ishga: Results-driven organic seaweed skincare made on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland
Seaweed washes up on Scotland’s shores in plentiful quantities all year round –but did you know it contains powerful natural antioxidants packed with vitamins and organic goodness which can protect and transform your skin?
For thousands of years seaweed has been used as for its therapeutic, health and beauty benefits, from ancient China and throughout Europe.
But it was Malcolm Macrae, marine microbiologist and co-founder of ishga, who developed a method to extract the antioxidants and vitamins from Hebridean seaweed for a skincare line which is still harvested, produced and packaged here on the Isle of Lewis where it all began.
His first attempt produced a smelly brown potion which worked a treat – all the antioxidants were there – but wasn’t the most user-friendly! But working alongside his wife Joanna and an old school friend and seaweed expert Martin Macleod, they perfected the formula and this eventually became the best-selling Anti-oxidant Marine Cream.
For over a decade they and the team have been perfecting methods of extracting miraculous minerals from locally-sourced seaweeds for a range of anti-oxidants, serums and creams with products for the face, body and home fragrances, formulated to hydrate, firm and heal.
From beach to bottle
ishga products are 100% harvested, formulated, manufactured, bottled and packaged here in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. Which means, not only are you buying a sustainable, organic, environmentally friendly and cruelty-free product, but you are supporting lives and livelihoods right here in Scotland.
“We are one of the biggest employers on the island,” says Malcolm, Co-founder at ishga
We have a team who collect the seaweed from the shore 10 minutes from our base on Stornoway. We only ever take what is needed, and harvest it by cutting the fronds above the root so the seaweed can regenerate.
The team rotates where it collects the wrack, to ensure it’s a sustainable process. Fresh springwater is also collected by hand to use in the manufacturing process.
Bring the spa to your home
ishga was initially developed for spa treatments – it’s now in around 100 UK spas and others across the world. Clients were keen to bring the spa treatment home though and ishga is now exclusively sold online and in spas globally.
Blythswood Spa in Glasgow was the first spa partner for ishga, and it is now trusted in spas from The Dorchester Collection in London to Seaham Hall in Durham, Fairmont St Andrews, to The Balmoral, Edinburgh.
ishga’s range of face, body and home fragrance products – soon to grow further – include creams and body oils based on four different types of seaweed – each one having its own benefits.
Best sellers
The award-winning Anti-oxidant marine cream was the first product and still a best-seller. The Hebridean seaweed extracts and spring water together yield 86 vitamins and minerals which are combined with other ingredients to nourish and calm skin, detoxify it and reduce excess oil.
The body oils, a key product for spa treatments, offer a range of different properties, but this time of year the Muscle Recovery Oil is particularly popular for a post-workout boost. The blend of oils helps increase circulation and natural muscle recovery, with anti-inflammatory benefits for the body and the uplifting aroma of essential oils to calm and clear the mind.
Kind to your skin; kind to the environment
The geological makeup and limited industrial impact contribute to naturally clean waters – those turquoise waters and white sand beaches not only make for Caribbean-style images but offer the perfect environment for this natural product, whilst its remoteness has limited human-induced pollution.
Luxury should mean the best – and with ishga products not only are you getting the best- results-driven, award-winning skincare derived from nature and backed by science – but you’re also causing no harm to the planet either.
It is certified as organic by the Soil Association – a rigorous testing process which involves annual testing and checking. It’s vegan and not tested on animals.
Nature and science combined
The four types of seaweed used are Fucus Serratus, Pelvetia Canaliculata Seaweed, Ascophyllum Nodosum and Fucus Vesiculosis Seaweed; and each one contains its own unique skin enhancing properties. The seaweed extract is then combined with good quality natural ingredients such as cocoa and shea butters and with light-base oils such as sweet almond or jojoba and essential oils like rose geranium or lemongrass.
It is this mixture of nature and science which makes these products so successful – and the five star reviews and many awards speak for themselves.
Shop the seaweed selection
Find out more about ishga, its processes and products, and browse the exclusive online collection here.