Fucus vesiculosus, known as bladderwrack, is a thin, branched alga of brown-green colour. It occurs by the Atlantic coast (in the area of the English Channel as well as at the cost of Great Britain), in the North Sea and in the Baltic Sea. A dried bladder wrack still contains 10-12% of water, 15% of mineral salts (0.3-0.8% of iodine and similar quantities of potassium), 1-2% of fatty acids and fucosterols, 4-5% of proteins and 65% of condensed carbohydrates, mainly align as well as alginic acid, and some quantities of cellulose. The alginic acid is insoluble in water and it swells by absorbing water in the quantity exceeding its proper mass even up to 100 times.

The alga contains considerable quantities of vitamin C and provitamin A.

The bladderwrack prevents skin aging and shows antioxidating properties, therefore, it is recommended for cosmetics protecting the hair and skin against oxidative processes. It also influences metabolism of subcutaneous tissue, hence it accelerates the breakdown of adipose tissue.

It improves firmness and has nourishing and cleansing properties. What is more, it regenerates and moisturizes the skin.

One of the methods for processing the bladder wrack is micronisation of its thallus which directly improves the effectiveness of precious ingredients’ absorption through the skin. The micronized alga is easy to use in cosmetic procedures.

Exemplary recipes:

Face masques:  Blend 1 part of algae with 1 part of water, put onto the face, wash away after 20 minutes. One can add e.g. yoghurt in halves with water. The quantity of used algae depends on the skin surface onto which one uses it.

Bath:  One can add micronized algae into the bath which allows for effective nourishment and relaxation of the skin. The best blend is 1:1 ratio of bladder wrack and spirulina. Add a handful of algae (about 40g per one bath) into the bath.

Body masque:  It is perfect in the form of serum under warming red clay. Mix in 1:1 ration with water, put onto the body, then cover the algae with the masque made out of red clay (the clay should be spread with water in room temperature). Wash everything off after 20 minutes. It is possible to use the blend of algae with e.g. spirulina.