August 24, 2023
Familiar to us for washing ashore on beaches as well as a component of sushi dishes, seaweed is a mysterious plant that has multiple benefits for our bodies and our skin. Seaweed appeared on the Earth’s surface long before man’s existence.
Having extraordinary resistance to whatever changes the planet imposes, it is the most adaptable plant on Earth1. Without roots, without leaves and without flowers, these aquatic chlorophyllous plants only need carbon dioxide, water, light and mineral salts to survive2.
Seaweed is composed of trace elements like copper, zinc, iron and potassium, as well as vitamins C, D and E, and lipids and polysaccharides which are natural carbohydrates. One of seaweed’s many benefits is its ability to hydrate skin.
It’s while in the water that seaweed gains these trace elements and minerals, which are necessary for it to survive on Earth3.
But what is it about seaweed that makes it so good for skin that it is used in many cosmetic products, including serums and moisturizers?
It’s true! Skin and seaweed share many burdens and traumas:
Each type of seaweed has different and complementary benefits: Brown and red seaweed are most often used, but there is also blue and green seaweed5,6.
Among the best-known variants of brown seaweed are kelp, sugar kelp, Ecklonia cava and bladderwrack.
Ideal for sensitive skin, they can be remineralizing, moisturizing, protective and emollient, and are ideal for sensitive skin.
1. Ecklonia cava increases skin’s elasticity and prevents wrinkles from forming as it is a seaweed rich in polyphenols7.
ATTITUDE™ recommends Anti-Aging Solid Eye Cream: Infused with Ecklonia cava extract and hydrating phytoglycogen to help reduce wrinkles from appearing around the eyes.
2. Knotted wrack or Ascophyllum nodosum is a brown seaweed with an olive-green color, measuring between 1 and 2 meters and resembling a knotted rope. Not particularly well known, it nevertheless has many benefits for dry skin. Its high concentration of minerals, vitamins and polyphenols make it a key ingredient in moisturizers8.
ATTITUDE™ suggests dry face oil with knotted wrack and argan oil to improve dry skin’s appearance and nourish all skin types.
3. Kelp or Laminaria digitata is a brown seaweed that grows in cold waters and can measure up to 4 meters in length9. Acting as a shield for sensitive skin, it nourishes, moisturizes, detoxifies and remineralizes10. Kelp is an excellent ingredient for nourishing skin due to Its ability to retain water.
ATTITUDE™ counsels using facial cleanser with finger kelp extract with a glycerin and peptide base to remove dirt without irritating the skin.
4. Bladderwrack is a brown seaweed which has multiple benefits for skin. Traditionally used for medicinal purposes, it is used in cosmetics because of its antioxidant properties. Rich in trace elements and vitamins, it acts as a lubricant on the surface of the skin, giving it a soft and smooth appearance. Its revitalizing action improves the skin’s appearance and restores skin’s suppleness11.
ATTITUDE™ proposes a purifying mask with a bladderwrack extract base to revitalize and purify skin (the result of the blue clay present in the formula).
5. Among the red seaweeds there’s palmate seaweed extract, a purple-red leafy seaweed with a coppery texture. Also called “small seaweed,” this palmate sea bass is rich in vitamin A and B12 and can reach up to 50 cm in length. Ideal for revitalizing the epidermis and keeping it in good condition, it is suitable for dry and dehydrated skin.
ATTITUDE™ recommends using solid face cream with vitamin C. Vitamin C improves the complexion’s radiance, while the phytoglycogen present in the formula provides hydration for the skin. All PHYTO-GLOW products in the Oceanly™ line are infused with dulse extract to restore skin suppleness, and vitamin C to provide a luminous effect on the face12.
Ideal for all skin types, this seaweed is often linked to skincare. Green seaweed is rich in magnesium and has nourishing properties, while blue seaweed is used to limit the appearance of aging signs. Chlorella is a green seaweed rich in vitamins and fatty acids: It reduces dark circles around the eyes due to its restructuring of collagen, which is responsible for skin elasticity13.
Now that you have become familiarized with seaweed’s benefits for skin, you might be asking yourself “what are the benefits of seaweed for health, and especially in food?”14?
Vegan cuisine has made great inroads in the past few years, and using seaweed in the kitchen is becoming more and more popular. The heart of Japanese cooking, edible seaweed has many benefits for the body as it is rich in vitamins B12 and iodine15.
Be sure to monitor your intake or consult with your doctor if you have iodine sensitivities or thyroid disorders.
Vitamin B12 is essential for the body’s well-being, as it contributes to the functioning of the immune system and helps reduce fatigue. It is generally found in foods of animal origin like meat or poultry.
Seaweed therefore is an excellent option for people who eat little to no meat daily. It is also a low-calorie food, yet rich in dietary fiber and trace elements16.
For example, the red seaweed known as dulse seaweed contains three times more potassium than do dried fruits (7019 mg per 100 g on average).
Not all seaweed is edible, and it is recommended not to pick it yourself. Types of edible seaweed include:17:
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Written by Team ATTITUDE