Thalgo review

Overview

Thalgo is a France-based firm that has been marketing treatments which, according to their website, “draw their richness and efficiency from the marine universe,” since 1964. Termed “Marine Therapy,” Thalgo’s products are based on a patented “Marine Algae powder” which was originally developed for the treatment of medical issues; after success in the medical field, Thalgo expanded into cosmetics.

Reinvented in 1999 by Jean-Claude Sirop, Thalgo now markets marine-based lotions, moisturizers, and creams that purport to treat a range of skin types and conditions, including wrinkle care, sagging skin, poor tone, and sun damage. A more recent addition to the Thalgo range are a line of facial and body treatments. Thalgo also offers a selection of “Marine Health Supplements,” which are nutrition bars containing Marine Algae powder as a primary ingredient. Additionally, Thalgo has developed a line of thalassotherapy programs, which are therapeutic medical treatments derived from seawater, and are offered in exclusive, Thalgo managed spas on the five continents. Thalgo’s products and treatment programs are available in 85 countries around the world.

Product Details

Believing that the “Sea is a natural source of Beauty,” Thalgo claims to be the exclusive marketer of “Pure Marine Treatments,” which claim to add increased energy and vitality to the skin. The patented method of processing the algae “explodes” the algae used in Thalgo’s products and treatments, which is claimed to release their “active potential.” This is notable because algae contain many times more trace elements and nutrients such as magnesium, copper, and iodine than do terrestrial plants. Among the algae derived compounds developed by Thalgo are Thalgomince LC24 and ADIPO-RESET®, both of which are claimed to empty the adipocyte fat cells and prevent the storage of fat by reconfiguring the structure of the cells. However, it is impossible to tell from the official website the actual composition of these compounds. There are also no scientific case studies that support the efficacy of these compounds or any of the other “Pure Marine Treatments” offered.

The Good

• Thalgo offers a wide range of products that claim to treat a variety of conditions.
• Marine Algae powder has an established record in the medical industry, as do the thalassotherapy treatments from which Thalgo’s products are derived.

The Bad

• Official website is incomplete, and lacks information on Thalgo’s full product line. A list of Frequently Asked Questions promises to be “coming soon.”
• Only UK-based customers can purchase products online from the official site.
• Some products in the Thalgo line are strongly perfumed, which may provoke allergic reactions in some.
• Complete ingredient listings are not available online; active ingredients are listed by marketing name (e.g. ADIPO-RESET® ), rather than contents.

The Bottom Line

Marine based treatments and products derived from the sea have a long tradition of contributing positively to human health. Indeed, thelassotherapy based skin therapies have been popular on the French coast for hundreds of years. However, given the recent developments in the field of skincare, particularly the isolation of Vitamin A as an essential ingredient in maintaining skin’s health, it is unclear if older-style treatments like Thalgo’s will remain competitive in the long term. Although Thalgo’s products may be an effective supplement in conjunction with other treatment regimes, the lack of clearly identified ingredients makes it a difficult choice.