Ingredient Encyclopedia

Welcome to the Ingredient Encyclopedia

Discover what’s inside your skincare — from retinol to aloe vera — with clear guides on benefits, uses, and safety.

Ingredient Encyclopedia

Algae Extract – Benefits, Side Effects & Uses

by ThankMeNow Editors on Sep 10, 2025
The scientific intrigue of Algae Extract stems from the concept of extremophile biology. Because marine algae (especially Brown and Red varieties) thrive in the intertidal zone—exposed to punishing UV radiation, high salinity, and dehydration during low tide—they produce unique Sulfated Polysaccharides (like Fucoidan) and Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs). In skincare, these compounds act as a biological sun-buffer and hydration lock. MAAs are often referred to as "natural microbial sunscreens," providing a secondary layer of antioxidant defense that neutralizes the free radicals SPF might miss. This makes Algae Extract a protective stabilizer; it reinforces the skin’s ability to "hold its own" against environmental fluctuating stressors, ensuring that hydration isn't just added to the skin, but physically anchored there.