Indie skin care brand expands into local retailers across 15 states

Indie all-natural skin care product brand Planet Botanicals’ product collection will now be available at all Sea Bags retailer locations in the US. The collection, which is formulated with sustainably harvested hero ingredient Maine seaweed, is “artisan made in Westbrook, Maine…[and] combined with other high potency plant-based ingredients for 99.7% to 100% natural formulations​,” as detailed in a company statement​.

The brand expansion includes retail space in all forty-nine Sea Bags locations, which include Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Michigan, and California.

About the brand & collection

As detailed in the company’s statement, “Planet Botanicals is an award-winning all-natural Maine skincare company founded in 2008 by Michele Gilfoil​.” In keeping with the company’s mission to “select the highest quality plant-based ingredients so that customers will benefit from healthy natural products packed with nutrients for their skin and feel good about using products based on sustainable sourcing that do no harm to the environment​,” the “Seaweed Beauty Skincare Collection is based on locally harvested Maine seaweed​,” the statement continued.

Recognized as a Top 10 Indie Beauty Skincare Brand by the NYC Indie Beauty Expo, Planet Botanicals Seaweed Beauty skin care collection includes a range of products like bar soap, bath salts, body lotion, body wash, foaming scrub, hand cream, and rescue salve. Product formulations include “a proprietary blend of five types of sustainably harvested Maine Seaweed to extract the maximum benefits from the seaweed​,” confirmed the company’s statement. The line focuses on seaweed as a hero ingredient because it “has powerful anti-aging, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits and multiple vitamins and minerals that keep the skin healthy and looking its best​.”

In the statement, brand founder Gilfoil shared that “seaweed is one of the best ingredients for the skin and is starting to be recognized for its remarkable benefits​,” and “Maine has one of the best qualities of seaweed in the world, because of its pristine ocean waters​.” The seaweed used in Planet Botanicals Seaweed Beauty skin care collection is hand harvested to ensure sustainable practices are followed. Gilfoil joined the Maine Seaweed Council to remain updated on best practices to preserve the seaweed ecosystem during harvest.

About the distribution partnership & next steps

Regarding the new distribution partnership, Gilfoil shared that the brand is “thrilled to extend our award-winning, premium Maine seaweed skincare products to Sea Bags’ customers​,” and that the brand expansion efforts with the retailer are “especially gratifying as both Sea Bags and Planet Botanicals represent the deep connection to Maine’s seafaring traditions and Maine’s renowned reputation for quality products​,” the statement detailed.

In the same announcement, Knupp echoed Gilfoil’s excitement and shared that “we are delighted to offer Planet Botanicals’ high-quality seaweed skincare products in our retail stores and provide our customers products that also represent the best of Maine’s nautical traditions​.”

On the heels of the news regarding the brand’s retail expansion, Planet Botanicals also announced that founder Gilfoil will also present the benefits of seaweed as a cosmetic and personal beauty care ingredient for product formulation at the upcoming Seagriculture USA conference in Portland next month, which will also further brand awareness.