Beach person. That’s actually how I described myself in my Tinder profile circa 2018 (this was pre-fiancé, of course). It may seem like an insignificant detail, but I believe it’s one of my defining characteristics. I could spend all day at the shore. There’s something about the rhythmic sound of the lapping waves, the sharp smell of salt air mingled with the faint earthiness of decaying seaweed, and the feeling of the sun’s warmth on my skin that instantly brings on the zen for me.
And studies support my aquatic obsession: Spending time in or near bodies of water can significantly improve one’s mood and mental state, according to research. In fact, urban blue spaces—areas of both natural and man-made surface water—had a positive impact on many markers of good health, according to a meta-analysis published in 2021 in the journal Cities. These encouraging findings are spurring researchers to take an even deeper look at the effects of marine environments on overall wellness—an emerging area of science known as “blue health.”
The beauty industry has taken notice too. Ingredients sourced from oceans and lakes have long been used in over-the-counter skin care for their protective, complexion-boosting benefits—and now brands are really taking the plunge, developing other products inspired by the waters that surround us. It’s time to dive in.
A Stress-Relieving Scent Surplus
Blue health is the guiding principle behind Water Therapy, the latest launch from functional fragrance brand The Nue Co. Using scent-capture machinery, perfumers isolated four volatile organic compounds (VOCs) found in the atmosphere in marine settings—stuff like aldehydes and ketones—and blended them into a perfume. The theory: Since our olfactory system has a straight line of connection to our brain, these imperceptible odorants can inspire the sense of calm many associate with being near water. And in company consumer trials, the fragrance helped 94 percent of wearers feel less stressed.
The juice itself is light and fresh— you’ll mostly get the hints of sandalwood, rose, and vetiver. “We wanted the scent profile to be elevated—to do justice to the science,” says Flo Glendenning, vice president of product and sustainability at The Nue Co.
Of course, there are other perfumes designed to smell exactly like a day at the beach. Louis Vuitton’s On the Beach, a blend of bright yuzu, herbaceous rosemary, and woodsy cypress, is one. Maison Margiela’s Beach Walk is another—it combines citrusy notes (bergamot and lemon) with pink pepper, coconut milk, and musk. Both are transportive: One whiff and you’re under an umbrella, toes in the sand.
Products Inspired By Blue Health
Maison Margiela REPLICA Beach Walk
Close your eyes. Now…take a deep inhale of this scent. The aromas of sunscreen, briny water, and coconut will instantly take you on a mental vacation.
The Nue Co. Water Therapy
In the brand’s own tests, this fragrance brought on in less than 30 minutes the feelings of calm some experience in marine environments.
La Mer The Moisturizing Soft Cream
Fermented kelp is at the core of this lighter version of La Mer’s signature moisturizer, which deliver hydration without leaving skin feeling greasy.
MARA Flower Acid Algae Serum
Maritime-based hydrators like active algal water and sea herbs join forces with lactic and flower acids to improve skin’s texture and give it a glow.
Algenist Blue Algae Vitamin C Dark Spot Correcting Peel
Vitamin C is a proven glow booster. Here, it’s sourced from blue-green microalgae and paired with a complexion-refining blend of three different acids.
Skincare Sourced From The Sea
For decades, cosmetics companies have turned to the ocean to help us achieve smoother, brighter skin. One of the most well-known examples is La Mer, founded by aerospace physicist Max Huber in 1965. At the core of the brand’s products, including its cult-favorite cream, Crème de la Mer, is the proprietary “Miracle Broth,” a blend of sea-sourced ingredients, including sustainably harvested kelp. This March, La Mer will relaunch its Moisturizing Soft Cream, a lighter version of its standout offering.
So is there science to support the idea that marine-derived ingredients have skin-saving powers? Yes, says dermatologist Patricia Farris, MD, a clinical associate professor at Tulane University and an expert in topical skin care and cosmeceuticals: “Brown and red algae and spirulina are rich in protective antioxidants that can be very beneficial.” And, like a band of sea-born superheroes, each varietal also has unique characteristics that target different complexion woes, says Dr. Farris. Red algae is chock-full of a carotenoid called astaxanthin, while its brown cousin is rich in skin-brightening phlorotannins and a moisturizing polysaccharide called alginate. (Marine-derived carbohydrates like these may help improve hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, dry skin, and even skin cancer, according to research.)
A San Francisco–based biotech company found something similar while it was studying microalgae to be used as biofuel. “Scientists discovered a polysaccharide compound, which came to be called alguronic acid, and found that it helps increase skin cell turnover, boost firmness, and minimize fine lines,” says Tammy Yaiser, vice president of product development at Algenist, the skincare brand established by that company in 2011. Alguronic acid is now at the heart of all Algenist products. Other brands harnessing the power of algae and seaweed: Biossance, Mara, Osea, and One Ocean Beauty.
Restorative Hydrotherapy Treatments
If a spa is more your speed, there are many that revolve around hydrotherapy (or water therapy), which is the use of water temperature, pressure, and circulation to bring on bliss. These therapies “can help reduce muscle tension, stress, and pain,” says Nikki Miller, director of Kohler Waters Spa, which recently introduced its Stillness Bath treatment, a supercharged soak with freeze-dried seawater, essential oils, and chromotherapy. Le Spa at Le Barthélemy Hotel & Spa debuted its own unique immersive experience, drawing on the concept of Janzu, an aquatic bodywork therapy that find guests submerged in water and guided by a therapist in rhythmic movements. “This treatment embraces the concept of a reunion with the water as our origin and the essence of life, and can take place in our infinity pool, private plunge pools, or our protected bay where the surf is calm,” explains Sebastien Maingourd, regional general manager of Le Barthélemy. It’s nothing new: Thermae in ancient Rome and Greece were centers of relaxation and socialization and played a critical role in washing away the microbes that cause disease. (Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is a more modern example.)
Certain waters, though, seem to have almost mythical properties. In the village of La Roche-Posay in France, mineral-rich springs have given rise to a thermal treatment center for eczema, psoriasis, and burn patients. Similar facilities exist in the French towns of Vichy and Avène, proving that the idea of H2O as a healer is a concept that holds water.
Spas With Water-Based Treatments
The Spa at Castle Hot Springs, Morristown, Arizona
As close to ancient bathing rituals as you can get, Castle Hot Springs’ highlight is a series of all-natural thermal pools that you can spend an afternoon relaxing in.
Springs Eternal Spa at Omni Bedford Springs Resort, Bedford, Pennsylvania
Set on natural springs, this spa’s signature feature is its Bedford Bath Ritual, a sequence of warm and cool mineral soaks.
The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Guests enjoy treatments on a warm-water mattress. Therapists work in motions mimicking the flow of waves.
Kohler Waters Spa at The American Club, Kohler, Wisconsin
With eight hydrotherapy services featuring specialized rainfall showers, the Kohler Waters Spa also offersa full assortment of massages, facials, and body treatments.
Brian Underwood is the beauty director at Women’s Health. He is an award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering beauty and lifestyle for several national media outlets and previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily. His work has appeared in Woman’s Day, Life & Style Weekly, Good Housekeeping, and many more. He also serves as a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and lives in New York City with his daughter.
