Celebrating 25 Years of Seaflora: From Sea to Skin, One Wild Harvest at a Time
This year marks a big one for Seaflora Skincare – we’re celebrating our 25th Anniversary! It’s been an amazing journey, growing from a small idea into a brand known for its pure, ocean-based skincare. We started with a simple belief: the ocean holds incredible benefits for our skin. And for two and a half decades, we’ve stuck to that, bringing you products straight from the sea to your home. This milestone, our Seaflora 25th Anniversary, is a moment to look back at everything we’ve built and also to look forward to what’s next.
Key Takeaways
- Seaflora is celebrating 25 years of making skincare from the ocean, focusing on wild-harvested seaweed.
- The brand is all about being real and good for the planet, using local and ethical ways to get ingredients.
- Seaflora’s products are made with food-grade ingredients, so they’re super safe, and the company has a zero-waste goal.
- They’ve won awards for being green and are trusted by spas and customers all over for great results.
- You can try Seaflora products to see how wild, organic seaweed can help your skin look its best.
25 Years in the Making
Twenty-five years ago, Seaflora embarked on a journey fueled by a deep love for the ocean and its incredible gifts. What started as a small, passionate endeavor has blossomed into a celebrated brand, recognized for its commitment to sustainable beauty and the potent power of wild-harvested seaweed. It’s hard to believe it’s been a quarter of a century!
This anniversary isn’t just about looking back; it’s about celebrating the enduring connection between Seaflora, the ocean, and our amazing community.
From the rugged coastlines of Sooke, where it all began, to homes around the world, Seaflora’s story is one of dedication, innovation, and a profound respect for nature. We’re excited to share some highlights from the past 25 years, and a peek at what’s on the horizon.
We’ve been featured in Victoria News, and it’s always a pleasure to see our work recognized.
‘Seaflora skincare company started in Sooke in 1998, when founder Diane Bernard saw a skincare brand exaggerating its use of seaweed in its products.
“The last and least-used ingredient was seaweed, and 100 per cent of the marketing was about seaweed – 100 per cent of the benefits in the marketing were seaweed,” said Adam Butcher, the current owner and “Sea.E.O.” of Seaflora, who took over the business after his mother retired.
“But there was none in it. It was heavily processed, heavily perfumed and fragranced. And she said, ‘Well, Vancouver Island is gift-wrapped in seaweed – I can do something like this.’”
“Squalene comes from shark livers. We already have enough problems with people slicing fins off for shark fin soup,” Line said. “So I keep telling people, why don’t you extract squalene from seaweed and sell it to L’Oréal or Estée Lauder?”
“As my mom always said, seaweed has such a bad PR problem. So a lot of it is getting people more excited about seaweed, which is easy to do here at the Seaweed Symposium,” he said.
“Somebody told me yesterday, ‘The world is sleeping on seaweed.’ And they really are.”
Butcher explained that part of what makes seaweed an effective skincare ingredient is its many natural benefits.
“Whatever is trending in skincare, seaweed has it,” he said.
“Whether it’s vitamins and minerals – seaweeds have more than any fruit, vegetable or herb grown on land – or whether it’s unique bioactive compounds that are beneficial to human skin.”
Seaweed is also sustainable, Butcher explained. Some species, like Macrocystis — a kind of kelp — are among the fastest-growing organisms on Earth. They don’t need fertilizer, soil or any human intervention, at least not from Butcher, who wild-harvests his seaweed about 12 times a year – enough to sustain the business.
“I’ve maybe harvested in 300 square metres of area. You just give the seaweed a little haircut, and the rest of it keeps growing. You come back year after year after year.”
While Butcher never expected to be running a skincare brand, seaweed, you could say, is in his blood.
“One of my summer jobs when I was a teenager, in high school, was harvesting local seaweed,” Butcher said.
“I had a list of chefs here in Victoria and up-Island. I’d give them a call and say, ‘Hey, it’s Adam – these are the seaweeds I’ve got this week. How much do you want?’”
After a few years of school, some travelling and eventually returning to Sooke, Butcher saw the opportunity to keep working with seaweed. He jumped at it, eventually taking over the company from his mother when she retired. Since then, he’s had the opportunity to travel the world, spreading the good word of seaweed with no plans of stopping anytime soon.
“We’re celebrating 25 years in business this year, and it’s been a really cool ride,” he said.
“The future is just doing what we’re doing – but doing it better.”’
Milestones Worth Celebrating
It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years! Looking back, it’s amazing to see how far Seaflora has come. From humble beginnings to becoming a recognized name in the seaweed skincare world, there are definitely some milestones worth highlighting. It hasn’t always been easy, but the journey has been incredibly rewarding.
One of the biggest achievements has been building a community that shares our passion for sustainable harvesting and clean beauty. We’re so grateful for everyone who has supported us along the way. Let’s take a quick look at some key moments:
- In 1998 Diane Bernard founded Seaflora, North America’s first USDA organic-certified skincare brand based on seaweed.
- Receiving our first award for sustainable practices. It validated our commitment to the environment and gave us the confidence to keep pushing forward.
- In 2018 Diane retired, and her son Adam Butcher and his wife Chantelle Line took over the company.
- Introducing new products that cater to a wider range of skin types and concerns. It’s been exciting to see how people have embraced our new seaweed skincare products.
- Collaborating with local communities to support sustainable harvesting and economic growth. It’s important to us that we give back to the areas that provide us with so much.
- In 2020, Seaflora’s sustainable hand-harvesting practices were showcased on the Smithsonian Channel as part of a documentary highlighting the ecological importance of BC’s kelp forests.
- Our collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada led to a breakthrough hyperpigmentation serum—powered by kelp bioactives that suppress pigmentation enzymes, not just mask imperfections.
- Using vegan, organic Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs) from seaweed combined with transparent zinc oxide, our Natural Sun Shield Moisturizer shields the skin with zero white cast—and double as an anti-aging ally.
It’s been an incredible journey, and we’re so excited to see what the next 25 years will bring. We’re committed to continuing our mission of providing high-quality, sustainable seaweed skincare products while protecting the marine environment.
What Hasn’t Changed
Even with 25 years under our belts, some things at Seaflora remain as constant as the tides. We believe in sticking to our roots, and that means staying true to the values that got us here in the first place. It’s kind of like that old family recipe you just can’t mess with – it’s perfect as is!
- Our commitment to sustainable harvesting practices is unwavering. We still hand-harvest our seaweed, ensuring minimal impact on the marine ecosystem. It’s more work, sure, but it’s the right thing to do.
- The quality of our ingredients remains paramount. We source only the best wild seaweeds from the pristine waters of the Pacific Northwest.
- Our dedication to cruelty-free practices hasn’t changed. We never test on animals, and we never will.
We’ve always believed in the power of the ocean to heal and nourish. That belief is at the heart of everything we do, and it’s something we’ll never compromise on. It’s not just about skincare; it’s about respecting the ocean and its gifts.
We’re still a family-run business, too. Sure, we’ve grown, but we haven’t lost that personal touch. You can still reach out and talk to a real person when you have a question. And we still care deeply about every single customer. Speaking of which, the Oceanic Renewal face and body treatment is a great way to experience the benefits of our products firsthand.
What’s Next
So, what’s cooking at Seaflora these days? Well, we’re not ones to rest on our laurels. After 25 years, you might think we’d be slowing down, but nope! We’re just getting started. We’re always looking for ways to improve, innovate, and, most importantly, make our products even better for you and the planet.
We believe that beauty shouldn’t come at the expense of the environment. That’s why we’re committed to finding new and innovative ways to minimize our impact and give back to the ocean that sustains us.
Seaflora Awards
It’s pretty cool to look back and see how Seaflora has been recognized over the years. It’s not just about slapping a sticker on a product; it’s about knowing that our commitment to sustainable harvesting and clean ingredients is actually making a difference. We’re super proud of the nods we’ve gotten, and we think it’s important to share them with you all. After all, you’re the reason we strive for excellence.
We’ve always believed that doing good for the planet and creating amazing skincare can go hand in hand. These awards are a testament to that belief.
Here are some of the awards we’ve received:
- Ecostar Winner 2023 for Greenest Retailer of the Year
- Clean + Conscious Winner 2024
- CertClean Face Scrub Winner 2025
It’s been a wild ride, and we’re excited to see what the next 25 years bring! We’re always trying to improve and innovate, and we appreciate all the support we’ve received along the way. Thanks for being part of the Seaflora family!
We’re proud to be recognized for our commitment to sustainability and clean beauty.
Best-Selling Seaflora Products
It’s always interesting to see what products resonate most with our customers. After 25 years, we’ve got a pretty good idea of what you all love! Here are a few of our top sellers:
Fan Favorites: Seaflora’s Best of the Best
Seabright Moisturizer
Brighten, hydrate, and protect—all in one bottle.
Formulated with five species of hand-harvested seaweed, stabilized Vitamin C, and natural brighteners like bearberry and licorice root, this daily moisturizer helps reduce the look of discolouration, sun damage, and uneven skin tone—without harsh chemicals.
“My sun spots have faded, and my skin looks so much more even. I finally feel comfortable going makeup-free.”
— Leanne, Salt Spring Island
Intensive Restorative Night Cream
Repair and renew while you sleep.
This ultra-rich overnight cream delivers deep nourishment with seaweed bioactives, antioxidant plant oils, and botanical extracts that support skin regeneration. Designed to restore moisture, calm inflammation, and smooth the appearance of fine lines—so you wake up glowing.
“I wake up glowing. It’s like a full night of beauty sleep—even when I didn’t get one.”
— Michelle, Kelowna
Natural Sun Shield Facial Moisturizer
Daily sun protection, powered by the ocean.
A lightweight mineral sunscreen that blends transparent zinc oxide with Mycosporine-like Amino Acids (MAAs) from seaweed for broad-spectrum protection—without a white cast or synthetic filters. Reef-safe, skin-safe, and doubles as an anti-aging day cream.
“Finally—a sunscreen that feels like skincare. It’s non-greasy, reef-safe, and doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin.”
— Daniel, Ucluelet
Behind the Bestsellers: The Science & Story
Seaflora’s Refill Station
We’re so excited about our refill station! It’s a big step towards reducing waste and making our products even more sustainable. It’s been a journey figuring out the best way to do this, but we think we’ve landed on something pretty great. We want to make it as easy as possible for you to reduce your environmental impact while still enjoying the benefits of Seaflora.
Refill stations are a simple way to make a big difference. By choosing to refill, you’re actively participating in a more sustainable future. It’s a small change that adds up to a significant impact.
Here’s what you can expect from our refill stations:
- A convenient way to reduce plastic waste.
- A cost-effective way to enjoy your favorite Seaflora products.
- A commitment to a healthier planet.
We’re constantly working to expand our refill options and make them even more accessible. Stay tuned for updates!
Thank You to Our Ocean-Loving Community
It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years! This journey wouldn’t have been possible without you, our amazing community. From the very beginning, your support for sustainable practices and love for award winning skincare has fueled our passion. We’re so grateful for every purchase, every shared story, and every effort you’ve made to help us protect our oceans.
We believe that beauty shouldn’t come at the expense of our planet, and your commitment to this vision makes all the difference.
Here’s a little about what your support has helped us achieve:
- Sustainably harvest seaweed, ensuring the health of our coastal ecosystems.
- Develop eco-friendly packaging, like our recyclable glass and compostable boxes.
- Support local conservation efforts, giving back to the communities that sustain us.
We’re excited to continue this journey with you, creating skincare that’s good for you and good for the planet. Thank you for being a part of the Seaflora family!
Conclusion
It’s pretty wild to think about how far Seaflora has come in 25 years. From a small, passionate endeavor fueled by a love for the ocean to a brand recognized for its commitment to sustainable harvesting and effective skincare, it’s been quite the journey. We’ve seen trends come and go, but our core values have remained the same.
Looking ahead, we’re more excited than ever to continue innovating and expanding our reach, all while staying true to our roots. We’re not just selling skincare; we’re sharing a piece of the Pacific Northwest and a commitment to environmental responsibility.
We’re incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported us along the way – our loyal customers, dedicated team, and the ocean itself. Here’s to the next chapter, filled with even more sustainable practices, innovative products, and a continued dedication to bringing the best of the sea to your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Seaflora skincare special?
Seaflora is a skincare brand that uses wild, organic seaweed as its main ingredient. We hand-pick nine different kinds of seaweed, plus ocean mud and sea salts, from the clean waters near our store in Sooke, British Columbia. This makes our products super rich in good stuff like minerals and antioxidants.
Why is seaweed good for my skin?
Seaweed is packed with natural helpers like antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. These bits help your skin get back to normal, protect it, and make it look its best. Whether you need more moisture, want to smooth out fine lines, or calm sensitive skin, seaweed can help.
Are Seaflora products safe and kind to animals?
Yes, our products are made to be safe for everyone! We use ingredients that are so pure, our place is actually called a ‘bakery’. We also don’t test on animals, and all our ingredients are traced back to their source to make sure they’re good and fair.
How does Seaflora help the environment?
We care a lot about the planet. Our factory creates almost no trash, and we use methods that don’t use much energy. Our packaging is also good for the Earth: we use glass jars that can be recycled, boxes that can be composted, and shipping stuff that breaks down naturally.
Do real people and spas trust Seaflora?
Many high-end spas and skincare pros have trusted Seaflora for a long time because our products really work. Lots of happy customers have shared their stories about how our wild seaweed skincare has changed their skin for the better.
How can I try Seaflora products?
You can try Seaflora and see the difference for yourself! We even offer free sample routines so you can find out why so many people are switching to our wild, organic seaweed skincare.
