The rising number of diseases and deaths caused by pollution and modern lifestyle habits is a growing societal concern. Marine ecosystems are both victim to this human behaviour as a recipient of human pollution as well as being a source of medicinal chemicals which can cure a variety of diseases. In this paper, we review the chemical basis of water-based treatments and their effects on human health, while focusing on the threats to marine ecosystems and the potential benefits of balneotherapy, thalassotherapy, and bioactive chemical species. We found that seawater has potential benefits for skin health, demonstrating emollient properties, protection against skin barrier disruption, and inhibition of atopic dermatitis-like skin lesions. We present the putative mechanisms by which minerals, salts, and marine organic matter can slow down disease progression, through their numerous activities, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and wound healing properties. Water-living organisms also have an impact on such mechanisms by producing biologically active compounds with beneficial effects on human health.

污染和现代生活习惯导致的疾病和死亡人数不断增加，日益受到社会关注。海洋生态系统既是人类行为的受害者，既是人类污染的接受者，又是可以治疗多种疾病的化学药品的来源。在本文中，我们回顾了水基治疗的化学基础及其对人类健康的影响，同时重点关注对海洋生态系统的威胁以及浴疗、海水浴疗法和生物活性化学物质的潜在益处。我们发现海水对皮肤健康具有潜在益处，具有润肤特性、防止皮肤屏障破坏以及抑制特应性皮炎样皮肤病变。我们提出了矿物质、盐和海洋有机物通过其多种活性（如抗炎、抗氧化和伤口愈合特性）减缓疾病进展的假定机制。水生生物也通过产生对人类健康有益的生物活性化合物来影响这种机制。