Taking inspiration from the Ocean

Eva Lagarde 30 Jan 2025

Ocean Beauty, or Blue Beauty, is under new interest thanks to the wealth of innovations that the ocean hosts. From reef-friendly formulas to algae with natural UV filter properties or elasticity to resist the ocean current or active ingredients in seaweed cells, there are endless sources of innovations in the sea - without degrading it, thanks to biotechnology-. Packaging can also benefit from blue innovations. From transforming seaweed or microorganisms into polymers or other forms of molecules for packaging or collecting ocean waste for reintegration into boxes, bottles, or jars, technologies allow us to render products far better.

In its 2025 editions, the MakeUp in Shows promotes Ocean Beauty with a highlight on innovations in the preservation of resources from the ocean, as well as sourcing from the ocean biodiversity while ensuring its regeneration with dedicated activations: dedicated IT awards and a conference focused on innovations from the ocean.

The jury members for the Ocean Beauty Awards are Chloé Dubois co-founder & Executive Director of the Ocean Legacy Foundation, Christina Ross - Director of Science & Policy at Credo Beauty and Eva Lagarde - CEO & founder of re/sources.

In this article, we uncover a list of attractive innovations in the beauty world related to Ocean Beauty, so you can take inspiration for your next innovations.

Brands using the power of the Ocean

From marine ingredients to reclaimed packaging, brands are embracing the ocean beauty trend for a stronger resonance with sustainability.

Haeckels, based in Margate, on the southeast coast of the UK, the beauty and wellness brand has always used marine-sourced ingredients for skincare, perfume and home care products. Their entire range smells like the Ocean and invites you to breathe deeper.

REN clean skincare uses marine ingredients and also cleansing beaches to integrate ocean waste plastics into its packaging with its body wash.

Biossance with squalane-infused formula that “is 100% derived from sugarcane, estimated to keep around 2 million sharks safe from liver harvesting every year”. Another way of preserving ocean biodiversity.

Oskol, born in the Atlantic ocean in France, with a name that means ‘shell’ in the local language, has midnight blue packaging, a reminder of the sea, and uses biodegradable ingredients responsibly sourced from the ocean.

The Ocean Biodiversity for ingredients and formulations

From the mastery of biotechnology to the collection of invasive seaweed, ingredients made using ocean-sourced ingredients are increasing in popularity thanks to their versatility and efficacy. When you look at all the variety of algae, it is easy to guess that they host infinite properties valuable for beauty.

Codif uses the ocean as a source of innovation by harvesting micro-algae that are then cultivated in bio-farm for resource preservation. Thanks to biotech, the ingredients specialist is able to grow the right speci and harvest at a precise time for optimum collection of actives. “Codif Technologie Naturelle uses high value-added cultivation technologies to grow plants and algae, identically to their natural environment.” explains Romual Vallee, its founder.

Oceanium is a science based startup. They have developed functional seaweed-based ingredients for food, wellness and materials to benefit people and ocean health. Their ingredient for beauty formulas, Ocean Actives® Fucoidan is a A high-purity (80%) marine bioactive of natural origin for skincare and nutritional health applications. Sourced from sustainably farmed seaweed, it restores, calms, and protects all skin types, with benefits comparable to signature, luxury-branded ingredients.

The Ocean biodiversity for packaging

Origin by Ocean, captures invasive algae species to turn them into products. They collect sargassum, a blue-green alger that can be harmful to Ocean life, and turn it into functional ingredients for cosmetics through a patented process.

Flexsea is a compostable seaweed-derived material that replaces flexible plastic packaging seamlessly. It is a biopolymer that can be integrated into ingredients for cosmetics formulas (thickener, emollient, etc.) or packaging in film applications. The start-up is using waste from seaweed to feed bacteria and create biopolymers.

Sway has developed circular materials that come from a regenerative resource - seaweed - and decompose into healthy soil. Their materials are made with responsibly sourced seaweed. They can be home & industrially compostable while supporting healthy ecosystems & communities. Sway has developed resins or films from seaweed that can be used in different packaging or design applications.

Shellworks, is developing marine compostable packaging for the beauty industry. Made from ocean sources micro-organisms. They have developed a polymer that is stable for packaging made from microbes. At the end of life, will be used as a nutrient-rich energy source, and enzymatically biodegrade back into its natural constituents.

Macro Ocean is transforming 100% traceable kelp into potent marine bioactives and innovative materials—brilliantly designed for beauty and beyond.

Beauty Innovation in the making

Captivating innovations have been revealed among the finalists of the Ocean Beauty Awards at MakeUp in LosAngeles. From formulation taking inspiration and ingredients from seaweed or packaging using algae-based material or reclaimed waste from the Ocean, suppliers of beauty solutions have developed a new generation of Ocean Beauty Innovations:

CT Clip has developed:

Seabreeze Spicule Serum: A serum that utilizes the first-ever upcycled seaweed-derived emulsifier combined with a pickering emulsion system. It represents a holistic approach to sustainability in skincare.

R&D Color:

Bali Balance: a cream with a special soft sensoriality and an effectively anti-stress.
Mousse & Magic: a facial primer that comes in a cosmetic mousse, for a surprising, enjoyable and smooth gesture.

HNB Corporation:

Oyster Cascade Brush: a brush and plate adorned with a terrazzo pattern on a matte finish. Users can feel the smooth surface under fingertips and marvel at the intricate design, transcending the ordinary into a realm of tactile and visual delight.

Tair Jiuh Enterprise:

Ocean Reclaimed PET Mono-Material Refillable Multi-Insert Compact: a palm-size compact with a top and bottom covers that are changeable inserts. The inserts can be made into eyeshadow, blush, highlighter, or a combination of different makeup. Consumers can customize or refill. When filled with clean liquid powder, the compact can be entirely clear plastic with no aluminum pan. It is designed with hidden details to be stackable to keep the users’ vanity organized.

IBG has worked with OceanWorks to reclaim ocean plastics for packaging applications:

Eco Mini Raindrop Brik Stik: features a patented lever dispensing system and a distinctive raindrop shape, combining precision application with sustainable design molded in up to 100% Oceanworks reclaimed ocean plastic.
Eco Flat Spout Pour Cap: combines a sleek, minimalist design with a unique twist-to-open functionality, offering a sustainable packaging solution made from up to 100% Oceanworks reclaimed ocean plastic, addressing both user convenience and environmental impact.
Eco Vanity Palette: a patent-pending, hinge-less compact that can be made from up to 100% recycled ocean plastic, offering a minimalist design with enhanced recyclability and user convenience.

IBG _ Oceanworks Eco Mini Raindrop Brik Stik

TOA:

Seaweed Ferment Essence Mist: an innovative 100% fermented essence combining Japan's traditional fermentation technology and nature-grown ingredient.

Tecnocosmesi:

Blue Beauty FIrming Eye Cream: an innovative Eye treatment featured a light-blue marshmallow-like texture that harnesses the power of two red algae, plus a microalga to revitalize and smooth the eye contour.
Sea wave cleansing powder: a water-activated cleansing powder with a waterless and ultra-fresh texture, formulated to remove impurities and make-up, featuring algea based complex to hydra-restructuring and redensifying action and Spirulina Blue for color benefits, plus antioxidant and skin protecting properties.
Sea Essence: an anti-aging biphasic waterless formula that transforms after shaking into an instant emulsion. The algae-based complex of brown algae Alaria Esculenta and Himanthalia Elongata, features a firming, smoothing and plumping action.

JO America:

Marine Layer Sleeping Mask: an overnight result-driven gel mask enriched with brown algae. It hydrates & revitalizes the skin overnight.

Weckerle USA:

Glassy Jelly Serum Gloss: an innovative ocean-inspired serum that delivers instant hydration and radiant glow.

The winner of Ocean Beauty Awards will be announced at the opening of MakeUp in LosAngeles.

Feed your brain on Ocean Beauty Innovations

The conference gathering beauty and ocean innovation experts will be held at 2.30pm on the 12th of February at MakeUp in LosAngeles.

From Sea to Skin: Ocean-Sourced Ingredients and Sustainable Packaging Solutions

Conference | 2025-02-12 | 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM

The ocean is not only a source of beauty but a wellspring of sustainable innovation for the beauty industry. From utilizing marine ingredients with nutrient-rich properties to transforming ocean-bound plastics into high-quality, recyclable packaging, brands are tapping into the ocean’s resources to address consumer demand for eco-conscious products. Sourcing marine botanicals, such as seaweed, algae, and coral-safe mineral compounds, provides potent skincare benefits while supporting sustainable harvesting practices that protect marine biodiversity. Additionally, the collection and recycling of ocean-bound plastics are reducing waste and giving new life to discarded materials in the form of environmentally-friendly packaging. This session will explore how marine-based ingredients and sustainable materials from the ocean are driving change in beauty, creating products that celebrate both the health of our skin and the wellbeing of our oceans.