Product FAQs

When should I take my SeaFibre supplements?

Because SeaFibre is about filling the gaps in our modern food and especially fibre for the microbiome, we recommend to eat it with food. So say 2 capsules for breakfast and 2 with an evening meal. If you are taking SeaFibre-3, then there is also less of the Omega-3 aroma to deal with if you do this, and Omega-3 absorbs better if taken with other fats too... like olive oil, cheese, avocado, nuts and seeds. However, that said, it is still going to work with your microbiome at any time so you can take 4 capsules whenever it is practical for you... taking them at all ranks higher than when you take them.

Do I need to keep taking probiotics if I am taking SeaFibre?

In our view prebiotics are more important than probiotics, because without the right food source, your probiotics will just be passing through and not doing anything. You need to feed the right microbes inside your gut, and hopefully most of them are there already. We did not use probiotics in our clinical studies and we got significant results with SeaFibre alone. That said, you do need to "update" and diversify your microbiome profile through your diet regularly, and this is why it is good to eat fermented foods, including cheeses, fermented drinks or yoghurts, sauerkraut or kimchi etc. This is the best source of probiotics. However if you don't eat fermented foods or have been taking antibiotics, then probiotic supplements can be useful, but they are not very diverse.

Why do you use phenoxyethanol in your products?

At PhycoHealth, we’ve always been committed to delivering products that are as effective as they are sustainable. This commitment extends to every ingredient we use, including phenoxyethanol. While we strive to eliminate unsustainable or unhealthy ingredients, always, we are constantly evaluating our options to ensure the least impact on human health and the environment, without compromising product efficacy. Our rationale regarding Phenoxyehtanol is founded in our own sceintific expertise and scanning of the current context of knowledge, with scepticism and without bias or proliferation of bias. Why Preservatives Are Necessary Preservatives are essential for skincare products that contain water. Without them, bacteria, yeasts, and molds could thrive, making products unsafe for use. Phenoxyethanol plays a vital role in extending shelf life and preventing contamination, including against pathogens like Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as yeasts such as Candida albicans. These organisms pose serious health risks, and effective preservatives are necessary to keep products safe. The Science Behind Phenoxyethanol Phenoxyethanol is a preservative which is synthesised from ethylene oxide and phenols, which are both found in nature including in green tea, however contrary to popular belief, phenoxyethanol itself is not found naturally in green tea. This combination of natural ingredients to form phenoxyethanol, was found to suppress bacteria and moulds by selectively disrupting their membranes, while not to being able to disrupt human cell membranes, because our membranes are protected by cholesterol. Phenoxyethanol has been extensively studied for decades and is considered one of the most well-tolerated preservatives in skincare. According to the European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety, it is safe for use in cosmetic products at concentrations of up to 1%, even for children of all ages. Its safety profile has been affirmed in multiple studies, showing no evidence of toxicity or endocrine disruption at these levels. Unlike other glycol ethers, phenoxyethanol should not be considered an endocrine disruptor. Addressing Concerns Despite its established safety, phenoxyethanol is sometimes listed as a concern by organisations like ECOCERT. Others, including Paula’s Choice and Credo Beauty, highlight its favourable safety profile compared to alternative preservatives. Even Safe Cosmetics Australia includes it in their “essential ingredients” list for keeping products safe. The Environmental Working Group (EWG) ranks phenoxyethanol as "good" when used in liquid formulations. The ranking is only downgraded for its use in dry products, where inhalation of airborne dust could pose a risk—a context not applicable to skincare formulations like ours. This distinction underscores its safety in most cosmetic applications, including our own. Alarmist perspectives often fail to account for the broader context. Similarly, studies that test its effects in non-relevant systems, like plant roots, do not provide meaningful evidence for human health concerns. It has been in use since the 1950's and is one of the most trusted preservatives.  A Balanced Perspective As ecological scientists with expertise in human health and nutrition, we approach ingredient selection with care and nuance. We weigh the real, perceived, and alternative solutions available, always striving for the most sustainable and health-conscious options. While natural alternatives to phenoxyethanol exist, they may be less effective or less sustainable when considering their full life cycle. Take salt as an analogy: an essential mineral for human health, yet harmful in excess. Context matters, and so does understanding the balance of risks and benefits. The same principle applies to phenoxyethanol, where its benefits in product safety outweigh alarmist concerns when used responsibly. A strategy to minimise Not only do we at PhycoHealth regard the ingredients use iun our products seriously and only work safely - we also apprecaite that where there is an oppotunity to minimise the impact, then we will also work there. In this way, we use a lower dose of Phenoxyethanol than most brands, because we use it in a bland formulation called PlantaservE which combines phenoxyethanol with ethylhexylglycerin to increase the efficacy of phenoxyethanol - and therefore reduces the need to use too much. It is important to use the lowest effective concentration of preservative to minimize the risk of irritation or toxicity while still ensuring that the product is safe and effective. Looking to the Future We are committed to improving our formulations as better solutions emerge. At PhycoHealth, we remain open-minded and adaptive, keeping pace with evolving science to ensure our products provide maximum benefit with minimal impact. Our dedication to sustainability extends beyond ingredients to our packaging, processes, and overall mission. And we always choose to do the research and explore the facts as deeply as we can, presenting our best scientific interpretation and separating fact from fiction as, even when it differs from popular opinion. By prioritising safety, sustainability, and efficacy, we ensure that every choice we make reflects our values and our responsibility to you—our customers—and the planet. When you use PhycoHealth products, you can trust that every ingredient has been carefully considered to align with our high standards and your expectations. References: - European Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (2016): Phenoxyethanol in cosmetic products considered safe up to 1% concentration. (Source) - Paula's Choice Ingredient Dictionary: Phenoxyethanol as a safe and effective preservative. (Source) - Credo Beauty's "The Dirty List": Phenoxyethanol compared favorably with other preservatives in terms of safety and efficacy. (Source) - Safe Cosmetics Australia: Includes phenoxyethanol on its list of essential preservatives for cosmetic safety. (Source)

Where can I buy your products in-store?

PhycoHealth is proud to be increasing our footprint in retail stores. We believe that these retailers espouse good food, responsible sourcing and packaging, and value the important things including how food can make a difference to your lifelong wellness. You can see our stockists here. Alternatively if you are visiting the Jervis Bay area, you can call in to our factory at 1 Scallop St Huskisson NSW 2540. Soon we hope to be in a few international retail stores so watch this space.