How seaweed benefits your skin, plus a roundup of sea-worthy products
Posted on February 24, 2021 Written by: 100% PURE®
If the last time you thought about seaweed was while eating sushi, you could be missing out on some of its other benefits! We’re getting up close and personal with this slippery oceanic marvel, and dissecting the many benefits it has for skin.
Seaweed-based beauty products have become super popular lately, but we’ve been praising this undersea beauty ingredient for years. Find out what this ocean treasure can do for your skin, and where you’ll find it in clean beauty.
Who knew the slimy ‘thing’ swishing around your ankles at the beach could be a beauty powerhouse?
Apart from its ultra-hydrating and humectant qualities, seaweed also boasts anti-aging and anti-inflammatory benefits. It's packed with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals, making it a nutrient-dense snack and skin care ingredient. Natural antibacterial properties make it an ideal ingredient for acne, rosacea, and sensitive skin.
Seaweed, kelp, and algae are all natural sources of skin-loving vitamins and minerals. That’s why you’ll see them in hundreds of skin care formulas – and we don’t see them making an exit anytime soon.
What kind of seaweed ingredients can be found in your routine? Seaweed, kelp, algae and a multitude of plant life from the sea are waiting to be discovered in these natural formulas!
Key (Sea) Ingredients:
Organic Laminaria (Algae) Extract
Organic Macrocystis Pyrifera (Sea Kelp) Extract
This ultra light gel serum is designed to saturate dry, thirsty skin cells with intense nutrition and hydration. Harnessing the power of mineral-rich sea kelp and algae extract – with help from hyaluronic acid – this hydrating serum delivers plump and supple skin, with a lessened appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Key (Sea) Ingredients:
Seaweed Polysaccharides (Algin)
Alteromonas Ferment Extract
This luxe face cream is ideal for dry and aging skin types, thanks to seaweed polysaccharides and alteromonas, a proteobacteria found in coastal waters and the open ocean. We hear you asking: what are polysaccharides? And while we’re at it, what the heck is a proteobacteria?
Let’s break it down:
Polysaccharides are essentially carbohydrates, or more specifically, sugar molecules bonded together. In the case of seaweed, polysaccharides provide structural support for the ocean plant. A few examples of seaweed polysaccharides are alginates, agar, and carrageenan. In skin care, these polysaccharides help to lock in moisture and support a thick, stable texture.
Alteromonas is an example of a proteobacteria: a category of gram-negative bacteria. This type of bacteria has an outer membrane of lipopolysaccharides: a molecule containing both lipids and polysaccharides. Thanks to this, alteromonas offers water-binding properties which make it beneficial for drawing and holding water in the skin.
Aside from the complex science behind its ingredients, this thick, decadent moisturizer will ultimately keep skin well-hydrated. Seaweed polysaccharides and alteromonas deliver deep sea hydration to thirsty skin for a soft, smooth complexion.
Key (Sea) Ingredients:
Organic Laminaria (Algae) Extract
Organic Macrocystis Pyrifera (Sea Kelp) Extract
This skin-drenching formula isn’t your average toner. While toners have a reputation for removing moisture from the skin, this one is designed to refill your pores with water. It blends sea kelp and algae extract with toning witch hazel for refreshed, pH-balanced skin. Jelly-textured chia water, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, and algae combine forces to instantly plump dry, thirsty skin.
Key (Sea) Ingredients:
Algae Extract
This spa-like gel cleanser is formulated with a unique blend of lactic acid, plant oils, and algae extract to balance the skin. Lactic acid gently exfoliates oil-prone areas, while jojoba oil and algae maintain skin's moisture barrier. With nourishing ingredients like chlorophyll, juniper fruit oil and jasmine oil, this seaweed cleansing gel leaves skin feeling youthful and radiant.
Key (Sea) Ingredients:
Padina Pavonica Thallus (Mediterranean Algae) Extract
Chlorella Vulgaris (species of green microalgae)
Porphyridium Cruentum (species of red microalgae)
This lightweight and hydrating gel-cream formula quenches thirsty skin, while targeting fine lines and wrinkles. Powerful marine actives like Mediterranean algae and two microalgaes help firm and hydrate the skin; this blend also enhances the featherweight gel texture. Natural aromas of calming rose and anti-inflammatory mimosa flower offer a delicate spa-like experience for the senses.
Key (Sea) Ingredients:
Bio-fermented Pseudoalteromonas Microorganism
The purifying, multi-tasking mist cleanser from One Ocean is formulated with innovative micellar technology to gently remove makeup and impurities in one easy step. The active marine microorganism sourced from the Antarctic Ocean helps to reduce shine, minimize the appearance of pores, and fight against signs of stress and inflammation.
Key (Sea) Ingredients:
Nannochloropsis Oculata (Algae) Extract
Porphyra Umbilicalis (Red Algae) Extract
As the name suggests, this soothing mist instantly calms and hydrates sensitive or irritated skin. Active ingredients like kombucha and red algae detoxify and balance pH. Omegas 3 and 6 found in algae extract help prevent moisture loss, while encouraging repair of daily cellular damage. Green tea and white tea feed skin with potent antioxidants, calm inflammation and redness, and ultimately promise to leave skin smooth and radiant.
Want more details on seaweed benefits for skin? How about a little exploration on red algae? Learn all you need to know about these amazing sea-sourced gems in the Ingredients section of our beauty blog!
- Tags: Ingredients, Skin Care, skincare
We carefully hand-select products based on strict purity standards, and only recommend products we feel meet this criteria. 100% PURE™ may earn a small commission for products purchased through affiliate links.
The information in this article is for educational use, and not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should not be used as such.
