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Marine Extracts

The therapeutic use of seawater, seaweed, algae, mud, sand and other marine extracts is called thalassotherapy. Thalassotherapy is believed to tone, moisturize, revitalize skin and improve circulation, as well as help with relaxation, reduce the appearance of cellulite, boost the immune system, reduce stress and high blood pressure, and improve sleep quality. While there does not seem to be a lot of scientific proof of these benefits, many dedicated followers, including Joan Collins and Jennifer Lopez, can attest to the positive effects of thalassotherapy.

Although it first became popular in France, many spas around the world today offer thalassotherapy treatments, including baths or showers of warmed seawater, the application of body wraps containing marine algae or seaweed, seawater jet pools, marine mud baths, hydro-massage, and seawater steam (or sea fog) rooms.

In addition to the growing popularity of thalassotherapy spa treatments, many cosmetic and skin care companies are creating products with marine extracts, including algae, seaweed, marine mud and more. One of the first and most renowned of these companies is Phytomer.

Formed in 1971 in Saint Malo, France, Phytomer led the way in marine cosmetics and skin care. Its first creation, Oligomer Sea Water Bath Lyophilized, a 100% freeze dried seawater concentrate, still is one of the company's most popular products. To this day, Phytomer is the only company in the world to employ lyophilization, a freeze-drying process that preserves the delicate structure of the seaweeds and seawaters, ensuring that they are as fresh for you as they are in the sea itself.

Since Oligomer was developed, however, the company has created numerous other products that take advantage of the benefits of the sea, such as the Soothing Cocoon Mask, part of Phytomer’s Douceur Marine line. This luxurious cream mask contains soothing marine extracts to nourish red, irritated skin while protecting against damaging environmental factors.

The Phytomer SeaTonic line contains Succharide, a new 100% marine ingredient born from the company’s research marine biology program. Succharide does double-duty, protecting the skin’s collagen fibers and elastin from destruction by enzymes and strengthening the epidermis by amplifying cellular vitality. SeaTonic Body Firming Cream restructures to leave skin silky and smooth, while gradually creating firmer, younger-looking skin. Perfect for new mothers looking to regain their figures, SeaTonic Stretch Mark Reducing Cream helps fight loss of firmness after significant changes in body weight.

Phytomer may have been the first company to widely use marine extracts, but these days, they certainly are not the only one. Ahava uses a unique blend of minerals, including magnesium, calcium, bromides and potassium, from the Dead Sea to promote glowing skin and overall good health. One of the company’s most popular products, the Skin Replenisher – Very Dry Skin puts back the moisture your face loses each day while minimizing fine lines.

Anti-Stress Aromatic Seaweed Bath by Pevonia Botanica is a natural aromatic bath product that nourishes and eliminates toxins while allowing you to relax in a fragrant bath.

Cellex-C’s Sea Silk Oil-Free Moisturizer uses a number of marine extracts, including Marine Moisturizing factor (Codium tomentosum), seaweed biopeptides (hydrolyzed ulva lactuca) and DMEA (dimethylaminoethanol), to nurture and hydrate your skin.

If you’ve spent too much time in the sun, try After Sun Repair by Dermalogica, which is enriched with seaweed and algae extracts along with numerous homeopathic herbs to reduce the redness and pain associated with sunburn.

Article posted 6/04/2007.

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SeaTonic Body Firming Cream by Phytomer $62.00

SeaTonic Stretch Mark Reducing Cream by Phytomer $56.50

Soothing Cocoon Mask by Phytomer $31.50