Seaweed, a treasure for the marine ecosystem and for our skin!It is indeed the summer period and with it the beautiful lazy days on the beach punctuated with outings to the sea... it's a dream come true! On the other hand, what is less dreamy is to feel the seaweed caressing our feet or our body during the long-awaited swim... We would be very tempted to manhandle them to get rid of them, and yet this either in cosmetics or for the marine ecosystem, they are full of benefits! Before setting off together to discover this treasure of the seabed, remember that unlike an aquatic plant that has roots, stems and leaves, seaweed is an aquatic species that has none of this... NABILAJuly 20221. Algae in cosmeticsBrown, red, green or even blue, algae represent an incredible diversity and above all an endless richness for our skin. More and more cosmetic treatments put algae in the spotlight, starting with Chlorella, present in our eye contour which contains a particularly interesting biological richness. And she's not the only one ! Yes, treasures of the seabed, algae as a whole contain very high levels of trace elements (copper, zinc, iron, potassium), vitamins A, C, D and E, lipids, polyphenols, proteins, amino acids or polysaccharides extremely beneficial for hydration, UV protection and regeneration of your skin cells! It would be a shame to do without it and yet, as mentioned in one of our previous articles, they are in danger. So let's see together how to preserve them and above all better understand those around us. 2. Seaweed and marine plants, treasures to safeguardThe seabed is teeming with life thanks to its fauna and flora and what a pleasure it is to put on a mask and snorkel to observe this impressive wealth that plunges us into a soothing parallel world conducive to reflection... In addition to being beneficial to marine fauna, algae are particularly important for the environment since they produce 50 to 70% of the oxygen we breathe! In France, you can find a very beautiful diversity of seaweed including 1200 species in the Mediterranean alone such as: red algaeand among them the Irish moss which has moisturizing and softening properties. brown algaelike Padine or Cystoseira, whose presence confirms the quality of the waters in which you bathe! These seaweeds are remineralizing, hydrating, regenerating, soothing and emollient like Laminaria Digitata, Fucus spiralis and Himanthalia elongata. green algaesuch as the Acetabular, whose presence also testifies to the quality of the waters. According to information shared by the Journal of Port-Cros National Park, green algae such as sea lettuce or Ulva are indicators of polluted water and therefore should be avoided. Sea lettuce is distinguished by its richness in magnesium and its moisturizing power.The Posidonia herbariumwhich is an aquatic plant and not an algae contrary to popular belief, is the true breeding ground and lungs of the Mediterranean. It is threatened both by pollution linked to human action but also by the proliferation of invasive algae. It is home to many species of fish, acts as a barrier to coastal erosion and provides a large quantity of oxygen (20 liters of oxygen per day for each m² of seagrass). It is therefore essential to the survival of our marine ecosystem and its biodiversity. So join us in the mobilization for beaches of character in the Mediterranean. There is also a great diversity of freshwater algae that you can find in lakes and ponds: In France, you can find a very beautiful diversity of sea algae including 1200 species in the Mediterranean alone such as: blue algaesuch as spirulina, which is particularly used in food supplements and recognized for its incredible composition rich in proteins, amino acids, minerals and vitamins. Be careful, however, to check the origin because this algae absorbs all the pollutants from its environment. This microalga is a mine of oxygen for the ecosystem in which it evolves. It is indeed capable of producing more than 16 tons of oxygen, per hectare and per year, and of capturing 23 to 40 tons of CO2. On the same scale, it is therefore much more efficient than a tree, which only captures a maximum of 4 tons of CO2! ChlorellaFlagship ingredient of our eye contour is, as you have understood, a real gold mine for the skin! It is distinguished by a unique content of porphyrins, activators of cell metabolism and amino acids, stimulators of collagen synthesis which give it a concealer power. 3. Bad algae, a seabed nightmareHowever, there are algae whose galloping proliferation is now threatening the marine ecosystem... In the category of sea algae, among the most harmful we find, among others, the Caulerpa taxifolia and the Lophocladia lallemandii. La Caulerpa taxifolia Also called "killer algae" or "green plague", has continued to grow and threaten the marine ecosystem since it was accidentally introduced by humans to the Mediterranean seabed. Appearing in 1984 on the Monegasque coasts, it spread to such an extent that 5 years later, it had invaded more than 15,000 hectares of Mediterranean coasts (France, Spain, Italy, Croatia and Tunisia). In marked decline for several years, this invasive algae has had time to wreak havoc on the hundreds of species that live in the Mediterranean. Lophocladia lallemandiiOther algae, such as Lophocladia lallemandii, are developing strongly due to global warming and are attacking species that are particularly important for Mediterranean biodiversity such as the Posidonia seagrass which we told you about earlier. Eurasian watermilfoil and water primroseSome freshwater algae (Watermilfoil and Water primrose) proliferate and upset the balance of the ecosystem, thus preventing good algae from thriving. 4. Actions to adoptSun filters, a crucial choice Opt for sun protection based on mineral filters - zinc oxide or titanium dioxide - provided they are not in nanoparticle form. You just have to check that the mention [nano] is well indicated in the INCI list of ingredients. Responsible sea trips Whether boating or diving, pay attention to your surroundings. It is easy to tear off precious seaweed with your flippers or to drop the anchor of your boat right in a Posidonia seagrass. If certain creeks and creeks are prohibited to navigation, it is because the areas concerned are threatened and generally in “reconstruction”. In authorized areas, favor sandy areas that do not harbor algae. Yes to days at the beach, but not just anyhow! Bring an insulated bottle, so it won't end up in the sea (and won't take 450 years to degrade naturally...). The brand of healthy and reusable food containers, Qwetch, offers a collection produced in partnership with associations dedicated to the preservation of marine biodiversity such as Clean My Calanques, An ocean of life, or Mountain Riders. Don't forget to take your bamboo cutlery too! 5. Seaweed, a delight for the taste buds and the bodyTo end on an iodized and gourmet note, some seaweed is edible and also excellent for your health. They can be wild or come from seaweed farming. Check the origin and try this summer, a very refreshing and antioxidant seaweed salad. There are many recipes like this one, each one more appetizing than the other… You can also prepare a detoxifying smoothie with spirulina or chlorella! On this gourmet note, we wish you a very beautiful, soothing and energizing summer!