Research & Development

From the beginning, research & development has been one of the driving forces of what we do. Our R&D team works with some of the world's most distinguished scientists, creating a strong, professional network and building knowledge in bio-technology, dermatology and marine cosmetology.

Key R&D projects are:

• Basic research on Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater and its elements (i.e. microbial community, silica and minerals)
• Comprehensive screening of actives
• Efficacy and clinical studies on Blue Lagoon’s healing power
• Development of harvesting and processing methods of Blue Lagoon actives
• Development of Blue Lagoon skincare products and treatments

The Blue Lagoon research & development centre is located in the heart of Svartsengi Resource Park and powered with renewable geothermal energy. Blue Lagoon uses green production methods in harvesting the natural and unique Blue Lagoon active ingredients: geothermal seawater, silica, minerals and algae.

Scientific work is an important part of what we do. Various studies and researches about Blue Lagoon, its ecosystem and its healing effects have been published through the years. The following is an overview of these studies:

 

Research on Blue Lagoon

• The History of the Blue Lagoon in Svartsengi (PDF)
• Geothermal CO2 bio-mitigation techniques by utilizing microalgae at the Blue Lagoon, Iceland (PDF)
• Bioactive molecules from the Blue Lagoon: in vitro and in vivo assessment of silica mud and microalgae extracts for their effects on skin barrier function and prevention of skin ageing (PDF)
• Psoriasis Treatment: Bathing in a Thermal Lagoon Combined with UVB, versus UVB Treatment Only (PDF)
• The Blue Lagoon and Psoriasis (PDF)
• The relationship between physical and chemical conditions and low microbial diversity in the Blue Lagoon geothermal lake in Iceland (PDF)
• Silicibacter lacuscaerulensis ge.nov., a mesophilic moderately halopilic bacterium characteristic of the Blue Lagoon geothermal lake in Iceland (PDF)
• Analysis of the unique geothermal microbial ecosystem of the Blue Lagoon (PDF)
• Obesity in Psoriasis Leptin

 

Research on Psoriasis and Blue Lagoon

• The effect bathing in a thermal lagoon in Iceland has on psoriasis (PDF)
• Bioactive molecules from the Blue Lagoon: in vitro and in vivo assessment of silica mud and microalgae extracts for their effects on skin barrier function and prevention of skin ageing (PDF)
• The Blue Lagoon and Psoriasis (PDF)
• Psoriasis treatment in a geothermal lagoon (PDF)
• Psoriasis treatment: bathing in a thermal lagoon combined with UVB, versus UVB treatment only (PDF)
• The effect of bathing in a thermal lagoon in Iceland has on psoriasis (PDF)

Algae production

Blue Lagoon has long-held experience in the production of microalgae and microalgae extracts for use in cosmetics. The company is active in microalgae research through the screening of new types of algae in the geothermal area, which produce valuable ingredients for use in cosmetics, nutritionals, fish feeding, lipid production and the production of bio fuel. Blue Lagoon has the exclusive right to research microorganisms on the Reykjanes peninsula.

Production takes place in Blue Lagoon's biotechnology centre, located in the heart of the Svartsengi Resource Park. The production process is environmentally friendly and controlled – using a tubular bioreactor system and renewable green energy directly from natural geothermal sources.

Two types of  Blue Lagoon algae, filamentous and coccoid, are produced in the biotechnology centre for use in our Blue Lagoon skin care range. Scientific studies of the geothermal seawater have shown that the microbial community is unique, as 60% of the organisms are novel on a species level. Blue Lagoon algae is among these.

There is a new project, which is a co-operation between HS Orka hf. and Blue Lagoon, on the utilisation of ‘raw’ geothermal gas/carbon dioxide from HS Orka´s geothermal energy plant in Svartsengi to grow micro algae. Blue Lagoon will also experiment with different algae types for lipid production and utilisation in cosmetics, nutritionals, fish feeding and, in the future, biofuel. The project is supported by the National Energy Fund.

Silica production

Blue Lagoon silica is a natural product harvested with sustainable, carbon emission free methods. It is harvested from silica rich Blue Lagoon geothermal seawater via precipitation. It is then used in cosmetics as an active ingredient for strengthening the skin barrier, skin renewing and deep cleansing.

Production takes place in Blue Lagoon's harvesting centre in the heart of Svartsengi Resource Park. The process is powered by renewable geothermal energy.

Blue Lagoon silica is the most characteristic element of our geothermal seawater. This pure, white silica is a dissolved primary rock, brought directly from the Earth's mantle and enriched with essential minerals. One form of Blue Lagoon silica is a white mud known for its healing power and anti-ageing effect. It is an important element of the treatment offered at the Blue Lagoon Dermatology Clinic. Silica mud is the star product of the Blue Lagoon skincare line.