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With more and more skincare brands tapping into one of Mother Nature’s best-kept secrets to use in their products, we’ve found ourselves also diving into all things algae.

The fact that Mother Nature plays an important role in skincare formulas shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. However, when an expert says that a product is “worth its weight in gold”, slimy, slippery, mid-swim-shriek-inducing algae does not come top of mind. Except for Shrek and Fiona’s, perhaps, who in that case, are evidently skincare geniuses.

That’s because algae is not only able to weather environmental changes and drastic temperature shifts, making it a resilient, high-achiever when incorporated into your skincare routine, but it also has impressive brightening and hydrating properties.

So if you’re looking to dial up your skin’s glow and bid farewell to the duller, drier version of yourself, Skin Renewal advises you welcome a little ‘vitamin sea’ into your life.

What is Algae, anyway?

The term ‘algae’ refers to an expansive family of photosynthetic aquatic organisms, ranging from single-cell beings to large kelp seaweeds often spotted in the background of your #BeachBody holiday snaps. Seaweed (hailed for its strength, vitality and resilience as a skincare ingredient) sits within the algae species and has “a more intricate structure than other types of algae, including stems, leaves and roots”.

What does Algae do for your skin?

Experts can agree that algae has revealed itself to be a gold mine for skincare. Scientists and aquaculturists have figured out how to extract high amounts of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, essential fatty acids and antioxidants from seaweed, which are all excellent for looking after your skin.

When infused into skincare products, these ingredients not only moisturise and detoxify the skin but protect cells from oxidative damage and boost micro-circulation, too. Most amazingly, it’s also been proven to be impressively effective in managing and treating tricky skin conditions such as psoriasis, acne and eczema.

The benefits of algae don’t stop there – the sea stuff is also jam-packed with amino acids and omega-3 fatty acids, which are incredibly important for overall skin health. Then, it also boasts bacteria-balancing properties courtesy of its high concentration of iodine, which helps hit the fast-forward button on skin healing.

Most skincare brands create their algae-infused formulas using four different types of seaweed:

• Serrated Wrack (Fucus Serratus): has been used for hundreds of years in seaweed baths. This plant survives by filtering the ocean for nutrients and as a result, contains a high volume of minerals and vitamins.
• Tangleweed (Laminaria Digitata): contains an amazing abundance of minerals. This form of seaweed has strong anti-inflammatory properties, protecting the skin from environmental damage and helping to plump up the complexion.
• Bladder Wrack (Fucus Vesiculosus): when used in hot seawater baths or steamed, this seaweed releases polysaccharides, iodine and other minerals. In the autumn months, it is harvested for its high Vitamin C content and, in the summer months, for its high vitamin A content.
• Sea Spaghetti (Himanthalia Elongata): is predominantly used for those with combination or oily skin. This form of seaweed provides high levels of vitamins and essential amino acids, naturally restoring and balancing the skin’s moisture levels.

Are you intrigued by ‘the leafy greens of the sea’? Do you want to look at incorporating this skincare trend into your skincare regime? Well, a practical and cost-effective way to get on the algae bandwagon is to look at adding just one algae-rich product to your bathroom cabinet, at least for starters.

The beauty of this ingredient is that it can be infused in a serum, cream or mask, and even taken orally, so how you give it a try depends entirely on where (within your morning and nighttime skincare routine) you feel you’d like to really bring your ‘A’ game.

The skin specialists at Skin Renewal are also a call away for some top-notch advice, and if you’re feeling special, some delightful in-house skin treatments. Give them a shout if you’re feeling bogged down at all.