kapok has long been a keen supporter on sustainability, our buyers are very conscious and source products with that in mind, especially when it comes to beauty and skincare department, kapok elixirs (aka the magic potion) has a mission to decode clean beauty. among many brands, Hæckels from Margate, U.K., is an intriguing yet successful example on this topic.
about Hæckels
Hæckels was founded in 2012 by volunteer beach warden and coastal enthusiast Dom Bridges. disillusioned by the production ethos of many larger skin care companies Dom wanted to create simple hand crafted products that showcased the surrounding coasts natural ingredients in the hope that the products themselves would then promote Margate heritage of healthy coastal living.
when Hæckels was just starting out Dom would collect seaweed and local botanicals along the Margate coast and bring them bring back to his family kitchen to experiment. Dom’s wife Jo soon said it was time to get a proper lab and turn a passion into a business as every saucepan in the kitchen was starting to smell like a skin care product. taking his wife's advice he acquired the Lab on Cliff Terrace in 2013 where more product formulas were developed to complete the range.
the company has now grown; taking on members of staff whilst still playing an active part in the local community by organising beach cleans and taking part in marine conservation surveys. as Hæckels develops over the coming years the heart of the company will always remain the same as it concentrates on craft first in the hope that the products themselves will remind and educate customers of the natural wealth of Margate coastline.
products
there is oxygen from ocean plants in every breath we take.
for Hæckels, the ocean is integral to our survival we are intrinsically linked to it and it’s this relationship that forms the basis of their formula creation.
since Hæckels began they have explored and protected their coastline as it provides them with the insight and heritage they need to explore its skin + hair nourishing properties. they seek to create only natural products of the highest quality and efficacy. their products are also backed with data, tested on human and no one else to ensure effectiveness. rather than the thin veil of natural, they want to challenge synthetics not only through their olfactory experiments but also their skin, hair and body care - natural has to be effective to be relevant.
Hæckels at kapok
***click on photo to shop
they work with an affiliated lab to carry our assessments and stability testing whilst using our own Margate lab to formulate, test and experiment before commencing large scale manufacturing.
as a small giant, they are committed to changing the perception of independent skin care, providing clients with utter transparency, through which they learn and engage with their team enlightening each other along the way as they explore the ocean’s potential.
without much marketing, Hæckels has been well-received in the press.
conservation
Intelligence is the ability of a species to live in harmony with its environment.
by Paul WatsonHæckels is award winning independent company challenging the skincare world. the coastal license allows them to harvest the ocean vegetables direct from a cretaceous chalk reef allowing their committed team to design unique natural products of exceptional quality.
as ocean farmers, the Hæckels philosophy is simple :
- focus on manufacturing the most effective natural products.
- respect all and neglect none.
- share all, create debate.
use business to inspire and implement solutions to the worlds ocean crisis.
from the ocean for the ocean.