Be ready to be blown away – there’s this little unknown secret buried in the bogs and swamps of Northern Europe, that can be said to be both the fountain of youth and the cure for various skin problems. It’s called peat and is made of peat moss, or sphagnum that has been buried for thousands of years. It has been slowly decomposing in an oxygen-free environment, getting more and more powerful with each passing century.
There are a lot of bogs in the world, but the perfect peat mud that is extremely rich in bioactive composition, is hidden in the deepest parts of Northern Europe, where the environment is pristine and the climate is just right. The mud there contains the highest concentration of several acids and other beneficial substances, all of which are good for the human body, but the most powerful is in Northern Peat, and is called fulvic acid.
There are more and more scientific and health studies these days about fulvic acid, and people have started to understand its amazing benefits.
So, what exactly is peat good for? Let’s outline four facts to understand more about this great substance.
1. Peat can effectively be used for the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, dryness and other inflammatory skin conditions
Fulvic acid’s antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties have been documented in various studies to be highly effective for treating several skin irritations, including eczema, psoriasis, dryness, dermatitis and acne. It also helps to protect your skin and treat wounds and irritations caused by the aforementioned problems. Fulvic acid has been called the “miracle molecule” for good reason. It combines several minerals to create a complex molecular compound that works to activate the nutrients so that they can be utilized by the cells of the plants. And it does the same to you, making your skin soft, glowing and flawless. Fulvic acid will help to hasten the results of your healthy diet by transporting minerals and other nutrients to skin cells more effectively. In Northern Europe and also in China and the Himalayas, peat has been used for centuries for a number of medicinal applications.
2. Free-radical neutralizers, hence “The elixir of life“
Peat does more than just keep your skin healthy; it also prevents premature ageing, which is primarily caused by free-radicals. Fulvic acid helps to neutralize these harmful substances and detoxify the body, therefore extending the life of cells. Toxins and metals that enter the body through water, food, air pollution and household products are isolated and broken down by fulvic acid. Several studies have shown that antioxidants found in peat help to make your skin even more smooth and fresh.
3. Peat can be a great resource for hair re-growth
Besides the skin, peat also has deep cleansing, nourishing and moisturizing effects for the hair and scalp. It increases the skin’s humidity, which drastically improves blood flow to the roots. This is extremely useful for damaged hair. Peat can heal weakened hair follicles and regrow thin and broken hair to a thick and beautiful condition. Products made from peat improve skin repair and help to speed metabolism within 30 minutes of using it. This won’t help if the hair follicle is already dead, but if a person suffers from hair damage due to severe weather conditions or coloring, then peat-based products can do magic for the hair!
4. One of the most complex and diverse substances in the world
Fulvic Acid is a natural element found in humus. This compound is the end product of the humification process, which occurs when organic material breaks down. Basically, it is “nature’s recycling“. The concentration In Northern Peat is extremely rich, and in addition to this, it is supercharged with various other nutrients and minerals. This is how the magic happens; the peat accumulates and contains all of the useful ingredients in a highly concentrated form, so nothing gets lost, and more and more is added during thousands of years. No wonder it can be used so effectively for so many skin problems.
In Hollywood movies, acid burns faces off; does peat acid do the same?
On the contrary the skin’s natural balance won’t be disrupted when in contact with peat, as the acids in peat are very similar to skin’s natural pH level.
Let’s see what the three main acids found in peat do:
- Fulvic acid enhances your skin’s natural defense mechanism as it is a powerful anti-oxidant. It also helps the absorption of oxygen and water.
- Humic acid’s goal is to lengthen the life of hyaluronic acid molecules. This keeps the skin’s moisture level as high as possible and slows down wrinkle formation.
- Hymatomelanic acid enhances the texture of skin, smoothes it, and heals the micro-wounds.
So, far from doing any damage, the acids found in peat are a perfect treatment for sensitive skin.
Why has sphagnum been used so seldom in beauty rituals and treatments?
Well, not all peat is equal. The best therapeutic peat can be found in the bogs of Northern Europe and Scandinavia. So, not too many companies have access to this amazing material. Nevertheless, as peat is a great source of minerals, microelements, lipids, enzymes and several acids, it’s no wonder European spas have been using peat treatments for a long time. But better late than never. Now that you know how useful peat is, wouldn’t it be a crime against your skin NOT to use it?
What products are made from sphagnum mud?
The answer would be basically anything you can put on your skin – body lotions, face masks, body washes, and shampoos and conditioners. A great feature about peat moss is that it is absolutely odorless, so it is suitable to be used in most body cosmetics.
Where to find peat products?
Honestly, this is a tricky task. There are not many peat-based products out there. In most of the retail stores, at least in the States, you’d probably get some really confused looks if you ask if they have sphagnum peat products. Most of the producers are in Northern Europe. Luckily, you can buy basically anything from Amazon, so if you are in the States, the safest bet would be to purchase the products online.
