ORGANIC IRISH SEAWEED BENEFITS

Irish Organics is situated in Spidéal, a picturesque village in the Connemara Gaeltacht on the West Coast of Ireland. We are passionate about creating natural beauty products that harness the power of the sea and our environment and promote overall wellbeing and we work hard to improve our environmental impact in everything we do.

SUSTAINABLE HARVESTING TECHNIQUES

The greatest diversity of seaweed in Ireland is found in the unpolluted waters of the West coast and the Aran Islands. Irish Organics insist sustainable harvesting techniques are practiced which consists of cutting only the upper section of seaweed species by hand and leaving the lower intact to regenerate quickly. A variety of carefully selected seaweeds in a pristine state undergo a minimal extraction process to ensure the wealth of vitamins and proteins are maintained.

Irish Organics work with a number of organisations and companies to ensure the ongoing sustainability of seaweed to preserve the seabed, marine life and coastline.

VARIETIES OF AMAZING SEAWEED WE USE

Ascophyllum Nodosum is a brown macro algae which forms single bladders centrally in long, strap-like fronds can be found draping sheltered intertidal rocks in Connemara. It is the gold standard for beauty and skincare products as it contains a very high concentration of elements such as iodine, zinc, potassium, beta-carotene and the bioactive components alginic acid, ascorbic acid, carotenoids, cobalamin (vitamin B12, Vit C, B1, B2, B3, B6, E, H, K3.) fucoidans, laminarins. These bioactive components are responsible for triggering cellular responses in the skin when applied and give us the results that we all seek – beautiful clear, smooth, soft skin. The natural Antioxidants in kelp assist in fighting off free radical damage that is responsible for visible and non-visible signs of ageing and work in conjunction with your skin to combat dullness, discoloration due to sun damage, and wrinkles. Regenerating… The amino acids, vitamins, and minerals found in brown kelp stimulate elastin and collagen production. Increased collagen and elastin production are essential for firm, smooth, elastic skin that has a youthful appearance. As we age our collagen production naturally decreases. Regular use of skin care products with a concentrated level of brown kelp will regenerate new skin cells. Hydrating… Say goodbye to dry skin with a little help from this marine wonder! The bioactive compounds in Ascophyllum nodosum balance the natural moisture barrier in the skin cells to keep the skin hydrated. We like to add Ascophyllum Nodosum to Rí na Mara Face Mask to improve the texture of your skin leaving it softer, smoother and regenerated.
Also known as Irish moss (In Irish carraigín means “little rock”) it is an amazing species of red algae which grows abundantly along the rocky West coast of Ireland. It contains a wealth of minerals, vitamins, essential amino acids, antioxidants, all beneficial ingredients in high concentrations to help protect your skin against free radical damage. Perhaps the most interesting property of Chondrus Crispus is its ability to protect against UV rays and assists in repairing epidermis that has been damaged by external factors such as irritations, UV and pollutions. It improves and maintains the hydration level of the skin by reducing the trans-epidermal water loss. We have added Chrondrus Crispus to Rí na Mara Face Cream, Body Cream, Body Lotion, Face Mask, Shower Gel and Foaming Bath it brings smoothness and deep nourishment to the skin.
Fucus Serratus known as serrated wrack, has been used in Seaweed baths for hundreds of years, the mineral, nutrient and vitamin rich, luxurious therapeutic oils help the body relax, unwind, Detox and re-mineralise. The antioxidant compounds naturally sourced from within this seaweed are known to produce anti-ageing, conditioning and moisturising effects on the skin, hair and face. We love to add Fucus Serratus to Rí na Mara Foaming Bath.
Fucus vesiculosus known as Bladderwrack, is filled with active ingredients it is a powerful weapon against skin-ageing, such as radical fighting phlorotannin antioxidants, bioactive polysaccharides, amino acids, vitamins and minerals, the extract fights damaging free radicals, reduces inflammation, helps to improve skin elasticity and provides hydration to the skin. This brown algae has a strong firming effect, it fights cutaneous sagging, stimulates natural Hyaluronic acid and Collagen synthesis and encourages cell renewal. We love to add this marine wonder to Rí na Mara Face Cream, Face Mask, Shower Gel and Foaming Bath.
Laminaria known as Oarweed belongs to the family of Brown Kelp, it contains high levels of many vitamins and antioxidants. Vitamins A, C, D, E, and all the B Vitamins including B12, plus 60 trace minerals like calcium and magnesium. Combine these with the moisture-giving molecules in seaweed called polysaccharides, and you’ve got a superfood for the skin. Say goodbye to dry skin with a little help from this marine wonder! It forms a protective outer surface on the skin to hydrate and moisturise. It also stimulates Hyaluronic acid and boosts collagen production for firming effect and cell renewal. It is effective as an anti-ageing and anti-cellulite treatment. We love to add this kelp to Rí na Mara Face Cream, Body Lotion, Body Cream, Face Mask, Shower Gel and Foaming Bath.

SEAWEED FASCINATING FACTS

  1. Oceans cover 71% of Earth’s surface and contain 97% of Earth’s water. Not surprisingly, the oceans are the largest source of biotic diversity on the planet. It is estimated that as much as 80% of all life on Earth is found under the ocean surface and an estimated 90% of all photosynthetic life occurs in the oceans. This means that seaweeds and the microscopic algae of the ocean make up roughly nine tenths of all the plant-like life on Earth.
  2. Most of the world’s oxygen (about 70%) comes from seaweeds and other microscopic algae.
  3. Seaweeds assimilate minerals directly from the sea and are thought to be the single most nutritious foods that you can eat. Rich in trace elements and vitamins, fiber many of them frequently contain more protein than meat and more calcium than milk.
  4. Many seaweeds contain anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agents. Their known medicinal effects have been used for thousands of years; the ancient Romans used them to treat wounds, burns, and rashes. Anecdotal evidence also suggests that the ancient Egyptians may have used them as a treatment for breast cancer.
  5. The word seaweed is so commonly used, yet to refer to these marine algae as ‘weeds’ is very far from the truth, they are utterly essential to innumerable marine creatures, both as food and as habitat, they also provide many numerous benefits to mankind. We often cannot smell or taste them, but many ingredients in our foods and household products come from the sea and from seaweeds.
  6. In Asia, Porphyra (known as nori) is eaten as a whole seaweed either dried or in soups, and globally as tasty wrappings for sushi. The iodine and high vitamin and protein content of nori makes it attractive, as does the relative simplicity of its mariculture (sea farming), which began more than 300 years ago in Japan
  7. These versatile marine plants and algae have also contributed to economic growth. Common uses of seaweeds:
    a. Green seaweeds: – Are rich in carotenoids an antioxidant, age-defying substance popular in organic cosmetics and skin-care products
    b. Are now known to help in preventing cancer (including breast cancer in woman), heart disease and strokes. – Beta carotene derived from green seaweeds is used as a yellow-orange food colorant in cheese, coffee creamers, egg substitute, mayonnaise and multivitamins.
    c. Whole brown seaweeds such as kelp: – Considered an excellent detoxifying agent. – Produce alginate, a substance of considerable economic value and used as a gelling and emulsifying agent. For example, alginate prevents the formation of ice crystals in ice cream. In the medical industry, alginate is used to encapsulate tablets in powder form and to form fracture castings and moulds. Other products containing alginate include brownie mix, frozen foods, desserts, relishes, salad dressing, sauces, gravies and even beer foam.
    d. Kelp also contains an astonishing amount of vitamins and minerals, particularly iodine, which has a normalising effect on the thyroid gland that controls the body’s growth and development. – In many countries, kelp is harvested as a feed and nutritional supplement for commercially farmed animals.
  8. Due to their hard, calcified nature, encrusting coralline red seaweeds have a number of economic uses. In modern medical science coralline algae are used in the preparation of dental bone implants. Coralline rubble (maerl) is used in calcium mineral supplements, as soil pH conditioners, in the filtration of acidic drinking water, and as food additives for livestock. Coralline algae are commonly used as “live rock” in the marine aquarium industry, and in many tropical communities coralline rock is used as building stones.
  9. It is estimated that there are nine times more microscopic algae and seaweeds in the oceans than there are plants on land. Together with microscopic algae called phytoplankton, seaweeds (macroscopic algae) are responsible for all primary production in the oceans and, therefore, form the basis of the food chain in the oceans.