If you’ve been paying attention to the new skincare products hitting the shelves lately, you’ll have noticed a growing trend: marine skincare. More and more brands are now incorporating marine-derived ingredients into their skincare formulations, and those products are making a huge splash.
At Lavelier, we’ve always recognized the power of marine ingredients – that’s why coral seaweed has always been our signature ingredient, and it’s often accompanied by other ocean extracts in our products. However, with marine skincare on the rise, we wanted to take a deeper dive into the world of ocean beauty to showcase just how beneficial these sub-sea botanicals can be.
Marine Skincare: What’s All of the Fuss About?
There has been a steadily growing interest in marine skincare in recent years, for a few different reasons:
A Growing Demand for Natural Ingredients
As you’re likely aware, the skincare industry has taken a big shift toward natural ingredients. It’s something that more and more consumers have been demanding, due to a growing awareness of how impactful the products they apply topically can be. With the general public now shying away from unnecessary chemicals and filler ingredients, natural ingredients, like marine botanicals, provide a safer alternative.
Sustainability Expectations
While natural ingredients are being increasingly sought after, this isn’t enough. Sustainability is key as well. People don’t want to use natural ingredients if they’re contributing to environmental destruction at the same time, which is yet another reason why marine skincare has taken center stage.
When it comes to environmentally-friendly skincare ingredients, marine botanicals sit at the top of the list. They don’t require any land or freshwater to grow, which already makes them more sustainable than other plant-derived ingredients. Better yet, some ingredients, like algae, can actually contribute to the regeneration of ecosystems. Sustainable harvesting techniques combined with marine conservation efforts make these some of the most eco-friendly ingredients around.
Efficacy
Of course, there are plenty of ingredients out there that are natural and sustainable, although perhaps not to the same extent that marine-derived ingredients are. So, what else is it that sets marine skincare apart?
In the end, it all comes down to efficacy. Plants growing in marine environments have to deal with extremely harsh conditions. From the constant exposure to UV light to extreme temperatures and high levels of salinity, these plants develop extraordinary defense mechanisms in the form of specialized antioxidants and other unique compounds. When applied topically, they have a high-performance nature that can really boost the visible results provided by a skincare product.
The Best Marine Skincare Ingredients to Add to Your Routine
Now that marine skincare is in such high demand, new marine-derived ingredients are constantly entering the market. If you’re new to marine skincare, this can make things seem confusing. So, here are some of the very best marine skincare ingredients to add to your routine:
Coral Seaweed Extract
As we mentioned earlier, coral seaweed extract is our signature ingredient at Lavelier. Why? For a few reasons. Firstly, it’s intensely hydrating. Its humectant properties enable it to bind moisture to the skin, giving it a plumper and fuller finish pretty much straight away. Coral seaweed extract also calms the feeling of inflammation, leaves the skin feeling detoxified, and has a mild exfoliating effect that contributes to brighter-looking skin.
Shop for your skincare at Lavelier, and you’ll easily be able to add coral seaweed extract to multiple stages of your skincare routine. From our cleansers to our serums to our moisturizers, each and every Lavelier product has been infused with this exceptional marine botanical.
Laminaria Japonica Extract
Also known as Japanese kelp, Laminaria Japonica is a cultivated seaweed that’s commonly eaten in Asia. It’s loved for its complex flavor, as well as for its exceptionally rich nutritional profile. It contains a diverse array of antioxidants, minerals, and polysaccharides, enabling it to leave the skin feeling replenished and better protected against environmental aggressors.
If you’d like to add this much-loved seaweed to your skincare routine, check out the Lavelier Mineral Allure Transforming Masque. It combines Japanese kelp with coral seaweed, giving your skin a double whammy of marine power.
Euglena Gracilis Extract
Euglena gracilis is a type of microscopic algae. It happens to be one of the most highly studied microscopic substances on the planet. This is mainly due to its natural ability to tolerate a high amount of environmental stress. As you can imagine, these properties are very useful when translated into topical skincare. This is aided by how the ingredient has an energizing effect on the complexion. It can quickly revitalize the look of tired and depleted skin.
Although Euglena gracilis extract isn’t as widely used as some of the other marine skincare ingredients on this list, you’ll find it in the Lavelier 24K Cleopatra Nano Regimen. This three-part skincare system also packs a selection of other land and marine botanicals, each one brimming with potent natural compounds.
Chondrus Crispus/Irish Moss
Chondrus crispus is a red seaweed that’s also known as Irish moss or carrageen. It’s a great source of polysaccharides, which not only hydrate the skin but also lock that moisture in. The antioxidants found in this seaweed are renowned for protecting the complexion against the appearance of pollution and blue light damage, while its other nutrients help to keep the skin feeling calm and less inflamed.
This marine botanical, which is suitable for all skin types, can be found in several Lavelier skincare products. The Blue Algae Beauty Skincare Duo is one, with this system designed to counter the appearance of environmental damage. Meanwhile, the Pure Soothing Eye Jelly Masks allow you to pamper your eye area with the ingredient. Chondrus Crispus extract is one of the main ingredients in this mask. This enables you to experience its full range of benefits.
Chlorella Vulgaris Extract
Chlorella vulgaris is a single-cell microalgae that grows quickly and easily, perfectly falling in line with the demand for sustainable natural ingredients. Like other algae, it boasts a superior antioxidant content. It’s a useful ingredient to have in your routine if you’re trying to repair the look of damaged, aging skin. This algae also has a brightening effect on the complexion. It can help to lighten the look of pigmentation, evening out the skin tone.
While this is a great ingredient to use on your skin daily, the Facial Anti-Aging Firming System will give your complexion a weekly boost. Chlorella vulgaris comes together with coral seaweed extract and Eugenia gracilis polysaccharides, creating a blend rich in marine botanicals. At the same time, flower and root extracts provide land-based power, while peptides work to give the complexion some extra support.
Sea Salt
While some of the marine skincare ingredients on this list have only recently been introduced to the industry, sea salt is a classic. It’s primarily used in skincare for its exfoliating properties. Its abrasive texture enables it to effectively slough off dead skin cells. This immediately leaves the skin looking brighter and more radiant. With sea salt being a humectant, you won’t have to worry about it drying your skin out. It will draw in moisture instead. It’s a great source of minerals too. These can help to keep the skin barrier feeling strong and resilient.
With that said, the coarse nature of sea salt can make it a bit too sharp for use on the face. The skin on the body, however, which is thicker and tougher, responds beautifully to the exfoliating effects of this marine ingredient. This is why we’ve used sea salt as the main ingredient in the Lavelier Seascape Body Scrub. It’s joined by coral seaweed extract, meaning that your body will be able to benefit from these powerful marine ingredients too!
Seawater
If you often swim in the ocean, your skin will naturally benefit from all that seawater can offer. For everyone else, however, the only way to access this ingredient is by seeking out skincare products that have been formulated with it.
Why would you want to apply seawater to your skin? Firstly, it’s a natural source of sea salt. This means that not only does your skin experience the exfoliating and nutrient-rich properties of sea salt, but the minerals found in seawater double up on those benefits. It can also be a useful ingredient to turn to if you suffer from eczema, acne, or psoriasis. Seawater has an anti-inflammatory effect on the complexion, quickly soothing the feeling of irritation and discomfort.
Spirulina Extract
You’ve probably heard of spirulina. This blue-green algae is a famous superfood, with its nutrient-dense nature earning it this reputation. It’s commonly consumed as a supplement because of how it supports so many of the body’s functions. However, apply it topically as well, and your skin will be able to directly benefit from it.
Spirulina extract is an excellent ingredient for tackling the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It gives the skin a smoother, brighter, and more youthful finish. It also calms the look of redness and inflammation, making it useful for anyone who has problematic, sensitive skin.
Pearl Extract
Most people are familiar with pearls being worn as jewelry. However, freshwater pearls are increasingly found in skincare products too. Pearl extract has a lightening and illuminating effect on the complexion. It’s a popular ingredient among those trying to lighten the look of dark spots and other forms of discoloration.
Pearl extract is also believed to have a detoxifying effect on the complexion. It leaves the skin looking purified and rejuvenated, which is enhanced by its diverse antioxidant content.
Make the Most of Marine Skincare With Lavelier
While many brands may have only recently discovered the potential of marine skincare, this is something that we’ve always championed here at Lavelier. Our entire brand is based on the pure power of coral seaweed extract, with the ingredient backed up by other marine ingredients wherever possible. These are then supported by other cutting-edge skincare compounds, bringing together the best of land and sea.
Click here to explore more bestselling marine skincare products from Lavelier.
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