Some of the most potent ingredients in anti-aging skin care may be hiding way down, deep in the Earth’s oceans. That’s right. The healing, nourishing properties of the sea can be found in a multitude of marine plants and compounds that are not only some of the earth’s most abundant natural resources, but by nature’s design, are filled with nourishing vitamins, rich minerals, protein-packed amino acids and skin-protecting antioxidants. We break down a few superstar sea ingredients, how they help the skin and some of our favorite brands that harness the power of the sea for serious skin rejuvenation.

Algae

Just as eating a diet full of brightly colored foods provides antioxidant protection for your body, the brightly colored blue, green and red algaes found in the Earth’s oceans are rich in antioxidants that provide anti-inflammatory benefits for your skin. Plus, they’re packed with amino acids that keep aging skin healthy and hydrated. Red algae is perfect for soothing and healing dry or damaged skin as well helping to address dark spots and hyperpigmentation, while green algae can be helpful in improving skin’s elasticity and supporting collagen production.

Brand to Try: Eminence Organics Marine Flower Products

Eminence Organics features plant-based skin care products that address everything from premature aging, to acne to sun damage. Their line of Marine Flower products, including the Marine Flower Peptide Serum, dives deep down into the sea and uses blue-green algae extracts to help minimize fine lines and wrinkles and red algae extract to keep skin nourished.

Brand to Try: ELEMIS

The ELEMIS marine products harness the anti-aging powers of Padina Pavonica, a brown algae found in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. This marine extract is found in ELEMIS Pro-Collagen Marine Cream and helps support skin’s cell structure while strengthening the epidermis. It’s also fortified with Chlorella Vulgaris Extract, which is a green algae that helps prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin, keeping skin plump and firm.

Seaweed

Seaweed is not just for sushi anymore. The earth’s most abundant natural resource contains magnesium, manganese, calcium, iodine, copper, potassium, zinc and vitamins A, B, C, D and E. Talk about a nutritional superhero! But what can it do for your skin? Since it’s packed with antioxidants, seaweed in your skin care can help protect your complexion from free radical damage and future signs of aging. Plus, since its rich in vitamin C, it helps to stimulate collagen production, helping to plump your skin right up.

Brand to Try: Repechage

Repechage skin care products combine the vast benefits of seaweed, harvested off the Brittany Coast of France with the finest natural ingredients the Earth has to offer. The Repechage C Serum Seaweed Filtrate revitalizes the skin with seaweed and keeps skin soft and supple with Carrageenan red algae, which has excellent emollient properties.

Brand to Try: PHYTOMER

PHYTOMER combines the latest scientific advancements in skin care with only the most natural ingredients from the sea, including seaweed, algae and seawater, to replicate the skin’s natural ability to heal itself. If you want to use the power of marine ingredients to rejuvenate skin on your other parts of your body, try PHYTOMER Beautiful Legs Blemish Eraser Cream. It contains Palmaria Palmata, a red seaweed that helps reduce inflammation and increase circulation, as well as green algae to prevent the breakdown of collagen and elastin. The antioxidants in the seaweed ingredients also help to strengthen the blood vessels, keeping legs looking youthful.

Seawater

While the natural foliage of the sea is the real star of the anti-aging show, don’t overlook the anti-aging benefits of seawater itself! It’s packed with essential minerals that aid in proper lymphatic drainage and boost circulation for healthier, more youthful looking skin. Plus, the salt in seawater helps dry excess pore-clogging oil and has the ability to draw toxins from the body, including acne-causing bacteria.

Brand to Try: Phytoceane

Phytoceane skin care products gather the most beneficial marine ingredients from seas around the world to rejuvenate and restore a youthful glow to aging complexions. The Phytoceane Costa Rica Moisturizing Body Water features its emblematic ingredient jania, which is a red vegetal ocean coral known for its ability to bind the nutrients found in seawater to the skin, while keeping it properly moisturized.

Brand to Try: Viviscal

Want to harness the power of the sea to fortify and strengthen hair while promoting healthy growth? The active ingredient that helps hair grow to healthy lengths isn’t the actual seawater, but rather the fish that can be found in the water itself. Viviscal Professional Supplements are clinically formulated with an exclusive AminoMar marine complex, comprised (in part) of shark and mollusk powder. This supplement is delivered deep into the bloodstream and within three months, visibly nourishes the hair and prolongs the growth cycle.

Dead Sea Minerals

The secret is the salt! Minerals harvested from the Dead Sea have been proven to help relieve acne, eczema and psoriasis, among many other health benefits. Plus, they help skin retain moisture, keeping your complexion dewy and hydrated.

Brand to Try: LovelySkin Luxe

LovelySkin Luxe products combine the skin renewing benefits of amino fruit acids (AFAs) with nourishing and hydrating ingredients like Dead Sea Minerals to address multiple skin concerns including acne, hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and rosacea. The LovelySkin Luxe Exfoliating Gel Mild 11% gently exfoliates and renews the skin while using Dead Sea Minerals to moisturize and soothe.

Do you use marine ingredients in your skin care regimen? Let us know what your favorite products are in the comments below!