FUCUS VESICULOSUS EXTRACT

📋 Quick facts

Description: FUCUS VESICULOSUS EXTRACT — mineral-rich, soothing, antioxidant (Bladderwrack/Seaweed).

All Functions: mineral-rich, soothing, antioxidant (Bladderwrack/Seaweed)

Quick Facts:

• Category: active

Proven Benefits At A Glance:

• Fucus vesiculosus is a brown seaweed extract rich in polyphenols and phlorotannins
• Research suggests it may support cholesterol metabolism at the intestinal level
• Shows antioxidant properties in laboratory intestinal injury models
• Limited human studies; most evidence comes from cell and animal research
• Contains compounds that act as oxidizing agents in certain chemical systems

📊 Comedogenicity

🛡️ Safety rating

Safety tier is a starting heuristic from regulatory status and comedogenic rating, not a dermatological verdict — see our Terms for the full disclaimer. Research confidence reflects how many real cited studies back this ingredient, not the strength of their findings.

🌍 Regulatory Status

💧 Skin Type Compatibility

⚠️ Don’t Combine With

📚 Research & Evidence

🔬 The Science

Fucus vesiculosus (bladder wrack) is a brown seaweed that has drawn scientific attention for several biological properties, though it’s important to note that most evidence remains in early-stage research. #1: Cholesterol metabolism — A purified aqueous extract rich in phlorotannins and peptides was studied in intestinal cell models (Mar Drugs, 2024). When researchers exposed differentiated intestinal cells (Caco-2 cells) to the extract, they observed statistically significant changes in how cells handle cholesterol. Specifically, cells showed increased expression of two proteins involved in lipid transport—FAB1 and NPC1—and altered levels of compounds like glutathione and fatty acid amides. These molecular changes suggest the extract may influence how the intestine absorbs and moves cholesterol, though this was demonstrated only in cell cultures, not in living humans.

#2: Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects — In an animal model of intestinal ischemia-reperfusion injury (a condition where blood flow to the intestine is temporarily cut off and then restored), Fucus vesiculosus extract significantly reduced markers of oxidative stress and inflammation (Antioxidants [Basel], 2025). Treated rats showed restoration of antioxidant enzymes and inflammatory markers to near-normal levels, and intestinal tissue damage was minimized compared to untreated injury. The researchers noted this finding could have implications for surgical contexts, but emphasized this was demonstrated in rats, not humans. #3: Oxidant properties — The extract contains compounds that function as oxidizing agents in chemical assays (Food Chem Toxicol, 2003).

This was demonstrated through its ability to alter the oxidation state of stannous ions in a technetium labeling study. While this shows the extract is chemically active, the relevance to skin health remains unclear from these sources. Important limitation: The sources provided do not include human clinical trials. All substantive biological effects come from cell cultures or animal studies. Source 3 (Sci Rep, 2023) describes the extract as a material support for catalysts in chemical synthesis—interesting for industrial chemistry, but not directly relevant to skincare claims.

📄 Related Research

Matched by search — not necessarily verified support for every statement above.

• André R et al. (2024). Exploring the Hypocholesterolemic Potential of a Fucus vesiculosus Extract: Omic Insights into Molecular Mechanisms at the Intestinal Level. Mar Drugs.
• Sánchez-Bonet D et al. (2025). Antioxidant Effect of a Fucus vesiculosus Extract on Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats: A Biochemical and Histological Study. Antioxidants (Basel).
• Yousefnejad F et al. (2023). Palladium supported magnetic Fucus Vesiculosus extract as a natural and novel catalyst for the synthesis of N-alkyl-2-(4-methyl-1-oxoisoquinolin-2(1H)-yl)-2-phenylacetamide derivatives. Sci Rep.
• Zhang J et al. (2016). A Fucus vesiculosus extract inhibits estrogen receptor activation and induces cell death in female cancer cell lines. BMC Complement Altern Med.
• Fonseca de Oliveira J et al. (2003). Assessment of the effect of Fucus vesiculosus extract on the labeling of blood constituents with technetium-99m and the histological modifications on the shape of the red blood cells. Food Chem Toxicol.

🧴 Products Containing FUCUS VESICULOSUS EXTRACT

• Nivea Loción Tónico Facial Matificante
• Nivea Gel de Limpeza Facial Nivea Controle do Brilho
• Nivea Nivea q10 plus anti rides
• Nivea Tônico Facial Nivea Controle do Brilho
• douglas seathalasso
• Alverde Cremegel Hydro
• ÁR OCEAN 2 in 1 Cleanser + Toner
• semilac Nail conditioner
• Bioélixire Odżywka do włosów zniszczonych
• Anadia Profesional Crema anticelulítica reductora
• Mario Badescu Seaweed Cleansing Soap
• nautilus
• Pond:s
• Garnier masque skinactive
• denéva skincare Equilibrium Facial Serum
• somewhere on a beach
• VERB Ghost Shampoo
• CREAM.LY CREAM MY SKIN (Normal/Mixed/Oily)
• Eva Rogado Eva Rogado Perfect Body Anticelulítico Reafirmante Reductor
• Ombia – Emil Kiesling GmbH Ombia Hand Fluid für trockene Hände
• l-oreal, l-oreal-consumer-products, garnier, Garnier SkinActive Garnier SkinActive Pure Charcoal Tissuemasker
• body minute Gomme epil minute
• Zef shampooing douche
• Ma kibell Shampoing bain de mer
• SOS Pied Masque-chaussettes hydratant
• Nivea Sensitive Gel
• NIVEA Men COOl Rasierschaum
• Rathgeber Revital regain shampoo 3
• elkos Duschgel Meeresbrise
• L’Oréal, L’Oreal Luxe, The Body Shop Pore-cleansing exfoliator
• shower
• ÁR OCEAN Moisturising Face Cream
• ÁR OCEAN Hyaluronic Face Serum
• ÁR OCEAN Replenishing Eye Cream
• Bioaqua 7x Ceramide Skin Barrier Repair Moisturize Cream
• Unilever, Pond’s Crema S
• Rausch RAUSCH Meerestang Kopfhaut-Kur
• Young Living Lavender Volumizing Shampoo
• Hayaseï Effet express soin choc antifatigue eye patch
• Real Root by Sprouts Shampoo