Inspired by and including ingredients from the beautiful channel island of Jersey, Seascape Island Apothecary is a new British 100% natural essential oil-based unique collection of bath and body products for the whole family.
Seascape is a new brand for me and I was excited to try the body wash featured in March’s LoveLula Beauty Box. The packaging looks so luxurious and I love the colours and logo.
On closer inspection of the ingredients, I was rather disappointed.
So I have been using the body wash and now I’ll share my thoughts.
Seascape Island Apothecary Unwind Body Wash 300ml | £16
Contains 100% natural essential oils of Jersey Lavender to soothe and relax and exotic Ylang Ylang to balance the mind and ease tension. Our Unwind range is fragranced with ‘pregnancy-safe’ essential oils.
Our products are paraben, silicone, petroleum and SLS free and are suitable for vegetarians. We do not use artificial colours or synthetic fragrances. We are against animal testing. All of our ingredients are sourced from ethical suppliers and our bottles and packaging are recyclable.
Ingredients:
Aqua (Water), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamide DEA, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Linalool, Citric Acid, Disodium EDTA, Cananga Odorata (Ylang Ylang) Flower Oil, Triethylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Propylene Glycol, Magnesium Nitrate, Magnesium Chloride, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Potassium Sorbate
I’ve highlighted the ingredients of concern in red and I’m going to try and break them down for you.
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) is a surfactant similar to Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) but is considered gentle and considerably less irritating than SLS.
Cocamide DEA is also a surfactant, originally derived from coconut oil. However it is chemically refined, processed with other chemicals which leaves the final product completely unnatural. It can cause skin irritation but is considered safe to be used in rinse-off products.
Disodium EDTA is used as a preservative and chelator. Its chelation properties help to enhance foaming and also make it a useful additive in hard water areas, its ability to remove metal ions in the water allows soaps and other such products to do their work.
It is an ingredient to beware of as it increases the penetration of other chemicals in the product. Disodium EDTA is also used in the cosmetics industry because it effectively penetrates makeup onto the face. It may trigger allergic reactions in sensitive skin.
Benzyl Alcohol is used as a solvent and preservative but can be irritating and drying to sensitive skin.
Propylene glycol is a synthetic petrochemical mix used as a humectant (a substance that promotes moisture retention and keeps products from drying out). It has been known to cause allergic reactions, contact dermatitis, contact urticaria, hives, and eczema.
Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) are preservatives often used in cosmetics and beauty products for their antibacterial and anti-fungal effects. They are often seen in shampoos and other rinse-off products. They are part of a group of chemicals known as ‘isothiazolinones’, the most potent allergens on the consumer market.
The use of these preservatives has received increased media coverage and in 2013 GP’s urged cosmetic companies to remove it from products that are left on the skin.
It is highly suggested that products with these ingredients must not be used by people with sensitive skin as they can cause severe skin reactions. It can cause rashes, lumps, blisters, itchy eyes and facial swelling.
While I was at the Natural & Organic Products Europe Show I was introduced to the owner of Seascape Island Apothecary, Stuart Mactavish. I spoke to him about my concerns regarding the ingredients in the body wash.
He understood my concerns and said they try to use natural ingredients where possible but the range is not 100% natural and they use some chemicals. He also said as the body wash is a rinse-off product, those ingredients are in low concentrations and less likely to cause irritation. I know Stuart took my concerns on board and I’m sure they will look into making changes in the future.
Even though I have concerns about the ingredients, I decided to try it for myself. As consumers, it is clearly up to us to make up our own minds. The body wash has a lovely soothing lavender scent, nice lather and didn’t dry out my skin.
Now onto the price, at £16 it’s definitely a high end body wash. I personally would not pay that price because of the ingredients.
Have you tried any products from Seascape Island Apothecary?
Lola ♡
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I’ve read a few of your posts recently and I really love the ethical, honest content of your blog. I’ve been prompted to try some of the brands you have commented on, particularly the child/baby skin care. This post was much appreciated as I have been looking at Seascape recently, though obviously not closely enough (blinded by the pretty packaging) as you have revealed all these nasties and now I can firmly strike them off the list. I’ve only just started my own natural beauty journey and haven’t yet researched all the chemicals to avoid except the ones I knew anyway and so your explanations were a great help to me. Cheers!
Hi Rebecca, I’m glad you’ve found my reviews helpful. It can be hard once you start a natural beauty journey and I’m still learning. Sadly not all brands are transparent and you have to dig deeper into ingredients. Let me know if I can do anything to help. Lola 😊