Sea Lavender Extract

Sea lavender extract explained

Sea lavender extract is a botanical liquid that dissolves in oil and not in water. Sea lavender belongs to the Limonium genus and grows in salt marshes and on coasts. Its small purple flowers give it its name, but it is not related to true lavender. The supplier CoA confirms the INCI and level for each lot.

A salt-marsh plant

Salt-marsh plants live in harsh conditions with salt, wind and changing tides. That resilience makes them appealing for marine and coastal skin care, and the purple flowers give an attractive image for packaging.

Product formats

Creams

Add the extract to the oil phase of day and night creams for a coastal story.

Facial oils

A facial oil with sea lavender, squalane and a light plant oil gives a smooth, comfortable finish.

Balms

Balms for dry, windswept skin suit the coastal theme.

Serums

Oil serums and bi-phase serums can carry the extract in the oil layer.

Processing

Add the extract to the oil phase before heating, or blend it at room temperature into oil products. Add tocopherol to the oil phase.

Partners

Sea Fennel Marine Extract adds a water-phase coastal plant. Squalane and Yangu Oil suit facial oils. Coastal and oil-soluble plant options are grouped under botanical extracts.

Testing

Run stability tests and check odor and color. A panel can rate comfort and smoothness.

Claims

Use comfort and appearance wording: smooth, comfortable skin; protection from the look of wind-dried skin.

Range ideas

A coastal cream, a facial oil and a balm make a small sea-plant line. Purple and blue packaging connects to the flower.

Characteristics

Form: liquid. Solubility: oil, insoluble in water. Plant: sea lavender, Limonium genus. Typical products: creams, facial oils, balms, serums. INCI and level: supplier CoA.

Original recipe: windswept skin balm, 100 g

Shea butter 35.00 g, candelilla wax 10.00 g, squalane 20.00 g, sunflower seed oil 25.50 g, sea lavender extract 4.00 g, yangu oil 5.00 g, tocopherol 0.50 g. Melt the butter and wax with the oils at 80 °C, cool slightly, add the rest and pour.

Coastal skin care

Coastal and marine skin care is a growing category. Shoppers like the idea of plants that thrive by the sea, and the clean, fresh imagery suits many brands. Sea lavender adds a purple flower to the usual blue and green marine palette, which helps a product stand out on the shelf. A short note about the plant's salt-marsh home on the product page gives shoppers a memorable story.

Oil-phase planning

Because the extract dissolves only in oil, plan the oil phase around it. In creams, a moderate oil phase gives enough room for the extract and other emollients. In facial oils, the extract mixes directly with the carrier oils. Avoid adding it to water-only products such as toners, where it would separate.

Fragrance

The name suggests lavender, so some brands add a light lavender fragrance. Explain on the pack that sea lavender is a different plant, so shoppers are not misled.

Lot records

Keep the CoA with each batch and compare color and odor of each new lot with a retained sample. Note the carrier oil listed on the CoA in the formula file.

Directions

For the balm, suggest warming a small amount between the fingers and pressing it onto dry, windswept areas such as cheeks, hands and lips. It suits outdoor days in cold or windy weather.

Texture

Keep the balm soft enough to spread easily at room temperature, and test it in cold weather too.

Record the lot number in your batch log so every production run can be traced back to its certificate of analysis. Retain a small sample of each lot for at least the shelf life of the finished product, since it makes later quality questions much easier to answer.

Storage

Store closed in a cool place away from light. Close the container after use.