The Blue Lagoon in Iceland
Courtesy of BL+
The glowing cerulean waters of the Blue Lagoon, juxtaposed with the craggy moss-covered lava fields that encompass it, have drawn folks from all around the world because it formally opened in 1992—although locals in Iceland snuck in earlier than phrase of its therapeutic powers received out on a world scale. Since then, the placing locale has racked up loads of likes on Instagram and hosted a million guests in 2019 alone, making it one of the well-liked spas on the planet.
“The Blue Lagoon was listed as one of many wonders of the world by National Geographic and that tells how distinctive this place is,” says Ása Brynjólfsdóttir, Director of Research and Development, Blue Lagoon. “Even although now we have many various locations with scorching water in Iceland, this one is completely totally different due to the scenario on this peninsula. We have this black lava area, so the water from the ocean can seep into the bottom by means of it. We are on this lively space the place the tectonic plates meet. We even have freshwater from the highlands. This mixes below excessive stress and warmth, coming involved with magma. The result’s this distinctive water with this distinctive composition of minerals and excessive ranges of silica and microalgae.”
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BL+ The Serum
Courtesy of BL+
Nestled within the Reykjanes Peninsula within the southwest nook of Iceland, it’s the excessive focus of silica particles that offers the waters its signature eye-catching blue hue. In 1994, the Blue Lagoon’s Medical Clinic for psoriasis opened, the place folks spend a few week within the swimming pools to jumpstart a famend therapy. “The water has wonderful therapeutic powers, particularly for psoriasis,” Brynjólfsdóttir says. “We analysis key gamers within the therapeutic course of. From our research, we’ve discovered that the important thing gamers are silica and microalgae in treating dry pores and skin, the pores and skin barrier, eczema and psoriasis.”
BL+ was based in 2021 to convey the therapeutic waters and bioactive elements of the Blue Lagoon into folks’s dwelling at a brand new degree. Thirty years of analysis went into creating the luxurious line, which is clinically confirmed to enhance pores and skin well being at a mobile degree. The whole line is infused with Blue Lagoon water, particularly the BL+ Complex, the cornerstone of each product, a novel mix of patented silica and microalgae elements. The BL+ Complex stimulates collagen synthesis and prevents collagen breakdown, working to spice up the mRNA expression of genes that management collagen, resulting in firmer pores and skin. It additionally strengthens the pores and skin barrier by preventing off environmental aggressors that weaken it, together with air pollution, allergens, pathogens and irritants.
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Ása Brynjólfsdóttir, Director of Research and Development, Blue Lagoon
Courtesy of BL+
“It’s a high-performance method,” Brynjólfsdóttir says. “The key elements goal nice traces and wrinkles, dehydration, firmness and shield pores and skin in opposition to free radicals and air pollution with antioxidant properties. So, the result’s stronger and deeply hydrated and radiant pores and skin. The merchandise are appropriate for all pores and skin sorts and have a really mild texture.”
BL+ Skincare launched with The Serum; along with the BL+ Complex it additionally accommodates vitamin C to brighten and three sorts of hyaluronic acids to enhance pores and skin well being over time, enhance radiance and combat the indicators of ageing. Next got here the Eye Serum, a delicate method with a cooling curler applicator designed to nourish the fragile pores and skin across the eyes whereas minimizing darkish circles, puffiness and free radical harm, all whereas boosting collagen and hydration with their signature complicated, vitamin C and licorice root extract. BL+ is working to increase the road, with the following providing dropping on the finish of this summer time.
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BL+ The Eye Serum
Courtesy of BL+
The analysis staff on the Blue Lagoon has made nice strides in skincare discoveries, together with publication in lots of peer-reviewed journals, akin to on the Blue Lagoon’s distinctive ecosystem, bioactivity research on microalgae and silica, anti-aging properties, in addition to incomes patents on its microalgae and silica. At their COSMOS authorised analysis facility situated on-site on the Blue Lagoon, they’re at all times in search of new alternatives to develop new skincare elements and merchandise.
“Our lovely lab may be very inspiring,” Brynjólfsdóttir says. “The algae is the tip of iceberg; there are lots of extra analysis alternatives. We did this mapping of the microalgae and silica and the outcomes confirmed it supported the pores and skin barrier and made it more healthy and likewise stimulated collagen within the pores and skin, so it had very good anti-aging properties. When the BL+ Complex was developed, we confirmed the supply system of those actives is ready to penetrate by means of the higher pores and skin layers to allow them to go deeper and have [a greater] impact.”
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Using particular silica precipitation tanks, the silica from the Blue Lagoon is collected by cooling scorching geothermal seawater and letting it evaporate; the remaining fluid is used for microalgae cultivation—and the mineral salt is used for meals. The dominating species of distinctive microalgae within the water is remoted and grown for beauty use. They faucet biotechnology to domesticate microalgae, utilizing a carbon seize technique that’s simpler on the planet. “We mimic its pure situation to domesticate algae as a result of it wants a number of mild to develop,” Brynjólfsdóttir says. “I don’t know some other beauty firm utilizing this pioneering technique. It’s very sustainable.”
Microalgae cultivation on the Blue Lagoon labs
Courtesy of BL+
Sustainability has at all times been on the forefront of BL+. “For 30 years now we have been upcycling byproducts, together with electrical energy,” Brynjólfsdóttir says. “Today the world is speaking about sustainability however it’s in our DNA. The merchandise are Cosmos Natural licensed. This means all elements are traceable, coming from sources which might be harvested utilizing sustainable strategies. We have been very centered on working with nature. All strategies listed here are developed with inexperienced chemistry.”
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Completely vegan, the model’s main and secondary packaging is 100% recyclable with FSC licensed paper. They make investments 10% of gross sales towards sustainable exploration and analysis on Blue Lagoon’s bioactive water. Additionally, the strikingly refined bottles are made with light-resistant UV glass to increase their shelf life. To save on paper, every field has a QR code that prospects can scan to go to their web site to get extra details about the product.
Ultimately, BL+ is all about paying homage to the Blue Lagoon waters. “It’s a gorgeous idea,” Brynjólfsdóttir says. “Mother Earth is delivering the merchandise.”
https://www.forbes.com/websites/celiashatzman/2022/05/31/bl-skincare-puts-the-healing-and-beautifying-powers-of-icelands-blue-lagoon-in-a-bottle/
