What it is
This ingredient is an extract of the brown seaweed Laminaria saccharina, commonly called sugar kelp. The seaweed is rich in polysaccharides, minerals, and trace elements that bind water and condition the skin surface. It is used in the water phase of leave-on formulas as a marine-derived conditioning active.
Safety & warnings
Sugar kelp extract is generally well tolerated in cosmetic use. Because it is a marine alga, it naturally contains iodine and minerals; overall tolerability depends on concentration and the finished formula.
Origin & sourcing
Natural marine botanical: extracted from the brown alga Laminaria saccharina (sugar kelp).
Questions everyone asks
What is sugar kelp extract?
It is an extract of the brown seaweed Laminaria saccharina, used as a conditioning marine botanical.
Does it filter UV light?
No, it is a skin-conditioning and humectant active rather than a UV filter.