In short: seaweed brings vitamins, minerals and amino acids from the sea into skin care, and it is used to hydrate, soften, soothe and refresh the skin. Repechage has made seaweed the base of its range since 1980. This guide explains what seaweed does for the skin, which seaweeds Repechage uses, and where to find them in the range that JB Skincare, the exclusive authorized importer and distributor, brings to India.

What seaweed does for the skin

Seaweeds grow in cold, mineral-rich seawater and take up vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other natural compounds from it. In skin care, seaweed extracts are used for four main reasons:

• Hydration. Seaweeds such as Ascophyllum nodosum contain alginic acid and fucoidan, which are used in skin care to hold moisture and condition the skin.
• Nourishment. Brown seaweeds such as Laminaria digitata are a natural source of vitamins, amino acids and trace elements.
• Soothing. Some green seaweeds are used to help skin feel calmer and more comfortable.
• A smoother, more luminous look. Others are used to help skin look softer, smoother and brighter.

Seaweed skin care is cosmetic: it supports healthy-looking skin and does not treat medical conditions.

Where Repechage's seaweed comes from

Repechage uses EcoCert seaweed that is sustainably grown and harvested from the clean seawaters off the Brittany coast of France and off the coast of Maine in the United States. It is then processed in the United States by Repechage's own method. The brand has worked with seaweed scientists for decades; Professor Charles Yarish of the University of Connecticut, an expert in seaweed ecology, is a member of the Repechage board.

Seaweed filtrate, the base of C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate. Image: Repechage

The seaweeds in the range and what each is used for

• Laminaria digitata (brown seaweed): a natural source of 12 vitamins, including B12, C, E and K and beta carotene, 18 amino acids and 42 trace elements. It is the base of the Laminaria Complex in the Biolight range and of C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate.
• Codium fragile (green seaweed): helps skin appear smoother and softer.
• Ascophyllum nodosum (brown seaweed): rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fucoidan and alginic acid.
• Ulva compressa (green seaweed): helps skin feel more soothed.
• Ahnfeltia plicata (red algae from the coast of Hawaii): helps skin feel soft and smooth.
• Ulva lactuca (green seaweed): a source of marine elastin and an enzyme; helps skin look more luminous.
• Spirulina (blue-green algae): very high in protein, and a natural source of carotene, vitamin E, zinc and essential amino acids.

The full list of twelve is on the Science of Seaweed page.

How seaweed is used in the range

You can build a seaweed routine step by step with these JB Skincare products:

• Cleanse:Sea Cleanse Foaming Seaweed Cleanser, a foaming face wash for all skin types that cleans without drying or tightening. Use one or two puffs, twice a day.
• Refresh:Algo Mist Hydrating Seaweed and Mineral Water Spray, a cooling facial mist you can use as often as you like, including over makeup.
• Treat:C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate, a lightweight, oil-free serum made from Laminaria digitata to hydrate and soften the look of fine lines. Use on the face, neck and chest twice a day.
• Brighten: the Biolight range, built on the Laminaria Complex, for dull and uneven-looking skin.
• Body:Seaweed Body Cream, a lightweight, non-greasy cream with marine botanicals.
• The whole routine in one box: the Hydra Blue Starter Kit brings together Sea Cleanse, Algo Mist, C-Serum Seaweed Filtrate, Hydro-Complex cream and Opti-Firm eye contour cream.

The Hydra Blue Starter Collection: the seaweed routine in one box

In the salon, seaweed is at the heart of Repechage's signature professional treatment, the Four Layer Facial.

Is seaweed skin care right for you?

Most people, including those with oily, dry or combination skin, can use seaweed-based products. As with any new product, test a small amount on your inner arm or behind the ear for a day before using it on your face, and introduce one new product at a time. If you know you are allergic to seaweed or algae, check with your doctor first. For a personal routine, you can ask for a free skin consultation with the Repechage-trained JB Skincare team.

Frequently asked questions

Is seaweed good for your face?

Seaweed is widely used in facial skin care to hydrate, soften and soothe the skin. How well it works depends on the whole formula and on your skin, so choose products made for your skin type and use them regularly.

Can sensitive skin use seaweed products?

Many people with sensitive skin use them, but sensitive skin can react to any ingredient. Patch test first, start with one product, and stop if you notice redness, itching or stinging.

How long does seaweed skin care take to work?

Hydration and softness can be felt after the first few uses. Changes in the look of tone or fine lines need several weeks of regular use. Repechage's professional facials are usually recommended about once a month.

Is Repechage seaweed sustainable?

Repechage states that its EcoCert seaweed is sustainably grown and harvested off the coasts of Brittany, France and Maine, United States.

What is the difference between seaweed in a cleanser, a mist and a serum?

The seaweed is the same family of ingredients, but the product format decides how long it stays on the skin and what it does. A cleanser rinses off, a mist refreshes and hydrates through the day, and a serum stays on the skin to hydrate and soften the look of fine lines.

Where can I buy genuine Repechage products in India?

JB Skincare is the exclusive authorized importer and distributor of Repechage in India. The products on jbskincare.in are imported directly from the manufacturer.