Ocean Skincare
Ocean skincare represents more than just marine ingredients; it's our commitment to effective ocean-based formulations, sustainable practices, responsible sourcing, and actively preserving marine ecosystems.
Why This Matters
Most seaweed skincare products sold in the U.S. use imported, untraceable, or wild-harvested seaweed. Some even contain artificial dyes to create a fake "seaweed-green" appearance.
Our Ocean Skincare Standard
Our kelp isn't just sustainably grown; it's regeneratively farmed, meaning it actually improves marine health in local Maine waters. Every Cold Current Kelp product contains kelp traceable to exact latitude and longitude coordinates off Maine's coast. We conduct rigorous heavy metal and safety testing, and our products showcase kelp's natural earthy-green color from its bioactive pigments – no artificial dyes needed.
Science-Based Ocean Stewardship
Our environmentally conscious approach includes:
- Preservation-focused processing - Researching optimal drying and handling methods to maintain kelp's bioactive compounds
- Clean extraction - Chemical-free methods to capture kelp's beneficial compounds
- Light-protective packaging - Patented UV bottles that block harmful light while preserving nutrients and extending shelf life
- Sustainable materials - Beautiful, recyclable packaging using cardboard and kelp elements with zero plastic bubble wrap
The result? True ocean skincare that's as good for your skin as it is for the sea.
The seaweed in our KelpGlow® Facial Oil is sugar kelp (Saccharina latissima) - a remarkable marine plant that thrives in Maine's harsh coastal conditions despite extreme changes in sunlight, temperature, and ocean storms.
Nature's Ultimate Survivor
To protect itself from these challenging conditions, sugar kelp produces powerful compounds that act as natural antioxidants and UV shields. When applied to human skin, these same protective compounds deliver similar benefits, defending against environmental damage while nourishing and repairing.
These ocean-born bioactives include moisture-binding amino acids, UV-absorbing pigments, protective polysaccharides, and essential vitamins and minerals that make sugar kelp an exceptionally effective and sustainable skincare ingredient.
Scientific studies* show evidence that the bioactive compounds in kelp have many skin-protecting benefits, including:
Polysaccharides like fucoidan, laminarin, and alginate, vitamins C and E, and phlorotannins possess potent anti-oxidative activity to help protect skin from damaging free radicals.
Polysaccharides like fucoidan, laminarin, and alginate, vitamins C and E, and phlorotannins possess potent anti-oxidative activity to help protect skin from damaging free radicals.
Fucoidan is known to be an effective compound in the prevention of premature skin aging. Pigments (fucoxanthin, carotenoids), amino acids, and phlorotannins protect skin cells from UV-induced aging.
Fucoidan is known to be an effective compound in the prevention of premature skin aging. Pigments (fucoxanthin, carotenoids), amino acids, and phlorotannins protect skin cells from UV-induced aging.
Laminarin has calming and redness-reducing properties.
Laminarin has calming and redness-reducing properties.
Polysaccharides and amino acids in brown algae have maximum water-holding capacity, and act as a humectant and moisturizer — hydrating and improving appearance of the skin and fine lines.
Polysaccharides and amino acids in brown algae have maximum water-holding capacity, and act as a humectant and moisturizer — hydrating and improving appearance of the skin and fine lines.
Amino acids found in kelp help skin maintain firmness; polysaccharides like fucoidan and laminarin boost skin’s radiance and reduce redness, while vitamins and minerals support skin cell turnover.
Amino acids found in kelp help skin maintain firmness; polysaccharides like fucoidan and laminarin boost skin’s radiance and reduce redness, while vitamins and minerals support skin cell turnover.