Living on this amazing coast means we have access to foraged ingredients with fantastic properties like Seaweed.   This time of year I love to wander along the beach at Clovelly or Bucks Mills and collect Kelp and Bladderwrack for our massively popular Seaweed soaps.  Kelp is in long flat strips often on a stalk and sometimes dried for cattle as a nutrient filled winter snack.  In terms of cosmetics it is high in antioxidents and anti-inflammatory as well as being high in minerals like Iodine which are great for the skin.  We only use a small amount in soap but it can be used as a face mask as well to really get the skin benefits

We air dry the seaweed and then oven dry on low to really remove the moisture, seaweed is a humectant that draws moisture from the air so it needs to be well dried before it can be used in skincare.  Once dry we break it up and pop in a coffee grinder to make a find exfoliating powder to use is soaps.

If you wanted to get the amazing skin benefits in a more direct way you can make powdered seaweed into a quick face mask:

• 2 Teaspoons of seaweed powder
• 2 teaspoons of  Pink, Green or White Clay
• 1 teaspoon of an oil of your choice like Castor oil, Almond oil or Olive oil
• 2 teaspoons of distilled water
• 1 Teaspoon of Honey
• 6 drops of essential oils of your choice - We love 3 drops each of Rosemary & Lavender

Stir the dry ingredients together with a non metalic utensil (clay reacts with metal)

Add water and stir until lump free, add the oil, honey & essential oils to make a smooth paste and if needed add a bit more oil.

To use add a a thin layer to damp face and neck with a brush avoiding  your eye area, leave for 15-20 minutes and then remove with a damp cloth and add a rose water spritz and a moisturiser of choice

If irritation occurs discontinue use

Enjoy the amazing benefits of natures bounty and take a walk on a beach

Sarah