seaweed to control excess oil while keeping the skin hydrated.
Dr Bragi’s Age Management Marine Enzyme, £120, an intensive moisturiser that helps to stimulate cell renewal using a sea enzyme called penzyme.
Wake up with Organic Surge Fresh Ocean Shower Gel, £3.99, which is clinically certified for sensitive skin.
Work the mermaid look with Bellapierre’s gorgeously bold Ocean Shimmer Powder, £11, which is made from natural minerals.
An invigorating shower gel, REN Seaweed and Sage Body Wash, £13, is formulated with laminaria seaweed to tone and stimulate your body.
Philosophy Hope Springs Eternal Deep Sea Ultra Fine Hydrating Mist, £16, is formulated with the rejuvenating properties of the deep sea and contains over 250 minerals to topically feed the skin.
Article by
Francesca Santoro
Article by
Francesca Santoro
By Francesca Santoro
