From the cold, clean waters of the Outer Hebrides comes one of the most important ingredients in ishga skincare: nutrient-rich Hebridean seaweed.
At ishga, we sustainably hand harvest four species of brown seaweed from the shores of the Isle of Lewis: Fucus serratus, Fucus vesiculosus, Ascophyllum nodosum and Pelvetia canaliculata. Each seaweed has its own characteristics and benefits, but together they provide a rich natural source of antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds that can help to hydrate, protect and support healthy skin.
What makes each one different? Meet the four seaweeds behind our skincare.
Why brown seaweed?
Brown seaweeds are particularly beneficial in skincare due to their hydrating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Growing in the challenging conditions of the Outer Hebrides means the seaweed must naturally adapt to its environment. Cold temperatures, changing tides and strong currents encourage these resilient marine plants to develop an abundance of nutrients and protective compounds – many of which can also be beneficial when incorporated into skincare.
1. Fucus serratus: The skin protector
Also known as: Serrated wrack
Appearance: Distinctive serrated, saw-like edges
Skin benefits: Antioxidant protection, hydration and skin renewal
Fucus serratus is a brown, leafy seaweed and one of the species most widely used across ishga skincare. Naturally rich in fucoidan and alginate, it provides powerful antioxidant benefits. Antioxidants help to neutralise free radicals generated by environmental stressors, helping to protect the skin against oxidative damage and the visible signs of premature ageing. Fucoidan has also been studied for its potential role in supporting collagen and elastin - two naturally occurring proteins that help give our skin its structure, firmness and elasticity.
2. Fucus vesiculosus: The hydration hero
Also known as: Bladder wrack
Appearance: Small, rounded air sacs along its fronds
Skin benefits: Hydration, moisture retention and skin barrier support
Those small air-filled sacs aren't just distinctive, they help Fucus vesiculosus float towards the light and assist with nutrient absorption in its natural environment.
For skincare, one of its most interesting qualities is its relationship with hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally within our bodies and plays an important role in maintaining skin hydration. An enzyme called hyaluronidase is responsible for breaking it down. Research into bioactive compounds found in Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus has shown their potential to inhibit the activity of this enzyme, helping to support levels of naturally occurring hyaluronic acid within the skin.
3. Pelvetia canaliculata: The hair hydrator
Also known as: Channelled wrack
Appearance: Olive-green, channelled fronds
Hair benefits: Helps protect hair from dehydration
Pelvetia canaliculata grows along rocky shorelines where it can spend extended periods exposed to the air between tides. To survive these periods of dryness, the seaweed contains naturally occurring compounds that help it maintain hydration.
It's this natural adaptation that makes Pelvetia particularly suitable for hydrating haircare. Its compounds can help lock in moisture and protect hair against dehydration, while naturally occurring alginate and fucoidan can bind to certain metal ions that may accumulate on the hair through hard water and chemical treatments. Reducing this build-up can help protect the hair cuticle and support stronger, healthier-looking hair with a natural shine. You'll find Pelvetia canaliculata seaweed extract in ishga Shampoo and Conditioner.
4. Ascophyllum nodosum: The natural exfoliator
Also known as: Knotted wrack
Appearence: Long fronds with distinctive egg-shaped air sacs
Skin benefits: Natural exfoliation, antioxidants and hydration
Unlike our other Hebridean seaweeds, we don't create an extract from Ascophyllum nodosum. Instead, the seaweed is finely ground into granules and incorporated into selected ishga products as a natural exfoliant. These seaweed granules gently help to lift away dead surface skin cells while retaining the naturally occurring antioxidant and hydrating benefits of the seaweed itself.
Ascophyllum nodosum has demonstrated potent antioxidant activity and can also help to reduce water loss through the skin, supporting healthy skin barrier function and hydration. You'll find Ascophyllum nodosum granules in our Exfoliating Face Wash and Exfoliating Face Mask.
Four seaweeds - one unique Hebridean environment
Our seaweed is hand harvested from the cold, clean waters surrounding the Isle of Lewis before being brought back to our lab in Stornoway. Here, it undergoes our bespoke extraction process designed to harness its naturally occurring vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds for use throughout the ishga skincare range.
