Being ocean lovers constantly inspired by our environment, wherever possible, we seek out local ingredients and a myriad of natural origin ingredients. Back in 2010, the first to inspire us was Gelidium sesquipedale, a red algae (or seaweed) with deep ties to the Basque Country and an integral part of our DNA.
Beginnings in the Depths of Time
Having first appeared around 1,4 billion years ago, red algae of the family Rhodophytae were among the first pluricellular organisms in our oceans. Mostly confined to the oceans, they get their namesake red color from their pigments, proteins called phycobiliproteins. These help them gather energy through photosynthesis and create organic material. With over 7000 described species, they are the most diverse group of marine algae!
Unique Benefits
Liferooms with ancient roots, algae has been able to survive for over a billion years in what can be a hostile environment. Unlike land plants, they do not have actual roots, nor do they have mouths like animals. Algae collects nutrients through the “skin” of their thallus and, in doing so, concentrate the very essence of the sun and oceans to grow. At the same time, they have developed molecular strategies to protect themselves from the relentless sun and chemical attack.
At Laboratoires de Biarritz, we aimed to expand the range of ingredients sourced from the Atlantic Ocean, our beautiful garden. A longstanding presence on the Basque Coasts, Gelidium sesquipedale has been used by humans for over a hundred years for the gelling properties of the agar it contains. Our R&D delved into its other properties and discovered numerous other metabolites of interest, like carotenoids and peptides with antioxidant effects. These qualities make it particularly desirable for use as an ingredient in skincare products.
Our researchers were able to develop two of the star ingredients in our Suncare and Hydra-Protect+ product ranges from Gelidium sesquipedale red algae: Alga-Gorria® and Alga-Sendatu®.
- Alga-Gorria® has antioxidant properties to neutralize free radicals, protect skin cells, and prevent premature skin aging.
- The active ingredient Alga-Sendatu®, with its restorative properties, promotes the repair of the outer layers of the skin and the restoration of its barrier function. It stimulates the regeneration and maturation of keratinocytes for optimal epidermal repair.
At times termed red gold, come the fall, red algae naturally detaches itself from the seabed and is harvested by boat or gathered from the shore in a sustainable process. This virtuous circle allows us to use what the ocean offers while preserving its resources.
Inspired by the protective and antioxidant properties we obtained from the red algae of the Basque Country (Gelidium sesquipedale), today Laboratoires de Biarritz uses various species of algae for their unique qualities.
