Remember that quote from Titanic that says, “A woman’s heart is a deep ocean of secrets”? Well, the same could be said for a woman’s skin care routine. What we’re trying to get at here is that there’s a ton of ingredients hanging out in the ocean that do wonders for your skin. And a bunch of Korean products include them! Today’s skin care lesson takes us under the sea and explains why you should use products with ingredients from the ocean.
To make sure you’re completely in the know, we’re breaking down some of the most common ocean-inspired ingredients and discussing what each can do for your face.
Pearls
Nope, pearls aren’t just for accessorizing—they’re also a superstar ingredient when it comes to your skincare regimen! You’ll often find pearls listed as “pearl extract” or “pearl powder” in ingredient lists, and both are rich in trace minerals, amino acids, and calcium. Pearl is known for its ability to be highly soothing, moisturizing, and brightening, making it a great option for dry and sensitive skin types. It’s also a very powerful antioxidant (which means it shields the skin from harmful free radicals) and is known for its ability to stimulate collagen regeneration.
It’s no coincidence that we recently introduced the Klavuu line—which features pearl extract in all its products—to Soko Glam. Charlotte wrote a comprehensive overview of the brand here, and highlighted some of her favorite products from the line, as well. If you had to just start with one product, we suggest trying the Pure Pearlsation Revitalizing Facial Cleansing Foam, which lathers beautifully and gently sweeps away dirt and makeup. In addition to containing pearl extract, it also contains 30+ additional plant extracts, including algae!
Algae
Speaking of algae… unless you’ve already read our article on algae, you may not know that seaweed, kelp, and luminaria (a reddish, stringy seaweed) are all types of algae. The three mentioned all fall under the term “macro algae,” AKA algae you can see with the naked eye. Macro algae is what you see floating around in the ocean or washed up onto the shoreline. The second type is called microalgae, and you need a microscope to see it. Chlorella and spirulina are examples of this type.
Both types of algae can be found in skin care products. Algae is an antioxidant, and is high in vitamins A, B, C, and E, as well as amino acids and proteins. As such, it’s considered ideal for dry and/or mature skin types that need an extra dose of moisture and want to reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It’s also a soothing ingredient, making it a great go-to for sensitive or inflamed skin types. If you want to give it a try, we recommend the Skinfood Marine Food Gel Mask in Seaweed.
Caviar
You may think of caviar as a salty delicacy—or a pretty, tasty addition to your sushi—but it’s also an increasingly common skincare ingredient. You’ll typically see it listed as “caviar extract” in products. Like algae, caviar is also an antioxidant, making it a winner when it comes to anti-aging. It’s also rich in both omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, which provide a major hydration boost and can also improve skin texture and health.
One of my favorite caviar-infused items is the Neogen Code 9 Gold Black Caviar Essence & Gold Tox Tightening Pack Kit, a quadruple-threat product that exfoliates, hydrates, brightens, and diminishes signs of aging. In addition to the caviar, it contains flecks of real gold, as well as niacinamide, collagen, and sodium hyaluronate (aka hyaluronic acid).
Final word
Reading through, you might have noticed a trend here! Products with ingredients from the ocean are antioxidants known for their ability to gently hydrate the skin and ward off damaging, free radicals. We recommend integrating a couple marine-based ingredients into your regular skin routine, even if it’s just a simple sheet mask or toner, to get in on this action and see just how wonderful the sea can truly be!