Seaweed Skin Care: The Secret to Flawless Skin?

Who knew that the key to clear skin could be found in the deep blue? Marine skincare has been making waves in the beauty world with people hailing seaweed’s anti-aging and acne-clearing properties but how does it actually work? We dive into the depths of this new-age beauty powerhouse brought from the salty shores to your skincare cabinet and find out if it is really worth the hype or whether this new ingredient might leave us feeling a little…blue.

What is Seaweed Skincare?

Marine-sourced skin care ingredients have been making plenty of noise in the beauty industry as algae and seaweed have been heralded for their antioxidant properties, boasting a range of skincare benefits from purifying blocked pores to locking in hydration. It’s even been found to help soothe skin conditions like psoriasis and eczema. So what is it about seaweed that can help our skin out?

Seaweed is antioxidant rich, packed with minerals like iron, zinc, magnesium, calcium, and iodine and vitamins A, B12, C, D and E. The polysaccharides in seaweed (the stuff that makes it slimy) are also known to help prevent a range of diseases due to their antiviral, antibacterial and anti-tumoral properties. It’s a superfood and skin hero, brimming with omega 3 fatty acids and amino acids which are integral to body and skin health.

Seaweed is an umbrella term for plants and algae so seaweed enriched skincare products will differ in their particular seaweed content. Products will often contain seaweed extracts which are condensed with all of seaweed’s naturally-occurring lipids, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Because seaweed cells are surprisingly similar to skin cells, they can help maintain your skin’s natural balance.

Skin Benefits

Seaweed seems to have some impressive skin-saving accolades and with plenty of studies on its hero qualities, we can see why it’s taking the skincare world by storm. Sustainable, soothing, skin-function-enhancing…is there anything this salty sea urchin can’t do?

Hydrating

Most renowned for its deeply hydrating qualities, seaweed contains essential electrolyte minerals like calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorus which work together to maintain the skin’s optimal function, particularly in maintaining its hydration levels. It’s a powerful humectant meaning it draws moisture into skin cells with potent polysaccharides absorbing water into the skin for long-lasting hydration.

Anti-Aging

Seaweeds have a high amino acid content which are the building blocks of protein, integral to the skin’s elastin and collagen production and content. It works wonders for aging skin by promoting tissue regeneration and increasing skin elasticity and microcirculation, creating plumper, fine-line free skin.

Acne Clearing

Packed with iodine, algae also has bacteria-balancing properties to speed up skin healing and prevent bacterial acne. Ideal for combination and acne-prone skin, seaweed can help maintain sebum control and balance the skin to prevent breakouts. It can also help heal scars and reduce redness.

Fight Free Radicals

Algae is thought to contain bioactive compounds not found anywhere else, namely fucoxanthin, a powerhouse antioxidant which has been thought to quench harmful free radicals that damage our cells and DNA. They can trigger oxidative stress on our skin, leading to fine lines, uneven skin tone, skin barrier damage, dark spots and sagging. Seaweed then, is a great protective barrier for our skin, especially city dwellers who are exposed to plenty of free radicals.

Anti-Inflammatory

Certain types of seaweeds contain bioactive compounds which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can even boots cell defence against UV rays. They can reduce inflammation at a cellular level, protecting the body from oxidative stress. Those prone to irritation will benefit from adding seaweed into their skincare to help soothe and calm triggered skin and prevent future irritations. They also contain zinc and magnesium known to help reduce redness.

How to Incorporate Seaweed in Skincare

An easy way to reap all of the benefits of seaweed is through a seaweed supplement. Packed with plant-based nutrients, supplements work similarly to a collagen supplement but with plenty more benefits to help the function of your body and skin.

As for topical seaweed skincare products, overnight creams and serums can help work magic on your skin to lock in moisture and repair barrier damage along with repair balms and oils that will reduce the appearance of pores, improve skin tone and texture and leave you waking up with smooth, plump skin.

Whether you have oily, combination, dry, irritated, or aging skin, seaweed could be your skin saviour…