The beauty industry is swimming along nicely with skincare products using ingredients from the sea.
Let’s take a dive and discover the beauty secrets hiding underneath the waves.
Prices correct at time of writing.
Products have been independently selected by our Fashion Editor, however, this article contains some affiliate links – if you click an affiliate link and buy a product it will not cost you more or affect your customer experience but we may earn a small commission from the sale, thank you!
Seaweed
A general name that covers many marine plants and algae.
Some seaweed is edible and known as a low calorie food high in nutrients including iodine. Iodine is vital to support the production of the thyroid hormones, which have been shown to help skin cells to regenerate.
However seaweed is an acquired taste and due to its high iodine content it shouldn’t be eaten in large doses as it can adversely affect the thyroid function.
If you are not a lover of seaweed as a food, then seaweed capsules could be the answer.
Doctor Seaweed Supplements
As a marine biologist Dr Craig Rose worked for many years with seaweed on commercial and research projects for various applications. In 2018 Craig identified a huge opportunity and need for seaweed and Doctor Seaweed was born.
His PureSea® Natural Organic Hebridean Ascophyllum Seaweed is sustainably wild harvested around the remote islands of the Scottish Outer Hebrides. These pristine waters are carefully monitored and managed, with exclusive harvesting rights from the Crown Estate.
Doctor Seaweed Beauty+ capsules are the newest addition to the multi-award-winning supplement range. Beauty+ combines antioxidant-rich superfoods, 100 per cent pure, sustainably sourced Scottish seaweed and vitamins and minerals to help enhance your natural glow, support collagen formation, support strong healthy hair and combat brittle nails.
Price: £32 for 30 day supply.
Beauty + Seaweed Capsules | Enhance your Natural Glow – Doctor Seaweed
Seaweed is riding the wave in the skincare industry as they discover its benefits to brighten and moisturise dry dull skin.
Neal’s Yard Remedies
Neal’s Yard Remedies uses Fucus Vesiculosus (bladderwrack) extract as its seaweed ingredient – a brown algae that can benefit the skin when used topically.
Cleanse and revitalise your skin with Neal’s Yard Remedies Seaweed and Arnica Shower Gel: seaweed, soothing arnica and organic juniper, lavender and pine essential oils. Blended with sustainably sourced organic seaweed from the rugged Breton coastline in northern France and hand-harvested arnica that grows wild in French mountain meadows.
Price: £15 for 200ml.
Neal’s Yard Remedies | Seaweed and Arnica Shower Gel 200ml (nealsyardremedies.com)
Or soak in the bath with Neal’s Yard Remedies Seaweed & Arnica Foaming Bath specially formulated to ease tired muscles and weary limbs. Combining mineral-rich seaweed, comfrey and arnica with pure essential oils of lemon, pine, juniper and lavender, add to a bath to restore a sense of vitality when you’re feeling overtired.
Price: £19 for 200ml.
Neal’s Yard Remedies | Seaweed & Arnica Foaming Bath (nealsyardremedies.com)
Invigorating Seaweed Shampoo is a blend of organic seaweed and rosemary to gently cleanse your hair and scalp. Has a natural low lathering foam to avoid stripping away the hair’s natural oils.
Invigorating Seaweed Conditioner gently smooths to leave hair feeling soft and smelling divine. With a nourishing blend of organic avocado oil, seaweed and rosemary.
Price: £18 for the duo (can be bought separately).
Neal’s Yard Remedies | Invigorating Seaweed Haircare Duo (nealsyardremedies.com)
Sea Moss
Although called sea moss, it isn’t an actual moss but is more a type of algae or seaweed. Scientific name is Chondrus Crispus but it is also known as Irish sea moss or red seaweed. It grows along rocky coastlines.
Sea moss has various skin-loving properties including a variety of minerals such as zinc, iron, calcium, magnesium and iodine plus several vitamins. Suitable for all skin types, the Omega-3 fatty acids and Sulphur content in sea moss make it a superfood for the skin. Treating concerns such as acne, eczema and wrinkles.
Myla’s Moss
A family run business, Myla’s Moss was initially created to treat Myla’s eczema. Myla’s Moss is organic, vegan, non GMO, gluten free and contains no harmful chemical or preservatives, and is instead made daily using sea moss sourced from St Lucia (where there is intense volcanic activity, resulting in high nutritional content). It contains 90% wildcrafted sea moss, 10% filtered alkaline water and a dash of lime juice.
It can be used two ways: as a face mask; or consumed in a smoothie, soup, tea or by itself.
Price: £15 for 340ml jar, £25 for 750ml jar.
Wishful Get Clean
This gentle gel to foam cleanser has 2% gluconic acid to gently exfoliate and sea moss to retain moisture for fresh, soft, supple skin. Also coconut and amino acid derived surfactants to effectively melt away make-up.
Price: £22.
WISHFUL Get Clean 2% PHA & Sea Moss Gentle Foaming Cleanser 150ml – Boots
Kelp
A large brown algae/seaweed that thrives in shallow nutrient-rich coastal waters and is overflowing with essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Creme Du Loch
As a family-owned luxury British skincare brand, Creme Du Loch is dedicated to producing the finest cruelty-free and vegan skincare products formulated with Scottish Kelp and highland spring waters. They are also members of The Scottish Seaweed Industry Association (SSIA), an organisation dedicated to the growth and innovation of the seaweed industry.
Their multi-award winning Age-Defying Daily Moisturiser contains a blend of kelp extracts, key age-defying natural oils and the latest retinol complex. Reducing the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and blemishes, tightening pores, improving skin texture and evening skin tone whilst promoting a radiant glow. Natural cucumber fragrance and suitable for every skin type.
Price: £30 for 50ml.
Age-Defying Moisturiser (50ml) | Crème Du Loch (cremeduloch.co.uk)
REN Clean Skincare
REN Kelp & Magnesium Anti-Fatique Body Cream is formulated with nutrient-rich Atlantic kelp and sustainably sourced magnesium PCA to help replenish skin with essential minerals, whilst helping soothe dryness and feelings of irritation, and enriched with plankton extract to help restore the skin’s moisture balance.
Price: £25 for 200ml.
REN Clean Skincare Kelp & Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Cream 200ml – Boots
Algae
Aquatic organisms that can photosynthesise and produce oxygen.
Spirulina is a blue-green micro-algae that is rich in nutrients, protein and antioxidants. It may help with weight loss, hair growth, boost iron, lower cholesterol and balance blood sugar. It usually grows in lakes and ponds.
Chlorella is a green freshwater algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and omega-3s. It may help detoxify heavy metals, boost immune function and lower cholesterol.
Organic Burst
Organic Burst’s Spirulina and Chlorella are both sourced directly from a small organic farm in Southern Taiwan, surrounded by dense rainforests. Their chlorella and spirulina grow outdoors in sunshine (even in winter!), pure air and crystal clear mineral water. The farm uses only organic plant-based fertilisers that they make themselves – no chemicals, no animal by-products.
Tablets are 100% pure -with no binders or other additives.
Spirulina price: £19.99 for 250 tablets; £16.99 for 100g powder.
Spirulina by Organic Burst® – Tablets & Powder
Chlorella price: £19.99 for 250 tablets; £14.99 for 100g powder.
Anthony
Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser uses Laminaria Ochroleuca extract, a brown algae which helps to nourish and refresh. Also includes aloe vera to soothe and moisturise during and after cleansing, lavender extract and rosehip oil to calm and soothe the skin.
Price: £36 for 237ml.
Anthony Algae Facial Cleanser 237ml – Boots
Estée L:auder
Estée Lauder Wrinkle Concentrate with Chlorella‘s marine ingredient is Chlorella Vulgaris extract which locks in moisture. It combines the vitamin action of line-fighting niacinamide (5%) plus chlorella, and hyaluronic acid to instantly plump fine, dry surface lines.
Price: £56 for 100ml.
Estée Lauder Perfectionist Pro Multi-Zone Wrinkle Concentrate with Niacinamide + Chlorella – Boots
Marine Collagen
Derived from fish like cod or snapper, specifically the skin and scales of these fish. The collagen protein is removed and then broken down into smaller units of protein called peptides. Marine collagen peptides help promote the healing of skin cells and stimulate the production of natural collagen.
Correxiko Marine Collagen
Correxiko Marine Collagen is sourced from wild caught fish in the Arctic Canadian waters, which are highly regulated and follow strict quotas. It’s also derived as a by-product of the fishing industry, which might otherwise go to waste, so it is the most sustainable, eco-friendly source of collagen.
Correxiko Marine Collagen Peptides Capsules contain 2000mg of hydrolysed marine collagen per serving. Other ingredients are hyaluronic acid, vitamin C and the minerals zinc, manganese and selenium.
Price: £29 for 120 capsules.
BeautyPro
BeautyPro Under Eye Mask with Collagen and Green tea Extract helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and dark circles, whilst reviving a fatigued and puffy eye contour.
Key Ingredients: marine collagen, green tea extract, aloe vera, vitamin A, vitamin E, citrus extracts.
Sea Salt
Made by evaporating salt water.
ESPA
Relax and recharge after a strenuous workout with ESPA’s Fitness Bath Salts. The invigorating bath crystals help to soothe tired muscles, enriched with a specially selected blend of deep sea magnesium and Dead Sea salt.
Price: £23.10 for 180g.
ESPA Fitness Bath Salts 180g – LOOKFANTASTIC
ESPA Detoxifying Salt Scrub is a deeply cleansing body scrub to smooth, clarify and refine for intensely hydrated and replenished skin. Natural sea salts sweep away dry, dull skin, grapefruit, cypress and eucalyptus cleanse while sweet almond oil nourishes and hydrates.
Price: £28 for 700g.
Karen Grace studied Personal Styling at the London College of Fashion and is Eclipse Magazine’s Fashion & Beauty Editor.
You can read more of Karen’s fashion advice at: www.frumpytofunky.com
For personal shopping and styling services you can reach her via frumpy to funky on contact@frumpytofunky
