So what’s special about seaweed?

There’s been much excitement in the international beauty industry for some time about the truly remarkable effects that vitamins and minerals can have on our bodies, and of course on our largest organ – the skin.

‘Your skin is the fingerprint of what’s going on inside your body, and all skin conditions, from psoriasis, to acne, to aging, are manifestations of your body’s internal needs, including its nutritional needs.’ says Georgiana Donadio PhD, DC, MSc, founder and Director of the National Institute of Whole Health in Boston, writing for WebMD.

Scientific research has looked extensively at the remarkable power of antioxidants, something that our ishga products have in a very high concentration. When they’re combined with the right diet and supplements, they make a huge difference to the look and feel of your skin and, most excitingly, to the way that it ages.

A wee bit of science

At our headquarters in Stornoway, on the Hebridean Isle of Lewis, we have access to an ever-abundant source of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. Where do we find them? They’re stored in the Hebridean seaweed that grows in some of the purest waters in the world, which wash against the beautiful coastline on our doorstep.

To explain what’s so special about seaweed, we need to talk a wee bit about science. Another name for seaweed is macro algae - the term scientists use to refer to plant life in the sea that can be seen with the naked eye. It comes in lots of different varieties, and its complex biological structure cleverly absorbs all the nutrients that support life in the ocean.

There are three main types, red (Rhodophyta), brown (Phaeophyceae) and green (Chlorophyta). The smallest seaweeds are just a few millimetres in size, and the largest can grow up to 50 metres. Sometimes they’re attached to the seabed, sometimes not. Scientists estimate that algae, of all types, are responsible for creating 90 percent of the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere. It’s that important.

There’s ten times the concentration of minerals in seaweed than in plants grown on land, and marine algae are also full of an invaluable range of trace elements and vitamins. They have a fantastic ability to absorb the essential substances from the sea around them. For example, iodine can be found at 100,000 times the amount found in the surrounding seawater, and potassium at 20-30 times the amount.

All of the goodness, but no odour

Traditionally, when seaweed is used in clean skincare, it can have a particular smell after it’s been harvested. Our founder and lead scientist Malcolm MacRae has designed a process to extract all the goodness from our sustainably, hand-harvested seaweed, but without any smell. This extract is the foundation of our range, and it’s our mission to share it with you. By combining it with mineral-rich Hebridean seawater, springwater and a host of other natural butters, oils, waxes and essential oils, we’ve built our unique and effective organic skincare range.

A natural healer

Seaweed is ishga’s magic ingredient, and it’s a secret weapon for healthy skin that really does defy ageing. It’s what makes our affordable products so special - we’re grateful to be surrounded by it, and the beautiful coastline we call home. All over the world, our customers are facing tough times. If you feel drained, It’s our hope that through our seaweed-packed, but beautifully scented skincare you can experience nature’s healing power as it lifts your spirits and transforms your skin.