Imagine entering a geothermal lagoon in the heart of a volcanic frontier at the edge of the Arctic Circle. Imagine leaving your worries behind and immersing yourself in the mystical blue waters. Imagine the sense of wonder produced through your connection with the powers of the earth. Can you feel it? That’s harmony. There are few moments in life when your heart beats with the gentle pace of Mother Nature. Here at Blue Lagoon, those moments become lifelong memories: bathers perceive themselves as a tiny part of a circle connecting them to the inner workings of the Geothermal Ecocycle.

The Blue Lagoon: An Ecological Marvel

Located on Iceland’s Reykjanes Peninsula, a UNESCO Global Geopark, in an otherworldly moss-covered lava field created by a volcanic eruption that occurred in 1226 AD, the Blue Lagoon is a place where guests can unwind the clock of modern life and experience the rejuvenating powers of the mineral-rich, bioactive waters.

Chosen as one of National Geographic’s 25 Wonders of the World, the lagoon is not merely a vision of remote beauty, it also represents the harmonic convergence of nature, science, and sustainability. Blue Lagoon aspires to achieve a society without waste. In fact, “a society without waste” is the foundational principle of the Resource Park concept, which the Blue Lagoon is a valuable part of. We harvest renewable geothermal resources for enhancing quality of life. All our water, electricity, and heat are sourced from a local geothermal resource harvested through extraction wells with sustainable methods. Thus, it’s entirely fitting that the Blue Lagoon and the Resource Park were jointly selected for the premiere episode of Zach Efron’s Netflix series in 2020, Down To Earth, where he explores healthy, sustainable ways to live.

The Geothermal Ecocycle: Harmony With Nature

Since the dawn of civilization, the circle has been a universal symbol of perfection, totality, and timelessness. At Blue Lagoon, our cyclical reuse of natural resources is the foundation of the Geothermal Ecocycle, both fulfilling the potential and embodying the essence of the resource park concept.

The Blue Lagoon Geothermal Ecocycle begins 2000 m (6562 ft) within the earth. Freshwater and ocean water converge in volcanic aquifers under the searing heat and immense pressure of its location, creating an extraordinary fluid called geothermal seawater. Rising to the surface through extraction wells from a nearby geothermal power plant, geothermal seawater becomes the genesis of three distinct usage streams: geothermal steam, geothermal seawater, and geothermal gas. None of these components ever goes to waste. In fact, they all contribute to the virtuous circle of multiple value creation.

Geothermal steam is used to generate electricity and hot water for the residents of the Reykjanes Peninsula. The mineral-rich geothermal seawater is channelled to the Blue Lagoon where visitors commune with its rejuvenating powers and scientists at the Research & Development Center harvest the Blue Lagoon bioactive elements – silica, microalgae, minerals – for use as the key ingredients in Blue Lagoon skincare. And geothermal gas, a natural CO2 waste product that otherwise would produce a carbon footprint, is recycled through a pioneering carbon-capture method, becoming nourishment for the cultivation of Blue Lagoon Microalgae in bioreactors at the R&D facility.

Clean & Efficient Skincare: Connected to the Cycle

Blue Lagoon skincare—born of nature, science, and sustainability—plays a major role in the Geothermal Ecocycle. Every coordinate of the research, development, and production process is enabled by clean energy and resonates with respect for the environment. From the electricity that powers the R&D center, to the CO2 that nourishes the microalgae, to the sustainable methods of harvesting the bioactive elements, our skincare manifests the core principles of the ecocycle and honors the ambitions embedded in the phrase, ‘a society without waste.’

Likewise, our bioactive ingredients are COSMOS-approved—a designation attesting to their natural and sustainable origins. And our product packaging is designed according to the tenet that less is more. We encourage reuse and recycling, and we try to choose the most environmentally friendly options for our product lines. Recently we partnered with Pure North, an Icelandic company dedicated to recycling plastic waste through renewable energy using no chemical substances in the process. We have also instituted a program that allows our customers to return empty packaging to our stores for recycling.

Ultimately, the Geothermal Ecocycle is our guide and our inspiration. We aim to mitigate our carbon footprint while preserving the sanctity of the earth. We create unique experiences and skincare that exists in harmony with nature.

The skin is your largest organ. It is vital to your wellbeing, maintaining the balance of fluids and regulating your body temperature. The skin affects your appearance, reflects your inner wellness, and is a powerful barrier that defends you against external and intrinsic factors. Stress, pollution, diet, hormonal issues, UV-exposure, and the mere passing of time all impact your body, triggering various reactions from your skin. Breakouts, rashes, and visible wrinkles could be signals that it is time to slow down, take a deep breath, and start looking after yourself. The skin barrier is your first line of defense. Thus, it is vitally important to maintain a healthy skin barrier. Taking a holistic approach may be helpful when adjusting to a personalized skincare routine—as both external and internal factors may affect the skin barrier and its appearance.

Skin health: Maintaining a strong skin barrier

A weak or compromised skin barrier fails to retain water efficiently and the skin will look dehydrated, dull, sensitive, and probably scaly—thus making you vulnerable to inflammation and infection. Conversely, a strong skin barrier retains moisture, preserves hydration balance, and fights external threats while leaving your complexion radiant. We all know the signals our skin sends us when it is not at its best. We all go through periods of stress and anxiety that have adverse consequences for the skin. Whether your concern is oiliness, dehydration, dryness, breakouts, dullness, skin texture, or visible pores, a personalized skincare routine allows you to target different skin issues at different times. Internal factors such as genetics, hormonal balance, and medical conditions may affect your skin. Likewise, external factors such as climate changes, a stressed lifestyle, inadequate skincare, and nutrition also affect your skin. Restoring the skin barrier means building up the skin's outer layer, the epidermis. Make sure your skin is well hydrated and given the proper care using suitable skincare products. The key is understanding your skin needs, and which different factors affect the skin.

Blue Lagoon Iceland: A holistic approach to beauty and wellness

In the early 80s, people started bathing in the Blue Lagoon, noticing the water’s profoundly beneficial effects on their skin. People suffering from skin disorders such as psoriasis and eczema reported that bathing in the luminous blue waters soothed and relieved their symptoms. The skin barrier felt strengthened and balanced. Since then, Blue Lagoon has researched bioactive water and its bioactive elements—silica, microalgae, and minerals. These mineral and microbial properties play an integral role in the beneficial effects of bathing in bioactive water and have become the foundation of Blue Lagoon skincare.

The Blue Lagoon experience is holistic by nature, combining the lagoon’s ethereal blue color, the tranquillity of the stress-free environment, the volcanic landscape, the purity of the Arctic air, and the rejuvenating powers of bioactive water. This multi-sensory experience is what makes Blue Lagoon unique in the world and explains why people emerge from the water feeling relaxed, revitalized, and confident in their own skin.

Personalize your routine with Blue Lagoon skincare. Our products address a wide range of skin concerns and focus on protecting and nurturing the skin barrier. The result is a fully revitalized glow coming from within.