Ingredient

Irish Moss Powder

Chondrus crispus

A gentle, soothing cleanser, Irish moss powder rehydrates in water, leaving your skin and hair feeling soft and smooth. High in sulphur, Irish Moss is thought to help with acne and dandruff.

What is Irish moss powder?

Despite its mossy name, Chondrus crispus is a bushy, red seaweed found on the Atlantic coast of Europe. People tend to be startled by seaweed floating in the sea, slimily touching bathers' ankles by surprise, but most of it is actually very beneficial for the skin and hair. Its mucilage (the gel produced by the plant) is antifungal and nourishing, and can be extracted to create carrageenan, a popular thickening agent.

What does Irish moss powder do?

• Binds ingredients

• Rich in minerals

• Softens and hydrates

In a product formula, Irish moss acts as an emulsifier, helping to bind other ingredients such as water and oil together. Powdered materials are also great for use in self-preserving products, since the drier a formula is, the fewer bacteria can grow, reducing the need for synthetic preservatives. In particular, they are a great choice for our naked, packaging-free formulas. 

Where does Lush source Irish moss powder?

Mineral-rich Irish moss is harvested by hand in Ireland*. Our supplier has been harvesting wild seaweed from the west of Ireland for over 100 years. 

*With several manufacturing sites across the globe, this information may vary depending on where your Lush products were made.