Haeckels exists as an amplifier of the natural world and as a community problem solver.
We are driven by trying to solve the waste problem – be that through our use of waste natural resources in our products, or presenting packaging solutions to our community that are fully recyclable or compostable.
We use seaweed as the base for all of our products. That seaweed is picked by hand in Margate, UK. Why seaweed? Seaweed hydrates; it’s rich with valuable vitamins, minerals and amino acids; it’s anti-bacterial, skin rebuilding and anti-inflammatory; it’s all-natural, and all around us. Under licence, we harvest it by hand from the beach just steps away from our shop.
What drives us forward is doing things differently and always evolving. What started in Margate is now sold the world over. We’re afraid to stand still. Everything we do has to have a reason to exist whilst honouring our ocean first philosophy.
Nothing is too big or too small. We can’t wait to take you on our journey with us.

Haeckels was founded in 2012 by volunteer beach warden and coastal enthusiast Dom Bridges.

Disillusioned by the production ethos of many larger skincare companies Dom wanted to create simple handcrafted products that showcased the surrounding coasts natural ingredients in the hope that the products themselves would then promote Margate’s heritage of healthy coastal living.

When Haeckels was just starting out Dom would collect seaweed and local botanicals along the Margate coast and bring them to 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 skincare 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 Haeckels 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’s coastline.

We always love to see if we can expand our team. If you’d like to join us, fire an email over to customercare@haeckels.co.uk and they can make sure it ends up in the right place!