Stress, skin & seaweed
The relationship between stress and skin health has been highlighted in recent years (Nives, 2020). Chronic stress can have a negative impact on skin health and is commonly linked to conditions ranging from rashes and hives through to acne and eczema.
Pandemic stress-induced acne has become an increasing focus of professional discussions. Dermatologists worldwide are reporting a rise in the numbers of patients suffering from body acne - noting that lifestyle changes, alterations in skincare routines, mask wearing and stress are all likely to be contributing factors (Darlenski, 2020).
Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, has been shown to trigger skin inflammation and an over production of oil released from sebaceous glands around hair follicles. A consequence of this can be clogged pores, which in turn exacerbate conditions such as stress-induced acne and eczema. Stress can also have negative effects on the barrier function of the skin - resulting in imbalances in skin microbiome and impaired water retention.
There remains an unmet need for natural and effective ingredients to assist in the prevention and management of widespread skin conditions such as acne and eczema. Recent studies investigating Marinova's high purity topical fucoidan extracts suggested that the application of these extracts may assist in the prevention and treatment of both conditions (Park, 2021). In vitro studies showed that fucoidan produced by Marinova significantly altered gene expression - beneficially affecting genes typically associated with skin barrier function, wound healing processes and fluid accumulation - whilst also assisting in the balancing of skin microbiome. The study concluded that high purity fucoidans have promising potential for use in topical treatments for these common, and often debilitating, skin conditions.