Some of us hit the beach for a dip, or at this time of year, a walk headlong into the bracing wind to blow out the cobwebs. But increasingly, beauty brands are doing so too, seeking out vitamin-rich algae just off shore to include in skincare for the good of our skin.
It’s not a brand new approach: La Mer is famous for its ‘Miracle Broth’, a uniquely fermented concoction of the prolific kelp abundant in waters near where the brand’s founder lived in San Diego in the 1950s. It’s said to have unique skin-nourishing benefits and is included in each of the luxury line’s skincare products.
However further research of marine as well as freshwater algae, their unique photosynthetic properties and the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants they offer – as well as sustainable harvesting practices – has meant a new wave of skincare releases containing extracts of a selection of the aquatic organisms.
Trend forecasters Mintel and WGSN both recently tipped algae extracts to begin leaping in popularity for skincare. Mintel pointed specifically to Spirulina Platensis Extract, an edible blue-green algae, saying the carbohydrates, proteins, and vitamins in this extract can nourish the skin and promote metabolism, picking it as is suitable for use in antioxidant, anti-aging, and moisturising products.
Shiseido is one brand to make use of the extract in a new SPF just launched in select markets (although not here as yet), the beauty giant saying it can convert a portion of sunlight into beneficial light for the skin.
WGSN suggested seaweed, sea kelp, sea fennel, sea moss and marine algae will become mainstream must-haves in skincare and personal care this year and beyond, especially for the scalp, bath and body categories.
Certainly a number of new arrivals this season hero the extracts for hydrating, soothing and revitalising benefits, often in texturally superior formulations like lotions and gels that avoid any heavy, greasy finish.
Worth trying? Kora Organics Active Algae Lightweight Moisturiser that uses lipids from Green algae as well as alpine rose and green tea to soothe and hydrate skin as well as fend off the signs of aging.
Five of the best algae and seaweed skincare products to try:
L-R: The Body Shop Seaweed Oil-Control Gel Cream; Kora Organics Active Algae Lightweight Moisturizer ; Selfless by Hyram Retinol And Rainbow Algae Night Repair Serum; MARA Algae + Moringa Universal Face Oil; LA MER The Moisturizing Cool Gel Cream
