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WHY WE USE NATURAL SEAWEED & ALGAES?
Seaweeds and algae contain all of the essential vitamin, minerals, amino acids, fatty acids from our oceans that our skin needs to create a healthy, balanced flora, and the "reds" are the absolute best - this is renowned world-wide. Seaweeds and algae also contain hyaluronic acid which boosts the elasticity and hydration of the skin; retains moisture.
Seaweeds exist in tidal plains and need the ability to retain water to survive drought periods. On your skin, it can create a thin, non-greasy force field holding moisture in and preventing it from escaping. One such seaweed we use is wild Atlantic Red Nori (known was Laver) which is a potent antioxidant, reddish in color with collagen being an excellent source of hyaluronic acid. It is native the North Atlantic Ocean growing and harvested in the pristine waters off the Gulf of Maine, USA.
We also use Astaxanthan Red Super Algae which is a very potent antioxidant, carotenoid, and is naturally red-orange in color. It contains high levels of Vitamins C & E, beta-carotene and lycopene. Several studies have shown its effectiveness with improving skin texture, elasticity, reducing age spot size and even crow's feet. It protects against UV sun damage and is excellent for all skin types.
In addition to the two above, we also use blue-green algae, known as spirulina, which is a type of cyanobacteria that is packed with nutrients. One of its key components is phycocyanin, a pigment that makes it a distinctive blue color and offers antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-skin cancer properties (skin cancer).
NATURAL PLANT SPF - A Breakthrough in Natural Skin Care?
Plants have a natural way of protecting themselves from the sun, so once we learned the SPF broad spectrum values of the botanicals we used, we found the overall value to be quite high initially. Once we added the remaining ingredients, the overall value decreased to about 45-50 SPF. We also added zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (two natural earth minerals) in the non-nano form (NOT processed to be absorbed into the skin) that add the extra thin layer of protection since it doesn't absorb. These two minerals protect the skin by forming a barrier that reflects UVA-UVB sun rays like a mirror (hence their white color). They are also very stable and don't require you to wait 20 minutes before sun exposure.
Studies from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, have shown what protects the plants from UV radiation and damage. They produce a sinapate ester, called sinapoyl malate, which is a natural sunscreen. Closely related natural substances, called cinnamates, are equally effective which are also derived from plants. An example of this is ferulic acid (a hydroxycinnamic acid) which enhances the ability of all ingredients for protection from the sun. We use ferulic acid exclusively.
Plants also produce high levels of polyphenols (antioxidants) which are a family of organic molecules that protect the plant from the UV rays, parasites, insects, pests and other environmental damage. Since plants are not mobile, they rely on these molecules to protect themselves.
A newer study in 2020, from MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) discovered the actual mechanism that protects the plants from excess damage. Plants need sunlight for photosynthesis, the process that allows them to store solar energy as sugar molecules, but too much sunlight can dehydrate and damage their leaves, so, they dissipate the extra light as heat. Excess energy is transferred from chlorophyll (the pigment that makes the leaf green) to other pigments called carotenoids, which can release the energy as heat. Here's where it gets technical ... when sunlight strikes a plant, specialized proteins known as light-harvesting complexes absorb light energy in the form of photons, with the help of pigments like chlorophyll. These photons drive the production of sugar molecules, which store the energy for later use. Plants can react very quickly to solar intensity changes and when the chlorophyll passes the extra photons to the carotenoids, which include lycopene & beta-carotene, they get rid of the excess energy through rapid vibration (heat). These skillful scavengers of free-radicals are helping to prevent damage to the cells.
WHAT IF we could re-create a formula that can allow some sunlight to penetrate our skin for Vitamin D purposes but also reflect the damaging UV radiation utilizing organic, natural ingredients like the plants? Only 100% pure, simple, organic, chemical-free ingredients as nature intended ... check out our SPF 45.
Newer research (2020-2024) has been showing the effects of cancer-causing chemicals being absorbed into our bloodstream. The studies also showed that the higher SPF in commercial sunscreens can irritate the skin, making it more sensitive, causing sun burns. These same chemicals are floating on and in the water polluting the environment which can cause harm to to the fragile ecosystems. Many of these chemicals have been shown to be hormone disruptors with more studies showing their effects. Lately, there have been more recalls of cosmetics, acne formulas and sunscreens due to dangerous chemicals that can cause cancer and other health issues (such as benzene & Benzoic Acid).