Waves break gently against Ireland’s rugged west coast. Seagulls circle overhead as two lone figures – one in yellow waders; the other in brown – enter the sea at low tide. They carry no machinery or even light equipment but instead work the water with only their hands – carrying on Silgo Co.’s longstanding tradition of hand-harvesting seaweed. All for use in seaweed baths.
Said to be the country’s only native therapy, seaweed baths have drawn visitors to the west coast of Ireland since the early 20th century. Traditionally older people came to ease joints achy from painful rheumatism and arthritis. When seaweed (and sea salt) are added to a bath, the hot water draws the detoxifying nutrients out of the seaweed – mainly chlorophyll, magnesium, and iodine – all of which work to ease muscle pain. Science has also confirmed other therapeutic benefits derived from seaweed – including increased circulation, reduced stress, relief of skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, acne, and rosacea. And appealing to many – body toning, slimming, and cellulite reduction.
A century ago, Ireland’s western coast was lined with more than 300 bathhouses. Today, only a handful remain, the most traditional being Kilcullen in Enniscrone, opened in 1912. The ritual unfolds in three acts: a steam cabinet of seawater mist (with bathers seated in wooden boxes, only heads protruding), followed by immersion in a deep porcelain tub filled with hot seawater and great drifts of soft, velvet-like seaweed. The scent carries a briny whisper of the ocean, and after 30 minutes, ends with an icy hose-like shower – also in seawater – to invigorate and seal in the minerals and vitamins absorbed into the skin.
A Modern Take: Ireland’s VOYA
A more modern and upscale seaweed steam/bath experience comes at VOYA Seaweed Baths in Strandhill, which opened in 2000. In addition to this popular origin spa – thousands visit annually – VOYA offers its seaweed therapies in high-end, luxury spas, and has singlehandedly introduced Ireland’s seaweed benefits and tradition to homes all over the world via its retail line.
Curious to try an authentic Irish seaweed bath (at home), I ordered VOYA’s Lazy Days/Detoxifying Seaweed Bath, which arrives in a beautiful box and offers two bathing options: slip the entire netted bundle into the tub for an effortless soak, or release the strands into the water for a more tactile, immersive ritual. I chose the latter, watching the dried fronds unfurl into silky, loofah-like ribbons that released restorative oils as I rubbed them along my arms, legs, face, and even through my hair. Twice used, the seaweed had yet a final purpose — enriching my garden as organic fertilizer.
More VOYA Products We Love
My Little Hero: This magical facial serum is packed with organic oils and seaweed extracts, working to hydrate, strengthen, and refine skin texture.
Renewal Eyes: Composed of 100% laminaria digitata seaweed, this seaweed-packed eye mask brings science-backed care to the delicate eye area — reducing puffiness, smoothing fine lines and deeply hydrating..
Buoyancy Luxury Body Butter: The perfect post-bath companion, this rich blend of shea, cocoa butter, and seaweed drenches the skin in long-lasting hydration. The result: soft, supple skin with an ocean-kissed glow.
Across the Atlantic: OSEA
On California’s coast, OSEA (Ocean, Sun, Earth, Atmosphere) is also rewriting seaweed’s story. Founded by Jenefer Palmer, its roots lie with her grandmother Elsa, one of the very first female chiropractors in the U.S. A decade into her practice, Elsa had a terrible fall; she tore several tendons in her leg, and was bedridden —unable to care for her patients for many months.
“As a lifelong helper and healer, this paralysis was devastating,” says Palmer. “One morning, [Elsa] awoke from a dream in which the ocean had healed her — and insisted my grandfather take her to the beach near their home in Long Island, New York. It was the middle of December. There was snow on the ground. But she was determined to swim in the frigid waters. Almost immediately, she saw small improvements. She continued swimming daily. Within a few weeks, her leg was healed.
“My grandmother attributed her recovery to the minerals and trace elements present in the saltwater and the abundance of seaweed found in the Long Island Sound,” Jenefer continues. “She continued to promote healing through her chiropractic practice —and to swim in the cold water of the Atlantic — well into her 90s. Her belief in the healing powers of the ocean was passed down to me. ”
In the early 1980s, Jenefer became spa director at one of southern California’s first wellness spas, Murietta Hot Springs. It was there she started designing new treatments including Ayurvedic body wraps, detox baths, herb-based aromatherapy salt glows, underwater lymphatic massage, and body wraps based on flower essences. To complement these treatments, she searched for natural skin care products to use and sell at the spa.
“It was nearly impossible to find skincare brands that weren’t packed with harmful ingredients,” says Jenefer. “And then I had this ‘ah ha’ moment where I knew I could create something better that was both safe and effective.” She formulated her first seaweed-based product 35 years ago and launched OSEA 10 years later.
“The benefits of seaweed are endless, the best-kept secret of the ocean,” says Jenefer who favors two main seaweed species, gigartina and undaria, in her OSEA formulations. Gigartina stimulates collagen production which helps reduce wrinkles, plus moisturizes and protects the skin from environmental pollution. Undaria [Pinnatifida] possesses many vitamins and minerals, along with Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids. Undaria also contains fucoidan, which keeps skin firm and glowing.
But not all seaweeds are created equal. Although OSEA is inspired off the coast of Malibu, California, Palmer turns to the pristine waters of Patagonia for the USDA-certified organic seaweed present in her formulations, where almost all are sourced directly from a family-owned cooperative. “Our seaweed is sustainably hand foraged as it naturally migrates into shallow waters, as opposed to suppliers using diesel-powered ships who often utilize invasive methods to harvest from the ocean floor,” says Palmer. “The moment I pulled my first harvest of seaweed directly from the waters, I knew I had found the key ingredient for OSEA. To this day, I love being on the Patagonian shores when we hand harvest our seaweeds directly from the frigid waters.”
OSEA Products We Love
Hyaluronic Sea Serum: Containing three different seaweeds and three different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid. “The seaweed gives it an amazing texture and visibly improves signs of aging,” says Palmer. “People love how quickly it absorbs into their skin and that they see pretty immediate results. Plus, it’s for all skin types.”
Undaria Algae Oil: A unique, omega-rich, lightweight marine-based body oil loaded with Undaria algae and luscious seed oils–acai, babassu, passion fruit, and sesame. “We soak the seaweed in the oils for up to nine months,” says Palmer. “The outer wall of the seaweed breaks down and infuses the oil with sea minerals. The result is a mineral-rich oil that hydrates and firms the skin. People love that it reduces the appearance of stretch marks and it’s not a greasy body oil.”
Ocean Lotion: This much-loved lotion weightlessly wraps the body in moisture, delivering an abundance of antioxidants, minerals, and trace elements. It also contains shea butter, rosehip, and kukui oils. For ultimate hydration, Palmer suggests blending with equal parts Undaria Algae Oil. Divine.
Feature image courtesy of iStock. We may earn commission from the products on this page.
