April 2, 2024
The reasons behind why it may be one of the most powerful of cosmetic ingredients
As the cosmetic industry becomes more transparent about its ingredients, there is a noticeable shift toward using botanical, natural, and chemical-free components. This trend highlights people's preference for understanding the full list of ingredients in their skincare products, making it easier to identify and comprehend what they are applying to their skin.
While the use of botanical ingredients is on the rise, one often-overlooked source is seaweed. Unlike herbs and medicinal plants, the benefits of seaweed in skincare have been neglected for centuries, possibly due to a lack of research or misconceptions about marine plants. However, fresh marine plants growing underwater possess remarkable qualities that surpass many artificially made ingredients.
Recent studies show that seaweed is a skincare hero. It's not just a random thing washed up on the shore; it's a nutrient-rich plant with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. These work together to hydrate your skin, boost collagen production, and keep your skin elastic and healthy.
What's even cooler is that seaweed has anti-inflammatory and antibacterial powers. So, whether you're dealing with irritated skin, fighting off acne or dealing with skin issues like psoriasis or rosacea, seaweed has your back.
Seaweed, known for its potency and versatility, is also highly sustainable. Its ability to combat sea erosion and its environmental friendliness contribute to its appeal. Similar to how trees and plants capture CO2 for photosynthesis, algae, including seaweed, can capture and reuse up to 1.8 kg of CO2 per kilogram of algal biomass (1).
Despite the historical neglect of marine plants in skincare, some resources indicate their historical use in spas for healing procedures, addressing skin issues, and relieving muscle and joint discomfort.
While not as common in the UK, the use of fresh or rehydrated algae for skin treatments is typical along the Irish coast, including Connemara, Ballybunion, and the Dingle Peninsula. You can try yourself – bring some brown seaweed (ideally wrack family) back home and put them into your hot bath. You will see and feel miracles.
What are these miracles though:
Each group of seaweeds (reds, browns and greens) have got their unique properties. But one of the healing constituents that we can feel in raw form are their specific polysaccharides. They have been proven to be wound healing, antiviral and antimicrobial (2, 3). Capability of tissue regeneration explains why seaweed is such a strong ingredient for treating skin issues like psoriasis and acne. It can also soothe irritation and inflammation. Among these polysaccharides, the fucoidan from brown seaweed has been studied enormously for their bioactivity including antioxidant, anticancer, antimicrobial, hyperlipedemic, anti-inflammatory, etc (5).
Seaweed that grows in shallow water have evolved a number of pigments, which are chemical substances that, among their other functions, protect the seaweed from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, which can penetrate the top layer of the water (4). Some of these pigments have been isolated and they are now incorporated into sunscreen products (4). That’s why seaweed is considered to be anti-aging – it can reduce the oxidative stress caused by free radicals which our skin faces every single day.
When you imagine seaweed – it had to adapt during thousands of years to the natural cycle of the ocean. It gets crisp dry during the low tide and nicely moist when the tide is high. Sometimes it takes hours when the sun is scorching the plant on the beach and after a couple more hours the plant feels undamaged again once it touches water. The trick is not only in strong antioxidants contained in seaweed but mainly in above mentioned polysaccharides which can retain moisture in the plant. The same property can be transferred to your skin and keep it nice, fresh, plum and hydrated. Polysaccharides from Laminaria japonica Areschoug were shown to have greater hydrating and moisturising effects than hyaluronic acid (5).
The other secret ingredient which prevents water loss are amino acids which are highly contained in seaweed. Amino acids are one of the important constituents of a natural moisturising factor which prevents the water loss in the skin (5).
Seaweed can draw impurities not only from our bodies but also from our skin. Even though seaweed is mainly attached to the rock surface, it doesn't drag the vitamins and minerals from the rock itself. Seaweed takes nourishment straight from the water through their cells which are in direct contact with sea water. It can absorb most of the vitamins and minerals but also easily take in nitrogen, arsenic and other harmful substances caused by the water pollution. That’s why we always go for the fresh seaweed and make sure that the areas that we harvest our seaweed from are not polluted. One of the guides we use is Surfers Against Sewage (https://www.sas.org.uk/) - which monitors actual water pollution.
Conclusion
Even though natural skincare might seem like a small trend, seaweed is definitely making a comeback in the last few years. It's not just a smelly pile on the beach – it's a skincare secret that can make your skin happier and healthier. So, when you're thinking about your skincare routine, why not give seaweed a try? With its nutrient-rich profile, anti-inflammatory properties, and sustainable appeal, seaweed stands out as a potent and eco-friendly skincare hero. Embracing these marine plants not only addresses various skin concerns but also aligns with a growing demand for effective, transparent, and environmentally conscious beauty solutions.
Every now and then we like to share useful information about our development as a business. If you would like to stay informed about all things seaweed and our latest product offerings, please sign up to our newsletter below.
.svg){kind=icon}
Web design by Freddie Hill Graphics
