Known internationally as the “Seaweed Lady,” Diane Bernard has been a visionary entrepreneur and researcher in the skincare industry for over twenty years. With familial roots that have been firmly planted seaside for generations, Bernard’s early love for––and knowledge of––the coastal landscape launched her on a journey into pioneering the use of fresh, raw seaweed in skincare products. Two decades of research culminated in the founding of Seaflora, the world’s first skincare line formulated from certified organic seaweed. This Canadian company harvests its seaweed from the Salish Sea, a network of coastal waterways in British Columbia; the seaweed is then taken to Vancouver Island, where it is infused into Seaflora’s hand-crafted skincare products. The company’s approach is particularly revolutionary in that Bernard and her team have developed a method to keep the rich, raw nutrients in seaweed biologically active.

Seaflora is a brand with integrity, which is just one of the many reasons I choose to stock its products at Rosewater and incorporate them into select treatments. The company operates with a plethora of green practices, firmly committed to ecological preservation and sustainability; it harvests its seaweed far from shipping lanes to avoid toxins; and when the tsunami hit the Pacific in 2011, the company halted production until it could ensure that the seaweed it harvested was not contaminated by the Fukushima nuclear power plant meltdown across the ocean.

We incorporate Seaflora products into both our  Thalassotherapy Massage  and  Detox Wrap . For the  Thalassotherapy Massage , we mix our massage lotion with Seaflora gel, which is full of essential vitamins and minerals. The body absorbs these during the procedure, helping to relax sore muscles, decrease inflammation, improve circulation, and ease chronic pain and the effects of arthritis. Personally, I sometimes struggle with my glutes and hips after a workout, and the Seaflora oils used in our Thalassotherapy treatment can be as soothing as pouring ice water over inflamed muscles.

The  Detox Wrap  is a slimming and firming treatment designed to improve the skin’s texture and tone. We apply a seaweed mud to the whole body, which tightens the skin while reducing the appearance of cellulite and eliminating harmful toxins. When our clients leave, we give them a piece of seaweed that was used in the treatment. This may sound off-putting, but this isn’t the sort of materials one might find by the ocean at low tide. About the size of a maple leaf, this piece of Macrocystis (Giant Kelp) seaweed fits in the palm of your hand and can be reactivated by being dipped in water, making it suitable for repeated treatments at home. We recommend following our Detox Wrap with a cup of Seaflora Wild Sea Garden tea, a delicious blend that will help keep you hydrated post-session.

We also carry a small number of Seaflora products in the Rosewater boutique. The  Seaweed Body Gel  is a velvety rejuvenator enriched with organic Seaweed ElixirsTM that relieve skin irritations like eczema, psoriasis, breakouts, and sun damage. Our newest product, the  Healthy Healing Gel , is a similar product –– but with the added benefits of CBD oil (2.5 mg per 50 ml bottle) to help soothe aches, pains, and inflammation.

Finally, our  Soothing Sea Kelp Soak  is a personal favourite –– in fact, I wouldn’t take a bath without it. Its key ingredients are Pacific sea salts and magnesium sulphate, which create a relaxing experience while soothing a variety of skin concerns as well as aches and pains. Soaking in the tub with the Soothing Sea Kelp Soak is a far cry from a bath with ordinary Epsom salts; this product turns bathwater into silk.

To learn more about how we use Seaflora products in our spa services or to purchase these luxurious skincare products from our boutique, be sure to pay us a visit at 156 Church Street, Oakville, or browse our website.