Soaking in Seaweed
Credit: Simon Allen
Words by Olivia Thurlow
It’s Wednesday morning, I’m on a half day and myself and a friend are in for a midweek treat. We park up at Middle Beach car park, Studland and amble down a sandy path towards the beach. We spot a rustic wooden hut in the clearing, complete with deck chairs, white towels and an outdoor dressing table with mirrors against the setting of wild bramble bushes. We must be in the right place. We’re warmly greeted by Jenny: “Welcome to Sae Seaweed Spa. Are you ready to relax in a seaweed bath?” We’re certainly intrigued.
You may have heard of husband and wife team Jade and Dan Scott, founders of Sae Seaweed, through their first venture - Fore / Adventure - a wild adventure business also based in Studland, known for its foraging, fishing and kayaking courses, as well as wild feasts. What’s for sure is that they have a real passion for connecting people to nature with their expertise in wild food and in depth knowledge of Dorset’s coastline. In 2020, the team obtained a licence from the Crown Estate to sustainably hand harvest wild seaweed commercially, and since then they have been exploring the properties of this magic ingredient further.
Working in partnership with the National Trust, who have been really supportive of the new addition to Middle Beach, Sae Seaweed is a coast-side spa experience overlooking the shores of Studland, in the Purbecks. Our session started with an exfoliating foot scrub of kaolin clay and epsom salts mixed with either nettle - an astringent and excellent for dry skin - or the cooling and anti-inflammatory properties of peppermint. We tried both, and both were heavenly. But at the centre of the experience are the roll top baths filled with water heated to around 40 degrees, containing a muslin bag filled with sawtooth wrack seaweed. We lower ourselves into the slightly green tinged water, curiously studying the bag of algae. It’s important to note that it doesn’t smell at all. “Seaweeds are naturally rich in key minerals absorbed from the seawater which makes them really beneficial for the skin.” Jade says. “The oils that are released when seaweed is steeped in hot water also have a dense concentration of vitamins, trace elements, macro elements, phytohormones and amino acids which are
wonderfully hydrating as they retain moisture that is really beneficial for your body, hair and skin.”
Jade has a long-term health condition which leaves her in chronic pain, and after researching the benefits of seaweed and its tradition in Ireland as a soothing therapy, she started having her own seaweed baths at home that really helped her. Knowing the benefits of seaweed baths and the medicinal properties of seaweed first hand is what made the team want to share this knowledge with other people, to enhance their wellbeing and health too.
We’re encouraged to rub the muslin bag on our skin and over our hair. Sounds weird, but as it heats up, the seaweed becomes gloopy and produces something similar to an aloe vera gel… it felt like a super luxurious hair and body mask, we were so surprised by its moisturising
and hydrating properties! We sit back, relax and let the natural oils do their thing. “As you soak in the baths, the seaweed helps to draw out toxins and impurities from your body as the natural oils that are released are packed with iodine, magnesium, and potassium. These are detoxifying and naturally soothing for stiff joints and sore muscles” Jade states. Towards the end of our soak, once the steam had opened our pores, we were offered a soothing face mask made from kaolin clay, the harvested seaweed and a choice of chamomile, elderflower or lavender. We made our selection dependent on our skin type and took in the remaining moments of bliss… How was I going back to work today?!
If you are looking for a unique spa experience that utilises ingredients straight from nature's larder, then Sae Seaweed is the place to be. A truly tranquil experience that feels different, but so right as an addition to Dorset. A 10/10 Pier Journal recommendation.
The team are also in the process of creating a range of bath and skincare products, as well as a condiment range, with the aim to launch in time for Christmas. They’ll be available both online and at the spa - an ideal gift for oneself to carry on a natural health and beauty regime.
Website → saeseaweed.co.uk
Instagram → @saeseaweed
