TARMAR's lab at University of Iceland
Using science, we have accumulated knowledge on the functional properties of bioactive compounds from pure natural sources of the Icelandic nature, seaweed, fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants
THE SCIENCE OF TARAMAR
Using science, we have accumulated knowledge on the functional properties of bioactive compounds from pure natural sources of the Icelandic nature, seaweed, fruits, vegetables and medicinal plants.
Unique Approach to Skincare:
Marine Biology meets Food & Nutritional Science
Decades of research, led by the founders, professors of Marine Ecology and Food Science, in the period between 1979 and the present (see recent publications), lie behind the development of the unique TARAMAR skin care brand.
TARAMAR Science Unveiling Nature’s Secrets:
- Bioactive Functions of Seaweed and Medicinal Plants
Using science, we have accumulated knowledge on the functional properties of bioactive compounds from seaweed and medicinal plants.
- Compounds to Replace Toxic and Harmful Chemicals
Using science, we have isolated unique compounds and designed a highly skin-active ArcticComplex® that has beneficial properties for skin and body. We use these compounds to replace all of the toxic and harmful chemicals that are currently found in most mainstream products.
- Natural Preservation Methods
Using science, we have designed safe and natural methods that preserve these functional properties through production and storage (patented NoTox® Technology).
- Spot-On Delivery of Ingredients
Using science, we have demonstrated how we can use delivery systems to protect our fragile skinactives and promote their activity resulting in visual beneficial changes to the skin (see our publication list)
TARAMAR Scientific Teamwork
The science of TARAMAR has been conducted in collaboration with scientists at European and USA Universities and Research Institutes (see authors in publication list) and most of the results have been published in peer reviewed journals.
Doctoral and Master Projects (list)
Two TARAMAR students: Ragnhildur (right) and Íris (left) completed their PhD and MS in last year (2022). Ragnhildur defended her PhD thesis aginst two opponents Dr. James Lyng, professor at Univerdity of Dublin and Dr. Federico Gomez, professor at Lund Univeristy (Sweeden). Here thesis is entitled: “Novel extraction of bioactive compounds from macroalgae with pulsed electric field. The influence on liposomal dispersions of particle size and electrostatic deposition of cold water fish skin gelatin”. These results provide valuable information for TARAMAR on the use of seaweed and development of ingenious skin-actives. Íris defended her MS thesis, entitled: Phycocyanin. Shelf life and use as colorant in skin care, describing valuable properties of pure spirulina cultures that are being integrated into TARAMAR’s new product line, ICEBLU.
The power of seaweed
We have published new results on the bioactive power of seaweed around Iceland. This paper has an impressive amount of information. This project was funded by the Icelandic Research Foundation and the University of Iceland Grant. Citation: Castejón, N, K.Anna Thorarinsdottir, R. Einarsdóttir, K. Kristbergsson and G. Marteinsdóttir. 2022. Exploring the Potential of Icelandic Seaweeds Extracts Produced by Aqueous Pulsed Electric Fields-Assisted Extraction for Cosmetic Applications. Marine Drugs 2021: 19: 662.
Ragnhildur defended her PhD
Dr. Ragnhildur Einarsdóttir, our Production manager defended her PhD thesis in December 2022. Her thesis is entitled: "Novel extraction of bioactive compounds from macroalgae with the pulsed electric field. The influence on liposomal dispersions of particle size and electrostatic deposition of cold water fish skin gelatin". This outstanding work contains valuable results on bioactivity and skin-beneficial compounds for TARAMAR. Already, many of the ingenious findings are being used to make the TARAMAR products pure, effective, and unique.
Phosphorescence formation
Our search for natural compounds that have photosensitizer properties to be used in our new Sun Protecting Formula has been partially completed and published in Chemical Papers. The main effort of this work was performed by Dr. August Kvaran, Professor at the Faculty of Physical Sciences at the University of Iceland, and his student, Kristján Einarsson. Citation: Guðmundsson, E.; G. Marteinsdóttir; K. Kristbergsson; and Á. Kvaran. 2022. Melatonin photoreactivity: phosphorescence formation and quenching processes. Chemical Papers.
