Marine Algae Can Help Fight Acne, Study Confirms

Acne is one of the common skin problems that is faced by many people, but in the teens very few escape from this affliction.  If acne is still a problem for you, a team of scientists have discovered the most unlikely treatment-marine algae.

This does not sound pleasant, but at the same time it doesn't come as a surprise as marine algae have been used for skin and hair care for over thousands of years. It is one of the popular ingredients and a growing component in cosmetics. Working on these existing facts, a team of marine scientists at the University of Stirling have discovered that marine algae also helps fight acne. In this study they have exposed the cleansing qualities of fatty acids including those that are produced by algae itself.

Acne is not a life threatening skin disease. Known as Acne Vulgaris, it involves oil glands that are present at the base of the hair follicles. Acne occurs during puberty when the oil gland gets active and produces an oily liquid called Sebum that carries dead skin cells through the follicle to the skin's surface. A small hair then grows through this follicle out of the skin and when the follicles get blocked pimples grow on the skin. Due to this oil accumulates under skin.

During their research they noticed that the fatty acids curb the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. This bacterium is the key agent that triggers common skin conditions.

"The fatty acids inhibited the growth of the bacterium at concentrations similar to other acne treatments like benzoylperoxide and salicylic acid," explained Marine Biotechnology lecturer Dr Andrew Desbois, who led the study. "Many fatty acids inhibit or kill bacteria and now some of these have been shown to prevent the growth of Propionibacterium acnes. Fatty acids are present naturally on our skin to defend us against unwanted bacteria so the application of additional fatty acids will augment our existing defences."

The existing treatments for acne, mostly treated with drugs, induce certain side effects and bacterial resistance also reduces effectiveness.

In the marine algae, the researchers noticed nearly six fatty acids that were very affective and are known to be crucial for human health. The six fatty acids include eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), omega 3 fatty acid that is already known to be important for human well being, dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA), and an omega-6 fatty acid that possess anti-inflammatory properties.  EPA is released by the marine algae that gets accumulated into fishes like salmon via the food chain and DGLA is produced by a few brown algae.

Normally, these important fatty acids are taken in by including fish or seaweed in our diet. But the study researchers plan on formulating these fatty acids into an ointment that can be easily applied to the affected region on the skin of those suffering with acne.

The findings were published in the journal Marine Drugs.