It is a long time since the strong biological affinities that link aquatic organisms (especially, some algae/seaweed) and our skin are known. Among the somewhat 700 new marine molecules identified every year, oils from micro-algae come with a real potential.
However, finding them in the INCI lists (the lists of cosmetic ingredients) is difficult, as they appear under a common denomination: Algae, Algae extract or Plankton extract . This is not a hurdle for our skin to do extremely well with their omega-3 (poly-unsaturated fatty acids).

An alternative to vegetable oils, the micro-algae oils (not to be confused with algae oily extracts) offer nutritional and anti-irritant benefits, along with a rare bio-mimicry. Daniel Jouvance uses them since some time (in its Lip Protector Balm, stick 3.5 g, €6.50; Océapieds Nourihsing Foot Cream, 50 mL, €9; Océapieds Tired Foott Relaxing Bath, 100 mL, €9; Océamains Repair Balm for Dry & Damaged Hands, 50 mL, €10 - the three latter items will be repackaged in January 2014).
According to Hughes Noël, the Daniel Jouvance Research and Development Manager, “all algae produce lipids, though there is less in large algae than in micro-algae, which may contain up to 70%. Already considered as the …