according to reportFrom Skyquest Technologies, a global market research company, “Global ocean-based skin care ingredients market is projected to reach $959.86 billion by 2030”, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6% over the forecast period 2023-2030. As previously reported by CosmeticsDesign, marine ingredients in cosmetics and personal care were one of the biggest trends in 2023, including in formula ingredients. Algae, salt water, seaweed, etc.
One brand that embraces ocean-inspired ingredients is Laguna Herbals, a California-based natural and organic skin care and body products company. The indie brand’s product collection includes lip, skin and body care products, as well as a recently launched baby care line. To learn more about Laguna Herbals’ product formulation process, including ingredient development, challenges that need to be addressed prior to launch, and plans for future product launches, Cosmetics Design interviewed Andrea Sands, founder of Laguna Herbals. I asked for insight.
CDU: Can you give us some background information about the brand?
as: I have always believed in natural alternatives. My interest in organic and natural skin care stemmed from my interest in alternative medicine. I have overcome several minor but chronic health issues over the years by researching the healing effects of herbs on health and seeking alternatives when traditional medicine fails.
I decided to become a certified herbalist and studied with some of the most renowned herbalists in the country. Through my studies and coursework, I became interested in using topical healing balms and oils infused with herbal active ingredients that have been used for centuries.
Everything you ingest or put on your skin can have a positive or negative impact on your health. We are creatures of habit, so using the same products over and over again day after day can cause harsh ingredients to build up in our bodies, which can negatively impact our health.
This is the danger of using products containing harsh and toxic chemicals that can bioaccumulate in the body and cause various health hazards.
CDU: Can you give us some background information about the product formulation process?
as: As a Beach City brand based in Laguna Beach, California, it makes sense to create products infused with ocean ingredients, and these products incorporate both sea algae and giant sea kelp . At first I was only considering adding a jelly mask. Once you start using these new ingredients, you’ll soon find ocean-inspired products to form a complete face routine featuring Ocean Pure Cleanser, Ocean Jelly Mask, Ocean Glow Drops, and Ocean. I decided to create a whole collection of products that I loved. milk moisturizer.
All products in the collection feature effective, scientific and trendy ingredients such as niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, marine algae, sea kelp and blue tansy oil. We formulate all of our products from scratch. We do not use ready-made cosmetic bases, as we need to have full control over the sourcing of raw materials and the manufacturing process.
A lot of research and testing has gone into this collection to ensure we use the most effective yet long-lasting natural ingredients.
CDU: Can you share information that differentiates Laguna Herbals from similar brands?
as: There are many natural brands, but our company’s features are as follows.
The term “herbalist” includes anyone who is interested in herbalism and uses medicinal herbs to heal themselves or their family members. I am qualified to formulate herbal cosmetics. This means that I am studying herbalism through education and in the field. This means that I have studied and emulated herbal cosmetic formulations with some of the most renowned healers and herbalists in the country.
We know exactly where every raw material/ingredient comes from, the manufacturing date, and we hand-pick every ingredient ourselves. This ensures that our products are of high quality and responsibly manufactured. Additionally, the ability to customize the formula as needed at the retailer’s request, or quickly change the formula if an ingredient is no longer available, gives you great autonomy and functionality. .
Most of our extracts are manufactured in-house, ensuring optimal freshness and potency of our products. Extracts are what give the base formula its effectiveness.
All extracts in our balms and oils are produced in-house from the leaves, roots and stems of the plants used for infusions (chamomile, calendula, plantain, mullein, rose petals, arnica, green tea, hibiscus, etc.). I am. We love the color and light scent this oil gives, showing that these products are natural and true to the traditional craft of herbal infusions.
This practice adds antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging properties to our products. We are not simply purchasing off-the-shelf, highly diluted extracts and isolates, which are likely to be less than 1/2% of the total formulation.
Our practice has a higher percentage of therapeutic extracts that offer a full spectrum of benefits and a longer shelf life. Brands are rarely able to do this, and they can run large-scale production if necessary, as we have done.
We are a Leaping Bunny certified brand. This requires not only no animal testing, but all ingredient vendors must also certify that they are not tested on animals. That’s why our entire raw material chain is Leaping Bunny certified.
CDU: Were there any challenges in the product development process?
as: In developing the Ocean line, our first formulation was a water-based (oil-in-water) emulsion. Combining oil and water is a scientific process that requires testing different proportions of emulsifier and water until the desired consistency is achieved. I’m a perfectionist, so I applied Ocean Milk about 7 times to get the bouncy gel (non-sticky) texture I wanted.
The good news is that once you have the perfect formula, you can document it and make it a framework for future versions and formulas. Additionally, water-based products require preservative systems and must be challenge tested for several months.
We constantly consult with chemists, scientists, and manufacturers of various natural preservatives, but no one can definitively say or guarantee that the system you choose will work. Handling natural preservatives is complicated because they do not contain parabens or formaldehyde, which are traditional and effective solutions. These expose customers to things that can cause health problems and are even linked to cancer.
Natural preservatives require testing different preservative “cocktails” in very small batches to see what works and holds up over time. A preservative system that works well for one product may not work well for all products. So, unfortunately, it’s not a “one size fits all” solution and will require some trial and error and testing (which is expensive). process. It takes time and patience.
We were fortunate that all products in our marine line passed the test in the first round. We take this very seriously to ensure maximum safety of our products for our customers and retail customers.
It is very important to us that our products are stored effectively and have a healthy shelf life. Some natural brands sell water-based products that are “preservative-free.” However, in my opinion, I would be reluctant to release a water-based product without an acoustic preservation system in place.
CDU: What are your plans for Laguna Herbals’ U.S. expansion and future product formulations?
as: We are always looking to expand and hope to grow our retailer base in the coming months and years. Additionally, customer acquisition for our consumer websites is an ongoing process.
As for further combinations, we are considering anti-aging body care. The focus always seems to be on reducing the signs of aging on the face. However, from a holistic perspective, we feel that the body should not be ignored.
We just launched eight new products, which is an intensive and demanding process, so we’re taking a break from developing and focusing on marketing/sales for the time being.
