The Blue Lagoon’s Line of Skin Care Products: Anything Special?

If you go to Iceland, chances are good you’ll end up at the Blue Lagoon. The beautiful destination is a favorite not only for the spectacular setting, with the vibrant blue hues of the water contrasting against the lava rock, but the geothermal waters filled with minerals. Swim right up to the facial bar and treat yourself to an algae or silica mask, and then pick up some to take home before you leave. They even sell it in the airport!

But, are the Blue Lagoon’s skin care products all they’re hyped up to, or just another facial mask receiving a lot of hype because of its travel connections?

The silica mud mask is certainly the most popular Blue Lagoon product, and you see unending multitudes of travelers lounging in the waters with it smeared on their faces. Silica is meant to brighten your skin, minimize pores and leave you with a clean complexion.

But is it the real deal? Well, research has been done on the Blue Lagoon’s skin care products, so they do have some credibility. One study found the silica had positive effects for those with psoriasis, and research from Experimental Dermatology found both the silica and algae masks have anti-aging effects.

However, don’t expect a miracle product out of either. While each do a fine job of what they promise — mostly clearing and tightening pores — you’ll have to decide if the cost is right for what you’re getting.

A 3.4-ounce tube of the silica mud mask is $115, while a 2.5-ounce tube of the algae mask is also $115. At that amount, you could just visit the lagoon and smother it on as much as you want for the entire day.