Mermaid Alert! 10+ Marine Based Beauty Products

These marine based beauty products deliver all the benefits of a seaside holiday!

By Bess O’Connor

It’s official: mermaid core is now a thing. We’re becoming obsessed with mermaids! Their freedom to escape to the sea, their romanticism, and their beauty.

I suppose it’s mainly all about their beauty. I mean, who doesn’t feel better after a holiday by a sea? Our hair seems thicker, our skin is softer and we just seem to glow with health. Just like a mermaid! And actually, there’s good reason for this.

The beauty benefits of the sea

Being seaside brings many health and beauty benefits. For example, a dermatological study reported in the  Oxford-based medical  journal Skin Research And Technology confirms that seawater  has a beneficial effect on  cases of dermatitis and psoriasis. The researchers stated the individual compounds in seawater – namely salt and potassium chloride – are potent healers for dry, damaged skin.

Besides that, as any beach bunny knows, sand naturally exfoliates our skin. Even lying on the beach will give it a bit of a scrub. And of course, there are all the benefits seaweed can bring to your skin, including anti-inflammatory and detoxing properties.

But that’s not all!

Algae based beauty products and those containing seaweed can really bring a beauty boost, too.

How algae and seaweed benefit your skin

Research shows that the bioactive compounds found in marine based beauty products, including phenolic compounds, polysaccharides, polyunsaturated fats, proteins, peptides, and amino acids, have many positive effects on your skin.

These include:

Free radical protection

Free radicals, which are unstable molecules that damage cells, can contribute to ageing skin via oxidative stress. As we age, it becomes harder for our bodies to fight off oxidative stress. The good news? Using seaweed may help.

The Journal of Dermatological Science found that antioxidants derived from seaweed can protect human cells against UVA radiation by reducing DNA damage. Other studies show that various marine algae compounds also act as powerful antioxidants.

Firming

Did you know that as we age, certain kinds of enzymes that break down your body’s natural hyaluronic acid? Hyaluronic acid helps skin our retain moisture and firmness, but this depletes with age. The result? Wrinkles appear more pronounced and our skin is drier and saggier.

But there’s good news! Many kinds of marine based beauty products can help that. Specifically, brown seaweed promotes collagen production and elastin synthesis. These are both proteins responsible for the structure of your skin.

In addition, polysaccharides found in seaweed can be particularly beneficial for plumping skin and helping to lock in moisture.  In fact, in one study, polysaccharides from the seaweed Saccharina japonica were found to be even more effective at moisturising than hyaluronic acid!

Combatting acne

Some kinds of seaweed and algae beauty products have antimicrobial properties that can fight the bacteria that causes acne, studies show. Particularly, the compounds in brown seaweed were even discovered to reduce sebum production. Ultimately, this means less greasy skin and a lower likelihood of acne.

Reducing brown spots

Got sunspots? Don’t worry! There are many kinds of marine based beauty products that can inhibit an enzyme involved in the creation of melanin. This is the pigment that gives skin its colour. This means seaweed can be a key ingredient to even out your skin tone, or fight dark spots, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation.

In short, a holiday on the beach can bring incredible beauty benefits. But…can you still get those beauty gains if you can’t make it to the seaside? The short answer is: sure you can! Just look for products containing seaweed, or terms like ‘marine algae,’ or ‘sea algae.’

Here, we’ve selected over 10 wonderful marine based beauty products that deliver the best benefits of the sea directly to your skin. You could say they’re a seaside holiday in a jar!

10 Marine Based Beauty Products

1. The Wild Together Serum

I’ve tried and tested this product myself, and was completely blown away! First of all, I love the rich, surprisingly ‘green’ scent. It reminds me of a walk through a forest after the rain.

Secondly, it works, and no wonder: it’s packed with nutrient-dense, anti-aging ingredients. These include 10 omega-abundant lipids, powerhouse actives, adaptogenic botanicals, omega-3 rich oils and marine algae. All were specifically selected for their powerful skin regeneration abilities.

When you apply it to your skin with the dropper, it initially feels a bit oily, but it absorbs instantly and leaves a dry finish. According to the brand, this anti-inflammatory blend “stimulates production of structural skin proteins using actives proven to rebuild, firm and smooth the skin.”

All I know is that my skin looks and feels better every time I use this.

Best for: Those with inflammatory skin issues, like rosacea or sunburn.

Price: Around $62

2. REN Atlantic Kelp Bath Oil

If you can’t get the benefits of actually soaking in the sea, this bath oil is the next best thing! Its fresh, uplifting scent comes from a rich base of nourishing marine extracts, including Atlantic kelp and plankton, which refresh and revive your skin by infusing it with naturally derived minerals.

The luxurious formula is also enriched with microalgae oil (rich in omegas 9 and 6) and REN’s anti-fatigue essential oil blend (featuring rosemary and geranium oils) to leave skin perfectly moisturised, silky-smooth and sumptuously supple, all thanks to the power of nature.

Don’t for one second think this carries a fishy odour! On the contrary – I love how this smells, and how my skin feels after soaking in a bath infused with it. If I could describe the scent, all I’d say is ‘blue’!

Best for: Softening the skin on your body

Price: Around $32

 

 

3. Oskia Super 16 Serum

This is one of the best selling marine based beauty products in the UK, and no wonder! It boasts a whopping 16 natural ingredients that are known to boost your skin’s collagen production. I’m not going to lie: this is my very favourite of all the products I’ve tried in this roundup!

The key marine based beauty ingredient here is a unique Marine Plant Stem Cell Complex that reduces pigmentation whilst protecting your face from antioxidants. There are also loads of  seaweed extracts to hydrate and refresh your skin.

When this is first applied with the dainty, hygienic dropper, it feels a bit sticky, but after a few minutes the product penetrates the skin, leaving a silky smooth finish.

I love that it’s also packed with vitamins A, C, E and F, and that there’s anti-inflammatory MSM, too. No wonder this is a huge cult favourite!

Best for: All-round improving your complexion with the power of seaweed and algae based ingredients

Price: Around $110

 

4. Osea Sea Vitamin Boost

Osea also makes incredible marine based beauty products! For example? This lovely glass bottle is full of a pink hued toner (thanks to the high concentrates of pomegranate and red wine extracts). But don’t let the fruits fool you. This product is all about the sea!

Organic, mineral-rich Gigartina algae helps balance oil production and stimulate cell regeneration. Laminaria saccharina, another type of algae found in OSEA’s Anti-Aging Sea Serum, is rich in potassium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. These benefit not only your skin, but your health, too. Remember: your skin absorbs whatever you put on it! (good or bad).

The fruitier pomegranate helps promote  collagen production and improve tone; and the red wine extracts are  heavy with antioxidants.

Best for: I found that this algae based beauty product is, on the whole, refreshing and gentle, and perfect for oilier skins.

Price: $38

5. Elemis Pro Collagen Marine Rose Cream

Got sensitive skin? This is the best of all the marine based beauty products for you.

In fact, it was specifically developed for very sensitive and easily irritated skins, and quickly plumps and regenerates the face and neck with firming actives that have been clinically proven to work.

Some of the main ingredients are Chlorella, which is highly detoxing, Organic English Rose, which soothes, calms and hydrates skin, and Gingko Biloba, rich in phytonutrients and flavonglycosides.

It smells like a springtime garden, and is ideal for combatting early signs of ageing.

Best for: A gentle, everyday anti-ageing cream for sensitive skin.

Price: Around $138

6. PUR Sea Fresh Cleansing Gel

PÜR Sea Fresh Purifying Gel Foam Cleanser is an everyday, purifying yet gentle gel-to-foam cleanser. It’s infused with Sea Water, Green Algae, and Sea Kelp. This algae based beauty product deeply cleanses and reveals refreshed, energised skin in just one step!

Each ingredient was chosen for a specific reason. For example, Sea Water conditions your skin and helps to remove excess oil, impurities, and dead cells. Sea Kelp is rich in antioxidants, and deeply moisturises and conditions your skin. Finally, Green Algae soothes dry skin and helps improve the appearance of skin tone and texture.

Best for: Cleansing and toning all skin types.

Price: $28

 

 

7. This Works Perfect Cleavage Firming Lotion

Yes, it seems very niche, but trust me: with age, the décolleté begs for products like these!

Case in point? I sleep on my side, and started noticing that I was developing wrinkles just under my collarbones; presumably from my breasts squashing against each other as I snooze. Not only that, but over time, the skin between my chin and bra has started looking a bit crepe-y, redder, and has developed brown spots.

This firming lotion is one of the marine based beauty products that was formulated to address all of these issues. It harnesses the power of marine-based algae and extracts of larch, comfrey root and rose essence to stimulate cellular renewal for a tightening effect. Hyaluronic acid provides deep moisture to the epidermis.

Brightening vitamin C is there to address those brown spots, and also helps prevent further damage by activating collagen production to improve skin tone.

I found this to be a really gentle lotion that’s suitable for all skin types, even sensitive ones. I apply it every night before bed. Though I’ve seen an improvement in the redness of my skin, I’m hoping over time those pesky brown spots will disappear, too!

Best for: Improving sun damage on the chest and neck

Price: $45

8. Dr Organics Seaweed Recovery Oil

Looking for organic marine based beauty products on a budget? Look no further!

Dr Organic makes a variety of seaweed based skincare, including cleansers, creams, and this fab overnight recovery oil.

Wondering what it does? So much! Basically, it intensively nourishes and replenishes your skin while you sleep. The result is softer, plumper and smoother skin when you awake.

Who doesn’t need that?

Best for: Reducing signs of ageing on all skin types.

Price: Around $14

9. Bioessence Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream 

Wishing you could click your fingers and reverse the signs of ageing? Now you (kind of) can! This Squalane + Marine Algae Eye Cream by Bioessence is an innovative beauty product. It pairs the powers of marine algae and paracress extract to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles in just 7 days (according to studies done by the brand).

The algae-based eye cream has a melt-in texture which works to deliver deep hydration to the area around your eyes, smoothing the skin and erasing fine lines. I noticed a difference immediately after using this. Will you?

Best for: Immediate lifting and firming results

Price: $54

10. 001 Marine Collagen Concentrate

Here’s another one I’ve tried and tested and loved! It’s a scentless, gentle, omega-rich multi-algae serum that’s packed full of active sea-based ingredients. This algae beauty product really works!

The concentrate is quite similar to the Wild Together Serum above, in the sense that both products have a similar texture, and provide lasting hydration and instant collagen-plumping effects that visibly even out lines and wrinkles.

Still not got any fine lines? It’s also packed with antioxidant-packed complexes which help undo the environmental damage that can lead to wrinkles, and it boosts your skin’s radiance, no matter what your age.

Best for: Erasing the signs of ageing

Price: Around $49

11. Westlab Dead Sea Salt

Yes, seaweed and algae beauty products are great for your skin. But let’s not forget the power of sea salt, too!

This is one of the easiest marine based beauty products to use – and the cheapest to buy, as well!

Westlab’s Dead Sea Salt is just that – salt from the Dead Sea.

It sounds pretty basic, but these salts are well-known for their ability to cure sensitive, psoriasis-and-eczema-prone skin. It’s an especially good idea to add these salts to baths in areas where the municipal water is hard.

Your skin will feel softer after a single use – especially if you combine this with REN’s bath oil, above!

Best for: Soothing and improving the skin on your body; detoxing

Price: $20

 

 

Do you know of any other marine based beauty products that work like a charm? Let us know in the comments below!