About Seaweed and Our Skincare
Seaweed is the ingredient I trust the most for my skin. It's naturally anti-inflammatory, UV protective, hydrating, cell regenerating, and detoxifying. It's amazing that one of the most abundant and ancient 'vegetables' on our planet has a chemistry that is bio-compatible with human skin."
-Shelly, Founder of Beauty Shamans
SEAWATER
Take a look at most skincare products and you’ll find "aqua" as the first ingredient in their formulations. If you are someone who understands that not all water is the same, you may have wondered: what kind of water are they using, and could there be a better choice for our skin?
Seawater has been known for centuries to be the ultimate mineral water, with healing properties, and a chemistry that is (amazingly) almost identical to that of fluids within the human body. This is why you’ll see a key difference in the formulations of our water based products: instead of “aqua”, the first ingredient is "isotonic seawater".
Due to the molecular similarity between seawater and blood plasma, the benefits of using marine based products go beyond the depth of the skin. Seawater, and all of its sea vegetable components have a very distinct mineral makeup. Many people feel that swimming or bathing in seawater has a restorative effect, which makes sense; the minerals needed for optimal cell functioning are absorbed via the skin and restore cellular energy making you look and feel healthier.
When activated by the sun, seaweed minerals start their repair process and stimulated new growth. This makes it ideal to apply to the skin topically due to the implications it has for repairing skin damage and renewing collagen.
SOURCING
Of course like water, not all seaweed is equal, so for those who may wonder where we get our seaweeds, we sustainably harvest our supply once a year in June from France, Iceland, and Nova Scotia. We use a variety of seaweeds (brown, green and red); these are never freeze dried or powdered. All seaweed is either ground and micronized, made into a resin or turned into extracts from full strips of wild, food grade seaweed.
For more information on the ingredients we use and don't use, click here
SEAWEED
MARINE LIFE IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF NUTRITION
While micro-algae (such as phytoplankton) contain fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, protein, chlorophyll, and trace elements, various seaweed sources contains high amounts of alginates (flush heavy metals from the body), minerals, trace elements, fucoidan and laminaria. Common minerals, such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus play an essential role in the body; from synthesis of collagen, connective and bone tissue, to regulating the nervous system and cellular metabolism. Trace elements, such as copper, zinc, iodine, selenium, silica, and chromium play a vital role in the synthesis of enzymes and hormones; things which are crucial to maintaining life itself. They also contribute to building proteins that make up the structures of the skin.
BENEFITS OF TOPICAL SEAWEED
Exfoliation: Laminaria algae increases the rate of cellular desquamation, or shedding of the skin. As one of the greatest sources of beta carotene on Earth, algae acts as a precursor to convert to vitamin A in the skin which acts as natural Retin-A. The end result is fresher and firmer skin.
Nourishment: Seaweed is a virtually perfect food and is (by weight) the richest source of minerals, trace elements, amino acids, antioxidants, phyto-hormones, polysaccharides and enzymes. Whether through the application of a mask, or through bathing, billions of marine ions diffuse through the skin creating a transdermal alternative to eating a source of these vital nutrients.
Collagen synthesis: Magnesium, iron, manganese and copper synergized with vitamin C, activate the biosynthesis of collagen and elastin fibers and contribute to the renewal of the connective tissue and leads to a thickening of the skin.
Protect & Repair: Seaweed, rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids, helps to protect the cells from free radical damage while repairing cell membranes that have already been compromised. Seaweed is a natural source of ceramides for the skin which helps to "fill in gaps"anywhere on the skin; wrinkles, fine lines, acne scars, large pores etc. These natural ceramides seal in hydration and help the skin appear almost "glass like."
Sun Protection & Repair: Plankton extracts have been shown to repair damage to DNA caused by UV exposure. Essential to any anti-aging routine, plankton extracts are catalyzed by sun exposure to provide added protection from DNA damage by realigning and reconfiguring damaged DNA molecules within a cell. Plankton is a micro-algae that either directly or indirectly supports all ocean life as we know it. Research shows that alginates found in seaweed have the ability to absorb radioactive elements, heavy metals and free radicals, and flush them from the cells.
Detoxification: Seaweed can help detoxify cells in two ways. The first way is through transdermal ionization with marine elements that penetrate the skin tissue to neutralize free radicals. Potassium is introduced into the cells helping to flush out sodium and cellular waste in the connective tissue. The second method of detoxification is through lymph drainage. Seaweed, along with therapeutic essential oils, promote drainage of lymph laden with metabolic wastes. As toxins leave the cell, fresh plasma and oxygen rush in to restore and revitalize the cell.
Promotes Vascular Circulation: Most seaweeds improve vascular circulation of the surface skin cells. As this process occurs, skin cells are irrigated with nutrients, helping to promote healthy growth.
The numerous trace elements and minerals found in seaweed, seawater, and sea algae are essential to life. When applied to the skin, marine based products promote cellular regeneration and detoxification, collagen synthesis, and a healthy skin flora for a beautifully healthy complexion.
Some of the most powerful ingredients do not come from a chem-lab but from nature. We "scent" our formulas with essential oils, add "slip" with seaweed, and "preserve" with antioxidants and symbiotic ferments.
Curious which products are right for your unique skin? Take out skin quiz here!