Red Algae Benefits: Things To Know About This Skincare Ingredient
Algae is the stuff that sits on top of ponds that fish like to eat, and you can sometimes find it growing on the bottom of rocks next to the ocean. While they’re extremely valuable for marine life, they don’t really do anything beneficial for humans, right?
Believe it or not, algae can offer immense benefits for us in our everyday lives.
Seaweed is a type of algae that you eat every time you gulp down a roll of sushi, and you may have even used an algae fertilizer for your plants in the past.
But above all, a type of algae known as red algae can completely revolutionize your skincare regimen for the better.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about this versatile marine organism, including the ways that you can healthily harness its powers to rejuvenate your skin.
What Is Red Algae?
You’ve probably seen seaweed before. It’s the green, slimy leaves that rub against your feet on the ocean floor. Red algae, or Rhodophyta, looks extremely similar, except it takes on more of a burgundy, deep red hue.
It gets this color from pigments called phycobiliproteins, which are the main light-harvesting structures inside of these organisms that play an important role in photosynthesis.
Red algae act as a food source for herbivores like fish, crustaceans, or ocean worms.
Some red algae known as coralline algae have calcium deposits in their cell walls, making them extra strong and durable. These types make important contributions to coral reefs, acting as strong shelters for tiny fish and microorganisms.
While red algae is essential for many ocean organisms to sustain life, it doesn’t seem like it might benefit human skincare. However, these leafy organisms can make a whole world of difference.
Benefits of Red Algae
There’s a reason why red algae is being incorporated into so many skincare products nowadays. Specifically, it can offer many of the same benefits as traditional cleansers and creams without the side effects associated with chemical-based ingredients.
It’s a natural ingredient that comes straight from our oceans, making it super effective for a variety of benefits.
Hydrating Properties
Anything that exists in the ocean naturally does a pretty good job of retaining moisture, and algae is no different.
Some forms of algae have been found to have humectant properties, which is a common ingredient in moisturizers to help your skin lock onto moisture and remain hydrated for longer.
This makes red algae great for dry skin, as it can help to rejuvenate your complexion.
Additionally, it might be able to help reduce the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles by preserving moisture in your skin to make it look more vibrant.
Antioxidant Effects
You’ve probably heard about how important it is to eat foods that are high in antioxidants. But using skincare products with antioxidant effects is just as necessary.
Antioxidants are chemicals that help stop or limit the damage caused by free radicals, contributing to oxidative stress.
Oxidative stress can trigger cell damage, and it’s one of the primary causes of the signs of skin aging. It’s been found that algae is high in antioxidant activity because they are high in nonenzymatic components such as ascorbic acid. This makes it a great natural alternative to chemical preservatives in most other skincare products, as it can nourish your skin and keep it looking healthy.
Protection From the Sun
When you think about it, there’s no shade in the ocean. So marine organisms such as red algae need a way to protect themselves from the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Luckily, algae have been found to have a UV absorbing capacity that can help shield your skin from harmful rays. Using a cleanser or cream with red algae can help to reduce the harmful effects of photoaging from blue light or UV light exposure.
Not to mention, much of the reason for algae’s ability to protect from the sun is associated with its polyphenol constituents.
Polyphenol is a micronutrient in plants that have been found to have a large number of benefits for other parts of your body.
Shields from Pollution
Algae has loads of unique properties that make it stand out from most ingredients in other skincare products.
For example, it can repair your skin’s natural barrier to mimic its native biome. This gives it the ability to protect your skin from harmful outside pollutants, helping to keep it healthy and young-looking.
Red Algae Skincare Products
Now that you know a little bit more about how effective red algae can be for your skin, it’s time to actually start applying it!
Since one of the defining characteristics of red algae is its ability to shield against certain spectrums of light, such as blue light, it works in protective products to shield against signs of photoaging. Additionally, its moisturizing properties can work great in moisturizers.
So why not combine these benefits into one product? The Blue Light Protection + Hydration Mist from One Ocean Beauty protects your skin from blue light exposure, dehydration, and urban pollution. It works to repair damage, hydrate, and restore your skin’s natural barrier to protect you from everything thrown your way.
Of course, the red algae can’t do all of this on its own.
Other key ingredients like high-performance peptides work to promote your skin’s natural biome, while marine actives from the coast of Spain work to repair signs of photoaging. All you need to do is close your eyes and spray the mist all over your face three times a day. It’s refreshing, rejuvenating, and revitalizing in every way.
Sustainably Harnessing Red Algae
We’ve talked about how important red algae can be for your skin, but we’ve also mentioned how important it can be for the other marine organisms living under the sea. You might be worried that if humans use too much of it, the effects on other organisms will be drastic.
Marine organisms live in extreme environments, and they contain a number of oils and molecules that are super useful for holistic human wellbeing. At One Ocean Beauty, we believe in sustainably harnessing these powers without bringing harm to the planet.
We can accomplish this through blue biotechnology, which refers to using marine organisms to source certain oils and molecules. We can source marine actives through this, which are compounds in a given product that have medicinal properties.
In the case of red algae, the medicinal properties have to do with restoring hydration to your skin, shielding it from urban pollutants, or providing antioxidant effects to your body.
In Conclusion
Red algae is a burgundy-colored organism that lives in the ocean. It acts as a food source for many herbivores, but certain species serve as sturdy homes for tiny fish seeking shelter. It’s clear how beneficial they are for ocean life, but they’re just as useful for those on the land as well.
For one, it has the unique ability to protect against UV light which can help protect from photoaging. On top of that, it can help restore the skin’s natural barrier to shield it from urban pollution.
It also has many humectant properties, making it an excellent natural solution to chemical-based skin care products. Not to mention, it has antioxidant properties that can bring relief to signs of aging.
It’s an all-around marine organism that can be useful in every way. At One Ocean Beauty, we use high-performance Blue Biotechnology to help conserve our oceans.
Click here to learn more about how our natural skincare products stand out.
Sources:
Beneficial Effects of Marine algae-derived Carbohydrates for Skin Health | NCBI
Antioxidants: In-Depth | NCCIH
Photoprotective Substances Derived from Marine Algae | NCBI.
The Role of Polyphenols in Human Health and Food Systems: A Mini-Review | NCBI
