As summer approaches, many of us begin spending more time outdoors. As much as we like dreaming of long, bright days of sunshine, its heat can be harsh on delicate skin. While sunshine brings plenty of benefits, increased UV exposure, heat, and environmental stress can challenge the skin barrier, particularly for those with dry or sensitive skin.
What We're Learning About Seaweed Extracts and UV Exposure
Our seaweed’s outer surface has been shielding itself against the sun for millions of years. The two extracts essential to our products, Laminaria digitata (oarweed) and Fucus visiculosus (Bladderwrack), are indigenous to the coastal waters of Newfoundland, where they experience uninterrupted exposure to UV rays and a harsh environment. While that’s a great habitat for photosynthesis, it can also cause negative effects on the outer layer of our skin, contributing to inflammation, dryness, and skin barrier disruption. But it also raises the question of how these seaweeds evolved powerful defenses against the harshness of the sun that many of us know all too well. With bioactive skincare in mind, we posed ourselves the same question. Our curiosity has led to promising results.
What Our Research Is Showing
An ongoing study at Holland College has already reached positive conclusions regarding how our seaweed extracts interact with ultraviolet light across the UV spectrum. Through spectrophotometric testing - a test measuring how much light a substance absorbs at different wavelengths - researchers have remarked on the UV absorption of our extracts, above all, Bladderwrack – the brown seaweed used in our extra-strength Barrier Cream [link]. Preliminary spectrophotometric testing showed that our Bladderwrack extract absorbs light across portions of both the UVA and UVB spectrum. While this does not mean the extract functions as a sunscreen or SPF product, it does suggest the presence of naturally occurring compounds that interact with ultraviolet light, and it’s part of the reason why we plan to expand our skincare line to include sun protection in the future.
Marine Polysaccharides and Phlorotannins - A Deep Dive into Our Extracts
The fierce environment of our rugged coastline, where UV and salt exposure, oxidative
stress and a turbulent climate prevail, has caused bladderwrack to produce antioxidant compounds to protect itself over the course of its evolution. These compounds include marine polyphenols and other bioactives. At 7 Fathoms, we believe the value of seaweed lies not only in individual compounds such as fucoidan or phlorotannins, but in the way these naturally occurring bioactives exist together. Our minimally processed extraction method preserves this broader marine bioactive composition, creating extracts that combine marine polysaccharides, antioxidant compounds, minerals, vitamins, and other water-soluble compounds in a single ingredient.
The phlorotannins and marine polysaccharides prominent in brown seaweeds such as Bladderwrack are known to hydrate and condition skin. Studies on Bladderwrack have proven it contains rich levels of fucoidan and mannitol. Within the skin-care industry, these marine polysaccharides are known for their ability to attract and retain skin moisture, and also enhance protective film-forming properties used in skin barrier formulations. Research has suggested that phlorotannins may help protect against oxidative stress and support healthy skin aging. Research has also explored fucoidan's potential role in supporting skin recovery while maintaining skin hydration,and suggests that fucoidan may influence – preliminary laboratory studies have shown promising results related to cellular wound-closure models.
For skin prone to sensitivity, or exposed to environmental irritants, all of these extracted compounds are especially effective.
Natural Production of Skin-Barrier Compounds
The structure of Bladderwrack is also favourable to its natural production of protective compounds. A distinguishable feature of Bladderwrack is the air filled bladders along its blades. This structural phenomenon is a necessity for photosynthesis. It keeps the seaweed upright near the sunlight in Newfoundland’s turbulent intertidal zones. The anatomy of the plant is also incidental to its need to buffer against environmental stress. It’s no wonder Bladderwrack is rich in these skin-barrier compounds.
A 2022 study by the Chemistry Department at Memorial University of Newfoundland also substantiates the presence of high fucoidan levels in our Laminaria digitata extract. Comparative tests between Laminaria digitata and other commercial fucoidan products determined our extract to have higher levels of sulfation – a structural feature essential for high bioactivity for fucoidan’s macrostructure.
Our findings are in accordance with the most recent studies at Holland College. Researcher’s experiments indicate that our extracts have strong solar radiation absorption activity, owing in part to the harsh conditions in which the seaweed grows. While at present the research does not suggest our extracts will form the base of an SPF substitute, it supports the presence of naturally-occurring bioactive compounds able to supplement a skincare regimen that protects against UV.
Customer Experiences with Barrier Support
While laboratory research helps us understand the properties of these marine bioactives, we're equally interested in hearing how customers experience our products in everyday life. If the science is yet to convince you, then check out recent customer satisfaction with our flagship Bladderwrack product: the Seawise Extra Strength Repair Cream:
I have been using the 7 Fathoms Seaweed Skin Care Lotion for at least 3 years and love it on my skin. I recently ordered the Seaweed Skin Barrier Cream along with it. I saw a one night improvement with the wrinkles on my face. I will now regularly buy the duo. Thank you 7 Fathoms for natural healthy skincare. - Marlene, Sharbot Lake, Ontario
On my 2nd jar of the Seaweed Skin Barrier Cream. I started using the Seaweed Barrier Cream on a patch of dermatitis on my shin. Having seen a dermatologist, the recommended treatment was cortisone which I preferred not to use. After seeing these products on the Dragon’s Den, I decided to give it a try. With time and patience, the Seaweed Barrier Cream has proven to be very effective in treating my dermatitis. I will definitely continue using it and toss the cortisone cream out! - Maryann, Edmonton, Alberta
Keep Up to Date with 7 Fathoms Research and Development
If you’re curious about naturally-derived skin care products, and care about the science and sustainability behind the products you choose, then click on the link below to download a whitepaper detailing the ongoing UV study at Holland College and previous studies published over the last six years.
