Raw Purity
Our Ingredients
Three materials. Hand-harvested from Iceland's wild coasts. Unchanged by centuries of tradition.
The Marine Moisture Story
Icelandic kelp has evolved to thrive in cold, demanding Atlantic waters. Its naturally occurring polysaccharides and minerals make it an intriguing ingredient for modern skincare.
We work with three marine materials — each chosen for its natural properties, its origin, and the care with which it can be handled. This page sets out what they are, where they come from, and how we use them.
Icelandic Kelp
Ascophyllum nodosum
Craft note
Each harvest is timed to the spring tide — the lowest ebb of the lunar cycle — when the kelp beds are fully exposed.
Origin
Hand-harvested at low tide, Westfjords, Iceland — 64°N
Why we use it
Icelandic kelp grows slowly in cold, mineral-rich coastal waters. Its naturally occurring polysaccharides — particularly fucoidan and alginates — are associated with moisture retention at the skin's surface. We harvest only the upper fronds by hand, leaving the root holdfasts intact so each plant can regenerate. The cold water environment and careful handling are central to why we chose this ingredient.
Key natural components
How it is processed
Each harvest is timed to the spring tide — the lowest ebb of the lunar cycle — when the kelp beds are fully exposed.
Calcified Red Algae
Lithothamnion calcareum
Craft note
Calcified red algae grows slowly — accumulating minerals over many years. We harvest only what the seabed can sustainably yield, working within natural regeneration cycles.
Origin
Seabed harvest, Arnarfjörður, Westfjords, Iceland
Why we use it
Lithothamnion calcareum grows on the seabed of Arnarfjörður in Iceland's Westfjords, where cold, clear Atlantic water keeps the environment stable year-round. It is a slow-growing organism that accumulates calcium carbonate and trace minerals from the surrounding water over many years. Our calcified red algae is harvested from the seabed and cold-processed to preserve its mineral structure. It contributes texture and mineral content to the formulas it appears in.
Key natural components
How it is processed
Calcified red algae grows slowly — accumulating minerals over many years. We harvest only what the seabed can sustainably yield, working within natural regeneration cycles.
Marine Collagen Peptides
Gadus morhua
Craft note
We work exclusively with by-products of Iceland's sustainable fisheries — no animal is sourced solely for its collagen. Every extract is a considered use of materials the ocean has already provided.
Origin
By-product of sustainable Icelandic fisheries, North Atlantic
Why we use it
Marine collagen peptides are derived from Icelandic cod (Gadus morhua) — a by-product of Iceland's food fishery. No fish is caught for its collagen. Marine collagen has a relatively low molecular weight compared to bovine alternatives, which is one reason it is used in skincare formulations. Our extraction uses cold enzymatic hydrolysis without heat or harsh solvents, which we favour to help preserve the peptide structure.
Key natural components
How it is processed
We work exclusively with by-products of Iceland's sustainable fisheries — no animal is sourced solely for its collagen. Every extract is a considered use of materials the ocean has already provided.
Traditional Craftsmanship
From tide to formula
Every step is deliberate. Every hand that touches our materials understands what they are carrying.
Seasonal harvest
We harvest once per season, at the precise tidal moment when each material is at its most mature. No off-season extraction. No shortcuts.
Cold preservation
All materials are cold-stored within hours of harvest. We favour low-temperature handling throughout to help preserve the natural characteristics of each ingredient.
Low-temperature processing
Extraction, cold-processing, and blending all use controlled low-temperature methods. This is slower and more careful than conventional approaches — and it reflects our commitment to handling these materials with the same consideration used to source them.
Small-batch formulation
Each formula is made in batches of no more than 500 units. This is not a marketing claim — it is a physical constraint of our process. Small batches mean fresher product, tighter quality control, and a direct line from harvest to your skin.
Experience the ingredients
Every formula in the ColdOcean collection carries these materials in their most concentrated, uncompromised form.