Where is your seaweed extract from?
Most of the best known seaweed extracts on the UK market are owned by non-UK companies. Through mergers and acquisitions these companies are owned by corporate giants remote from your operation.
The Crop Smith Ltd. sources it’s raw materials form UK shores. Our extract is manufactured, packaged and dispatched from our factory in Northamptonshire.
What is in seaweed extract?
As you are probably aware, everyone sells the best seaweed extract.
To be informed as to which to choose, you probably need to know not all seaweed extracts are the same.
The obvious difference is the type of seaweed:
- Brown Seaweed (e.g., Laminaria, Ascophyllum nodosum): Rich in alginates, laminarin, fucoidan, and mannitol. Extracts from brown seaweed are often used in agriculture as biostimulants, promoting stress tolerance and root growth.
- Red Seaweed (e.g., Chondrus crispus, Gelidium): Contains carrageenan and other polysaccharides, making extracts ideal for use as thickeners in food and cosmetics.
- Green Seaweed (e.g., Ulva): Rich in proteins, vitamins, and ulvans. Extracts are valued for their nutritional properties and antioxidant activity.
Seaweed is a rich source of bioactive compounds that are extensively used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries due to their unique properties. These compounds are commonly extracted from seaweed, leaving an impoverished co-product for use as a seaweed extract, often in agriculture. Here are the key elements of seaweed utilised in alternative industries:
Polysaccharides
- Fucoidan. Used in wound healing, anti-aging creams, and therapeutic applications.
- Alginates. In cosmetics, they act as thickening agents and stabilizers in creams and masks.
Antioxidants
- Polyphenols and Phlorotannins. Provide powerful antioxidant and anti-aging effects ideal for sunscreens and anti-wrinkle products.
- Fucoxanthin. Offer antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Vitamins and Minerals
- Vitamins: Vitamin C, E, and B are are used in serums and moisturizers.
- Minerals: Iodine, magnesium, calcium, and zinc promote skin health, detoxification, and cellular regeneration. Iodine is also used in antiseptic products.
Bioactive Compounds
- Sterols: Exhibit anti-inflammatory and cholesterol-lowering properties, used in both pharmaceuticals and skin care products.
- Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs): Natural UV-absorbing compounds used in sunscreens and anti-aging products.
Proteins and Peptides
- Seaweed-derived peptides improve skin elasticity and promote collagen synthesis, making them valuable in anti-aging and firming formulations.
- Certain proteins have antimicrobial properties and are used in pharmaceutical applications.
Mucilages
- Provide hydration and soothing effects, commonly used in facial masks, moisturizers, and soothing gels.
Anti-Microbial Agents
- Compounds in seaweed inhibit bacterial and fungal growth, making them useful in pharmaceuticals and preservative-free cosmetic formulations.
