Alaria esculenta (Atlantic Wakame)

Alaria esculenta, also known as winged kelp, is a brown algae found in the northern seas of the world.

The winged kelp is also known as "Irish Wakame" because it is used as a regional substitute for traditional Wakame in various dishes.
Alaria esculenta is also used to produce a natural thickening agent, alginate.

In the past, Alaria esculenta has also been used as animal feed by farmers in coastal areas.

The winged kelp is rich in nutrients, vitamins and trace elements and is therefore well suited as an additive for healthy food^{[3, 4, 5]}.

Alaria esculenta is also used in many different cosmetic products, including anti-aging creams, face masks and moisturizers, thanks to its many nutrients^{[6, 7, 8]}.

This product is available in the following forms: Alaria esculenta powder, Alaria esculenta flakes and dried Alaria esculenta raw algae. This product is also available as a non-organic variant.

Typical applications in the cosmetics industry:

Alaria esculenta is a powerful antioxidant that can be used in cosmetics to protect the skin from oxidative stress. In doing so, it provides anti-aging benefits, which are based on its rich content of amino acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals^{[6, 7]}.

Alaria esculenta helps maintain skin suppleness and elasticity by reducing the activity of collagenase and elastase. These enzymes and processes contribute to the degradation of collagen and elastase, which in turn negatively affects the appearance of the skin. Alaria esculenta prevents this with its functional ingredients^{[6, 7, 8]}.

It stimulates the synthesis of hyaluronic acid and supports the skin barrier function. As a result, it can help to improve the moisture content of the skin.

Sources

1. Alaria esculenta (Linnaeus) Greville 1830 - M.D. Guiry in Guiry, M.D. & Guiry, G.M. 01 November 2024. AlgaeBase. World-wide electronic publication, National University of Ireland, Galway. (https://www.algaebase.org/search/species/detail/?species_id=82)
2. Alaria esculenta - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaria_esculenta)
3. Afonso, Cláudia & Matos, Joana & Guarda, I. & Gomes-Bispo, A. & Gomes, R. & Cardoso, Carlos & Gueifão, Sandra & Delgado, Inês & Coelho, Inês & Castanheira, I. & Bandarra, Narcisa. (2021). Bioactive and nutritional potential of Alaria esculenta and Saccharina latissima. Journal of Applied Phycology. 33. 1-13. 10.1007/s10811-020-02298-8. (https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346498948)
4. Maehre HK, Malde MK, Eilertsen KE, Elvevoll EO. Characterization of protein, lipid and mineral contents in common Norwegian seaweeds and evaluation of their potential as food and feed. J Sci Food Agric. 2014 Dec;94(15):3281-90. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.6681. Epub 2014 May 6. PMID: 24700148.(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24700148/)
5. Blikra MJ, Løvdal T, Vaka MR, Roiha IS, Lunestad BT, Lindseth C, Skipnes D. Assessment of food quality and microbial safety of brown macroalgae (Alaria esculenta and Saccharina latissima). J Sci Food Agric. 2019 Feb;99(3):1198-1206. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.9289. Epub 2018 Sep 19. PMID: 30054912. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30054912/)
6. Castejón N, Thorarinsdottir KA, Einarsdóttir R, Kristbergsson K, Marteinsdóttir G. Exploring the Potential of Icelandic Seaweeds Extracts Produced by Aqueous Pulsed Electric Fields-Assisted Extraction for Cosmetic Applications. Mar Drugs. 2021 Nov 25;19(12):662. doi: 10.3390/md19120662. PMID: 34940661; PMCID: PMC8704373. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34940661/)
7. Verdy C, Branka JE, Mekideche N. Quantitative assessment of lactate and progerin production in normal human cutaneous cells during normal ageing: effect of an Alaria esculenta extract. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2011 Oct;33(5):462-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-2494.2011.00656.x. Epub 2011 May 3. PMID: 21535442. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21535442/)
8. Verdy C, Branka JE, Mekideche N. Melanosome transfer evaluation by quantitative measurement of Pmel 17 in human normal melanocyte-keratinocyte co-cultures: effect of an Alaria esculenta extract. J Cosmet Sci. 2012 May-Jun;63(3):197-203. PMID: 23193692. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23193692/)