When you think about sea algae, you probably don’t picture beauty. It’s a little…slimy, with funny ribs and blips along its surface. But don’t be fooled by first impressions—this curious ocean dweller is a nutrient powerhouse, and we believe it holds the secret to your healthiest, most radiant skin.
Long treasured in Asian beauty rituals, seaweed is now being rediscovered as a star ingredient in modern skin formulations, with good reason. Backed by science, rich in nutrients, and a sustainability hero, it’s no wonder seaweed is making waves in the beauty world.
Why Is Seaweed So Good for Your Skin?
Seaweed is packed with skin-loving bioactive compounds:
- Hydration heroes like fucoidan and laminarin lock in moisture and strengthen your skin barrier.
- Anti-aging peptides and antioxidants smooth fine lines, boost elasticity, and protect collagen.
- Natural UV filters like mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs) help defend your skin against photoaging.
- Soothing polysaccharides calm irritation and support a healthy skin microbiome.
The Science Says:
Clinical studies show seaweed extracts reduce wrinkles, improve hydration, repair the skin barrier, and shield against environmental stressors like UV radiation and pollution.
There have been numerous recent studies that we can reference about the benefits of algae for skin hydration, rejuvenation and barrier repair. Want to dive in? Here are the reports:
| Skin Benefit | Effect of Sea Algae | Key Bioactive Compounds | Sources & Study Links |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydration | Enhances skin moisture retention, reduces transepidermal water loss (TEWL), improves skin suppleness | Polysaccharides (fucoidan, laminarin), mycosporine-like amino acids | Jesumani et al., 2019 Pangestuti et al., 2021 |
| Anti-aging / Elasticity | Stimulates collagen production, inhibits collagenase and elastase (MMP inhibitors), reduces wrinkle depth | Fucoidan, phlorotannins, peptides | Brunt et al., 2017, Pangestuti et al., 2021 |
| Barrier Repair | Improves skin barrier function, reduces inflammation, supports skin microbiome balance | Sulfated polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins A, B, E | Jesumani et al., 2019, Happi, 2025 |
| Photoprotection | Natural UV filters via mycosporine-like amino acids, reduces oxidative damage from UV radiation, prevents photoaging | MAAs (porphyra-334, shinorine), carotenoids (fucoxanthin), polyphenols | Brunt et al., 2017, Pangestuti et al., 2021 |
| Anti-inflammatory | Reduces inflammatory cytokines, soothes skin, reduces redness and irritation | Phlorotannins, fucoidan, omega-3 fatty acids | Jesumani et al., 2019, Happi, 2025 |
| Brightening / Hyperpigmentation | Inhibits tyrosinase activity, reduces melanin synthesis, evens skin tone | Fucoidan, phlorotannins, MAAs | Jesumani et al., 2019, Pangestuti et al., 2021 |
Summary of Core Findings:
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Seaweed contains a unique blend of bioactives — fucoidan, laminarin, phlorotannins, MAAs, and omega fatty acids — that are clinically shown to improve skin hydration, elasticity, and barrier repair while protecting against photoaging.
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Brown seaweeds (fucoidan-rich), red seaweeds (high in MAAs), and green seaweeds (rich in ulvan) each have distinct benefits.
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Fermented seaweed further enhances bioavailability, making it particularly potent in skincare applications
Fun (and Nerdy) Facts About Sea Algae 🌱
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🌍 Not a plant! Seaweed isn’t technically a plant—it doesn’t have roots, stems, or flowers. It’s part of the algae family, which predates land plants by over a billion years.
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🧬 Ancestral power: Red and green algae evolved from cyanobacteria, the ancient microorganisms that oxygenated our atmosphere billions of years ago—without them, no breathable air!
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🌿 Types of algae:
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Brown Algae (like kelp): rich in fucoidan and famous for collagen-boosting power.
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Red Algae (like nori): loaded with MAAs for UV protection and deep hydration.
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Green Algae: a source of soothing polysaccharides and minerals for skin radiance.
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🚀 Fastest grower on Earth: Kelp, a brown algae, can grow up to half a meter per day, making it one of the fastest-growing organisms on the planet!
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❄️ Cold waters = richer nutrients: Seaweeds thrive in nutrient-dense cold waters, especially in regions with upwellings that bring deep ocean nutrients to the surface.
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🌱 Zero-input farming: Seaweed needs no fresh water, no fertilizers, and no land—making it one of the most sustainable beauty ingredients available.
Why We Love It at Maris Dae
At Maris Dae, we harness the regenerative power of wild-harvested Pacific Northwest seaweed to create bodycare that hydrates, restores, and protects your skin, all while respecting nature. It’s skin food, bottled.
Ready for healthier, glowier skin?
Discover the magic of marine skincare—simple, sustainable, and science-backed.