As a society, we have become increasingly aware of the benefits of using natural ingredients from the earth in our cosmetics and personal products. There has been a large shift away from products containing harmful chemical ingredients towards natural, cleaner versions. Most people are aware of the benefits of using herbs and plants that can be grown in your garden but in addition to the lavenders and roses of the world, there are some amazing lesser known natural ingredients. The ocean has long been a source of food for many cultures around the world, but it also is a source of many other important resources, one of which is seaweed.

Seaweed is one of the earth’s most abundant resources, with over 50,000 known species in the oceans. Seaweed is high in many vitamins, proteins, minerals and amino acids making it an extremely healing ingredient for skincare. To be specific, seaweed is a source of over 12 minerals, 60 trace elements and 12 vitamins (among them antioxidant rich Vitamins C and E.) This rich combination of vitamins and minerals give seaweed anti-aging, moisturizing and anti-inflammatory properties. Seaweed is used in skincare products for a wide range of uses such as exfoliating, brightening, moisturizing and wrinkle prevention. It can be great for those with sensitive skin or skin irritations such as acne or rosacea due to its healing properties.

There are so many varieties of seaweed that it can be used in many forms (gels, extracts, powders) in a variety of products such as moisturizers, serums, lip balms, masks and cleansers. This makes seaweed one of the most versatile skincare ingredients to help with a range of concerns. Its brightening properties are extremely effective at reducing the appearance of brown spots or acne scarring. Its anti-inflammatory properties are great for protecting the skin from environmental irritants or for soothing the appearance of redness in reactive skin. It also contains essential fatty acids to help moisturize and smooth the skin’s surface. The versatility of seaweed’s uses make it an effective skincare ingredient for almost every skin type from aging skin, to sensitive skin or even acne prone skin.

There are three main types of seaweeds that are used in skincare products. They are; Rhodophyta Seaweed (Red Seaweed), Chlorophyta Seaweed (Green Seaweed), and Phaeophyta Seaweed (Brown Kelps).

Rhodophyta Seaweeds or Red Seaweeds are a beautiful red or violet colour. They are high in antioxidants, amino acids and many important minerals such as iron, calcium, and magnesium. They naturally have anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, as well as being extremely moisturizing and helping to speed wound healing. Red seaweed is often used in products to help improve smoothness and firmness of the surface of the skin.

Chlorophyta Seaweeds or Green Seaweeds are high in chlorophyll, giving them a vibrant green colour. They are high in vitamins, minerals and amino acids. The green seaweeds help to promote collagen production and maintain elasticity in the skin. They are commonly used in anti-aging products as they help to promote skin cell regeneration. Green seaweed is also highly effective when used to reduce inflammation.

Phaeophyta Seaweeds or Brown Kelps are the most mineral-dense plants on earth. They collect minerals from the ocean’s waters and store them inside their plant cells. This makes them extremely high in many nutrients. They can be used as a detoxifying ingredient to draw out the skin’s impurities and replace them with rich minerals. Seaweed is often referred to as the lymphatic system of the ocean due to its purifying properties. Brown seaweed can help to absorb UV light and protect the skin by acting as an antioxidant. It is also noted for its wound healing properties and its ability to help maintain elasticity in the skin.

Seaweed is not only highly beneficial as a skincare ingredient, it is also one of the most sustainable ingredients to farm in the world. Seaweed can absorb up to 20 times more CO2 than land-based plants. It is highly effective at absorbing carbon emissions and in fact, the ocean absorbs 31% of the world’s carbon emissions. By planting more seaweed farms, we can help to increase the amount of carbon absorbed by marine plants. Australian scientist Tim Flannery estimates that if 9% of the world’s oceans were covered in seaweed farms, it could be enough to absorb all human emissions. Seaweed is also one of the most sustainable plants to farm because it does not require soil to farm, nor fertiliser or fresh water. It also releases oxygen and is fast-growing. Seaweed’s leaves can be cut directly from the plant for harvest rather than removing the entire plant. This allows it to be re-grown quickly and sustainably. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization, the use of seaweed has increased by 176% since 1995. This growing demand for seaweed means that a needed increase in seaweed farming can replace more environmentally damaging industries such as destructive fishing practices as a source of income for many countries.  

There are so many reasons to incorporate seaweed into your cosmetic products. Not only is it an incredibly sustainable product, it also has so many healing benefits for your skin. Our Earthy Good Lip Balm Making Kit contains Ascophyllum Nodosum which is a brown kelp extract. It helps to balance the natural moisture barrier in skin cells to keep them hydrated. This makes it especially beneficial in our DIY lip balm kit because it is the perfect ingredient to keep your lips plump and hydrated.