Meet Dr Katherine Mulrooney from Seavite - the original Irish seaweed-based skincare range created by Marine Scientist Patrick Mulrooney in the 1990’s. His daughters Katherine and Jane went on to achieve their Masters in Clinical Dermatology, took over the business and carry on their father's legacy.
Introduce yourself.
Powered by the sea and proven by science, Seavite is the original organic Irish seaweed-based skin, body and hair care range. Seavite was founded by my late father Patrick Mulrooney on his quest to transform our sensitive, eczema prone skin as children. My father was a marine scientist and believed the Atlantic Ocean was an endless resource of healing and regenerative elements. During our summer holidays in the West of Ireland, swimming in the sea almost every day, he witnessed how our skin was calmed and soothed by the sea, and so he set about bottling the goodness of the Atlantic Ocean. Through combining specially selected, nutrient-rich Irish seaweed and botanicals, he formulated Seavite Bath & Shower Gel, which quickly earned cult beauty status thanks to its profound skin healing and moisturising effects. Today, 30 years on, Seavite is a multi-award-winning skincare brand offering clean, green and marine cosmetics for the face, body and hair. My sister, Jane and I oversee all Research and development and are extremely passionate about all things related to skin. We have dedicated our entire careers to curing sensitive skin ailments and fighting the signs of skin ageing. We are both medical doctors specialising in Cosmetic Dermatology. We use Seavite products daily on all patients in our Dublin skin clinic, for their calming, soothing and hydrating effects. We truly believe, whatever your age or skin type everyone can benefit from the soothing and regenerative benefits of the Atlantic Ocean, captured by Seavite and fine-tuned by science.
What inspired you to join the natural health sector?
The secret to Seavite’s success is the quality of its natural ingredients. I am delighted to say that 30 years on we have stayed true to our roots, and we continue to use only the best, sustainable sourced, hard harvested seaweed from the west coast of Ireland in all Seavite products. Naturally abundant, seaweed is perhaps the most beneficial natural ingredient for skincare on the planet. Scientific research confirms aside from being packed with essential amino acid, fatty acids, polysaccharides, micronutrients and powerful anti-oxidants, Seaweed also has potent, anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiviral properties. From cleansing to toning, moisturising to repairing, seaweed truly is a natural skin saviour.
Where did you get the idea for your brand?
Our Dad was a marine scientist and was extremely passionate about his work and inspired by nature, particularly the sea. He truly believed the Atlantic Ocean was an endless resource of healing and regenerative elements. As children, my brother, sister and I all suffered with severe Eczema, which had a hugely negative impact on our daily lives. Mum & Dad tried everything to soothe our sensitive skin and brought us to specialists all over the country but the only thing that gave us relief was bathing in the sea every day during our summer holidays in the west of Ireland. Being a marine scientist our Dad Patrick understood the benefits of the sea, and he witnessed how our skin was calmed and soothed after our sea swims, and so he set about bottling the goodness of the Atlantic Ocean. Through combining nutrient-rich Irish seaweed extracts and pure botanicals, he formulated the Seavite range, which launched in 1992 and fast earned cult beauty status, thanks to its profound powers of skin transformation.
What makes your brand unique?
What sets us apart? The quality of our natural ingredients and our knowledge and expertise in skin and skincare. Seavite truly is powered by the sea and proven by science.
What are your company’s core values?
Powered by the sea and proven by science, Seavite is the original organic Irish seaweed-based skin, body and hair care range.
Clean, green and marine cosmetics for the face, body and hair.
How do you support your community?
All Seavite skin and body care products are made from sustainably sourced, hand harvested seaweeds from the west coast of Ireland. We continue to manufacture our products in the west of Ireland and are proud to support local family businesses and industries.
What has been the most rewarding part of your brands journey?
It is really important to us as a family to continue the legacy our Dad started. Our customers consistently tell us we have great products that work and help soothe their sensitive skin. We also see the effects of our products daily in our medical practice where patients have struggled to find skincare that agrees with their skin, and we introduce them to our products and now they are hooked on Seavite for its calming, soothing and hydrating effects.
What in your opinion makes Irish brands unique?
Being Irish is an important part of our past and an important part of our future. As an island nation Ireland is surrounded by a truly amazing ocean resource. My father believed in the power of the sea that surrounds us. I am delighted to say that 30 years on all of our skincare products are made from sustainably sourced, hand harvested seaweeds from the west coast of Ireland. We continue to manufacture our products in the west of Ireland and are proud to support local family businesses and industries.
What is your favourite product from your brand?
I love all Seavite products. If I can only pick one its a toss-up between the original and cult Seavite Shower & Bath Gel and our Seavite Super Nutrient Radiance Serum. The Serum is a hero product. With the healing energies of seaweed extracts and active anti-ageing botanicals, this highly concentrated, deeply penetrating serum, instantly hydrates and brightens the complexion and helps diminish visible signs of ageing. I use the Seavite Serum daily on patients in our Dublin skin clinic, for its calming, soothing and hydrating effects. I use it all over the face and neck, including the delicate eye area. Like all of our products, it’s packed full of goodness, with no parabens, mineral oils, skin irritants or hidden nasties, so is suitable for even the most sensitive skin.
Tell us about something that has shaped your brand?
It is hard to believe that Seavite is now 30 years old. I vividly remember the very first product coming off the production line in the lab - it was the original bath & shower gel and 30 years on it is still one of our most popular products! There were times that haven’t been easy and losing Dad in 2003 was a huge loss, but our Mum very much kept the show on the road. As a family we were all determined to continue on with the Seavite story and build on Dad’s legacy as we knew we had a product that really worked and made a difference to peoples’ skin and lives and we wanted to ensure others would benefit from the soothing and therapeutic benefits of the products.
What do you hope to accomplish in the future?
We have an exciting year ahead, celebrating 30 years in business and some exciting new product launches coming. For us it is important to stay true to the brand. We know we have a product that really works and we want to ensure that our customers can continue to benefit from the soothing and regenerative elements of the Atlantic Ocean captured in Seavite products and fine-tuned by science.
Want to read more about our favourite Irish brands? Click here to see The Nature of Things's 'Evergreen: Behind the Label' blog.
