Macrocystis pyrifera is a sea macroalgae rich in caragenaan, algin, minerals and many active chemicals. Fermentation makes the cell contents of this algae readily available to your skin, moisturizing it and providing the nutrients required to synthesize new components. This is similar to the key ingredient (the Miracle Broth™) in Crème de la Mer. It is fermented by the same microorganisms that convert milk into yogurt.
What is new in Skin Actives Sea Kelp Ultramarine?
Macrocystis pyrifera, the substrate in our bioferment, is a rich source of iodine, potassium and many essential minerals. It also contains organic chemicals like alginic acid, laminaran, laminitol, lutein, zeaxanthin, xanthophyll, violaxanthin, fucosterol, sulpholipids, inositol, phytol, phloroglucinol, aldobiuronic acid and much more. Plus, it contains fucoidans (see below).
Porphyridium extract - The extracellular polysaccharide produced by this red alga has sulfate groups attached to the backbone are also non-reducing terminal D-xylopyranosyl and galactopyranosyl residues. It is known that this polysaccharide has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and the xylitol residues may be responsible in part for the anti-inflammatory properties (we use xylitol in our anti-inflammatory cream).
Arthrospira extract - This extract provides extra nutrition: more proteins, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and even some sulfolipids that seem to have antiviral properties. The anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of this extracts make it an essential active for eczema, psoriasis and other skin affections. Arthrospira is also what gives the Sea Kelp Ultramarine its lovely blue color.
Brown algae extract enriched in fucoidan Fucoidans are sulfated polysaccharides with a structure that depends on the plant source, and growing conditions. Applied to the skin fucoidan will increase the density of collagen bundles, decrease activity of proteases (enzymes that break down dermal proteins), increase scavenging of free radicals and increase cell proliferation. These effects would be mediated through increased expression of integrin a2ß1 and may also help with wound healing. In addition to assisting in collagen synthesis, fucoidan inhibits the replication of many viruses, including herpes, human cytomegalovirus, HIV-1 and others. Fucoidan has been shown to inhibit the binding of the bacteria Helicobacter pylori (involved in human ulcers) to stomach epithelial cells.
Bulk pricing is available, please contact us for details.
Feedback on our new sea kelp ultramarine
I found the product to be all it was written to be. If someone prefers a creamier application over this gel, they can mix it with one of your cream bases. I read some feedback on the product on your website prior to my ordering it and agreed with the blogger to use it to moisturize your scalp and the hair line around your face where hair sometimes begins to thin. The original product would be difficult to use in that application. It responds like a more active product that feeds the skin, hair, nail surface it is applied to than the original formula. I personally have come to prefer it over the original product. I wouldn't change a thing about Ultramarine other than also offering it in a larger size jar.
Jonatan - I think it is difficult to evaluate the new seakelp because most people probably use it as an "active" and not as a stand-alone product so it may take time to see results. On the plus side, the new seakelp does not seem to be as flaky as the old product (which was a major complaint). I primarily use seakelp as a leave-in hair conditioner. The new Ultramarine is heavier than the old seakelp and does not work as well for me. I love the sea kelp and the Ultramarine. I only use it for washing my face twice daily and love the way it makes my skin feel, so much softer…. I would love to know some other ways to incorporate it into my daily skin regimen, suggestions please? I used the new product on my hair and it seemed more soft and healthy looking than with the regular seakelp. Also when I used the original for a facial treatment, it would sometimes seem too dry and crack . This one doesn't dry out like that and my face feels softer. I like it. I have had the seakelp Ultramarine for just a day and a half, so I can only give you my initial impression. Here are a few differences, all positive or neutral:
The Ultramarine is
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Slightly thicker and more uniform in texture. I keep mine in the fridge, and it gels up quite firmly, but melts readily on contact.
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More moisturizing than the original seakelp.
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The smell may be slightly more "oceany", but if so, it is only a slight difference and I doubt users will object. I like the smell.
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The color is lovely and does not show at all on my very pale skin. It barely changes the color of my aloe-gel-based cleanser.
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The Ultramarine also seems to be a faster or more potent anti-inflammatory than the original. It just seems more effective, somehow. My face feels immediately rested and refreshed, even more so than with the original seakelp.
I have been using Ultramarine straight on my face and body, and find it very soothing and hydrating. I put it on a cut and a bump and found that in both cases it immediately killed the pain and, shortly thereafter, the redness. It also kills dry skin itch on contact. (but then, so did the old version). It seems to take a smaller amount to get the same or better soothing effect.
My skin looks especially good and has a very good color--bright and clear with almost no redness, except for good color in my cheeks! This may be a coincidence, as my skin changes with weather, hormones, activity, etc. More time and experience will tell.
The most stringent tests for me are burns from cooking or crafting, blemishes, fire-ant bites, rashes, and scalp irritation. I have not had any of these things in the past few days, but I will test the Ultramarine on them when the opportunity arises.
I have tried it on my scalp after washing my hair, but it will take a few more days to decide if there is any difference between the old and new seakelp there. I made cleanser yesterday from the Ultramarine, unthickened aloe gel (from Mountain Rose Herbs), Zn-PCA, and decyl glucoside. So I am using the product in several ways. I will let you know if I discover any more differences in the next week or so.
So far, I love the texture/consistency of the new version better than the original formula. I used it in my hair this morning after the shower (for about an hour, as suggested), then rinsed and my hair feels amazingly soft. I look forward to more experimentation this weekend. Stay tuned.
Tannin-Spitz, T.; Bergman, M.; van-Moppes, D.; Grossman, S.; Arad, M.S. Antioxidant activity of the polysaccharide of the red microalga Porphyridium sp. J. Appl. Phycol. 2005, 17, 215-222. Matsui, S.M.; Muizzudin, N.; Arad, S.; Marenus, K. Sulfated polysaccharides from red microalgae anti-inflammatory properties in vitro and in vivo. Appl. Biochem. Biotechnol. 2003, 104, 13-22. Remirez, D., Ledon, N., Gonzalez, R. (2002) Role of histamine in the inhibitory effects of phycocyanin in experimental models of allergic inflammatory response. Inflammation, 11: 81-85. Naunyn-Schmiedebergs (2000) Inhibition of croton oil-induced oedema in mice ear skin by capsular polysaccharides from Cyanobacteria. Archines of Pharmacology, 361: 460-464 Kim, HM, Lee, EH, Cho, MM, Moon, YH. (1998) Inhibitory effect of mast cell-mediated immediate-type allergic reactions in rats by Spirulina. Pharmacology, 55: 1071-1076. Robert, L.; Fodil-Bourahla, I.; Bizbiz, L.; Robert, A. M. (2004) Effects of L-fucose and fucose-rich oligo- and polysaccharides (FROP-s) on collagen biosynthesis by human skin fibroblasts. Modulation of the effect of retinol, ascorbate and alpha- tocopherol Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 58 : 65-70. Yang, HN, Lee, EH and Kim, HM (1997) Spirulina platensis inhibits anaphylactic reaction. Life Sciences, 61: 1237-1244