Move over hyaluronic acid—Mother Nature’s OG skincare lab (aka the ocean) is having a moment. From algae-rich face masks to sea moss serums, your beauty shelf is about to get a serious splash of marine magic.
Skincare brands are diving into ocean-sourced ingredients that are packed with skin-loving nutrients. We’re talking hydration, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins—basically everything your skin craves, all straight from the sea. And it’s not just some greenwashed gimmick either. Sea plants like algae and kelp have been used for centuries in everything from healing rituals to traditional medicine. Now, they’re bottled up and coming to your top shelf.
So if you’ve been curious about why every other serum on your feed suddenly has “marine actives” or “seaweed extract” in it, you’re not imagining things. Ocean-based skincare is in, and here’s why it deserves a spot in your routine.
Ocean Ingredients to Look for in Your Skincare
1. Seaweed
Yes, the same stuff floating around your ankles at the beach is actually skincare gold. Seaweed is rich in amino acids, polysaccharides, and vitamins A, C, and E. It’s incredibly hydrating, helps soothe inflammation, and can even support collagen production.
Look for products with brown seaweed (like Laminaria), which is known for its firming and detoxifying benefits.
2. Algae (including Red & Blue-Green)
Algae comes in a bunch of varieties, and each brings something different to the table. Red algae is antioxidant-rich and brightens dull skin. Blue-green algae (like spirulina) is full of nutrients that protect against environmental stressors.
Bonus: Algae is also a natural humectant, meaning it draws moisture into the skin. So if you’re dry or dehydrated, this is your glow-up ingredient.
3. Sea Moss
Sea moss (also called Irish moss) is having a bit of a superfood moment, and it’s not just for smoothies. In skincare, it delivers a serious hit of hydration while also being rich in sulfur, which helps clarify and balance breakout-prone skin.
It’s also packed with vitamins and minerals like zinc, magnesium, and vitamin K—all great for calming redness and improving skin tone.
4. Kelp Extract
Kelp is a type of seaweed, but it gets its own shoutout because it’s particularly loaded with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Great for calming sensitive or reactive skin, kelp extract also helps defend against free radicals and pollution.
5. Marine Collagen
Sourced from fish or algae, marine collagen is more bioavailable than bovine collagen and can help improve skin elasticity and smoothness over time. While it’s more commonly found in supplements, some topical products are starting to harness its powers too.
Sea-Soaked Skincare Picks Worth the Hype
OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil
This cult-favorite body oil from OSEA is loaded with Undaria seaweed, and it leaves your skin glossy in the best way. It absorbs quickly (no weird greasy film) and smells like a chic coastal spa. If your body is dry, dull, or just feeling neglected—this is your move.
OSEA Ocean Cleanser
A gel cleanser that doesn’t strip your skin? Bless. This one is packed with red algae and other oceanic botanicals to cleanse without disrupting your barrier. It’s a solid daily staple for anyone dealing with dryness, dullness, or sensitive skin.
BIODANCE Refreshing Sea Kelp Mask
This airy hydro-gel mask blends sea kelp extract with deep sea water to immediately calm, hydrate, and rebalance your skin. It adheres like a second skin, transitions from opaque to translucent as your skin drinks it in, and never feels sticky—ideal for layering into your routine or even wearing overnight.
BIODANCE Refreshing Sea Kelp Mask
La Mer The Treatment Lotion
Yes, it’s pricey—but if you’re curious about luxury marine skincare, this cult-favorite is often the entry point. It uses the brand’s “Miracle Broth,” which is a proprietary fermentation of sea kelp and other ingredients. It hydrates, plumps, and gives you that expensive-skin glow (even if you're sleep-deprived).
Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream
This oil-free night cream blends mineral-rich bladderwrack seaweed with collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate and refine skin while you sleep. Light yet nourishing, it softens fine lines, smooths texture, and strengthens elasticity, so you wake up to a plump, even-toned, radiant complexion.
Mario Badescu Seaweed Night Cream
Some of the products featured here may contain affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. All recommendations are based on personal use, stylist feedback, or product performance.
