Glasswort: an Atlantic coastal plant with many virtues

Glasswort: an aquatic plant with stems of water and salt

Glasswort is a small plant that puts down its roots on the Atlantic coast, in the salt water of the foreshore or salt marshes. It contains mainly water and salt. It is also very rich in vitamins and trace elements.

Glasswort forms a carpet of very green, thick stems, around 20 to 30 cm high, topped by a small horn. It is also known as salt horn, sea gherkin or sea bean. It accumulates salt inside its stems throughout its growth, from May to the end of July. In August, it contains so much salt that it changes colour to red.

Glasswort is easy to spot in the Bay of the Somme, as well as on the Brittany, Vendée and Charente coasts. It grows wild in the salt waters of the Pen Lan peninsula in the Côtes d'Armor, where our marine cosmetics laboratory is based. Some salt marsh farmers also grow it in their salt marshes, as it allows them to diversify their production.

Moisturising properties for the skin, much appreciated in cosmetics

Glasswort is a highly valuable marine active ingredient in cosmetics. Its moisturising properties are directly linked to the conditions in which it lives. In fact, this robust little plant is capable of withstanding the long hours of low tide when it no longer has an abundance of salt water. Essentially made up of sea water, its stems could then quickly dry out in the wind. However, this is not the case, as Glasswort has adapted and developed an extraordinary ability to retain water in the cells of its fleshy stems.

When incorporated into cosmetic treatments, it imparts these unique properties to the cells of the epidermis. Combined with other marine active ingredients, it helps to keep facial skin well hydrated and combats dehydration. That's why we've included Salicornia in our Vagues skincare range. It combines its moisturising properties with those of Blue Thistle, to give you smoother, silkier skin. Rich in vitamin A, it helps to restore your complexion and combat skin ageing.

A delicious plant with iodine flavours, rich in vitamins and trace elements

Rich in vitamins and minerals, glasswort is also a culinary treasure. Harvested when the stems are green, this little sea plant is an ideal condiment for enhancing fish dishes with its iodine flavours. Pickled, it can be used like a gherkin. It's also delicious in omelettes, prepared as a parsley sauce in a pan, or simply seasoned as a vinaigrette. It should be used in moderation, however, to avoid exceeding the recommended daily allowance of salt.

Salicornia is therefore a coastal plant that is ideal for use in cooking and marine cosmetics. To benefit from its moisturising properties for the skin, we invite you to try our Vagues Range, where it is combined with Blue Thistle, another active ingredient straight from the marine garden.