Seaweed from the Outer Hebrides
Another ingredient we use comes from the sea rather than the land. Our seaweed comes from the Outer Hebrides, gathered in the clear Atlantic waters there. The waters there are incredibly clean and wild, which makes them an ideal place for seaweed to grow. The seaweed is gathered and then dried before it reaches us. The type we use in our products is kelp. Although I harvest many of the plants I use myself, seaweed is one ingredient I do not collect personally.
Why kelp is valued for skin
Kelp has been used in coastal skin preparations for a very long time. It is naturally rich in minerals and trace elements drawn from the sea. These include minerals such as iodine, magnesium, potassium and calcium. These are the same kinds of minerals that help support the skin and maintain its natural balance. Kelp also contains natural polysaccharides. These compounds are known for helping the skin hold moisture and feel more comfortable. It also contains natural antioxidants, which help protect the skin from everyday environmental stress. Because of this mineral richness, seaweed has long been used in bathing and skin preparations, particularly in coastal communities.
How I use seaweed in our products
Kelp appears in several of our products. It is used in our Hebridean Seaweed, Rosemary and Lavender soap, which is actually our most popular product. The seaweed is also used in the matching Body Butter.
I also include it in our Zeolite and Seaweed face mask. Zeolite is a naturally occurring mineral clay formed from volcanic ash and seawater. It has a very fine structure which gives it the ability to attract and hold certain impurities. Because of this it is often used in skin masks where it helps gently draw impurities away from the skin while still being very mild. Combined with the mineral rich kelp, it makes a very simple and natural face mask.
For me it is another way of bringing a little of the sea and landscape of Scotland into the products we make.
