Tiny microalgae, giant macroalgae, freshwater and saltwater algae – these extremely robust organisms are talked of as a solution to many of the 21st century’s challenges.
Regardless of their size or shape, algae have the ability to bind very large amounts of nutrients. Depending on where they grow, they can be rich in fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, calcium, iron, proteins, lipids, minerals or polysaccharides. This nutrient-density makes them true skin care wonders and therefore popular active ingredients in creams and serums.
What benefits do algae have in cosmetics?
While algae pigments can replace synthetic dyes, their extracts are used as active ingredients in numerous different applications in face, hair and body care products. The effects of the algae are as different as the marine organisms themselves.
To illustrate this, we have simplified the effects of two different algae here:
The porphyra umbilicalis helps protect our skin from light-induced skin aging
This alga grows off the shores and is exposed to extreme sunlight. The exposure to the sun, in humans and algae alike, causes oxidative stress. For thousands of years, algae such as porphyra umbilicalis have therefore developed strategies to deal with this stress. To do this, they use tiny antioxidants that act as sun filters and “catch” free radicals. In doing so, they convert the harmful ultraviolet wavelength of sunrays into harmless heat energy. Used as an active ingredient in cosmetics, this alga helps protect the skin from UVA-induced skin aging.
The undaria pinnatifida boosts the production of elastin and collagen and thus counteracts wrinkles
Brown algae are shiny brown seaweed found mostly on rocky coasts. These algae are very large and their surface allows an efficient exchange of nutrients. As a result, they can contain a particularly high number of vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. As an active ingredient in a serum or a cream, brown alga helps stimulate the production of elastin and collagen and thus, used regularly, promotes an anti-aging effect.
Especially in combination with the anti-aging active ingredient hyaluronic acid, the tiny molecules of the algae extract can fully develop their effectiveness.
How do algae and hyaluronic acid work together?
Algae extracts are tiny molecules that absorb into the skin and develop their specific effect in the upper layers of the skin.
In combination with high-molecular (or long-chain) hyaluronic acid, they can do this particularly effectively, as the hyaluronic acid forms a moisture-binding film on the skin and “locks in” the active ingredients. Hyaluronic acid also has anti-inflammatory properties and helps promote plumper, more even looking skin.
Discover different algae for your specific skin care needs in our Hyaluronic Algae Series or learn more about hyaluronic acid.