Out of the sea

Marine algae are not only an alternative resource to produce food and feed ingredients as well as biochemicals and biofuels, but they are also increasingly important suppliers of active ingredients for medical products and cosmetics. Recent studies reveal pharmaceutically interesting substances that exhibit previously unknown antitumor mechanisms of action and antiviral properties.

Of the more than 11,000 known species of marine algae, approximately 50 species, mainly brown and red algae, have been used industrially to date.

Marine algae have an important function for the marine environment, providing an important habitat for numerous marine species. Brown algae can form huge underwater forests and thus produce comparable amounts of oxygen to tropical rainforests. They also bind CO2, absorb excess nutrients, and thus sustainably improve water quality.

Cultivation of algae

It is therefore extremely important to use algae from sustainable wild collection – and even better from sustainable aquaculture. This not only conserves natural stocks, but also has a proven positive impact on the environment. Cultivated algae are also characterised by high standards of quality control and cleanliness.

Worldwide, more than 30 million tons of algae are already cultivated annually in aquacultures, so far mainly in Asia. In Europe, especially in Scandinavia, the number of algae farms is growing rapidly. Currently, more than 110t of seaweed is already grown annually in over 400 farms in Norway. Unlike land plants, algae do not have roots through which they absorb nutrients and water. Instead, they absorb minerals and trace elements directly from seawater over their entire surface and can store them in very high concentrations. Therefore, they have the highest nutrient density of all plants. One kilogram of fresh algae contains marine active ingredients from around 10,000 litres of seawater. Algae contain all the trace elements that the human body needs. At the same time, they are organically bound so that the body can use them well. More than 80 different substances can be detected in algae.

Algae ingredients and their effects

Sea minerals (potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, etc.) and trace elements (copper, selenium, chromium, zinc, iron, iodide, strontium, etc.) stimulate the metabolism, promote blood circulation and maintain the skin’s natural moisturising factor (NMF). Due to the stimulated metabolism and improved oxygen uptake, the detoxification functions of the skin can be promoted, and waste products can be better removed. The most important minerals potassium, sodium and chloride regulate the water balance of the cells and improve the function of the skin barrier, i.e. the marine minerals sustainably increase the moisture content of the skin.

Magnesium also strengthens cell metabolism; iodide promotes blood circulation. The skin appears plumper and smoother. The strontium and selenium salts contained in seawater have a positive soothing effect on inflammatory skin diseases. Approximately 20 amino acids (protein building blocks, e.g. histidine, isoleucine, lysine, methionine, tryptophan, glutamic acid) provide building blocks for the metabolism, prevent dehydration, and have a refatting effect, strengthening the supporting tissue of the epidermis. Vitamins (e.g. A, B2, B12, C, D, E and K, folic acid) and antioxidant polyphenols protect the skin from negative environmental influences as well as free radicals and thus prevent premature skin aging.

Special algae sugars (e.g. alginate, fucoidan, laminarin) act as active ingredient carriers and have a particularly moisturising, regenerating, and firming effect on the skin. Antioxidants such as polyphenols strengthen the skin’s resistance with their protective properties. Extremely effective moisture binders, which prevent the algae from drying out at low tide, also ensure that the skin can retain moisture for longer in cosmetics. The various groups of substances work synergistically together and thus moisturise the skin particularly effectively, supply the cells with energy, activate cell metabolism and promote regeneration and cell renewal.

Algae in cosmetics

To access the diverse active ingredients of marine algae, effective holistic algae extracts are produced using various extraction Harvest from a sustainable algae  farm in Europe. Laminaria is one of the brown algae that is used to extract active ingredients in cosmetics. processes. These active ingredient extracts can be readily incorporated into a variety of cosmetic formulations for face and body applications to produce cleansing products, skin care creams, active ingredient serums and bath additives.

Marine cosmetic products can be used to combine various facial and body treatments into a thalassic treatment. These include body scrubs, face masks and body wraps, baths, facial and full body massages. The treatments have a regenerating, vitalising, toning effect and offer relaxation for face and body. The skin’s own protective mechanisms are strengthened and resistance to negative environmental influences is improved.

Conclusion

In summary, seaweed with its numerous synergistic ingredients has great potential for healthy active cosmetics. In addition, the cultivation of marine algae has a positive effect on the marine environment and – since it binds CO2 – also has a positive impact on the climate. Therefore, algae active ingredients from sustainable aquaculture are among the promising raw materials for the future, which will hopefully gain more and more importance.