"You will find all three major groups of seaweed represented in modern health and beauty products in the marketplace today - red, green and brown," said Valerie Gennari Cooksley, the Houston-area author of "Seaweed: Nature's Secret to Balancing Your Metabolism, Fighting Disease, and Revitalizing Body and Soul" (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $16.95), released in May. These are some seaweed-infused products we've found recently:

Bliss Serious Seaweed Cellulite Soap ($14, Sephora; www.blissworld.com; Amazon.com) claims that seaweed extracts help to slim, tone and fight cellulite. (The directions say it helps if you click your heels together and repeat, "I want to have tone, I want to have tone.")

Spa Aquatique Purifying Seaweed Serum ($30, Walgreens) contains Laminaria Glycolic Extract, a brown seaweed, as an aid to reduce sebum (oil) secretion.

Bumble and Bumble Bb. Seaweed Conditioner ($15, www.bumbleandbumble.com; Amazon.com) is made with kelp extract, spirulina (a protein-rich freshwater algae) and seaweed extract to soften hair, treat the scalp and add shine.

Freeman Sea Kelp Moisture Shampoo ($3.99, Ulta) hydrates and nourishes hair with the help of sea kelp and guava extracts.

Red Water Anti-cellulite Gel ($35, Walgreens) lists bladderwrack (brown seaweed), widely used for its slimming and toning benefits, in its ingredients. Claims to rejuvenate and improve skin's texture.

Sue Devitt Triple Seaweed Gel Foundation ($38, FaceLogic spas; www.suedevittstudio.com; Amazon.com) is an oil-free, lightweight foundation made up of 70 percent water and three types of organic seaweed.

Nivea for Men Oil Control Face Wash (about $4, CVS and Kroger) is a foaming gel enriched with marine plant extracts (bladderwrack) and vitamins that help control oil and balance the skin.

The Body Shop seaweed kit ($27, The Body Shop) contains a Deep Cleansing Facial Wash, Clarifying Toner and Mattifying Day Cream, all made with Community Trade seaweed (specifically, bladderwrack) to control oil without drying the face.