Algae are called some of the most primitive life forms found on Earth. Other names that you can find them are Seaweed or Fucus. Algae comes in all different sizes, shapes, colours and growth forms. They can be single-celled or multi-celled and found in saltwater as well as freshwater. Filamentous algae typically exist on the bottom of ponds where sunlight penetrates to the bottom. Then you have many named according to their colours like blue-green, green, brown, golden-brown, fire, red and yellow-green algae.

Algae contain chlorophyll which is one of the reasons why they can be so beneficial to our health. Like plants, they use chlorophyll to trap the sunlight necessary for them to undergo photosynthesis. During photosynthesis, the energy absorbed by chlorophyll transforms carbon dioxide and water into carbohydrates and oxygen. A chelate is a chemical compound composed of a metal ion and a chelating agent that plays a vital role in oxygen transport and photosynthesis. The chlorophyll found in algae is actually considered the single most important chelator found in nature since it gives plants energy, which then gives us energy. The very best sources of chlorophyll found on the planet are algae and green vegetables.

Historical researche has proved that seaweeds extracts was used in food, cosmetic and medicine industry for centuries. Algae is used as an important medical source due to its antioxidant, anticancer, antiviral antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiallergic properties.

In fact, algae benefits are a lot and very important as well, due to their high concentrations of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and proteins. Many times, seaweed extracts are referred as superfoods. Brown algae, for example, has been used in medical industry for heart diseases, stress and high cholesterol. The blue-green variety is high in nutrients and also a very powerful energy booster. It’s used to naturally aid weight loss, diabetes, depression and premenstrual syndrome. Blue-green algae has also been used to improve overall digestive health.

The other main important usage of Algae is the Cosmetic Industry. Many of the well- known Cosmetic Brands are using Seaweed extracts for their professional products as they figured out after studies and tests that they are effective and efficient. Usually, they are used in micro molecules and they can be easily and quickly absorbed. More detailed purposes for cosmetic products of some of the many types of existing algae are :
Ulva Lactuca: Anti-ageing and restructuring
Laminaria Digitata: Hydrating and Radiance
Fucus Vesiculosus: Purifying and Anti-bacterial
Chondrus Crispus: Hydrating and Reminerilizing
Spirulina: Improve of Elasticity and Inflammatory
Palmaria Palmata: Improve of tissue Firmness and much more.

In any case, make sure that you only use products that have undergone thorough testing to ensure that they’re free of microcystins and other unwanted contaminants. Algae of one kind or another have been around for over 2 billion years, and they’ve been used in human consumption either in their diet, cosmetics or medicines, so they sure going to exist for many more years as well.

Whatever product you choose, make sure it’s from a reputable source and has clearly undergone testing to ensure that it’s free of dangerous ingredients, that’s how you will receive all benefits of Seaweed in your body and Skin!