Can harnessing algae's natural goodness keep our skin fresh?

A French laboratory has proven that when it comes to beauty, good science really does make all the differenceLast week, continuing my theme of self-education, I ventured out of the UK on a press trip. My heart doesn't leap at the prospect of a press trip but it's the best way to satisfy this sceptic's curiosity and it does at least allow me to ask disobliging questions about science, testing and marketing puff. There are two reasons I accepted this invitation: first, it was from 40-year-old French skincare brand Phytomer and I have always believed the French know what's what in that area; second, the brand is all about marine products and algae.I can't help but theorise that as our oceans are the cradle of life, it naturally follows that they should be the cradle of a great many other things too. Lots of good stuff comes out of our blue healing seas and it's usually horribly expensive – Crème de la Mer, for example, and the mysterious kelp-based "Miracle Broth". The problem I have with Crème de la Mer (owned by Estée Lauder) is that it's a bit light on the science and that's what I want to know about. Give me good science and I'm happy. I also want something a bit more concrete than "harvested sustainably" when the principle ingredient is hauled out of a notoriously fragile ecosystem twice a year. So, with my Guardian credentials fluttering proudly from my Invisible Woman mast, I set off for Brittany and a tour of the Phytomer Research and Development Laboratories.A prop...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - Category: Science Authors: Tags: Blogposts Biology Fashion guardian.co.uk Women Features Beauty Life and style Ageing Science Source Type: news