Haeckels is the brand revolutionising wellness, here’s how
When it comes to beauty, Haeckels is shaking up the industry with a truly sustainable and holistic approach
image Team Woo
words Rhys Thomas
In 2012, Dom Bridges picked up some seaweed and revolutionised an entire industry. Margate’s tides had swept seaweed onto the shore, and the former advertising whizz thought about how strange it was that people didn’t do much with the free algae in the area. After a bit of research, Bridges discovered the hydrating, anti-bacterial, and soothing properties of seaweed, then he decided he quite fancied making soap. From there, a cult-classic, game-changing wellness brand has grown to a mini empire: Haeckels.
While the brand is synonymous with seaweed skincare, there's also Haeckels candles, oils and incense cones. At Haeckels you’ll find all packaging is made of glass (crafted locally) or is biodegradable. The products cater for all skin types. The seaweed is harvested locally (which means the products they sell in Japan are entirely different to the ones they sell in the UK, as the native seaweeds are different).
With scale Haeckels is also trying to make their products cheaper, in order to make them as accessible as possible without compromising on their aims and products. They’re even looking to go beyond harvesting local seaweed by making their own algae in a lab, which long-term is far more sustainable as it’ll mean they aren’t disrupting an ecosystem on a mass scale.
A curation of some of Haeckel's best products:
regular care
Bladderwrack + Fennel Hand Wash
£34.00
An elevated version of the product that started it all. Bladderwrack is a seaweed, the one in that original soap, full of sensitive yet effective cleansing properties. Here it’s been extracted into a liquid handwash (because soap bars aren’t for everyone) and there’s also a fresh peppery pop of consciously-sourced fennel thrown in for good luxurious, anti-inflammatory measure. Handwash isn’t really seen as a skincare, but we all wash our hands, and this leaves them very moisturised while just having a pleasant lingering scent to enjoy throughout the day.
feel good spaces
Botany Candle
£58.00
There’s a reason Haeckels’ candles are a true feel-good item (which always sells out). It’s partly the nice frosted glass candles with hand-poured wax, but mainly as with the fragrances (which we’ll get on to) the scents are very unique and very in touch with nature. Rain, in various forms, is often a note (rain hitting dry dusty sand, rain soaking moss and fauna, you get the idea) in this case there’s a Botany Bay influence, think salty crisp sea grasses mixed in with that occasional rain. It burns a dream, is super pungent in a bedroom (or subtle in a lounge), you will feel good, you may even get a scent memory of times in open nature, and that’s the entire point.
decompressing rituals
Wild Fennel Incense Cones
£18.00
So Haeckels does perfume, (it is fantastic and gender neutral), but incense is very affordable and overlooked as a product in its own right. Much like a candle, it can elevate the vibe of a space. But incense and candles have different rituals, they are different vibes. Both are scent focussed sure, one is smoke the other is fire. They fumigate the air in different ways. Incense smokes and lingers, candles gradually waft. At Haeckels all of it is made locally and by hand. The steel cases of the Haeckels incense cones are insanely chic, and the scents are minimalist in a way that feels like a real breath of fresh air. Notably cheaper than candles, too.
restore
Marine Night Cream
£58.00
Outside of the soap, skincare, and specifically beauty are the Haeckels staples. The product range is ever-evolving and improving, one product that has consistently held status among the fans, is the marine night cream. There’s two types of seaweed extract inside: Serrated Wrack extract and a Dulse extract. The formula is rich, working as a night cream by being easily absorbed but also very very nourishing. Dulse also has strong antioxidant properties so as well as hydration, you’ll find skin renewed and refreshed.
deep skincare for all
Algae Plump Serum
£28.00
And for extra levels of skincare goodness at very reasonable prices, the Haeckels algae pump. A real pure summarisation of what the brand is. Algae, derived from seaweed, full of hydrating qualities, as a serum that has the technical know-how to seep deeper into the skin. And the bottle will biodegrade, AND this product outperforms others that are double the price, in this writer’s humble opinion. Feeling beyond good, doing better than most others, not hindering the bank. That is wellness.
Can Haeckels help with psoriasis?
While there is no known cure for psoriasis, there are some natural approaches that can help manage the chronic skin condition’s symptoms. Exposure to the good old sun and having food that’s rich in antioxidants can be helpful but moisturisation is crucial for reducing the redness on the skin. All Haeckels products are free from toxic chemicals and crafted using natural ingredients, some people have also said that the Haeckels Bio + Energiser Conditioner soothes the scalp and left their hair with a zingy peppermint fragrance. Pair it with the Haeckels shampoo for a fresh hair routine. As all individuals respond to skincare uniquely, if you have a diagnosed skin condition, please consult a medical professional before using any products on affected areas.
How to cut a Haeckels soap bar?
Watching a bar of beautiful (and slightly spenny) soap melt away under the shower is heartbreaking. Since some Haeckels soaps come in larger sizes, it may be helpful to cut the block into smaller pieces to make the most use of the moisturising seaweed cleansers. In case you’re wondering how to cut up a soap bar, we’ve got you sorted. Start by heating the soap in the microwave for a quick 5-10 seconds, be careful not to push it for longer to prevent it from getting too moist. Once the block has softened a bit, slice it into multiple parallel cuts using a kitchen knife. If you’re feeling experimental, feel free to cut them into fun shapes, but rectangular blocks are known to be the most efficient.
Is the Haeckels perfume unisex?
Each Haeckels perfume is inspired by a specific space and its name reflects that. The Richborough parfum captures the fragrance (and feeling) of walking down a winding country bath in the lush borough with gentle smells of camomile, elderberry and fresh, tall grass. It’s been years of friends and couples swapping their perfumes and the brand understands that. The vegan potion is packaged in recycled glass bottles and is a sell for all genders.
Products are selected independently by our editors from the woo online store, a carefully curated platform for feel good fashion, beauty, wellness and lifestyle, as well as externally. Items on sale are subject to change pending stock availability. Discover more here.
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