Deep Sea Wellness: The Ocean’s Hidden Potential for High-Performance Beauty

Trends Agency

As the wellness industry moves beyond the spectacle of space-age ingredients, the deep sea is emerging as a new frontier – offering biomimetic compounds, nutrient-rich minerals, and hydration solutions that combine efficacy with environmental sensitivity.

With oceanic inspiration at the heart of this year’s MakeUp in Paris theme, these innovations spotlight the untapped potential of marine resources to shape the future of skin health and sun protection.

What’s happening

The beauty and wellness industries are looking to the ocean as a new research and innovation hub for skincare and hydration solutions. Vying for differentiation and enhanced efficacy in a saturated market, deep sea ingredients offer unique high-performance benefits derived from natural sources.

But deep sea wellness is far from being the beauty, health and wellness industry’s first foray into this type of product development. In 2021, we began exploring the nascent stage of Extreme Beauty, when brands were seeking out rare ingredients and potent formulas – and performing bold marketing stunts.

Attention quickly turned to outer space as the ultimate beauty testing ground. As explored in Longevity Lifestyles, 111Skin’s Y Theorem Repair Serum NAC Y2 was tested in space, while Delavie Sciences’ Aeonia Sculpting Cream is formulated with bacillus lysate, the first biological cosmetic ingredient recognised by the Space Foundation as Certified Space Technology.

But what goes up must come down, and brands are now betting on biomimicry and the benefits of ingredients sourced from the ocean’s depths.

What’s new

Purito Seoul

The ingredient-led South Korean beauty brand Purito Seoul relaunched its deep sea water range in July 2024, featuring new branding and larger-volume bottles. The Hydro Wave Deep Sea Cream and Hydro Wave Deep Sea Serum are formulated in Gangwondo, South Korea with water sourced from 605 metres below sea level.

According to the company, deep sea water contains a magnesium to calcium to potassium ratio of 3:1:1 that closely resembles the mineral composition found in skin fluids, which means that it can aid in balancing deficient minerals.

The water is combined with Purito’s own Marine Complex with kelp, sea grape, glasswort extract and snow mushroom to create an intensely hydrating product that contributes to ‘maintaining the healthy oil-water balance of the skin’.

Chaser Water

Looking to reap the hydration benefits of deep-sea minerals (DSM) for the body, Florida’s Chaser Water launched its deep sea mineral-enhanced alkaline water in March 2023.

Sourced from depths exceeding 300 metres, Chaser Water’s DSMs contain more than 90 essential minerals and electrolytes – such as calcium, magnesium, potassium and iodine – that support cellular hydration, fluid balance and overall metabolic health. With higher bioavailability, these ionic minerals are easily absorbed, providing a sugar-free solution for efficient hydration.

In 2024, the brand expanded its offerings to include a 19-litre barrel delivery service for residents in south Florida, 350ml cans (which will eventually replace its original 500ml bottles to reduce plastic waste) and 30ml concentrated Drops.

‘Our deep sea minerals are sourced from naturally occurring, renewable deposits located far below the ocean’s surface, away from fragile eco-systems,’ founder Rei Rocha tells LS:N Global. ‘Unlike surface-level extraction, which can disrupt marine habitats, deep sea mineral sourcing takes place at depths where environmental impact is minimal. In addition, the extraction process we use is designed to be selective and minimally invasive, ensuring that the mineral reserves remain abundant and are not depleted.’

Seaspire

Sea-inspired technology company Seaspire is making waves in the suncare industry with Xanthochrome, a ground-breaking ingredient modelled on pigments in octopus, squid and cuttlefish skin. Developed by founders Camille Martin and Leila Deravi, Xanthochrome is a synthesised compound that mimics xanthommatin, a natural pigment found in cephalopods and insects. This pigment not only influences the animal’s colour perception but also provides antioxidant and UV-resistant properties.

This naturally derived compound amplifies traditional sunscreen components such as zinc oxide, enhancing UV protection by 28% and visible light blocking by 45% and is non-toxic to coral (source: International Journal of Cosmetic Science). With a successful £2.3m ($3m, €2.8m) funding round in 2022, Seaspire is looking to partner with existing brands to bring Xanthochrome to a wider market and transform industry standards in sustainable, high-performance suncare.

What this means

As the wellness sector continues exploring new frontiers, deep sea ingredients are emerging as a sustainable and viable alternative, aligning with the industry’s growing eco-focus. Unlike products which are derived or tested in space, those using marine ingredients such as Seaspire’s biomimetic Xanthochrome deliver proven efficacy while maintaining environmental integrity. As companies innovate with sustainable deep sea minerals, the ocean becomes an exclusive yet renewable source for high-performance formulations.

Large-scale natural ingredient mining will not be sustainable, however, so in order to create these products for a wider audience, responsible extraction and biomimicry will be essential.

Much like Extraterrestrial Innovations, the mystery of the ocean provides deep sea wellness brands with an element of exclusivity, appealing to a demographic that values health, luxury and innovation.

Beyond beauty, the Better than Water insight in our recent Functional Feasting macrotrend tracked rising consumer interest in bioavailable, nutrient-rich hydration supplements. Brands such as Chaser Water are positioned to lead this shift, appealing to eco-conscious, health-focused audiences who are seeking functional and nutrient-dense hydration solutions without artificial additives or added sugar.

By becoming a member of The Future Laboratory’s trend intelligence and consumer foresight platform, LS:N Global, you will gain access to our entire content library, including this report. Arrange your free trial today.

The Future Laboratory is the world’s most renowned futures consultancy. We help global brands, agencies and organisations anticipate change and turn future insights into profitable opportunities. With a unique blend of trend forecasting, consumer insight and strategic foresight, powered by our trends intelligence and consumer foresight platform LS:N Global, we equip businesses with the tools to navigate uncertainty and stay ahead. Say hello@thefuturelaboratory.com to learn more.