Beauty

Seaweed Makes A Splash In Skincare and Wellness

Dive deep into the benefits of seaweed, and discover 11 powerful products infused with this magical ingredient.

Sherina Jamal

June 4, 2021

Photo: Shutterstock

Seaweed has long played a pivotal role in health and beauty as an integral part of thalassotherapy, an ancient practice that dates back more than 5,000 years and was used traditionally by the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians. Thalassa comes from the Greek Word meaning “sea.” It involves the use of ocean elements, including whole raw seaweed, seawater, and ocean clay and minerals, on the body, allowing absorption of important vitamins and minerals for the purpose of relaxation, boosting the immune system, improving sleep, detox and weight loss, and more.

Thalassotherapy is still popular, particularly in Europe, and seaweed in skincare and spa treatments continues to make waves in modern times thanks to its healing benefits. Seaweed, which is rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and polysaccharides, has an amazing ability to hydrate and repair the skin and is deeply nourishing when applied topically or taken internally, making it a top superfood. Depleted collagen and elastin levels are most commonly experienced in mature skin. Because kelp, a type of seaweed, contains every essential amino acid the body requires, plus a multitude of others, it has the ability to convert essential amino acids into proteins like collagen and elastin to help reduce the visible signs of aging.

Exposure to stress and environmental toxins can also create deficiencies when it comes to nutrients and minerals. This can lead to issues such as inflammation and chronic pain. The skin can also show the effects of mineral imbalances with premature aging, adult acne, pigmentation, psoriasis, eczema, and more. These are signs of dehydration and malnourishment in the body and skin. A seaweed bath or seaweed body wrap can be highly effective in helping to target these specific issues.

COVID-19 further adds to seaweed’s appeal in today’s world, as an increasing number of people are looking for natural ways to support the body’s immune system. Seaweed is helpful in that respect because of its iodine-rich composition.

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How do you choose the right seaweed-based products? The key is in how it has been harvested and processed. Before buying a seaweed product, investigate the source of the seaweed, the kind of seaweed that is used, and how it was processed. Seaweeds are often dried with high heat, causing them to lose up to 50 percent of their nutritional value. When seaweed is used in a purer form that is not overprocessed with heat and pressure, it is in a form that is bioavailable to the skin and internally for maximum benefits.

In my research and work with holistic ingredients over the years, including seaweed and other ocean elements, I have seen how thalassotherapy treatments have greatly helped to heal ailments, improve overall wellbeing, and promote healthy skin. While there are many great advancements in skincare technology, I believe if we look to ancient healing practices and what Mother Nature has provided, we will find everything we need to supprt health and to help us heal from the inside and out.

Looking for effective seaweed-based products for yourself or your clients? Check out the following offerings as chosen by the editors of Well Defined.

Ama Sea Beauty VitaSea Thalassotherapy Treatment ($63)

This antioxidant-rich seaweed hydrator naturally removes toxins and reduces inflammation while plumping and smoothing the dermal surface. Ideal for use on the face, neck, décolleté, and back of hands, the proprietary marine ingredient blend rejuvenates cellular activity, clears anti-aging pathways, and restores DNA self-repair mechanisms.

Ayla Sea Soak ($59)

A detoxifying, remineralizing treatment for the body, skin, and scalp, this simple, effective kit contains one deeply restorative bath with kelp, salt, and an organic cotton bag. The kelp is hand harvested by a seaweed forager off the coast of Santa Cruz, CA, and sun-dried in the desert while the salt is secured from a devoted salt artisan in Big Sur, CA.

Beauty Through Balance Mineral Boost Restorative Mask ($48)

As a mask-and-exfoliant-in-one, this detoxifying and brightening treatment mask also gently exfoliates the surface layer of the skin. Created with powerful Pacific seaweed and glacial clay that is hand harvested from the northern coast of British Columbia, Canada, it also features patented anti-aging actives, including hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, Roman chamomile, and rose geranium. This mask improves skin clarity and reduces redness and inflammation while firming skin.

One Ocean Beauty Ultra Hydrating Algae Oil ($72)

Lightweight and nourishing, this oil absorbs quickly without clogging pores and is designed to rehydrate skin and hair, providing a natural barrier to mimic the biome and protect against pollution. Nutrient-rich sea lettuce from New Zealand, algae oil, and six other essential oils—coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, sesame, and argan—provide deep hydration, soften, condition, smooth, and rejuvenate, leaving a healthy, hydrated, and glowing complexion.

Osea Undaria Argan Oil ($38)

This soothing face oil delivers calming hydration and instant radiance to dry, sensitive skin. Moroccan argan oil infused with undaria algae nourish with essential fatty acids to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and reveal a dewy, glowing complexion.

Pevonia Seaweed Exfoliating Soap ($18)

Ideal for those with cellulite or rough skin, this exfoliating sulfate-free soap helps detoxify and smooth skin. It also helps to stimulate circulation. The soap is made from a brown seaweed, known for fighting free radicals, reducing inflammation, and improving skin elasticity.

Phytomer Cyfolia Organic Radiance Hydra-Comforting Cream ($93)

Part of the brand’s new essential facecare line, this cream is infused with organic Cyfolia algae, native to Brittany, which leaves skin radiant and glowing, as well as aloe vera, rose, and cedarwood enhanced by a spice accord formulated with pink peppercorns.

Repechage Algo Mist Hydrating Seaweed Facial Spray ($37)

Skin receives a boost of instant hydration with this unique moisturizing spray mist. It contains an exclusive seaweed extract, combined with vitamin C, ginkgo biloba, aloe, and orange water to help keep skin nourished, refreshed, and glowing.

The Better Skin Co. Better Skin Gel Kleanse ($22)

This cleansing gel is boosted with charcoal to draw out impurities while French lava sloughs them away. Green tea and aloe soothe the skin and leave it feeling hydrated while a seaweed trio infused with vitamin C, rounds out this formula to boost overall skin health.

Voya Get Glowing Clay Illuminating Mask ($70)

Ideal for brightening and purifying the skin, this detoxifying mask features a blend of rosemary, eucalyptus, and mineral-rich seaweeds to decongest skin and enhance healing. It leaves the skin looking soft and radiant.

Yon-ka Paris Gommage Yon-Ka ($46)

This peeling gel exfoliant is a four-in-on facial peel that exfoliates, clarifies, hydrates, and balances. Composed of 94% ingredients of natural origin, the soft, non-irritating exfoliant is gentle, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Enhanced by carob and brown seaweed extracts, as well as lime essential oil, the botanical cocktail has a natural astringent effect that tightens pores and firms the skin.

Sherina Jamal

Sherina is the founder of Ancient Secrets. She is an educator and developer of the spa and wellness line Beauty Through Balance made in British Columbia, Canada. She works with macrocystis integrifolia Pacific kelp, which is a large brown kelp and one of the most nutritionally dense, in her formulations. This specific seaweed is also one of the fastest growing kelp plants. It actually grows back within a few days after harvesting, making it highly sustainable and offering minimal impact the local ecosystem.