Evidence supporting the use of: Ascophyllum nodosum
For the health condition: Skin Care (general)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2
Ascophyllum nodosum, a brown seaweed, is increasingly used in skincare products due to its rich content of bioactive compounds, including polysaccharides (such as fucoidan and alginate), polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals. Several in vitro and limited in vivo studies suggest that extracts from A. nodosum may have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and moisturizing properties. These properties are thought to help protect skin from oxidative stress, support the skin barrier, and reduce signs of aging. For example, polysaccharides from the seaweed have been shown to retain moisture and promote collagen production in skin cells in laboratory settings. Some small-scale clinical studies and product-based trials suggest improvements in skin hydration and elasticity with topical application, though sample sizes are often limited and methodological quality varies.
Despite this, robust, high-quality human clinical trials are lacking, and most evidence comes from cell culture studies or animal models. The use of A. nodosum in skincare is relatively recent and is driven by the cosmetic industry’s trend toward marine-derived actives. While there is growing scientific interest and some promising preliminary results, the overall quality and quantity of evidence is still modest, supporting a rating of 2 out of 5. More rigorous and larger-scale clinical studies are needed to conclusively validate the efficacy of A. nodosum for general skin care.
More about Ascophyllum nodosum
More about Skin Care (general)
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apple
apricot
astaxanthin
beeswax
beet
beta-carotene
black currant
radish
sesame
bovine gelatin
catalase
colostrum
cryptoxanthin
cucumber
d-alpha tocopherol
dog rose
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hyaluronic acid
L-cysteine
L-glutathione
L-histidine
linoleic acid (LA)
lovage
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magnesium
mango
mixed carotenoids
oat
omega-3 fatty acids
pumpkin
redcurrant
silicon
keratin
spinach
starch
tomato
Almond fruit
Urolithin A
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin E
watercress
watermelon
zinc
sarsaparilla
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chickweed
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dulse leaf
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Ascophyllum nodosum
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anthocyanidins
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Argan nut oil
Abalone
Behenic Acid
Biopeptide
Black spruce
beta-zeacarotene
Brassica
Bisabolene
Butternut
Borage
Bottle gourd
Bird's nest
California chia
Chervil
Carnosine
Candelilla wax
Cocoa Butter
Cereal grass
Citral
Castile Soap
Copaiba Oil
Currant
Dunaliella salina
David's Milkberry
Dulse
Egg
Emu Oil
Flavans
Geraniol
Glycolic acid
Glyceryl oleate
Gac
Glucosylceramide
Glycosylceramides
Haematococcus pluvialis
Heartsease
Himalayan Salt
Houttuynia
Kachnar
Loquat
Lilium polyphyllum
Linseed Oil
Limonene
Leptospermum scoparium
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Snakeroot
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Shark oil
Sulfur
silica
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Tyrosinase
Triglycerides
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vegetable oil
Verbascoside
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Other health conditions supported by Ascophyllum nodosum
ArthritisCholesterol (high)
Diabetes
Fatty Liver Disease
Hypertension
Inflammation
Metabolic Syndrome
Skin Care (general)
Triglycerides (high)
Weight Loss
Wounds and Sores