Reaffirm and soften wrinkles: everything algae can do for your skin

They have been surviving millions of years in hostile environments such as rivers, lakes and oceans, where they have developed mechanisms to protect themselves from UV radiation and pollution.They are algae, those inhabitant organisms of aquatic media and that are a cluster of antioxidant properties loaded with vitamins, trace elements, mineral salts, proteins and amino acids.In fact, the figures speak for themselves: a kilo of algae contains both iodine and 10,000 liters of sea water and is 500 times richer in calcium and vitamins than sea water alone.Scientific discoveries make us look more at their properties, both for our food, as an ingredient in the formulation of medications or in products and treatments for skin care thanks to the wide range of benefits they offer, which adapt to allneeds.

In cosmetics they are used to give texture but also, by containing numerous active ingredients, they are part of formulations in which the "stars" are them. Algae are known for their properties to hydrate, revitalize and tone the skin and are also a great ally to help regulate fat production, in addition to calming sensitive skins with rosacea, fight cellulite and even help soften fine lines and wrinkles While there is endless species that live both in fresh and salty water, marinas are the most used in cosmetics due to their high concentration of seawater in minerals. “Algae absorb and concentrate elements such as vitamins, minerals, trace elements and amino acids, which are very important to maintain the health and good appearance of the skin. There are about 25,000 species and, of them, only twenty is used for aesthetic treatments. Its different colors are due to the amount of light they receive and, in addition, they have mineral salts, ”explains Dr. Almudena Royo, of the Unit of Facial and Corporal Aesthetic Medicine of the Laser Medical Institute, which details which are the most used in the skin care:

• Red algae: rich in minerals, chlorophyll, carotenoids, agar, have vasoconstrictor properties.

• Parda algae: with alginates, sulfur, iron, are used for their emollient, draining and moisturizing properties.

• Green-blue algae: contain vitamins A, E, C, beta-carotenes, are used as moisturizers and in anti-aging cosmetics.

• Green algae: also rich in vitamins A and C with moisturizing and relaxing properties.

Its main properties

Due to their properties, algae have been used as part of the treatments for chronic skin diseases. “In their search for beauty, the cosmetic industry uses algae since they are extremely rich in nutrients and minerals such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and vitamins such as C, A in even E. Therefore, when that power is used and Take advantage of it in creams and masks, it can offer visible results in the complexion, because they revitalize, remineralize, they have antibacterial, anti -inflammatory and reconstitutional properties. Their extracts are beginning to be great allies of cosmetics because they have great capacity to retain water level of the epidermis, configuring the cosmetic a high property as a moisturizer of the skin, subtracting the loss of transepidermal water. On the other hand, researchers have discovered the great nutrient density of algae capable of supplying energy to skin cells and ensuring oxygenation of them, which significantly contributes to cosmetics to have high antioxidant properties, protecting the Skin cells of free radical damage, ”details the doctor about this valuable asset that is used in different purposes: